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RuPaul's Drag Race
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The eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race revealed its cast on February 1, 2016[1] and began airing on March 7, 2016. The winner of Season 8 walked out with the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar" and a cash prize of $100,000.

On May 16, 2016, Bob The Drag Queen was declared the winner of the season, with Kim Chi and Naomi Smalls placing as runners-up while Cynthia Lee Fontaine was voted Miss Congeniality by the audience.

On August 20, 2020, Chi Chi DeVayne tragically passed away after being hospitalized with pneumonia.

Contestants[]

S8cast

(Biographical information stated from during time of contest)

Rank Contestant Photo Age Location Ep. 1 Ep. 2 Ep. 3 Ep. 4 Ep. 5 Ep. 6 Ep. 7 Ep. 8 Ep. 9 Ep. 10
Design Rusical Acting Girl
Groups
Snatch
Game
Make
Over
Advert Ball Music
Video
Grand
Finale
1st
(Winner)
Bob The Drag Queen BobS8Promo 29 New York, NY SAFE SAFE WIN SAFE WIN SAFE
Mini
Chall.
Winner
WIN BTM2 TOP
3
WINNER
2nd/3rd
(Runners-Up)
Kim Chi KimChiS8Promo 27 Chicago, IL WIN LOW SAFE HIGH
TEAM
SAFE HIGH LOW WIN TOP
3
RUNNER
UP
Naomi Smalls NaomiS8Promo 21 Redlands, CA LOW SAFE SAFE
Team
Captain
HIGH
TEAM
BTM2 WIN HIGH HIGH TOP
3
RUNNER
UP
4th Chi Chi DeVayne ChiChiS8Promo 29 Shreveport, LA SAFE WIN
Team
Captain
SAFE BTM2 SAFE LOW BTM2 HIGH
Mini
Chall.
Winner
ELIM GUEST
5th Derrick Barry DerrickS8Promo 32 Las Vegas, NV HIGH SAFE LOW LOW HIGH BTM2 WIN
Mini
Chall.
Winner
ELIM GUEST
6th Thorgy Thor ThorgyS8Promo 31 Brooklyn, NY SAFE HIGH HIGH SAFE HIGH SAFE ELIM GUEST
7th Robbie Turner RobbieS8Promo 33 Seattle, WA LOW
Mini
Chall.
Winner
SAFE BTM2 WIN LOW ELIM GUEST
8th Acid Betty AcidS8PROMO 38 Brooklyn, NY HIGH HIGH HIGH SAFE ELIM GUEST
9th
(orig. 12th)
Naysha Lopez NayshaS8Promo 31 Chicago, IL ELIM RTRN
+
SAFE
Team
Captain
ELIM GUEST
10th
(Miss
Congeniality)
Cynthia Lee Fontaine CynthiaS8Promo 34 Austin, TX SAFE SAFE
Team
Captain
ELIM MISS
CON
11th/12th
(Double
Elim.)
Dax ExclamationPoint DaxS8Promo 31 Savannah, GA SAFE ELIM GUEST
Laila McQueen LailaS8Promo 22 Gloucester, MA BTM2 ELIM GUEST
The contestant won RuPaul's Drag Race.
The contestant placed as a runner-up.
The contestant competed in a four way final lip sync against all remaining contestants and advanced to the finale.
The contestant was eliminated by RuPaul after a four way final lip sync against all remaining contestants.
The contestant won the maxi challenge.
The contestant was one of the maxi challenge winners.
The contestant was a member of the winning team, but did not win the maxi challenge.
The contestant received mostly positive critiques, but did not win the maxi challenge.
The contestant received mostly negative critiques, but was not up for elimination.
The contestant was up for elimination, but neither were eliminated.
The contestant was up for elimination and won the "Lip Sync For Your Life".
The contestant was up for elimination, lost the "Lip Sync For Your Life", and was eliminated.
The contestant was up for elimination and both were eliminated.
The contestant returned to the competition after previously being eliminated, and was safe.
The contestant was awarded the title of "Miss Congeniality" at the finale.
The contestant appeared as a guest, but was out of the running.

