The second season of ''

RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars ''RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars'' is an American reality competition spin off edition of the original ''RuPaul's Drag Race'', which is produced by World of Wonder, for Logo TV and later VH1. The show premiered on October 22, 2012, on Logo TV, b ...

'' premiered on the

Logo A logo (abbreviation of logotype; ) is a graphic mark, emblem, or symbol used to aid and promote public identification and recognition. It may be of an abstract or figurative design or include the text of the name it represents as in a wordma ...

network on a new night; Thursday, August 25, 2016. Returning judges included

RuPaul RuPaul Andre Charles (born November 17, 1960; stylized as RuPaul) is an American drag queen, television personality, actor, musician, and model. Best known for producing, hosting, and judging the reality competition series ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' ...

Michelle Visage Michelle Lynn Case (nee Shupack), better known as Michelle Visage (born September 20, 1968), is an American singer, television host, actress, radio DJ and producer. She first gained recognition as a member of the musical group Seduction which ...

, with

Carson Kressley Carson Kressley (born November 11, 1969) is an American television personality, actor, and designer. Beginning in 2003, he appeared in the Bravo series ''Queer Eye for the Straight Guy''. He was also the motivational host of the TV show ''How to ...

joining the panel, while the space previously occupied by

Ross Mathews Ross Mathews (born September 24, 1979) is an American television host and personality. He first rose to fame as an intern and a correspondent for ''The Tonight Show with Jay Leno''; he was known as "Ross the Intern" on air. Mathews has appeared ...

was filled by

Todrick Hall Todrick Hall (born April 4, 1985) is an American singer, choreographer, and YouTuber. He gained national attention on the ninth season of the televised singing competition ''American Idol''. Following this, he amassed a huge following on YouTu ...

. Cast members were announced on June 17, 2016. This season featured ten All-Star contestants, selected from the show's second season through to its seventh season, who competed to be inducted into the "''Drag Race'' Hall of Fame". A new twist was revealed for this season, changing the format of the show. In previous seasons, the bottom two queens had to "Lip-sync for their Life" to avoid elimination. This season had the top two performing queens of the challenge "Lip-sync for their Legacy," with the winner of the lip-sync earning $10,000 and choosing which one of the bottom queens gets eliminated. The prizes for the winner were a one-year supply of Anastasia Beverly Hills cosmetics and a cash prize of $100,000. It is also the first ''All Stars'' season to feature

Snatch Game Snatch Game is a challenge on the ''Drag Race'' reality competition television franchise. Beginning with the second season of the original American series ''RuPaul's Drag Race'', the challenge has taken place on every season since. It has also o ...

, a challenge that debuted in the second season of the regular series. The winner of the second season of ''RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars'' was

Alaska Alaska ( ; russian: Аляска, Alyaska; ale, Alax̂sxax̂; ; ems, Alas'kaaq; Yup'ik: ''Alaskaq''; tli, Anáaski) is a state located in the Western United States on the northwest extremity of North America. A semi-exclave of the U.S., ...

, with

Detox Detoxification or detoxication (detox for short) is the physiological or medicinal removal of toxic substances from a living organism, including the human body, which is mainly carried out by the liver. Additionally, it can refer to the period of ...

and

Katya Katya is a feminine given name. It is a very popular name in Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Serbia, and North Macedonia. It is a Russian diminutive form of Yekaterina, which is a Russian form of Katherine.This name is also can be spelled Katia.MFnames ...

being the runners-up. On May 26, 2021, it was announced that

Ginger Minj Joshua Allen Eads, stage name Ginger Minj (born September 11, 1984), an American drag queen, actor, singer-songwriter, and reality television personality. After achieving recognition for placing as the runner-up on the seventh season of the real ...

would return for the sixth season of All Stars, marking the first time that an All Stars contestant (that didn’t compete on All Stars 1) came back for a second chance on All Stars.

Contestants

''Ages, names, and cities stated are at time of filming.'' Notes

Contestant progress

Lip syncs

Legend:

Guest judges

Listed in chronological order: *

Raven-Symoné Raven-Symoné Christina Pearman-Maday () (née Pearman; born December 10, 1985), also known mononymously as Raven, is an American actress, singer, and songwriter. She has received several accolades, including five NAACP Image Awards, two Kids ...

, actress, comedian, singer and model *

, comedian and television personality *

Jeremy Scott Jeremy Scott (born August 8, 1975) is an American fashion designer. He is the creative director of the fashion house Moschino and the sole owner of his namesake label. Since launching his brand in Paris in 1997, Scott has built a reputation as ...

