RuPaul's Drag Race (Season 16)

RuPaul's Drag Race
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Season 16
Overall Information
No. of Episodes	16
No. of Contestants	14
Premiere	January 5, 2024
Finale	April 19, 2024
Season Information
Winner	Nymphia Wind
Miss Congeniality	Sapphira Cristál & Xunami Muse
Queen of SDADHH	Morphine Love Dion
Host	RuPaul
Judges	RuPaul Michelle Visage Carson Kressley Ross Mathews Ts Madison
Season Chronology
← Previous	Season 15
Next →	Season 17

The sixteenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race was officially announced by World of Wonder on October 31, 2022. Casting opened the same day with deadline of January 6, 2023.

On December 6, 2023, the cast of Season 16 was officially announced, alongside a premiere date of January 5, 2024.

On April 19, 2024, Nymphia Wind was crowned America's Next Drag Superstar, while Sapphira Cristál placed as runner up. Sapphira Cristál and Xunami Muse both won Miss Congeniality, making herstory as the first double Miss Congeniality winners.

About The Show

• MTV
• WOW Presents Plus

On this Emmy Award-winning reality competition series, a new set of talented queens face off in design and performance challenges in hopes of being crowned America's Next Drag Superstar.

Emmy® award-winning "RuPaul's Drag Race" is a reality competition show hosted by world famous drag performer and seven-time Emmy® award-winning host, RuPaul. Contestants compete in design, comedy, dancing, and lip sync challenges while vying for the crown and coveted title of "America's Next Drag Superstar." RuPaul's Drag Race is now the most-awarded reality competition show in Emmys history.

Contestants

Amanda Tori Meating

Dawn

Geneva Karr

Hershii LiqCour-Jeté

Megami

Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige

Mirage

Morphine Love Dion

Nymphia Wind

Plane Jane

Plasma

Q

Sapphira Cristál

Xunami Muse

(Biographical information stated from during time of contest)

Rank	Contestant	Photo	Age	Location	Ep. 1	Ep. 2	Ep. 3	Ep. 4	Ep. 5	Ep. 6	Ep. 7	Ep. 8	Ep. 9	Ep. 10	Ep. 11	Ep. 12	Ep. 13	Ep. 14	Ep. 15	Ep. 16
					Talent Show		Ball	Acting	Girl Groups	Design	Rusical	Snatch Game	Design	Rumix	Stand Up	Design	Make Over	Advert	Lip Sync	Finale
1st (Winner)	Nymphia Wind (Group 2)		27	Brooklyn, NY		SAFE Mini Chall. Winner	WIN	SAFE	WIN	SAFE	SAFE	LOW	HIGH Mini Chall. Winner	SAFE	HIGH	LOW	HIGH	WIN	RUN	WINNER
2nd (Runner Up & Miss Congeniality)	Sapphira Cristál (Group 1)		34	Philadelphia, PA	WIN Mini Chall. Winner		HIGH	SAFE	SAFE Team Captain	SAFE	HIGH	HIGH	HIGH	WIN	WIN Mini Chall. Winner	WIN	BTM2	HIGH Mini Chall. Winner	RUN	MISS CON + RUNNER UP
3rd	Plane Jane (Group 2)		24	Boston, MA		WIN	SAFE	HIGH	SAFE	HIGH	SAFE	WIN	HIGH	LOW	SAFE	WIN Mini Chall. Winner	WIN	BTM2	RUN	ELIM
4th	Q (Group 1)		26	Kansas City, MO	TOP2		HIGH	HIGH	BTM2	WIN	HIGH	SAFE	WIN	LOW	SAFE	LOW	HIGH	ELIM	LOST 1ST ROUND	GUEST
5th (Queen of SDADHH)	Morphine Love Dion (Group 1)		25	Miami, FL	SAFE		SAFE	SAFE	SAFE	SAFE	LOW	BTM2	LOW	TOP2	BTM2	BTM2	ELIM		WINNER	GUEST
6th	Dawn (Group 1)		24	Brooklyn, NY	SAFE		SAFE	SAFE	SAFE	HIGH	SAFE	SAFE	HIGH	HIGH	LOW	ELIM			LOST 1ST ROUND	GUEST
7th	Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige (Group 2)		34	Miami, FL		SAFE	LOW	LOW	WIN	BTM2	BTM2	HIGH	BTM2	HIGH	ELIM				LOST 3RD ROUND	GUEST
8th	Plasma (Group 2)		24	New York, NY		SAFE	SAFE	WIN	SAFE Team Captain	LOW	WIN	SAFE	ELIM						LOST 1ST ROUND	GUEST
9th (Miss Congeniality)	Xunami Muse (Group 1)		33	New York, NY	SAFE		SAFE	SAFE	SAFE	SAFE Mini Chall. Winner	SAFE	ELIM Mini Chall. Winner							LOST 1ST ROUND	MISS CON
10th	Megami (Group 2)		33	Brooklyn, NY		SAFE	SAFE	SAFE	WIN	SAFE	ELIM								LOST 4TH ROUND	GUEST
11th	Geneva Karr (Group 2)		30	Brownsville, TX		TOP2	BTM2	BTM2	WIN Team Captain	ELIM									LOST 1ST ROUND	GUEST
12th	Amanda Tori Meating (Group 1)		26	Los Angeles, CA	SAFE		SAFE	SAFE	ELIM										LOST 2ND ROUND	GUEST
13th	Mirage (Group 1)		26	Las Vegas, NV	SAFE		SAFE	ELIM											LOST 2ND ROUND	GUEST
14th	Hershii LiqCour-Jeté (Group 2)		31	Los Angeles, CA		SAFE	ELIM												LOST 1ST ROUND	GUEST