Episodes[]

Series # Episode # Episode Title Airdate
94 1 Keeping it 100! March 7, 2016
95 2 Bitch Perfect March 14, 2016
96 3 RuCo's Empire March 21, 2016
97 4 New Wave Queens March 28, 2016
98 5 Supermodel Snatch Game April 4, 2016
99 6 Wizards of Drag April 11, 2016
100 7 Shady Politics April 18, 2016
101 8 RuPaul Book Ball April 25, 2016
102 9 The Realness May 2, 2016
103 10 Grand Finale May 16, 2016

Episode 1: "Keeping It 100!"[]

Airdate: March 7, 2016

Synopsis: For the 100th episode, Ru challenges a new crop of hens to craft outfits based on design challenges from seasons past. Nicole Richie guest judges.

Entrance Order

1. Naomi Smalls
2. Cynthia Lee Fontaine
3. Dax ExclamationPoint
4. Naysha Lopez
5. Acid Betty
6. Robbie Turner
7. Kim Chi
8. Thorgy Thor
9. Bob the Drag Queen
10. Laila McQueen
11. Chi Chi DeVayne
12. Derrick Barry

Design Challenge Assignments

Contestant Design challenge
Acid Betty Make Dat Money (from Season 3, Ep. 13)
Bob The Drag Queen Gone with the Window (from Season 2, Ep. 1)
Chi Chi DeVayne Glitter Ball (from Season 6, Ep. 11)
Cynthia Lee Fontaine Sugar Ball (from Season 5, Ep. 11)
Dax ExclamationPoint Hello, Kitty Girls! (from Season 7, Ep. 11)
Derrick Barry The Queen Who Mopped Xmas (from Season 3, Ep. 2)
Kim Chi RuPaul's Hair Extravaganza (from Season 3, Ep. 11)
Laila McQueen RuPocalypse Now! (from Season 4, Ep. 1)
Naomi Smalls Float Your Boat (from Season 4 Ep. 6)
Naysha Lopez Drag on a Dime (from Season 1, Ep. 1)
Robbie Turner The Fabulous Bitch Ball (from Season 4, Ep. 11)
Thorgy Thor Face, Face, Face of Cakes (from Season 3, Ep. 7)

Past Winners Photoshoot

Episode 2: "Bitch Perfect"[]

Airdate: March 14, 2016

Synopsis: Ru divides the remaining queens into two competing teams to perform in a dance-driven, drag-appella sing-off dubbed "Bitch Perfect."

  • Guest Judges: Ester Dean, Jamal Sims, and Lucian Piane
  • Special Guest: AB Soto
  • Mini-Challenge: Compete in a latin dance-off to RuPaul's song "Cha Cha Bitch"
  • Mini-Challenge Winner(s): Chi Chi DeVayne and Cynthia Lee Fontaine
  • Main Challenge: Perform in a collegiate acapella sing-off: Bitch Perfect
  • Main Challenge Winner: Chi Chi DeVayne
  • Main Challenge Prize: A 4 night getaway to an all gay bed and breakfast in New England courtesy of mygaygetaway.com
  • Runway Theme: Movie Premiere Realness
  • Bottom Two: Dax ExclamationPoint and Laila McQueen
  • Lip Sync Song: "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor
  • Eliminated: Dax ExclamationPoint and Laila McQueen
  • Farewell Message — Dax ExclamationPoint: "Ladies, You're all Fantastic! I wish I could be here with you! Set the world on fire + Make Everyone EAT IT -DAX! ☠"
  • Farewell Message — Laila McQueen: "You're All the Biggest Pack of freaks and I am so "Happy" to call you "family". But Actually I ♥ you All & can't wait for the future with you! xoxo Laila!"

Bitch Perfect Teams

Team Lady Bitches Team Shady Bitches
Cynthia Lee Fontaine Chi Chi DeVayne
Bob the Drag Queen Acid Betty
Derrick Barry Thorgy Thor
Laila McQueen Dax ExclamationPoint
Robbie Turner Naomi Smalls
Kim Chi

Episode 3: "RuCo's Empire"[]

Airdate: March 21, 2016

Synopsis: After a stunning runway showdown, a dismissed queen gets a second chance in a team-based challenge: acting in a pilot inspired by the TV drama "Empire."

