Gonna leave out S10 queens for now because I don't want another Aja situation - someone who could feasibly win still not being rounded enough by experience of "how to win Drag Race".
My dream list - naming 12 because I can:
- Jessica Wild (season 2) - She was robbed of the first Miss Congeniality so she can have a chance at winning a whole new generation of hearts instead.
- Mariah Balenciaga (season 3) - The only ever Ball queen on the show, she deserves to make it based on the fact Drag Race has pilfered a ton of Ball references alone.
- Lineysha Sparx (season 5) - I know her language barrier would be a major problem but she served LOOKS.
- Darienne Lake (season 6) - naturally funny, killer makeup, deserves redemption
- April Carrion (season 6) - eliminated way too soon in a overpowered season, I think she could've made the top half of another one. Seems a lot smarter now, too.
- Jasmine Masters (season 7) - the meme QUEEN. I don't know if I buy the "burned her bridges" concerns that everyone writes her off with... she's had her messy videos but she's now working with WOW and is just genuinely a stellar personality and needs more representation
- Acid Betty (season 8) - more than just a look queen, she was 'top' for all but 1 challenge, and robbed of a win in the Money Ball look
- Robbie Turner (season 8) - I know given recent events this is a non-starter but I loved her dryness and she was good at many challenges. Could be a good villain.
- Trinity Taylor (season 9) - the perfect competitor, will fight dirty and is naturally funny and talented. I can't ever see her winning but she'll always go far and steal scenes (a la Detox)
- Valentina (season 9) - look, I don't buy the hype with her and she isn't the greatest queen ever, but I'm sure even with the limited time since her season, she's probably amped her game up and could kill it. Or she could flop hard. I'm content either way!
- Yara Sofia (All Stars 1) - if there's an AS1 returnee then I have two choices. My first is Yara. I'm torn between her and Alexis for this slot because I think Alexis has a better understanding of the show's humour, and more "catchphrases"/milkable content... but Yara just has this stage presence and creativity that's almost unrivalled across all seasons.
- Latrice Royale (All Stars 1) - I know there's loads of AS1 queens to clamor for and see again... Manila, Tammie, Raven, Mimi, Nina, Pandora... but it's been too long without the original fan favourite.
I've gone for a couple of wildcards that I don't know if they have much chance of being cast... but I want some surprises! It's all very easy being thrown Shea and Peppermint and Trinity and Valentina and Naomi and Pearl but... someone unexpected
that doesn't get shafted at the first opportunity like Morgan.
I've left out Willam because honestly I don't think it'd be in her interests to return to the show that she's spent so long slagging off, now. I think it'd be an immediate setup for her to fail. I've also left out Courtney Act because the bridges there also seem burned, and her confidence doesn't mesh well with Drag Race's need for you to be a vulnerable and malleable victim. And finally I've left out Stacy Layne Matthews because whilst I love her, I don't think she has the wits about her to really be a contender and I don't want her hero status tainted by an early elimination
but ugh I want her on the show in some form. Give her a judges' slot. And as much as I adore Nina Bo'Nina Brown, I still think she's not... ready for it. And didn't include Shea because she doesn't seem to want to do it.
Even wilder cards that I think are worth a look:
- Honey Mahogany
- Laila McQueen
- Tempest DuJour
- Alexis Michelle
- Jiggly Caliente