█ The contestant won RuPaul's Drag Race.

█ The contestant placed as a runner up while also awarded the title of "Miss Congeniality at the finale.

█ The contestant was eliminated during the finale.

█ The contestant appeared on the reunion episode and was still in the running.

█ The contestant had immunity in this episode.

█ The contestant was one of the maxi challenge winners.

█ The contestant won the maxi challenge or was in the Top 2 of the week and won the "Lip Sync For The Win".

█ The contestant was in the Top 2 of the week, but did not win the "Lip Sync For The Win".

█ The contestant received mostly positive critiques, but did not win the maxi challenge.

█ The contestant received mostly negative critiques, but was not up for elimination.

█ The contestant was up for elimination and won the "Lip Sync For Your Life".

█ The contestant was up for elimination, lost the "Lip Sync For Your Life", and was eliminated.

█ The contestant won the She Done Already Done Had Herses Lip Sync tournament.

█ The contestant lost the fourth She Done Already Done Had Herses Lip Sync round.

█ The contestant lost the third She Done Already Done Had Herses Lip Sync round.

█ The contestant lost the second She Done Already Done Had Herses Lip Sync round.

█ The contestant lost the first She Done Already Done Had Herses Lip Sync round.

█ The contestant was awarded the title of "Miss Congeniality" at the finale.

█ The contestant appeared as a guest, but was out of the running

Contestant's Winning Earnings

Contestant	Money
Nymphia Wind	$216,950
Sapphira Cristál	$60,400
Plane Jane	$43,100
Q	$10,700
Morphine Love Dion	$50,700
Dawn	$700
Mhi'ya Iman LePaige	$2,050
Plasma	$10,000
Xunami Muse	$12,500
Megami	$1,250
Geneva Karr	$1,250
Amanda Tori Meating	$0
Mirage	$0
Hershii LiqCour-Jeté	$0

█ The contestant won $200,000 from winning RuPaul's Drag Race.

█ The contestant won $10,000 from winning Miss Congeniality and $25,000 for placing as the runner up, sponsored by CashApp.

█ The contestant won $25,000 after being eliminated in the finale, sponsored by CashApp.

█ The contestant won $10,000 for winning Miss Congeniality.

█ The contestant won $50,000 from the She Done Already Done Had Herses Lip Sync tournament.

• Each contestant present at the finale was awarded a $2,000 cash prize courtesy of Olay Body.

Rate-A-Queen Rankings

Episode 1		Episode 2
Contestant	Rank	Contestant	Rank
Sapphira Cristál	1st	Plane Jane	1st
Q	2nd	Geneva Karr	2nd
Dawn	3rd	Nymphia Wind	3rd
Mirage	4th	Plasma	4th
Morphine Love Dion	5th	Mhi'ya Iman LePaige	5th
Xunami Muse	6th	Hershii LiqCour-Jeté	6th
Amanda Tori Meating	7th	Megami	7th

Episodes

Series #	Episode #	Title	Airdate
208	1	Rate-A-Queen	January 5, 2024
209	2	Queen Choice Awards	January 12, 2024
210	3	The Mother of All Balls	January 19, 2024
211	4	RDR Live!	January 26, 2024
212	5	Girl Groups	February 2, 2024
213	6	Welcome To The DollHouse	February 9, 2024
214	7	The Sound Of Rusic	February 16, 2024
215	8	Snatch Game	February 23, 2024
216	9	See You Next Wednesday	March 1, 2024
217	10	Werq The World	March 8, 2024
218	11	Corporate Queens	March 15, 2024
219	12	Bathroom Hunties	March 22, 2024
220	13	Drag Race Vegas LIVE! Makeovers	March 29, 2024
221	14	Booked & Blessed	April 5, 2024
222	15	LipSync Lalaparuza Smackdown - Reunited	April 12, 2024
223	16	Grand Finale	April 19, 2024