  • Guest Judges: Faith Evans and Tasha Smith
  • Mini-Challenge: Drag up supreme court robes
  • Mini-Challenge Winner: Naomi Smalls
  • Main Challenge: Perform in two Empire-inspired acting scenes
  • Main Challenge Winner: Bob the Drag Queen
  • Main Challenge Prize: $3,500 of eyewear from Bradley Kenneth
  • Runway Theme: Rollergirl Realness
  • Bottom Two: Robbie Turner and Cynthia Lee Fontaine
  • Lip Sync Song: "Mesmerized (FreeMasons Remix)" by Faith Evans
  • Eliminated: Cynthia Lee Fontaine
  • Farewell Message: "Don't give up!!! Fight for your dreams!!! Love you mis amores #Cucu ♥"

RuCo Empire Roles

Character Team Naomi Smalls Team Naysha Lopez
Vanilla Wafer Naomi Smalls Kim Chi
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bob the Drag Queen Thorgy Thor
Shortbread Chi Chi DeVayne Naysha Lopez
Ginger Snap Cynthia Lee Fontaine Derrick Barry
Macaroon Robbie Turner Acid Betty

Episode 4: "New Wave Queens"[]

Airdate: March 28, 2016

Synopsis: The remaining queens take the stage to sing live in a 1980s-style salute to New Wave girl bands. Guest judges include Blondie's Debbie Harry.

  • Special Guest: The Vivienne[2][3]
  • Guest Judges: Debbie Harry, Chris Stein, and Lucian Piane
  • Main Challenge: Sing live in ‘80s style New Wave girl bands
  • Main Challenge Winner: Robbie Turner
  • Main Challenge Prize: A wig wardrobe from Weaven Steven
  • Runway Theme: Neon Realness
  • Bottom Two: Chi Chi DeVayne and Naysha Lopez
  • Lip Sync Song: "Call Me" by Blondie
  • Eliminated: Naysha Lopez
  • Farewell Message: "Dear Ladies, Have a good time and push yourself. I got a 2nd chance, don't blow your first and only! xoxo Da Beauty! Naysha Lopez"

New Wave Queen Groups

Street Meatz Dragometry Les Chicken Wings
StreetMeatzS8 Bob the Drag Queen DragometryS8 Naysha Lopez LesChickenWingsS8 Kim Chi
Thorgy Thor Chi Chi DeVayne Robbie Turner
Acid Betty Derrick Barry Naomi Smalls

Episode 5: "Supermodel Snatch Game"[]

Airdate: April 4, 2016

Synopsis: Competitive queens take on shades of well-known celebrities in another round of "Snatch Game." Later, they all strike a pose in homage to Madonna.

  • Guest Judges: Gigi Hadid and Chanel Iman
  • Main Challenge: Snatch Game
  • Main Challenge Winner: Bob The Drag Queen
  • Main Challenge Prize: A collection of handbags and wallets from Lux De Ville valued at $7,000
  • Runway Theme: Iconic Madonna Looks
  • Bottom Two: Acid Betty and Naomi Smalls
  • Lip Sync Song: "Causing a Commotion" by Madonna
  • Eliminated: Acid Betty
  • Farewell Message: "Ladies, You have been touched by fierceness! Now werq it out! - Bob, ♥ you! See jew in new york. - Thorgy you are amazeballz! - AcidBetty 💋"

Snatch Game

Contestant Celebrity Photo
Acid Betty Nancy Grace Acid-nancy-rupauls-drag-race-season-8-episode-5
Bob the Drag Queen Uzo Aduba Bob-uzo-rupauls-drag-race-season-8-episode-5
Carol Channing Bob-carol-rupauls-drag-race-season-8-episode-5
Chi Chi DeVayne Eartha Kitt Chichi-eartha-rupauls-drag-race-season-8-episode-5
Derrick Barry Britney Spears Derrick-britney-rupauls-drag-race-season-8-episode-5
Kim Chi Kimmy Jong-Un Kim-kimmie-rupauls-drag-race-season-8-episode-5
Naomi Smalls Tiffany Pollard Naomi-newyork-rupauls-drag-race-season-8-episode-5
Robbie Turner Diana Vreeland Robbie-diana-rupauls-drag-race-season-8-episode-5
Thorgy Thor Michael Jackson Thorgy-michael-rupauls-drag-race-season-8-episode-5

Episode 6: "Wizards of Drag"[]

Airdate: April 11, 2016

Synopsis: The queens dish out mini drag makeovers in the style of "The Wizard of Oz." Fashion designer Marc Jacobs and entertainer Todrick Hall guest judge.

