10 Drag Race Queens Whose Return to All Stars Was Worth Waiting For
They hadn't done already done had theirses.
After a rocky (and at times, unintentionally iconic) launch with its first season, RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars took some time off to find its footing and came back with a vengeance. Following the runaway success of its new and improved format (RIP, she-mergency button), it’s continued non-stop every year for almost a decade now, seeing dozens of queens return for another shot at winning the crown and something else you can’t put a price on: redemption.
On paper, it’s a win-win situation. Returning queens get to show their now-upgraded artistry on the world’s biggest drag stage and are guaranteed to at least win some new fans (if not a six-figure cash prize), while viewers get another generous helping of Drag Race with ru-mixed casts of beloved/beloathed familiar faces.
Season 1, for all its flaws, had a phenomenal cast stacked with heavy hitters from the flagship’s first four seasons, and after a four-year break they successfully replicated this feat for its revamped second season.
A tough act to follow, the first two All Stars seasons set a high bar with carefully selected, iconic casts. But in the years since, the annual churn has made it harder to assemble lineups with the same impact, particularly when so many queens are brought back before they’ve had a chance to grow or be missed. With this year’s 10th season, half of its supersize 18-queen cast consists of former competitors who were last seen on the show no more than three years ago (with Lydia B. Kollins setting a new record for the shortest gap of two weeks!), and three who are already All Stars alums. The show’s magic has always been rooted in watching queens evolve, but that evolution takes time. When returning contestants pop up only a season or two after their original run, it can make the competition feel less about growth and more about who was available.
This list celebrates ten queens whose returns felt correct. Whether they were early-outs turned icons, underappreciated talents finally getting their due, or winners reminding us why they snatched the crown in the first place, these queens proved that the right return at the right time can be pure All Stars gold.
For the sake of simplicity, this list will only include queens from the main All Stars series, and not from the cursed vs. The World and Global All Stars spin-offs.
Tatianna
Drag Race Season 2 | All Stars Season 2
6 years between seasons
Tatianna first stepped into the werk room with a dazzling smile, a Claire’s headband, and a dream. The scrappy underdog of Season 2, she was praised for her beauty but frequently criticised for serving pedestrian runway looks. Only just missing out on a place in the finale, her no-nonsense attitude and willingness to speak up for herself put her at the centre of multiple now-legendary arguments, making her one of the franchise’s most endlessly quotable queens. She also nabbed the rather iconic achievement of winning the first ever Snatch Game, proving she was more than just a pretty face.
Fast forward to 2016, she returned to the revived and reinvented spin-off – in what would later be regarded as one of best ever seasons – all glowed-up, swapping mall drag for All Stars-worthy eleganza. On day one she wowed viewers with seminal spoken word piece, The Same Parts, nabbing her first of two challenge wins, and later went on to earn her place back in the competition in the herstoric Shut Up And Drive lip sync. Though she was eliminated early in a twist of irony involving Snatch Game and a legacy alliance (cough RoLaskaTox cough), Tatianna gave a masterclass in redemption and legacy redefinition, for which we can only say: thank you.
Plastique Tiara
Drag Race Season 11 | All Stars Season 9
5 years between seasons
Plastique Tiara dazzled the judges in Season 11 with her jaw-dropping beauty and immaculate looks, but she struggled with performance challenges and was often criticised for lacking emotional depth. She had a respectable run, making it past the halfway point, but left the competition with more to prove. On All Stars 9, she returned with something to say. Levelling up her already exceptional aesthetic, she took every opportunity to show that she could be more than just a look queen. Adding vulnerability and strength to her performances, challenges that previously rattled her like acting and comedy became moments where she stood out, not just survived. Despite being statistically one of the season’s best performers – tying with finalists, Angeria and Roxxxy for most number of top two placements – her less than perfect lip synching skills (phew, she has one flaw!) meant that she wasn’t able to fully reap the rewards. Nevertheless, she not only succeeded in showing the versatility she was capable of beyond what viewers saw her first time around, but also delivered one of the most intricate, elaborate, and incomparably stunning runway packages ever seen on the main stage.
Jessica Wild
Drag Race Season 2 | All Stars Season 8
13 years between seasons
In addition to being gorgeous and talented, Jessica Wild is a queen who exudes a pure and sincere sweetness that makes her impossible not to love. Her original appearance on Season 2 was marked by infectious energy, chaotic charm, and one of the most memorable beverage-related quotes in Drag Race herstory, but she was often overshadowed by the bigger personalities of her season and eliminated just as she was finding her groove. More than a decade later, on All Stars 8, Jessica came in ready to prove she was a contender. She brought elevated fashion, stronger performances, and a new confidence that made her presence undeniable. She earned a challenge win and came close to the finale, reminding audiences why she had always been a hidden gem. Jessica’s reintroduction to the franchise was long overdue, and a joyful vindication of her talent and tenacity.