Episode 1: "Rate-A-Queen"

"MTV Spring Break Talent Show" Title Card

Episode 1 Judges

Airdate: January 5, 2024

Synopsis: A new cast of queens, competing to be crowned America’s Next Drag Superstar, must show off their performance skills in a talent show. Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron guest judges.

• Special Guests: Derrick Barry and Love Connie
• Guest Judge: Charlize Theron
• Mini Challenge: Photoshoot through a Doorbell Camera on RuPaul's porch
• Mini Challenge Winner: Sapphira Cristál
• Mini Challenge Prize: $2,500 cash prize
• Maxi Challenge: Perform in the MTV Spring Break Talent Show
• Runway Theme: RuVeal Yourself
• Top Two: Sapphira Cristál and Q
• Lip Sync Song: "Break My Soul" by Beyoncé
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Sapphira Cristál
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize and immunity from a future challenge

Entrance Order

1	Q
2	Xunami Muse
3	Amanda Tori Meating
4	Morphine Love Dion
5	Sapphira Cristál
6	Mirage
7	Dawn

Talent Show Performances

Contestant	Performance	Photo	Rate-A-Queen Rankings
Morphine Love Dion	Lip Sync		5th
Amanda Tori Meating	Original Song		7th
Dawn	Original Song		3rd
Q	Dance Puppetry		2nd
Mirage	Original Song		4th
Xunami Muse	Original Song		6th
Sapphira Cristál	Opera Singing		1st

RuPaul's Front Porch Photoshoot

• Amanda Tori Meating
• Dawn
• Mirage
• Morphine Love Dion
• Q
• Sapphira Cristál
• Xunami Muse

Amanda Tori Meating
(Shoot 1)

Amanda Tori Meating
(Shoot 2)

Amanda Tori Meating
(Shoot 3)

Dawn

Mirage

Morphine Love Dion
(Shoot 1)

Morphine Love Dion
(Shoot 2)

Morphine Love Dion
(Shoot 3)

Q
(Shoot 1)

Q
(Shoot 2)

Sapphira Cristál

Xunami Muse
(Shoot 1)

Xunami Muse
(Shoot 2)

Episode 2: "Queen Choice Awards"

"Queen Choice Awards Talent Show" Title Card

Episode 2 Judges

Airdate: January 12, 2024

Synopsis: A new cast of queens, competing to be crowned America’s Next Drag Superstar, must show off their performance skills in a talent show. Superstar singer Becky G guest judges.

• Special Guest: Derrick Barry, Love Connie and Ts Madison
• Guest Judge: Becky G
• Mini Challenge: Get a photo taken at the She-MV
• Mini Challenge Winner: Nymphia Wind
• Mini Challenge Prize: $2,500 cash prize
• Maxi Challenge: Perform in the Queen Choice Award Talent Show
• Runway Theme: Made Ya Look
• Top Two: Geneva Karr and Plane Jane
• Lip Sync Song: "Shower" by Becky G
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Plane Jane
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize and immunity from a future challenge

Entrance Order

1	Hershii LiqCour-Jeté
2	Plasma
3	Geneva Karr
4	Plane Jane
5	Megami
6	Mhi'ya Iman LePaige
7	Nymphia Wind

Talent Show Performances

Contestant	Performance	Photo	Rate-A-Queen Rankings
Geneva Karr	Original Song		2nd
Hershii LiqCour-Jeté	Original Song		6th
Plasma	Original Song		4th
Nymphia Wind	Cultural Dance		3rd
Megami	Lipsync		7th
Mhi'ya Iman LePaige	Stunts / Lipsync		5th
Plane Jane	Original Song		1st

Episode 3: "The Mother of All Balls"

Episode 3 Judges

Airdate: January 19, 2024

Synopsis: The two groups of queens meet for the first time. Tensions rise as queens put their design skills to the test in a pageant of mother-inspired couture and showcase three mom-themed looks. Iconic fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi guest judges.

