RuPaul's Drag Race (season 9)

13 new queens enter the workroom. A 14th queen enters the workroom, but is revealed to be Lady Gaga. RuPaul comes in and tells the queens that they will be competing in the Miss Charisma Uniqueness Nerve and Talent pageant. They must showcase a hometown look and a Lady Gaga inspired look.[20]

After the queens walk the runway, Eureka, Nina Bo'nina Brown and Sasha Velour are told they are the top 3 queens, with Nina Bo'nina Brown winning the challenge. Ru then stops the pageant to tell the other queens that a 14th queen will be entering the competition.

• Guest Judge: Lady Gaga
• Alternating Judges: Carson Kressley and Ross Mathews
• Maxi Challenge: Showcase a hometown styled outfit and a Lady Gaga-inspired outfit in the Miss Charisma Uniqueness Nerve and Talent pageant.
• Challenge Winner: Nina Bo'nina Brown
• Maxi Challenge Prize: A weeklong getaway to The Grand Resort and Spa at Fort Lauderdale Beach.
• Eliminated: None

The episode picks up, and the 14th queen is revealed to be Cynthia Lee Fontaine, a queen on Season 8. For the main challenge, the queens will compete in teams in a cheerleading battle. Team 1 consisted of Aja, Alexis Michelle, Charlie Hides, Jaymes Mansfield, Nina Bo'nina Brown, Sasha Velour and Shea Couleé. Team 2 consisted of Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Eureka, Farrah Moan, Kimora Blac, Peppermint, Trinity Taylor and Valentina. During the performance, Eureka popped her knee.[21]

On the runway, category is White Party Realness. Shea Couleé, Trinity Taylor and Valentina receive positive critiques, with Valentina winning the challenge. Charlie Hides, Jaymes Mansfield and Kimora Blac receive negative critiques, with Charlie Hides being safe. Jaymes Mansfield and Kimora Blac lip-sync to "Love Shack" by The B-52's. Kimora Blac wins the lip-sync and Jaymes Mansfield sashays away.

• Returned: Cynthia Lee Fontaine
• Guest Judges: The B-52's
• Alternating Judge: Ross Mathews
• Maxi Challenge: Compete in a cheerleading battle
• Runway Theme: White Party Realness
• Challenge Winner: Valentina
• Maxi Challenge Prize: A wig wardrobe by RockStar Wigs.
• Bottom Two: Jaymes Mansfield and Kimora Blac
• Lip Sync Song: "Love Shack" by The B-52's
• Eliminated: Jaymes Mansfield
• Farewell message: "You live to love me more each day. P.S. JK I love you all. J.M"

For this week's main challenge, the queens must create an original fairytale princess with a sassy sidekick.[22]

On the runway, Peppermint, Trinity Taylor and Valentina receive positive critiques, with Trinity Taylor winning the challenge. Aja, Farrah Moan and Kimora Blac receive negative critiques, with Farrah Moan being safe. Aja and Kimora Blac lip-sync to "Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler. Aja wins the lip-sync after an amazing performance and Kimora Blac sashays away.

• Guest Judges: Todrick Hall and Cheyenne Jackson
• Alternating Judge: Carson Kressley
• Maxi Challenge: Create an original fairytale princess with a sidekick
• Runway Theme: Fairytale Princess Eleganza
• Challenge Winner: Trinity Taylor
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $5000 gift card for Casper Sleep.
• Bottom Two: Aja and Kimora Blac
• Lip Sync Song: "Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler
• Eliminated: Kimora Blac
• Farewell message: "Hey ladies, I ♡ you all! Sisters 4 ever ♡ Kimmy"

For this week's main challenge, the queens will produce a live morning talk show in teams. Team Not on Today consisted of Charlie Hides, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Eureka, Nina Bo'nina Brown, Peppermint and Trinity Taylor. Team Good Morning Bitches consisted of Aja, Alexis Michelle, Farrah Moan, Sasha Velour, Shea Couleé and Valentina.[23]

On the runway, category is Naughty Nighties. Team Good Morning Bitches is announced as the winning team, with Sasha Velour and Shea Couleé both winning the challenge. Team Not on Today is the losing team. Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Eureka and Nina Bo'nina Brown receive positive critiques for the challenge. Charlie Hides, Peppermint and Trinity Taylor receive negative critiques, with Peppermint being safe. Charlie Hides and Trinity Taylor lip-sync to "I Wanna Go" by Britney Spears. Trinity Taylor wins the lip-sync and Charlie Hides sashays away, after seemingly giving up during the lip-sync.

