Note: The following story contains spoilers from the “Rupaul’s Drag Race” Season 16 finale.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” just crowned America’s latest drag superstar.
The sickening Season 16 finale followed as all of this year’s competing queens returned to watch Nymphia Wind, Plane Jane and Sapphira Cristál compete for the coveted title — with Wind coming out as the winner following a dazzling lip sync for the crown to Kylie Minogue’s hit single “Padam.”
Wind walked away with the one-year supply of Anastasia Beverly Hills Cosmetics and cash prize of $200,000. The runner-up did not leave the floor empty-handed, walking away with a $25,000 cash tip. Jane, a polarizing competitor who was both loved and labeled a villain this season, landed in third place and also left with a $25,000 prize.
The MTV series also had a first in the Miss Congeniality category this year, honoring both Cristál and Xunami Muse with the title. The tie marked the first time two queens have been bored by their peers to win, with both walking away with a $10,000 cash prize. The show also surprised the other contestants this season with a special cash prize of $2,000 cash prize each “for slaying all season.”
The show, hosted by RuPaul Charles alongside judges Michelle Visage, Ross Matthews and Carson Kressley, also paid tribute to queer icon Cassandra Peterson, also known as Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, with the Giving Us Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to the LGBTQ community and past appearances on the celebrated reality series.
The finale featured the top three queens performing lip syncs to original songs, before the final two competed in one last lip sync for the crown. The final installment also featured a special ode to the mothers and mother figures of the participating queens, spotlighting how their support allowed them to flourish into the performers they are today.
Fans also got one final showcase from fan-favorite, and Season 15 winner, Sasha Colby, performing a lip sync to Megan Thee Stallion’s hit song “Her,” before crowning this year’s winner.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” airs Fridays on MTV.
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