• Guest Judge: Isaac Mizrahi
• Maxi Challenge: Ball Challenge
• Runway Themes: Mother Goose, Significant Mother and Call Me Mother/Father Eleganza
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Nymphia Wind
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
• Bottom Two: Geneva Karr and Hershii LiqCour-Jeté
• Lip Sync Song: "Maybe You're the Problem" by Ava Max
• Eliminated: Hershii LiqCour-Jeté
• Farewell Message: "Whiplash!!! Love Hershii"

Runway Inspiration

Contestant	Nursery Rhyme	Significant Mother
Amanda Tori Meating	Little Pussy	Michelle Visage
Dawn	Cushy Cow	Audrey Hepburn
Geneva Karr	Miss Muffet	Salma Hayek
Hershii LiqCour-Jeté	Burnie Bee	Mother Nature
Megami	Little Bo-Peep	Lady Gaga
Mhi'ya Iman LePaige	Mary's Canary	Lil' Kim
Mirage	Baa Baa Black Sheep	La Llorona
Morphine Love Dion	A Man and A Maid	Kris Jenner
Nymphia Wind	Little Boy Blue	Angelina Jolie
Plane Jane	Pussycat by the Fire	Octomom
Plasma	Tweedle-Dum & Tweedle-Dee	Anne Boleyn
Q	The Man in the Moon	Judy Garland
Sapphira Cristál	Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater	Eve
Xunami Muse	Humpty Dumpty	Kandy Muse

Episode 4: "RDR Live!"

Episode 4 Judges

Airdate: January 26, 2024

Synopsis: Live from Tuckahoe, it’s RDR Live! The queens are challenged to serve up laughs in a hilarious send-up of the iconic sketch comedy show. Actress and three-time SNL host Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) guest judges.

• Guest Judge: Sarah Michelle Gellar
• Maxi Challenge: Perform in a sketch comedy performance of RDR Live
• Runway Theme: Everything Every-Cher All At Once
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Plasma
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
• Bottom Two: Geneva Karr and Mirage
• Lip Sync Song: "Dark Lady" by Cher
• Eliminated: Mirage
• Farewell Message: "Looks Like the Trash bag Lost 💋 LoL ♡ Mirage"

RDR Live! Roles:

Contestant	Skit	Role	Cher Look
Amanda Tori Meating	Queen Network News	News Anchor #1	The Cher Doll, 2001
Dawn	Queen Network News	News Anchor #2	Mod Cher, 1976
Geneva Karr	End of the World Countdown - Total Annihilation	Lindsey Graham	Ringling Brothers Ringmaster, 1974
Megami	Thick and Long Deck Service	Connie Thick	Turn Back Time, 2009
Mhi'ya Iman LePaige	End of the World Countdown - Total Annihilation	Donna Lemon	Cher Promoting Burlesque, 2010
Mirage	Host		Cher in Concert, 1979
Morphine Love Dion	End of the World Countdown - Total Annihilation	Brandy Cohen	Academy Awards, 1988
Nymphia Wind	Holidays with the Barbra Shop Quartet	Undisclosed	Cher, The Egyptian Goddess, 1979
Plane Jane	Thick and Long Deck Service	Candy Long	Cher, 1974 MET Gala
Plasma	Holidays with the Barbra Shop Quartet	Barbra	Cher, 1985 MET Gala
Q	Queen Network News	The First Brick of Stonewall	Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, 1973
Sapphira Cristál	Holidays with the Barbra Shop Quartet	Laurence Steam	Cher Vegas Residency, 2017
Xunami Muse	End of the World Countdown - Total Annihilation	Randerson Cooper	Cher, The Prisoner, 1979

Episode 5: "Girl Groups"

Episode 5 Judges

Airdate: February 2, 2024

Synopsis: The queens are tasked with writing and performing their own verses, for RuPaul songs from his new album Black Butta. Swedish synth-pop duo Icona Pop guest judge.

• Guest Judge: Icona Pop
• Mini Challenge: Take a cover photo for an original memoir, inspired by RuPaul's The House of Hidden Meanings
• Mini Challenge Winner: Sapphira Cristál
• Mini Challenge Prize: $2,000 cash prize and a signed copy of RuPaul's The House of Hidden Meanings
• Maxi Challenge: Create girl groups and original verses for songs from RuPaul's Black Butta
• Runway Theme: Faster Pussycat! Wig, Wig!
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Geneva Karr, Megami, Mhi'ya Iman LePaige and Nymphia Wind
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize (split among them, $1,250 each)
• Bottom Two: Amanda Tori Meating and Q
• Lip Sync Song: "Emergency" by Icona Pop
• Eliminated: Amanda Tori Meating
• Farewell Message: "You are all Fugly SKANKS and I hate every last one of you bitches. Most of all Q. LMAO but actually ily♡ Have fun cleaning this mirror you bitch. You better fucking win so I can at least say the winner sent me to the house."