• Guest Judges: Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman and Naya Rivera
• Alternating Judge: Ross Mathews
• Maxi Challenge: Produce a live morning talk show
• Runway Theme: Naughty Nighties
• Challenge Winners: Sasha Velour and Shea Couleé
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $1000 and a year-supply of hamburgers courtesy of Hamburger Mary's
• Bottom Two: Charlie Hides and Trinity Taylor
• Lip Sync Song: "I Wanna Go" by Britney Spears
• Eliminated: Charlie Hides
• Farewell message: "Ladies, I've enjoyed getting to know each + every one of you! Slay it. xo Charlie"

For this week's mini-challenge, the queens will shoot a sexy selfie with the pit crew. Alexis Michelle wins the mini-challenge and gets to assign the roles for the main challenge. For the main challenge, the queens will star in Kardashian: The Musical.[24]

• Aja plays Kourtney Kardashian
• Alexis Michelle plays Kris Jenner
• Cynthia Lee Fontaine plays Kim Kardashian
• Eureka plays North West
• Farrah Moan plays Kylie Jenner
• Nina Bo'nina Brown plays Khloé Kardashian
• Peppermint plays Britney Spears
• Sasha Velour plays Lindsay Lohan
• Shea Couleé plays Blac Chyna
• Trinity Taylor plays Paris Hilton
• Valentina plays Kendall Jenner

On the runway, category is Faux Fur Fabulous. Alexis Michelle, Peppermint and Shea Couleé receive positive critiques, with Shea Couleé winning the challenge. Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Farrah Moan and Nina Bo'nina Brown receive negative critiques, with Nina Bo'nina Brown being safe. Cynthia Lee Fontaine and Farrah Moan lip-sync to "Woman Up" by Meghan Trainor. After the lip-sync, a member of the crew comes up to RuPaul and tells him something. Ru then walks off stage. When she comes back, she calls Eureka to the front of the stage and tells her that she can no longer compete in the competition this season due to her knee injury she sustained in Episode 2. She was given a free invitation to return next season. Ru then declares both Cynthia Lee Fontaine and Farrah Moan safe, due to Eureka's departure.

• Guest Judges: Meghan Trainor and Todrick Hall
• Alternating Judge: Carson Kressley
• Mini-Challenge: Shoot a sexy selfie with the pit crew
• Mini-Challenge Winner: Alexis Michelle
• Mini-Challenge Prize: $1000 gift card from fiercequeen.com
• Maxi Challenge: Star in Kardashian: The Musical
• Runway Theme: Faux Fur Fabulous
• Challenge Winner: Shea Couleé
• Maxi Challenge Prize: A Caribbean Cruise by AllOutVacations
• Bottom Two: Cynthia Lee Fontaine and Farrah Moan
• Lip Sync Song: "Woman Up" by Meghan Trainor
• Removed: Eureka
• Farewell message: "Well... Biggie is out but this is NOT the last of Me!! I need all of you to ALWAYS (lol) #beyourselftofreeyourself ♡ Eureka H!! :p"

The 10 remaining queens were asked by RuPaul to impersonate any character or celebrity for the series' on-going challenge, the Snatch Game. Candice Cayne and Denis O'Hare star as the celebrity contestants.[25] The cast consisted of:

• Aja as Alyssa Edwards
• Alexis Michelle as Liza Minnelli
• Cynthia Lee Fontaine as Sofia Vergara
• Farrah Moan as Gigi Gorgeous
• Nina Bo'nina Brown as Jasmine Masters
• Peppermint as NeNe Leakes
• Sasha Velour as Marlene Dietrich
• Shea Couleé as Naomi Campbell
• Trinity Taylor as Amanda Lepore
• Valentina as Ariadna Gutiérrez

On the runway, category is Night of a Thousand Madonna's. Alexis Michelle, Nina Bo'nina Brown and Sasha Velour receive positive critiques, with Alexis Michelle winning the challenge. Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Farrah Moan and Peppermint receive negative critiques, with Farrah Moan being safe. Cynthia Lee Fontaine and Peppermint lip-sync to "Music" by Madonna. Peppermint wins the lip-sync and Cynthia Lee Fontaine sashays away.

• Guest Judges: Candis Cayne and Denis O'Hare
• Alternating Judge: Ross Mathews
• Maxi Challenge: Impersonate celebrities in the Snatch Game
• Runway Theme: A Night of a Thousand Madonnas
• Challenge Winner: Alexis Michelle
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $2000 package from Sparkles Rhinestones
• Bottom Two: Cynthia Lee Fontaine and Peppermint
• Lip Sync Song: "Music" by Madonna
• Eliminated: Cynthia Lee Fontaine
• Farewell message: "Don't stop believe in you!!! Love you, Cucu x xo xo"

The 9 remaining queens were asked by RuPaul to act in a 90210 parody spin-off, titled 9021-Ho.[26]

• Aja plays Bethani Glamber Gleissen
• Alexis Michelle plays Mirror Monna Dartin
• Farrah Moan plays Nelly
• Nina Bo'nina Brown plays Blenda Shmaltz
• Peppermint plays Brandi Shmaltz
• Sasha Velour plays Lunch Lady Kat
• Shea Couleé plays Grandrea Zuckerwoman
• Trinity Taylor plays Nelly's Mom
• Valentina plays Monna Dartin

On the runway, category is Big Hair Everywhere. Shea Couleé, Trinity Taylor and Valentina receive positive critiques, with Trinity Taylor winning the challenge. Aja, Nina Bo'nina Brown and Sasha Velour receive negative critiques, with Sasha Velour being safe. Aja and Nina Bo'nina Brown lip-sync to "Finally" by Cece Peniston. Nina Bo'nina Brown wins the lip-sync and Aja sashays away.