BeBe Zahara Benet
Drag Race Season 1 | All Stars Season 3
9 years between seasons
As America’s first ever Drag Superstar, BeBe Zahara Benet’s inclusion on All Stars 3 felt both shocking and earned. She had nothing left to prove as a contender, but the show (and its cash prize) had evolved since her win, so it felt like an opportunity for her to take on new challenges and introduce herself to new audiences, while giving the season an added sense of gravitas. Though she didn’t snatch a second crown, BeBe’s charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent took her all the way to the final. She won two challenges and was rarely in the bottom, exuding the kind of regal control that exemplified her brand. BeBe never approached the competition with entitlement; instead, she brought a classic drag sensibility that stood out amid the high-glam theatrics of her competitors. Her fate sealed by a jury of her queers, she didn’t make the final lip sync, but she left on her own terms with her head held high and her mystique intact. Her return helped bridge the legacy of early Drag Race to its modern form, and she proved she could hold her own against fresher faces on the scene.
Mo Heart
Drag Race Season 10 | All Stars Season 4
0 years between seasons
First appearing on Season 10, Mo Heart (then, Monique) won our hearts with her raw talent, catchphrases, and DIY fashion. Though she made it to the top 5, her run was dogged by frustration over resources and recognition. Despite coming back the same year, on All Stars 4 she returned sharper, glossier, and emotionally grounded. Her looks had levelled up, her confidence had blossomed, and her comedic timing was more precise than ever. Mo won two challenges, consistently delivered in runways and performances, securing her place in the finale. She evolved from an underdog with potential to a queen fully in command of her power, with that same unshakable charisma. Her journey across the two seasons highlighted one of Drag Race’s most enduring themes: growth through grit. Stunning!
Kylie Sonique Love
Drag Race Season 2 | All Stars Season 6
11 years between seasons
Kylie Sonique Love has one of the most powerful Drag Race arcs from any contestant. After a short and relatively unremarkable run on Season 2, she made herstory by coming out as a trans woman during the reunion episode at a time when trans representation on television was still rare. Her return on All Stars 6 as her fully realised self was really a chance for the audience to meet her for the first time. From the first episode, Kylie radiated a calm, unshakable confidence, bringing style, skill, and vulnerability to every challenge. She earned multiple top placements, won challenges, and ultimately secured the crown, beating stiff competition from queens who had performed much better on their respective original seasons. Her growth as a performer was undeniable, but even more compelling was her presence: grounded, gracious, and unafraid to be fully herself. Her win wasn’t just deserved, it was deeply meaningful, for the franchise and beyond.
Trinity K. Bonet
Drag Race Season 6 | All Stars Season 6
7 years between seasons
Trinity K. Bonet’s journey from Season 6 to All Stars 6 is a story of transformation through self-belief. On her original season, she was known for incredible lip syncs and raw honesty, but struggled with self-doubt and runway polish. Despite making it far, she often felt like an underappreciated talent. Her return saw a completely revitalised queen, self-assured, and just as fierce a performer as ever. Trinity racked up two challenge wins and several high placements, solidifying herself as a potential front-runner. She may not have made the final lip sync, but her performance throughout the season reframed her as a fully realised competitor with staying power.
Jiggly Caliente
Drag Race Season 4 | All Stars Season 6
9 years between seasons
Jiggly Caliente’s run on Season 4 was charming but chaotic. She was beloved for her personality and feisty humour, but often struggled with polish and consistency. Her return on All Stars 6 reflected both personal and professional growth, and her newfound confidence shined through. Though she was eliminated early, her presence felt significant. She came back with a clearer vision of her drag, more confident styling, and a message rooted in authenticity, all of which was a joy to watch. Nobody could have predicted Season 4 Jiggly becoming a judge herself, but by All Stars 6 she had truly arrived and was seated on the panel of Drag Race Philippines that same year.
Ra’Jah O’Hara
Drag Race Season 11 | All Stars Season 6
2 years between seasons
Ra’Jah O’Hara had a rocky time in Season 11, remembered more for confrontation than competition. Despite showing glimpses of brilliance in design and performance, she often seemed at odds with herself and her castmates by appointing herself as the season’s resident villain. Her return on All Stars 6 flipped the script entirely. Ra’Jah emerged with poise, polish, and purpose. She won three challenges, served unforgettable looks, and grew into a fan favourite through grace under pressure. She proved that confidence and kindness could coexist with competitive fire, and her top 4 finish felt like a full-circle moment for a queen who had once been written off too soon.
Raja
Drag Race Season 3 | All Stars Season 7
11 years between seasons
Raja’s return on All Stars 7 felt like a homecoming for one of the franchise’s most influential style icons. As the winner of Season 3, Raja helped define early Drag Race fashion with her avant-garde style, quick wit, and cerebral approach to challenges. Over a decade later, she returned as the seasoned fashion icon she always was, but now with even more insight, humour, and experience, and proved she hadn’t lost a step. She dominated the runway, held her own in comedy and acting challenges, and reminded a new generation of how she helped to raise the standard of drag excellence on the main stage. Thanks to the non-elimination format, viewers were treated to runway after runway of jaw-dropping artistry, cementing the fact that she remains completely in a league of her own.
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Which queens do you think came back even stronger on All Stars?