  • Special Guest: Marc Snetiker
  • Guest Judges: Todrick Hall and Marc Jacobs
  • Alternating Judge(s): Ross Matthews
  • Mini-Challenge: "Reading is Fundamental"
  • Mini-Challenge Winner: Bob The Drag Queen
  • Main Challenge: The queens give "Wizard of Oz" themed makeovers to cast members of Little Women: L.A.
  • Main Challenge Winner: Naomi Smalls
  • Main Challenge Prize: $1000 worth of spa services from The Spa On Rodeo (for both Naomi and Jasmine)
  • Runway Theme: Wizard of Oz Couture
  • Bottom Two: Derrick Barry and Robbie Turner
  • Lip Sync Song: "I Love It" by Icona Pop
  • Eliminated: Robbie Turner
  • Farewell Message: "My dearest trashbags, I'm sorry to leave you all so soon, but know this, the love I have for you is REAL + quite strong, also whoever wins owes me a tea or a steak dinner! Love you all, Robbie"

Make Over Assignments

Contestant Little Woman Drag Name Character Who Should Go Home Tonight?
Bob The Drag Queen Elena Gant Rob the Faux Queen Glinda the Good Witch Derrick Barry
Chi Chi DeVayne Tonya Banks Ti Ti DeVayne Dorothy Gale Derrick Barry
Derrick Barry Terra Jole Terra Barr Tin Man Chi Chi DeVayne
Kim Chi Briana Mason Miso Chi The Wicked Witch of the West Chi Chi DeVayne
Naomi Smalls Jasmine Arteaga Sorge Jazzy Jems Scarecrow Derrick Barry
Robbie Turner Christy McGinity Gabel Hedda Turner The Cowardly Lion Chi Chi DeVayne
Thorgy Thor Brittney Guzman Thorgeous Emerald Citizen Chi Chi DeVayne

Episode 7: "Shady Politics"[]

Airdate: April 18, 2016

Synopsis: The top six queens campaign hard for the title of First Drag President of the United States. Guest judges include Vivica A. Fox ("Independence Day").

  • Special Guest: Andrew Christian
  • Guest Judges: Thomas Roberts and Vivica A. Fox
  • Alternating Judge(s): Carson Kressley
  • Mini-Challenge: Playing a true or false guessing game with the Pit Crew
  • Mini-Challenge Winner: Derrick Barry
  • Main Challenge: Work in pairs to shoot presidential campaign ads to smear their partner and stake their claim to be the first drag President of the U.S.A.
  • Main Challenge Winners: Bob The Drag Queen & Derrick Barry
  • Main Challenge Prize: A custom-made gown from Mountbatten Concepts
  • Runway Theme: Black & White Realness(inspired by Detox)
  • Bottom Two: Chi Chi Devayne and Thorgy Thor
  • Lip Sync Song: "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from Dreamgirls
  • Eliminated: Thorgy Thor
  • Farewell Message: "Clowns! All of you!! Come to NY - but please take down Bob! She's terrible! - anyway - ♥ you guys! top 3?....... Naomi, Bob, Deryk [sic]... Let's see.... (that was shady!) ♥ Thorgy"

Episode 8: "RuPaul Book Ball"[]

Airdate: April 25, 2016

Synopsis: The queens prep paper-thin looks for a "Book Ball" and pay homage to "Strangers with Candy" icon Jerii Blank. Sibs Amy and David Sedaris guest judge.

  • Guest Judges: Amy and David Sedaris
  • Mini-Challenge: Everybody Loves Puppets
  • Mini-Challenge Winner: Chi Chi DeVayne
  • Main Challenge: Ball Challenge
  • Runway Themes: Baby Drag Realness, That's My Mama Realness, and Autobiographical Eleganza Extravaganza
  • Main Challenge Winner: Kim Chi
  • Main Challenge Prize: $2,500 gift card from Fabric Planet
  • Bottom Two: Bob The Drag Queen & Derrick Barry
  • Lip Sync Song: "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" by Sylvester
  • Eliminated: Derrick Barry
  • Farewell Message: "To my top 4, Ru said I won the challenge! What happened? I love you all! ♥ Derrick Bitch"

Episode 9: "The Realness"[]

RuPaul_-_The_Realness_Official_Music_Video

RuPaul - The Realness Official Music Video

Airdate: May 2, 2016

Synopsis: No one's safe as the remaining four queens square off for their final challenge: starring in the music video for Ru's hit single "The Realness."

