Ten of drag’s most iconic queens return for a shot at the Hall of Fame — but with a twist: legendary lip sync assassins stand between them and elimination.
Yes—with tempered expectations.
If you are a completionist or a Shea Couleé stan, AS5 is essential viewing. It is a masterclass in how to return to a competition after a devastating loss. The runways are gorgeous, Jujubee delivers her usual confessional gold ("I'm like a mosquito in a nudist colony—I don't know where to start"), and the charity aspect of the lip syncs adds a feel-good layer.
However, if you are looking for the high-stakes drama of All Stars 2 or the artistic revolution of All Stars 7 (All Winners), AS5 might feel like a relaxing summer read rather than a thriller. It is predictable, polished, and occasionally frustrating.
But in the summer of 2020, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 5 was a beacon. It reminded us that even in a year of isolation and fear, drag was still there—sharp, funny, and resilient. And when Shea Couleé finally held that crown, it felt like the universe had, at last, corrected itself. rupaul 39s drag race all stars 5
Key Takeaway: RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 5 proves that sometimes the best narrative isn't about shocking twists—it's about watching the right queen finally get what she deserves. Stream it on Paramount+ to witness Shea Couleé’s ascension and Jujubee’s eternal sass.
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 5 was a high-stakes season that permanently altered the franchise's rules. Filmed in the summer of 2019 and aired in 2020, it brought back ten iconic queens to compete for a spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame. The Cast and Winner Shea Couleé
was crowned the winner on July 24, 2020, earning the $100,000 prize and a spot in the Hall of Fame. Contestant Original Season Final Placement Shea Couleé Season 2 / All Stars 1 Miz Cracker Blair St. Clair Alexis Mateo Season 3 / All Stars 1 India Ferrah Mayhem Miller Mariah Paris Balenciaga Derrick Barry 10th Place The "Lip Sync Assassin" Twist
The most significant change in Season 5 was the suspension of the classic "Top Two" format. Instead: One Winner per Week : RuPaul named only one challenge winner per episode. Lip Sync Assassin Ten of drag’s most iconic queens return for
: The week's winner lip-synced against a "secret assassin"—a legendary lip-syncer from a previous season. Elimination Power All Star won
, she alone chose which bottom queen to eliminate and won a $10,000 tip. Assassin won , the eliminated queen was determined by a majority secret vote from the rest of the cast. How All Stars 5 Fell Apart (And What It Could've Been)
After weeks of challenges, the final four were Shea Couleé, Jujubee, Miz Cracker, and Alexis Mateo. Following a final challenge (the "Clap Back" music video), Alexis Mateo was eliminated, leaving a Top 3 that felt both earned and inevitable.
Unlike previous seasons, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 5 opted for a remote finale due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The queens performed their verses from home, and RuPaul crowned the winner via video call. Yes—with tempered expectations
The crowning was a foregone conclusion. Shea Couleé was declared the winner. She had three challenge wins, the highest track record, and a narrative arc that rivaled Shakespeare. She entered All Stars 5 as the tragic runner-up; she left as a champion.
Jujubee placed second (or third, depending on how you count) for the third time, cementing her title as the "Queen of Close But No Cigar." Miz Cracker placed third, having proven she could be sharp and vulnerable.
A bizarre but fun challenge where queens wrote verses for RuPaul’s song "I'm in Love." Blair St. Clair emerged as a pop star, while Jujubee delivered a quintessential camp verse. Winner: Blair and Jujubee (tie). The Assassin (Monét X Change) beat them both, leaving the elimination to the jury? No—the twist was muddled. Ultimately, Mayhem Miller was sent home.