Girl Groups

Q.D.S.M		Lovah Girlz		Thicc & Stick
"Star Baby"		"Courage to Love"		"A.S.M.R. Lover"
Contestant	Who Should Go Home?	Contestant	Who Should Go Home?	Contestant
Dawn	Q	Amanda Tori Meating	Q	Geneva Karr
Morphine Love Dion	Amanda Tori Meating	Plane Jane	Amanda Tori Meating	Megami
Q	Amanda Tori Meating	Plasma	Q	Mhi'ya Iman LePaige
	Xunami Muse
Sapphira Cristál	Amanda Tori Meating	Xunami Muse	Q	Nymphia Wind

Episode 6: "Welcome To The DollHouse"

Episode 6 Judges

Airdate: February 9, 2024

Synopsis: After a flamenco dance with Spanish sensation Charo, the queens must design their own dolls, based on their drag personas. Superstar stylist Law Roach (Legendary) guest judges.

• Special Guest: Charo
• Guest Judge: Law Roach
• Mini Challenge: Flamenco dance with the Pit Crew
• Mini Challenge Winner: Xunami Muse
• Mini Challenge Prize: A trip to Spain courtesy of the Tourism Board of Spain
• Maxi Challenge: Create a look and a matching look for an original doll
• Runway Theme: Welcome to the Dollhouse
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Q
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
• Bottom Two: Geneva Karr and Mhi'ya Iman LePaige
• Lip Sync Song: "Control" by Janet Jackson
• Eliminated: Geneva Karr
• Farewell Message: "Malditas las odio. Love, GK. Vroom vroom!"

Doll Edition:

Contestant	Doll Edition
Dawn	Galactic Empress Edition
Geneva Karr	Daintiest Doll Texas Edition
Megami	Native New Yorker Edition
Mhi'ya Iman LePaige	Queen of Flips Edition
Morphine Love Dion	Miami Bimbo Edition
Nymphia Wind	Spring Banana Yellow Carpet Edition
Plane Jane	Aquatic Edition
Plasma	Passenger on the Pacific Edition
Q	Fantasy Edition
Sapphira Cristál	Grade Dame Diva Metropolitan Opera Edition
Xunami Muse	Fashion Week Edition

Episode 7: "The Sound Of Rusic"

Episode 7 Judges

Airdate: February 16, 2024

Synopsis: This season’s Rusical is set high in the Swish Alps, as a young queen called Mariah goes in search of a musical outlet for her inner freak. Legendary director Adam Shankman (Hairspray) guest judges.

• Special Guest: Melissa McCarthy
• Guest Judge: Adam Shankman
• Maxi Challenge: Perform in the Rusical "The Sound of Rusic"
• Runway Theme: I Could Buy Myself Flowers
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Plasma
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
• Bottom Two: Megami and Mhi'ya Iman LePaige
• Lip Sync Song: "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus
• Eliminated: Megami
• Farewell Message: "Choose Chaos Be Badass Bitches NYC Girls, Take It Home! Heart Eyes ♡ -M"

The Sound of Rusic Roles:

Contestant	Role
Dawn	Strudel Von Snapp
Megami	Schnitzel Von Snapp
Mhi'ya Iman LePaige	Sister Sister
Morphine Love Dion	Sister Fister
Nymphia Wind	Diesel Von Snapp
Plane Jane	Baronette Eva
Plasma	Mariah Grande
Q	Baroness Braun
Sapphira Cristál	Mother Superior
Xunami Muse	Baronette Magda

Episode 8: "Snatch Game"

Episode 8 Judges

Airdate: February 23, 2024

Synopsis: After the iconic Reading challenge, the queens impersonate celebrities in the classic quick-fire comedy game show. All Stars winner Chad Michaels drops by the werkroom; actress Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer) guest judges.