Top Three of Season 8

Queens Challenge Wins Up for Elimination
TeamBobS8
3
(Eps. 3, 5, 7)
1
(Ep. 8)
TeamKimS8
2
(Eps. 1, 8)
0
TeamNaomiS8
1
(Ep. 6)
1
(Ep. 5)

Episode 10: "Grand Finale"[]

Airdate: May 16, 2016

Synopsis: Fabulousness flares when this season's queens reconvene for the crowning of "Miss Congeniality" -- and "America's Next Drag Superstar." The three finalists each perform a lip sync to a song written specially for them- Bob performing "I Don't Like to Show Off," Kim performing "Fat Fem and Asian," and Naomi performing "Legs." After the three performances, RuPaul talks to the eliminated queens, and afterward Katya, season seven Miss Congeniality, announces that Cynthia Lee Fontaine won this season's Miss Congeniality title. The top three return and Bob The Drag Queen is crowned the winner of season 8.

  • Miss Congeniality: Cynthia Lee Fontaine
  • Top Three: Bob the Drag Queen, Kim Chi, and Naomi Smalls
  • Lip Sync Songs: "I Don't Like to Show Off" (Bob the Drag Queen); "Fat Fem and Asian" (Kim Chi); “Legs” (Naomi Smalls)
  • Winner of Season 8: Bob The Drag Queen
  • Runners-Up: Kim Chi and Naomi Smalls

Gallery[]

Gallery pic
Check out the lookbook gallery to see the contestants' looks from each episode.

Videos[]

The Pit Stop Recap Show[]

Trivia[]

  • Season 8 is the only season in herstory...
    • ... to include the Shade Tree, a confessional room in which queens could share their innermost secrets and thoughts.
  • Season 8 is the first season...
    • ... to have someone do two celebrities in the same Snatch Game. Bob The Drag Queen impersonated both Uzo Aduba and Carol Channing.
    • ... to not have a recap episode. None of the following seasons have had one since.
    • ... to feature The Pit Stop, a YouTube recap show about each episode, and the only season not to be hosted by a Drag Race alum.
    • ... where the winner of the season never placed high without winning the Maxi Challenge. Every episode Bob the Drag Queen received positive critiques, she ended up winning the Maxi Challenge. She is followed by Envy Peru in Drag Race Holland (Season 1).
    • ... where no contestant was eliminated on the episode they won a Mini Challenge.
    • To feature a full cast of queens with both first and last names, it would later be followed by RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under Season 1 and Season 2
  • Season 8 is the second...
    • ... American season with 12 contestants, after season 2.
    • ... American season to have a double elimination, the first was in Season 5.
    • ... American season to have less than three contestants lip sync for their life in two consecutive episodes, after Season 1.
  • Season 8 is the third...
    • American Season to consist the finalists all being POCs.
      • This later happened in Season 10 and 12.
      • Not a single American season has had two contestants lip sync for their life in two consecutive episodes. In Season 1 and 8, only one contestant landed in the bottom 2 in two consecutive episodes. In Season 10 and 12, four contestants landed in the bottom 2 in two consecutive episodes, whereas every other season has had at least three.
    • ... where none of the contestants landed in the bottom 2 three times.
  • Season 8 has one of the two lowest placing Miss Congeniality, Cynthia Lee Fontaine who placed 10th. The other one is LaLa Ri of Season 13.
  • With only 10 episodes, Season 8 is the second shortest American season after Season 1 with 9 episodes.
  • The lip sync assassin of Season 8 is Chi Chi DeVayne. Chi Chi sent home Naysha Lopez and Thorgy Thor.
  • Part of the fourth episode was filmed on July 27th. This was figured out due to it being Robbie Turner's birthday.
  • Season 8 is also the last season to feature the Reunion during the Finale. The seasons after have had a completely separate episode for the Reunion.
  • On an episode with Sibling Rivalry with Bob and Monet it was discovered that Cynthia Lee Fontaine and Naysha Lopez were the two eliminated queens that also brought Kimonos the "Night of 1000 Madonna's" Runway.
  • This season has produced a total of six returning contestants:

Navigation[]

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