• Guest Judges: Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling
• Alternating Judge: Carson Kressley
• Maxi Challenge: Act in a 90210 parody spin-off, titled 9021-Ho
• Runway Theme: Big Hair Everywhere
• Challenge Winner: Trinity Taylor
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $2000 gift card from Fabric Planet
• Bottom Two: Aja and Nina Bo'nina Brown
• Lip Sync Song: "Finally" by Cece Peniston
• Eliminated: Aja
• Farewell message: "Love u guys, please dont be too messy without me! XOXO AJA <3 P.S. Ur all gay!"

For this week's mini-challenge, the queens read each other. Valentina wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens will perform a comedy roast of Michelle Visage in front of a live audience.[27]

On the runway, Peppermint, Sasha Velour and Shea Couleé receive positive critiques, with Peppermint winning the challenge. Alexis Michelle, Farrah Moan and Trinity Taylor receive negative critiques, with Trinity Taylor being safe. Alexis Michelle and Farrah Moan lip-sync to "Baby I'm Burning" by Dolly Parton. Alexis Michelle wins the lip-sync and Farrah Moan sashays away.

• Guest Judges: Fortune Feimster and Tamar Braxton
• Alternating Judge: Ross Mathews
• Mini-Challenge: Reading Is Fundamental
• Mini-Challenge Winner: Valentina
• Mini-Challenge Prize: 4-night stay at Saguaro in Palm Springs
• Maxi Challenge: Perform a comedy roast of Michelle Visage in front of a live audience
• Challenge Winner: Peppermint
• Maxi Challenge Prize: 5-year membership with SquareSpace
• Bottom Two: Alexis Michelle and Farrah Moan
• Lip Sync Song: "Baby I'm Burning" by Dolly Parton
• Eliminated: Farrah Moan
• Farewell message: "Hey ladies! I love you all sooo much. You are all superstars and it's so special to finally have a real family. Good luck & DON'T F**K IT UP! <3 Farrah Moan"

For this week's main challenge, the queens will create, write and stair in their own TV pilots in teams. Team 1 consisted of Sasha Velour and Shea Couleé. Team 2 consisted of Alexis Michelle, Peppermint and Trinity Taylor. Team 3 consisted of Nina Bo'nina Brown and Valentina.[28]

On the runway, category is Club Kid Couture. Sasha Velour and Shea Couleé both win the challenge. Peppermint and Trinity Taylor receive positive critiques. Alexis Michelle, Nina Bo'nina Brown and Valentina receive negative critiques, with Alexis Michelle being safe. Nina Bo'nina Brown and Valentina lip-sync to "Greedy" by Ariana Grande. During the lip-sync, Valentina keeps her mask on (which was part of her look). Ru then stops the lip-sync, and tells Valentina to take her mask off. Reluctantly, Valentina takes her mask off. Ru then tells the queens to proceed with the lip-sync. It is clear that Valentina does not know the words. Nina Bo'nina Brown wins the lip-sync and Valentina sashays away.

• Guest Judges: Lisa Robertson and Noah Galvin
• Alternating Judge: Carson Kressley
• Maxi Challenge: Create, write, and star in their own TV pilots
• Runway Theme: Club Kid Couture
• Challenge Winners: Sasha Velour and Shea Couleé
• Maxi Challenge Prize: $1000 gift certificate from The Spa On Rodeo and a supply of Aquage Professional Haircare products
• Bottom Two: Nina Bo'nina Brown and Valentina
• Lip Sync Song: "Greedy" by Ariana Grande
• Eliminated: Valentina
• Farewell message: "Ladies, I love you with all my heart. If ever you need me, I'm yours. Con Amor. Valentina"

For this week's main challenge, the queens must makeover members of the "Drag Race" crew. [29]

On the runway, Sasha Velour and Trinity Taylor receive positive critiques, with Trinity Taylor winning the challenge. Alexis Michelle, Nina Bo'nina Brown and Shea Couleé receive negative critiques, with Alexis Michelle being safe. Nina Bo'nina Brown and Shea Couleé lip-sync to "Cool for the Summer" by Demi Lovato. Shea Couleé wins the lip-sync and Nina Bo'nina Brown sashays away.