• Special Guest: Chad Michaels
• Guest Judge: Kyra Sedgwick
• Mini Challenge: Reading Challenge
• Mini Challenge Winner: Xunami Muse
• Mini Challenge Prize: $2,500 cash prize
• Maxi Challenge: Snatch Game
• Runway Theme: Dancing Queens
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Plane Jane
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
• Bottom Two: Morphine Love Dion and Xunami Muse
• Lip Sync Song: "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston
• Eliminated: Xunami Muse
• Farewell Message: "You know what... NOT me leaving this early!!! LMAO Ladies, just serve mad C*** LOVE u all ♡ -Xunami MUSE"

Snatch Game Characters:

Contestant	Celebrity	Photo	Dancing Queen Inspiration
Dawn	Meghan McCain		Polka
Mhi'ya Iman LePaige	Trina's Cousin Shaquita		1990s Hip-Hop
Morphine Love Dion	Anna Sorokin		Flamenco
Nymphia Wind	Jane Goodall		Japanese Butoh
Plane Jane	Jelena Karleuša		Latin Ballroom
Plasma	Patti LuPone		Tap Dance
Q	Amelia Earhart		Robot
Sapphira Cristál	James Brown		Drag U Majorette
Xunami Muse	The Gold Tooth Fairy		Salsa

Episode 9: "See You Next Wednesday"

Episode 9 Judges

Airdate: March 1, 2024

Synopsis: Morticia meets Mugler as the queens create a Neo-Goth look from scratch, using only black, white and gray fabric. Drop dead gorgeous model and actress Kaia Gerber (Bottoms) guest judges.

• Guest Judge: Kaia Gerber
• Mini Challenge: Spit Take in response to comments from RuPaul
• Mini Challenge Winner: Nymphia Wind
• Mini Challenge Prize: $2,500 cash prize
• Maxi Challenge: Design a neo-goth look using only black, white and grey fabric
• Runway Theme: See You Next Wednesday
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Q
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
• Bottom Two: Mhi'ya Iman LePaige and Plasma
• Lip Sync Song: "Bloody Mary (Wednesday Dance TikTok Remix)" by Lady Gaga
• Eliminated: Plasma
• Farewell Message: "'Wow!' -Morphine Thank you all for the love UGLY UGLY UGLY! xoxo -Plazzy"

Episode 10: "Werq The World"

Episode 10 Judges

Airdate: March 8, 2024

Top 7 with Jamal Sims

Synopsis: The queens let their voices be heard in an inspirational political anthem and exercise their right to shake their groove thing. Choreographer Jamal Sims (Aladdin) guest judges.

• Special Guests: Leland and Freddy Scott
• Guest Judge: Jamal Sims
• Maxi Challenge: Write and record verses for political anthem "Power"
• Runway Theme: True Colors
• Top Two: Morphine Love Dion and Sapphira Cristál
• Lip Sync Song: "Made You Look" by Meghan Trainor
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Sapphira Cristál
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize

True Colors Runway:

Contestant	Color
Dawn	Navy Blue
Mhi'ya Iman LePaige	Red
Morphine Love Dion	Purple
Nymphia Wind	Yellow
Plane Jane	Green
Q	Lavender
Sapphira Cristál	Blue

Episode 11: "Corporate Queens"

Episode 11 Judges

Airdate: March 15, 2024

Synopsis: The queens must devise and present comical Drag Awareness seminars, in front of a live audience of bored corporate employees. Actor and comedian Joel Kim Booster (Fire Island) guest judges.

• Guest Judge: Joel Kim Booster
• Mini Challenge: Vote who best fits the characteristic named by RuPaul. Instead of points, the majority voters earn $100.
• Mini Challenge Winner: Sapphira Cristál
• Mini Challenge Prize: $3,400 cash prize ($2,500 cash prize + $900 prize points from the mini challenge)
• Maxi Challenge: Present funny Drag Awareness Employee Seminars in teams.
• Runway Theme: Flashback: DragCon 1980
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Sapphira Cristál
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
• Bottom Two: Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige and Morphine Love Dion
• Lip Sync Song: "Dim All The Lights" by Donna Summer
• Eliminated: Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige
• Farewell Message: "It was fun I love you all Season 16! Morphine bring it home #305 *Queen of Flipss* #Mhi'ya"

Drag Seminar Teams:

Do You Know Your Drag Herstory?	Drag in the Werkplace	Are You a Drag Queen? You Might Be Surprised
Plane Jane	Dawn	Morphine Love Dion
Q	Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige	Nymphia Wind
		Sapphira Cristál

Episode 12: "Bathroom Hunties"

Episode 12 Judges

Airdate: March 22, 2024

Synopsis: Nature calls! The queens star in the hot new design show “Bathroom Hunties,” decorating and showcasing over-the-top powder rooms. Actress Mayan Lopez (Lopez vs Lopez) guest judges.

