10 RuPaul's Drag Queens who have Pop Sonality and deserve the crown!

There is no doubt anymore that drag queens have become the new pop icons. Their faces are on the cover of all magazines, and their self-expressing underground personalities have brought the spirit of the old rock and punk stars back to the mainstream. This list shows ten drag queens that I think deserve the crown. 

1. Valentina is the embodiment of a beauty pageant. Her charisma and stylish sense have engaged all her fans into an absolute adoration and devotion towards her persona. Living her fantasy in her head possibly also brings some attractiveness to her. You are the number one baby! Perfection! 

2. Roxxxy Andrews is the representation of the Latin diva, of Puerto Rican and Cuban-American ancestry, her slogan: thick and juicy made it to the top three in Season 5. Her controversial personality didn't help her to get the crown, but nobody can't deny her power on stage, her pageant beauty, and her faithful commitment to her drag persona. Her drag is genuine and with deeply felt emotions conveyed through a thrilling and strong character. Her lipsynch assassin moment in All Stars 5 put her back in the position that she deserves. "Roxxxy, you are a winner baby". 

3. Jujubee is the most constant queen ever! If someone deserves the crown is her! "Justice for Jujubee" should be a pop cause to vindicate. Being not once, not twice BUT THRICE in the top three: Season 2, All-Stars 1, and All-Stars 5, she deserves her crown, what part you don't understand?. Her freshness and spontaneity are her strengths. Can you imagine fighting so hard to be crowned three times, not to get it, and leaving with a beautiful smile on your face anyway and willing to come back and to do it again? You should be so proud Jujubee, my eternal love for you. Go and listen to her song "Don't wanna love" because you know what? the girl can also sing, her EPs are lovely and evoke a lonely pop diva in a small bar, a voice full of emotional power to sustain her myth. Long live The Queen.

4. Alyssa Edwards is the perfect balance between the comedy and the beauty queen. Alysa has simultaneously mastered both types of drags to become one of the most omnipotent queens from RuPaul's Drag Race. She is so recognizable and unique that all the other queens can imitate her faces! Face, face, face. Her heroic lipsynchs are also among the best moments of the program. Alyssa has defied the maxim that one should either be a comedy or a beauty queen. Alyssa Edwards, baby, you are a winning material!

5. Manila Luzon is the representation of the loved queen. A diva that found her ways to get her people. I'm one of your fans Manila. I know you've got the potential and that you'd be surprisingly good for me. Manila is one of the most fascinating and charming personalities in the program. You can't just help it, you love her. Her instinctive moments serving face and body, her memorable readings of the other contestants, her attention to detail, and her risky concept of drag never afraid of being too campy made her one the most artistic and at the same time funniest drag queen ever!

6. Vanessa Vanjie Mateo represents the personality queen. Her unique voice and her informal language are what we call a brand. Nowadays drag queens don't impersonate divas, they have become stars themselves. Vanjie is the clearest example. The well-connected Queen is also an example of a famous drag family. Her iconic Miss Vanjie moment was viral, #MissVanjie is now part of the Ru-story. About this, she told in an interview by Patrick Crowley for Billboard: "Fuck it. might as well have these bitches remember me." So I just started screaming at the top of my lungs "Miss Vanjie," over and over." Vanjie is all about magnetism, she can't imitate but herself. She even can thank herself! All about Miss Vanjie. 

7. Eureka O'Hara is the drama queen. Eureka's always ready for some loud dramatization. When she's on stage like Damien Rice sings: "I can't take my eyes off you". She has proved also to be one of the most polished queens ever! Her makeup, hair, silhouette, and style are iconic! Adventurous in her fashion and characters' decisions, influential and proud, she can be simultaneously campy and modern. Impressively earnest Eureka is. Let's leave this clear, Tennessee Williams would have loved Eureka. 

8. Crystal Methyd is the kookiest queen. Different, crazy, unique, eerie, and extravagant, she loves her intricate costumes and arty makeup. Her choices are ahead of her time, I sometimes feel no everyone is ready for a queen like her. Crystal is surprising and risky. Her "I'm like a bird" moment is iconic but undervalued. No even RuPaul seemed to be prepared for her crown. It's common knowledge that Crystal is one of a kind. One of her charms is her sweetness and kindness as a person. She reminded me of Jinkx Monsoon's persona in that sense, her innocent smiles, and the way she looks when interacting with the other girls and the judges made us love her. Crystal, you are adorable, and you made the world's confinement a better experience during the whole season. Thanks!

9. A'keria Chanel Davenport is one of the most beautiful pageant queens in RuPaul's Drag Race. All her runway looks are stunning, and her beauty queen's manners are just perfection! A'keria is absolutely flawless. She may be overlooked by hipsters, but you can't underestimate her polished aesthetic and her campy personality that make her an authentic threat. A'keria deserves her crown for providing the true link between the old and new pageants. Impeccable!

10. Detox Icunt is the future of drag. Detox is one of the most powerful and strongest contestants in RuPaul's Drag Race. With her alien face and body, pop culture knowledge, and glam oddity, Detox has proved to be a professional of drag. Her runaway looks have elevated the concept of drag to the category of art. If I had to choose her moment, it will be her legendary look for the Season 5 final. She knows how to cause a commotion. Detox, you are a masterpiece. 

Special mentions to the charismatic punk legend Adore Delano, the sensational Miz Cracker & The Russian Goddess Katya! 

2024 update: I should add Lady Camden to this list! 

This article was first published in print by Red Hot Monde Magazine.