, fashion designer *

Nicole Scherzinger Nicole Scherzinger (; born Nicole Prascovia Elikolani Valiente, June 29, 1978) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, and television personality. She is best known as the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, one of the best-selling g ...

, singer and actress *

Graham Norton Graham William Walker (born 4 April 1963), better known by his stage name Graham Norton, is an Irish actor, author, comedian, commentator, and presenter. Well known for his work in the UK, he is a five-time BAFTA TV Award winner for his comedy ...

, television and radio personality *

Aubrey Plaza Aubrey Christina Plaza (born June 26, 1984) is an American actress, comedian, and producer. She began her career performing improv and sketch comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. She starred as April Ludgate on the NBC sitcom '' Par ...

, actress and comedian

Special guests

Guests who appeared in episodes, but did not judge on the main stage: Episode 2 *

Raven A raven is any of several larger-bodied bird species of the genus ''Corvus''. These species do not form a single taxonomic group within the genus. There is no consistent distinction between "crows" and "ravens", common names which are assigned t ...

, runner up from season two and season one of ''All Stars'' * Jujubee, contestant from season two and season one and five of ''All Stars'' *

Shangela Chantize Darius Jeremy Pierce, better known as Shangela Laquifa Wadley or mononymously as Shangela (born November 22, 1980), is an American drag queen, reality television personality and actor best known for competing on ''RuPaul's Drag Race''. S ...

, contestant from season two and three and season three of ''All Stars'' *

Bianca Del Rio Roy R. Haylock (born June 27, 1975), better known by the stage name Bianca Del Rio, is an American drag queen, comedian, actor, and costume designer. She is known for winning the sixth season of ''RuPaul's Drag Race''. Since her time on ''Drag R ...

, winner of season six Episode 4 *

Big Freedia Freddie Ross Jr. (born January 28, 1978), better known by his stage name Big Freedia ( ), is an American rapper and performer known for his work in the New Orleans genre of hip hop called bounce music. Freedia has been credited with helping popu ...

, actor and singer *

Victoria "Porkchop" Parker Victoria "Porkchop" Parker, stage name of Victor Ray Bowling, is an American drag performer and actor who came to international attention on the first season of ''RuPaul's Drag Race.'' He is notable in part for being the first contestant ever eli ...

, contestant from season one Episode 5 *

Chad Michaels Chad Michael Storbeck, known professionally as Chad Michaels (born March 20, 1971), is an American drag performer and professional Cher impersonator. He was the runner-up of the fourth season of ''RuPaul's Drag Race'', alongside Phi Phi O'Hara, ...

, runner-up from season four and winner of season one of ''All Stars'' *

, contestant from season one *

Chelsea Peretti Chelsea Vanessa Peretti (born February 20, 1978) is an American comedian, actress, television writer, singer, and songwriter. She is best known for portraying Gina Linetti in the comedy series ''Brooklyn Nine-Nine'' and writing for ''Parks and R ...

, actress and comedian *Akashia, contestant from season one *

Jessica Wild José David Sierra, better known as Jessica Wild (born June 10, 1980), is a Puerto Rican drag queen, professional make-up artist, and reality television personality, best known as a contestant on the second season of ''RuPaul's Drag Race''. Bi ...

, contestant from season two *Mystique Summers Madison, contestant from season two *Nicole Paige Brooks, contestant from season two * Sonique, contestant from season two and season six of ''All Stars'' *

Alexis Mateo Alexis Mateo Pacheco (born July 24, 1979), best known as Alexis Mateo, is a Puerto Rican drag queen, performer, reality television personality, fashion designer, and the winner of All American Goddess 2016, Miss Gay Days 2016 and National Showg ...

, contestant from season three and season one and five of ''All Stars'' *

Mariah Paris Balenciaga Mariah Paris Balenciaga, or simply known as Mariah, is the stage name of Elijah A. Kelly (born February 13, 1981), an American drag queen and television personality, best known for competing on the third season of ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' (2011) a ...

, contestant from season three and season five of ''All Stars'' *

Yara Sofia Yara Sofia is the stage name of Gabriel Burgos Ortiz (born May 8, 1984), a Puerto Rican drag queen, professional make-up artist, and reality television personality. She is most known for appearing on ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' season 3, where she ...

, contestant from season three and season one and six of ''All Stars'' *

Jiggly Caliente Bianca Castro (born November 29, 1980), commonly known as Jiggly Caliente, is a Filipino-American drag performer, singer, and actress best known for competing on the fourth season of ''RuPaul's Drag Race'', the sixth season of ''RuPaul's Drag R ...

, contestant from season four and season six of ''All Stars'' *Madame LaQueer, contestant from season four *

Monica Beverly Hillz Monica Dejesus-Anaya, known by the stage persona Monica Beverly Hillz, is an American reality television personality and transgender activist, originally known for appearing on season 5 of ''RuPaul's Drag Race''. She was the second contestant in ...