• Guest Judges: Kesha and Zaldy
• Alternating Judge: Ross Mathews
• Maxi Challenge: Makeover members of the "Drag Race" crew
• Challenge Winner: Trinity Taylor
• Maxi Challenge Prize: Two custom gowns made by David Meister, and a $2,000 gift certificate to Klein Epstein Parker for her drag sister
• Bottom Two: Nina Bo'nina Brown and Shea Couleé
• Lip Sync Song: "Cool for the Summer" by Demi Lovato
• Eliminated: Nina Bo'nina Brown
• Farewell message: "Debbie Downer is gone. SUE ME! Shae Coulee hope you struggle cleaning this LOL. Love you all ♡"

For this week's mini-challenge, the queens will have a bitchfest with puppets. Sasha Velour wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens will have to design three looks for the Gayest Ball Ever, with categories being: Rainbow-She-Better-Do, Sexy Unicorn and Village People Eleganza Extravaganza.[30]

On the runway, Sasha Velour and Shea Couleé receive positive critiques, with Shea Couleé winning the challenge. Alexis Michelle, Peppermint and Trinity Taylor receive negative critiques, with Trinity Taylor being safe. Alexis Michelle and Peppermint lip-sync to "Macho Man" by Village People. Peppermint wins the lip-sync and Alexis Michelle sashays away.

• Guest Judges: Andie MacDowell and Joan Smalls
• Alternating Judge: Carson Kressley
• Mini-Challenge: Everybody Loves Puppets
• Mini-Challenge Winner: Sasha Velour
• Mini-Challenge Prize: A $500 gift card for Today Tix
• Maxi Challenge: The Gayest Ball Ever
• Runway Themes: Rainbow-She-Better-Do, Sexy Unicorn, and Village People Eleganza Extravaganza
• Challenge Winner: Shea Couleé
• Maxi Challenge Prize: 2 VIP tickets to Cirque du Soleil Zumanity in Las Vegas, including flights and accommodation
• Bottom Two: Alexis Michelle and Peppermint
• Lip Sync Song: "Macho Man" by Village People
• Eliminated: Alexis Michelle
• Farewell message: "Wishes come true, not free. you're my sisters... always."

For the final challenge of the season, the queens must write, record and perform their own verses to RuPaul's song "Category Is". The queens walk the runway one last time. For the final time, the queens all lip-sync to "U Wear It Well" by RuPaul. RuPaul then shockingly announces that no one is going home, and there will be a major twist happening at the finale.[31]

• Alternating Judge(s): Carson Kressley and Ross Mathews
• Main Challenge: Write, record and perform their own verses to RuPaul's song "Category Is"
• Runway Theme: Best Drag
• Lip Sync Song: "U Wear It Well" by RuPaul
• Eliminated: None

The contestants reminisce over the season. Miss Congeniality was announced; previous Miss Congeniality and season 8 and 9 drag queen Cynthia Lee Fontaine announced that fellow contestant Valentina won the title, which sparked criticism amongst all other queens. During the end of the episode, RuPaul announced that the final four contestants would have to lip-sync in groups of two to see who advances to winning America's Next Drag Superstar.[32]

• Miss Congeniality: Valentina

All the queens return for the finale. Ru then tells the final four queens that they will be performing in a lip-sync smackdown for the crown.[33] The first lip-sync is between Peppermint and Trinity Taylor. They lip-sync to "Stronger" by Britney Spears. Peppermint wins the lip-sync and Trinity Taylor is eliminated. The second lip-sync is between Sasha Velour and Shea Couleé. They lip-sync to "So Emotional" by Whitney Houston. Sasha Velour wins the lip-sync and Shea Couleé is eliminated. The final lip-sync is between Peppermint and Sasha Velour. They lip-sync to "It's Not Right But It's Okay" (Thunderpuss Remix) by Whitney Houston. It is announced that Sasha Velour is the winner, leaving Peppermint as the runner-up.

• Finals venue: Alex Theatre, Glendale, California
• Final Four: Peppermint, Sasha Velour, Shea Couleé and Trinity Taylor
• Lip Sync Smackdown #1: Peppermint vs. Trinity Taylor
• Lip Sync Song: "Stronger" by Britney Spears
• Eliminated: Trinity Taylor
• Lip Sync Smackdown #2: Sasha Velour vs. Shea Couleé
• Lip Sync Song: "So Emotional" by Whitney Houston
• Eliminated: Shea Couleé
• Lip Sync Smackdown #3: Peppermint vs. Sasha Velour
• Lip Sync Song: "It's Not Right But It's Okay" (Thunderpuss Remix) by Whitney Houston
• Runner-up: Peppermint
• Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season Nine: Sasha Velour