• Special Guest: Norvina
• Guest Judge: Mayan Lopez
• Mini Challenge: Paint a custom t-shirt using just a painted face, inspired by Tammy Faye.
• Mini Challenge Winner: Plane Jane
• Mini Challenge Prize: $5,000 worth of Anastasia Beverly Hills Cosmetics
• Maxi Challenge: Design a gender inclusive bathroom for a nightclub on the fictional show 'Bathroom Hunties'
• Runway Theme: Chain Reaction
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Plane Jane and Sapphira Cristál
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize (split, $2,500 each)
• Bottom Two: Dawn and Morphine Love Dion
• Lip Sync Song: "Body" by Megan Thee Stallion
• Eliminated: Dawn
• Farewell Message: "BYE ♡ xoxo Dawn ☺"

Design Teams:

Bathroom	Contestants
Naughty Potty	Morphine Love Dion
	Q
F.ART Museum	Dawn
	Nymphia Wind
Bootylickers Speakeasy	Plane Jane
	Sapphira Cristál

Episode 13: "Drag Race Vegas LIVE! Makeovers"

Episode 13 Judges

Airdate: March 29, 2024

Synopsis: Hunky male dancers from the RuPaul’s Drag Race LIVE! show in Las Vegas drop by the werkroom, to be made over into devastating drag queens. Country star Kelsea Ballerini guest judges.

• Guest Judge: Kelsea Ballerini
• Maxi Challenge: Make over dancers from RuPaul's Drag Race LIVE! and choreograph a duet dance.
• Runway Theme: Drag Family Resemblance
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Plane Jane
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
• Bottom Two: Morphine Love Dion and Sapphira Cristál
• Lip Sync Song: "Miss Me More" by Kelsea Ballerini
• Eliminated: Morphine Love Dion
• Farewell Message: "It's gonna be sooo boring without me. I'm rooting for all of you my top 4 queens here slaying and I can't wait to see you soon ♡ Morphine Love Dion 💋"

Makeover Partners:

Contestant	Partner
	Name	Drag Name
Morphine Love Dion	Miguel	La Tina Love Dion
Nymphia Wind	Jonathan	Juanita Wind
Plane Jane	Nick	Lazi Susan
Q	Sebastian	Luna
Sapphira Cristál	Mark	Shakira Cristál

Episode 14: "Booked & Blessed"

Episode 14 Judges

Airdate: April 6, 2024

Synopsis: The queens dig deep and write their memoirs, pose for a book cover photo shoot and are grilled by co-host of Las Culturistas podcast Matt Rogers. Journalist and author Ronan Farrow (Catch and Kill) guest judges.

• Special Guest: Albert Sanchez and Matt Rogers
• Guest Judge: Ronan Farrow
• Mini Challenge: Lip Sync underwater to "Kitty Girl" by RuPaul
• Mini Challenge Winner: Sapphira Cristál
• Mini Challenge Prize: A trip for two to The Alamar Resort and Mantamar Beach Club in Puerto Vallarta.
• Maxi Challenge: Write a memoir, pose for the cover and participate in an interview
• Runway Theme: Fandango
• Maxi Challenge Winner: Nymphia Wind
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
• Bottom Two: Plane Jane and Q
• Lip Sync Song: "Better Be Good to Me" by Tina Turner
• Eliminated: Q
• Farewell Message: "Not Gonna Lie, This one hurts... But I love you all so much! you're gonna kill it ♡ FROM NOW ON THERE'S ONLY ONE LETTER OF THE ALPHABET -Q"

Memoirs:

Contestant	Book Title	Cover
Nymphia Wind	Breaking Wind - The Art of Letting Go
Plane Jane	Plane Crash! How I Walked Away from Disaster
Q	Alphabet Soup - Savor Every Bite
Sapphira Cristál	Slue Foot - Embracing All of Me

Top Three of Season 16

Contestant	Challenge Wins	Up for Elimination
	3 (Eps. 3, 5, 14)	0
	4 (Eps. 2, 8, 12, 13)	1 (Ep. 14)
	4 (Eps. 1, 10, 11, 12)	1 (Ep. 13)

Episode 15: "LipSync Lalaparuza Smackdown - Reunited"

Airdate: April 12, 2024

Episode 15 Judges

Synopsis: All of the eliminated queens return to battle it out in a LipSync Lalaparuza Smackdown, with nine lip syncs and a cash prize of $50,000 on the line.