, contestant from season five *Vivienne Pinay, contestant from season five *

Gia Gunn Gia Gunn is the stage name of American drag performer Gia Keitaro Ichikawa (born May 10, 1990). She is known for competing on the sixth season of ''RuPaul's Drag Race'', the second season of ''The Switch Drag Race'', and '' RuPaul's Drag Race ...

, contestant from season six and season four of ''All Stars'' *

Kelly Mantle Kelly Leroy Mantle (born July 9, 1976), is an American actor, singer-songwriter, comedian, musician, drag queen, and reality television personality. Mantle appeared as a contestant on the sixth season of the reality TV show ''RuPaul's Drag Race ...

, contestant from season six *

Laganja Estranja Jay Evan Jackson, known professionally as Laganja Estranja (born December 28, 1988) is an American choreographer and drag queen based in Los Angeles. Laganja competed on the sixth season of ''RuPaul's Drag Race'', finishing in eighth place. She ...

, contestant from season six *

Trinity K. Bonet Joshua Jamal Jones (born January 31, 1991), better known by the stage name Trinity Kardashian Bonet, is an American drag queen, performer, Impersonator, celebrity impersonator, actor and singer who came to international attention on the RuPaul's D ...

, contestant from season six and season six of ''All Stars'' *Vivacious, contestant on season six *Jaidynn Diore Fierce, contestant from season seven *

Mrs. Kasha Davis Mrs. Kasha Davis is the stage name of Edward P. Popil, Jr., an American drag queen, actor and television personality from Scranton, Pennsylvania. She is best known for competing on the seventh season of ''RuPaul's Drag Race''. After appearing o ...

, contestant from season seven Episode 6 *

Marcus Lemonis Marcus Anthony Lemonis (born November 16, 1973) is a Lebanese-born American businessman, television personality and philanthropist. He is currently the chairman and CEO of Camping World, Good Sam Enterprises, Gander RV and The House Boardshop, i ...

, investor, television personality and philanthropist Episode 7 * Anastasia Soare, owner of Anastasia Beverly Hills cosmetics

Episodes

Reception

The second season of ''RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars'' was met with critical acclaim and is generally considered to be the best season in the show's history. ''Vox'' described the season as "the best — and most self-aware" season of Drag Race. ''

Gay Times ''Gay Times'' (stylized in all caps), also known as ''Gay Times Magazine'' and as ''GT'', is a UK-based LGBTQ+ media brand established in 1975. Originally a magazine for gay and bisexual men, the company now includes content for the LGBTQ+ commu ...

'' ranked it as the number-one season, specifically shouting out

Alyssa Edwards Justin Dwayne Lee Johnson (born January 16, 1980), best known by the stage name Alyssa Edwards, is an American drag performer, choreographer, and businessperson. Edwards was known for competing in drag pageantry (notably Miss Gay America 2010) b ...

and

Tatianna Joey Santolini (born Joseph Michael Santolini; December 1, 1987), better known by his stage name Tatianna, is an American drag queen, musician, and reality television personality from Washington, D.C. He is best known for competing on the second ...

's lipsync to "Shut Up and Drive" as a standout moment, also describing the season as having the "best cast in the show's

HERstory Herstory is a term for history written from a feminist perspective and emphasizing the role of women, or told from a woman's point of view. It originated as an alteration of the word "history", as part of a feminist critique of conventional hist ...

". ''

Elite Daily ''Elite Daily'' is an American online news platform founded by David Arabov, Jonathon Francis, and Gerard Adams. The site describes its target audience as millennials. In addition to general news and today's hot issues and trending topics, the ...

'' ranked it as the second-best season, behind only season four. Ryan Shea of ''

Instinct Instinct is the inherent inclination of a living organism towards a particular complex behaviour, containing both innate (inborn) and learned elements. The simplest example of an instinctive behaviour is a fixed action pattern (FAP), in which a v ...

'' also ranked it as the second-best season, describing

's win as "triumphant". Additional praise was given to Alaska's win, with ''

Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cul ...

'' ranking her as the third-best ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' winner, only behind

Trixie Mattel Brian Michael Firkus (born August 23, 1989), better known by the stage name Trixie Mattel, is an American drag queen, television personality, and singer-songwriter originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is known for her exaggerated, high-camp ...

and

in 2018. In a 2020 GoldDerby forum, fans voted Alaska as the favorite ''All Star'' winner, receiving over 40% of the votes.

Ratings

References

External links

* {{RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 2016 American television seasons RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars seasons 2016 in LGBT history