‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’: All the Janet Jackson Hits Used As Lip Sync Songs
RuPaul’s Drag Race has featured Janet Jackson songs in several of its lip syncs throughout its run. Just like performances from Jackson herself, many of these lip syncs remain unforgettable in the minds of Drag Race fans everywhere.
Jujubee and Manila Luzon performed ‘Nasty’ on ‘All Stars 1’
The first time a Janet Jackson song was featured in the RuPaul universe was on season 1 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. Drag Race OGs Jujubee and Manila Luzon performed to Jackson’s 1986 song “Nasty” from her breakout album Control.
Season 10 featured two Janet Jackson lip syncs
The season 10 finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race was a Janet Jackson extravaganza. Just as was introduced in the previous season finale, season 10’s finale followed the “Lip Sync For the Crown” format, in which the top four queens lip sync against each other, two against two, until the top two finalists are determined.
The season 10 finale is also notable for Asia O’Hara and Kameron Michaels’ infamous performance to Jackson’s “Nasty.” During the lip sync, Asia O’Hara’s planned stunt with live butterflies resulted in a tragic fail (and plenty of smashed dead butterflies).
Following Asia and Kameron’s lip sync, top contenders Aquaria and Eureka faced off to Jackson’s 1993 single “If.” Ultimately, RuPaul declared their battle a tie, advancing both to the final lip sync.
Trinity the Tuck and Mo Heart performed ‘When I Think of You’ on ‘All Stars 4’
Season 4 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars is remembered by many for its “LaLaPaRuZa” episode, where the eliminated queens are given a chance to return to the competition if they can successfully beat one of the remaining queens in a lip sync. But an episode toward the end of the season featured a Janet Jackson lip sync fans of the “Rhythm Nation” singer may remember well.
To determine who would have the power to send one of the bottom queens home, Trinity the Tuck and Mo Heart performed to Jackson’s hit song “When I Think of You” from her Control album. The song ended up becoming Jackson’s first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Tamisha Iman and Symone performed ‘The Pleasure Principle’ on Season 13
The first episode of Drag Race season 13 featured a never-before-seen six total lip syncs, as the new queens went head to head against each other to determine who would stay and who would be relegated to a second “loser” group.
One of the lip syncs featured eventual winner Symone battling against drag veteran Tamisha Iman to Jackson’s beloved song “The Pleasure Principle.”
Ra’Jah O’Hara and Brooke Lynn Hytes performed ‘Miss You Much’ on ‘All Stars 6’
Perhaps the most universally-remembered Janet Jackson lip sync, Ra’Jah O’Hara and Canada’s Drag Race host Brooke Lynn Hytes went against each other on season 6 of All Stars for a rendition of Jackson’s hit song “Miss You Much” from her record-breaking Rhythm Nation 1814 album. Ra’Jah was a competitor on the season, while Brooke Lynn was a returning lip sync assassin. Ultimately, they were both declared the winners.
In total, Janet Jackson’s music has been a part of six lip syncs throughout Drag Race‘s run.
