May 8, 2023
Who Will Win 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Season 8?
Barry Levitt READ TIME: 5 MIN.
It's been just a few weeks since Sasha Colby won "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 15, which of course means it's time for another season of "All Stars." Season 8 has a tall task coming in the shadows of the "All Winners" season, but this cast is a fascinating blend of early outs and fan favorites, and we're extremely excited to see how it all shakes out.
The magnificent promo shoot has dropped, and all 12 queens competing on "All Stars 8" look phenomenal. Let's take a look at each of these talented queens, and see who we think is most likely to walk away with the crown and scepter.
12. Monica Beverly Hillz, Season 5
Monica is absolutely stunning and was a significant part of "Drag Race" history when she came out as a transgender woman on the main stage. While we're sure she's had plenty of success after the show, her run on Season 5 was underwhelming, struggling in every challenge before she went home. Fingers crossed Monica will make us eat these words, but we're not sold that Ms. Hillz has what it takes to win.
11. Kahanna Montrese, Season 11
The daughter of legendary Coco Montrese showed off some impressive gymnastic abilities in Season 11, but only appeared in two episodes before sashaying away. It's hard to gauge Kahanna as a contestant, and she's largely unknown up to this point. But she's done quite well for herself after her run on Season 11, including a recurring spot on "Drag Race Live" in Las Vegas, so a major glow-up is definitely possible.
10. Lala Ri, Season 13
If Lala Ri has figured out how to sew, you can immediately bump her up a few places. She oozes charisma and charm, and her talking heads were always so much fun on Season 13. But she struggled in acting challenges and turned out the worst look ever created in "Drag Race" herstory in the Bag Ball. With the necessary coins, we're sure Lala will improve on the runway, but it's hard to see how she'll rise to the top in this epic cast.
9. Jaymes Mansfield, Season 9
"I came in first!" Jaymes Mansfield said when she was the first to sashay away in Season 9. It was really our only glance at how funny Jaymes could be on her very short stint on "Drag Race." But she's been very successful since, helming a popular YouTube channel, starring in "The Bitch Who Stole Christmas," and collaborating with legends like Trixie Mattel. Look for Jaymes to surprise a whole lot of people on "All Stars 8."
8. Naysha Lopez, Season 8
Naysha Lopez knows how to stage a comeback, returning from elimination on Season 8 before ultimately getting eliminated again. She brought some fierce looks and glamor, even if we didn't get to see much of it. A former Miss Continental, Naysha knows what it takes to win big-time drag competitions. We think a "Drag Race" redemption is in the cards for Naysha, one of the show's sexiest competitors, in and out of drag.
7. Mrs. Kasha Davis, Season 7
"It's always time for a cocktail!" is a quote from the beloved Mrs. Kasha Davis, who's now sober, and now enjoying mocktails instead. With a clear mind, Kasha is ready to improve on her standing in Season 7. She never should have gone home, by the way (stumbling on the word "welcome" was really the only thing she did to wind up in the bottom). Everybody loves Kasha, and her housewife shtick is to die for. Let's hope her time isn't tragically cut short this time around.
6. Alexis Michelle, Season 9
Alexis Michelle is a "Drag Race" dream. She is super talented, funny, and more than willing to stir the pot. Seriously, this is the legend that asked guest judge Tamar Braxton if she even watched the show! Already a seasoned professional by Season 9, she dominated the Rusical and won the Snatch Game. She struggled when it came to runways and stand-up comedy, but we're willing to bet those will be significantly improved this time around.
5. Heidi N Closet, Season 12
Heidi! One of the most charming, lovable fan favorites to ever be on the show, Heidi N Closet was a delight throughout her surprising run on Season 12. She showed that you could turn out great looks and epic performances despite not having money. We probably have Heidi a bit too low, as fan favorites tend to perform great on "All Stars," and we cannot wait to see how sickening her runways will be with a boosted budget. Who in the world would be sad if Heidi won "All Stars 8?"
4. Darienne Lake, Season 6
There are some fantastic lip syncers in this cast, but Darienne Lake stands above the crowd. Her fake collecting of tips in Season 6 is one of the all-time great stunts in "Drag Race" herstory. Darienne is just an absolute delight, unafraid to bring the drama alongside plenty of glamour. She made it all the way to fourth place on the incredibly competitive Season 6 and has undergone a remarkable physical transformation. We cannot wait to see what Darienne brings to the table this time around.
3. Jessica Wild, Season 2
The golden child, Jessica Wild has waited longer than anyone else to come back for "All Stars," last appearing on Season 2 more than a decade ago. Jessica struggled with English but still managed to be incredibly lovable, winning a music challenge and performing consistently at the top to a fifth-place finish. She even had the nerve to play a wacky version of RuPaul for the Snatch Game! She showed how she can demolish a lip sync as an assassin on "All Stars 6," and we can't wait to see what she does on "All Stars 8."
2. Kandy Muse, Season 13
The Muse is back! Kandy was divisive but enormously entertaining on Season 13. She's also the only finalist on "All Stars 8," which means she's the only one who has experience getting all the way to the top. She's a talented lip syncer, and will bring plenty of drama and comedy. If she can improve her runways (her biggest problem in her original season), then the Muse won't only be back; she might be walking away with the crown.
1. Jimbo, "Canada's Drag Race" Season 1, "RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs the World" Season 1
Could Jimbo be the first international winner of an "All Stars" season? It certainly seems possible. The queen, who appeared on the first seasons of "Canada's Drag Race" and "RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs the World," excels in comedy performance, which often is what the "All Stars" challenges are based on. But she also has amazing seamstress abilities, regularly demolishing the runway. Her only obvious setback is her lacking lip sync talents, but that actually might work in her favor, making her seem like less of a threat. Plus, "All Stars" has never come down to a lip sync for the crown, so if that remains the same, our money's on the fashion clown.