• Maxi Challenge: The eliminated contestants face off in a lip sync smackdown
• Top Two: Megami and Morphine Love Dion
• Queen of She Done Already Done Had Herses: Morphine Love Dion
• Prize: $50,000 cash prize

Lip Sync LaLaPaRUza Smackdown

Contestants	Song	Result
Round 1
Amanda Tori Meating	"Damaged" by Danity Kane	WINNER
Dawn		LOSER
Megami	"What About" by Janet Jackson	WINNER
Q		LOSER
Morphine Love Dion	"Million Dollar Baby" by Ava Max	WINNER
Geneva Karr		LOSER
Mirage	"Alone 2.0" by Kim Petras ft. Nicki Minaj	WINNER
Hershii LiqCour-Jeté		LOSER
Mhi'ya Iman LePaige	"Milkshake" by Kelis	WINNER
Plasma		LOSERS
Xunami Muse
Round 2
Megami	"The Shoop Shoop Song" by Cher	WINNER
Amanda Tori Meating		LOSER
Morphine Love Dion	"This Time I Know It's Real" by Donna Summer	WINNER
Mirage		LOSER
Round 3 - Semi Finals
Megami	"We Got the Beat" by The Go-Go's	WINNER
Mhi'ya Iman LePaige		LOSER
Round 4 - Finals
Morphine Love Dion	"Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" by C + C Music Factory	WINNER
Megami		LOSER

Episode 16: "Grand Finale"

Airdate: April 19, 2024

Episode 16 Judges

Synopsis: The top queens face off in an epic evening of performances and lip syncs, as they compete for the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar and a grand prize of $200,000.

• Special Guests: Cassandra Peterson, Pit Crew Dancers of RuPaul's Drag Race Live!, Malaysia Babydoll Foxx and Sasha Colby
• Runway Theme: Grande Finale Eleganza
• Maxi Challenge: The top 3 perform in individual show-stopping original numbers
• Top Two: Nymphia Wind and Sapphira Cristál
• Eliminated: Plane Jane
• Lip Sync Song: "Padam Padam" by Kylie Minogue
• Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 16: Nymphia Wind
• Runner Up: Sapphira Cristál
• Misses Congeniality: Sapphira Cristál and Xunami Muse

Top Three Performances

Contestant	Song	Video	Placement
Nymphia Wind	Queen of Wind	File:Nymphia Wind's “Queen of Wind” Performance	1st (Winner)
Plane Jane	Bodysuit	File:Plane Jane's “Bodysuit” Performance	3rd
Sapphira Cristál	DANCE!	File:Sapphira Cristál's “DANCE!” Performance	2nd (Runner Up & Miss Congeniality)

The Top 3

Miss Congeniality:
Sapphira Cristál

Miss Congeniality:
Xunami Muse

America's Next Drag Superstar:
Nymphia Wind

Nymphia Wind Crowned

Trivia

• Season 16 is the first season...
  • ...to have an East Asian winner in an American season, Nymphia Wind.
  • ...since Season 3, to have an Asian winner in an American season. Season 3 was won by Raja who is of Indonesian descent.
  • ...since Season 3 where none of the contestants shared a final placement.
  • ...since Season 8 to not feature a double shantay.
  • ...to feature a four-way Maxi Challenge win on the original series.
  • ...to have multiple contestants (two) with four Maxi Challenge wins.
  • ...to have multiple contestants (two) eliminated on their fourth lip-sync for their lives.
  • ...to have two Miss Congenialities, Sapphira Cristál and Xunami Muse.
  • ...since Season 1 to have the runner-up crowned as Miss Congeniality.
  • ...where the winner of the political challenge did not win the season.
  • ...to feature a queen winning 3 challenges in a row on the original series, being Sapphira Cristal.
  • ...of a regular season to have Queen of She Done Already Done Had Herses
• Season 16 is the only season...
  • ...with the most cumulative wins seen in finalists in the original series, with 11.
• Drag Family connections to Drag Race alum include:
  • Hershii LiqCour-Jeté, member of the Haus of Jeté alongside Season 14's Kornbread "The Snack" Jeté.
  • Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige, drag daughter of Season 7 and All Stars 3's Kennedy Davenport.
  • Xunami Muse, drag daughter of Season 13 and All Stars 8's Kandy Muse, drag granddaughter of Season 9 and All Stars 3 contestant Aja and drag niece of Season 12 contestant Dahlia Sin.
  • Mirage, drag sister of Season 15's, Anetra.
  • Sapphira Cristál, drag sister of Season 11's Honey Davenport.
• Although Season 16 did not have a formal reunion, a reunion-type special will be filmed at RuPaul's DragCon LA 2024 for Bring Back My Girls.

Gallery

Casting Call

Logo

RuPaul Promo

Check out the lookbook gallery to see the contestants' looks from each episode.

Check out the lookbook gallery to see the contestants' planned looks for each episode.

Check out the video gallery to see challenge performances, runways, lip syncs, and more!