Since making its TV debut in 2009, RuPaul's Drag Race has taken the world by storm. The reality show features several drag queens who are competing for the title of America's Next Drag Superstar. Over the years, RuPaul has had a number of celebrity guest judges on the original show and the five seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.
Some judges have been so iconic that they've been asked to come back a second time, while others have even posed as fake contestants to give the real contestants a huge surprise. Nevertheless, there have been quite a few celebrity judges that have been memorable.
These are the ten best celebrity judges on RuPaul's Drag Race.
10 Adam Lambert
Adam Lambert was a guest judge on the premiere episode for season six of RuPaul's Drag Race. This seemed exceptionally appropriate as there were two contestants with Idol connections. Adore Delano aka Danny Noriega competed on a season of American Idol before Adam Lambert did, while Courtney Act, aka Shane Jenek, competed on the first season of Australian Idol.
As an openly gay pop star, Lambert was the perfect fit to judge. He was so good he was asked to come back as a mentor and judge on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 3.
9 Bob Mackie
Bob Mackie is a renowned fashion designer who has been known to make some famous costumes and dress many famous celebs like Cher, Marie Osmond, Judy Garland, Elton John, and of course, RuPaul. Bob Mackie has been in the fashion industry for years, so it is no wonder why RuPaul asked him to judge the show.
Who dresses better than a drag queen? The first time that Mackie was a guest judge was in the very first episode of the opening season. As the very first guest judge, Mackie did a great job and was asked to come back again not once, but twice — once on season five and again on season six, making him a memorable judge.
8 Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande is very outspoken when it comes to supporting the LGBTQ community, and as a very talented pop star, she was a perfect fit as a guest judge. Grande appeared on season seven of the show, and viewers could easily tell just how happy and excited she was to be there.
Grande was super enthusiastic, offering a lot of praise as well as critiques. Not to mention, the bottom two queens lip-synched for their life to Grande's hit, "Break Free," and it was obvious how much much she enjoyed it.
7 Leah Remini
Leah Remini might seem like an odd choice for one of the best guest judges, however, she was great on the judging panel. Remini appeared on season six of the show, where the queens had the challenge of selling RuPaul's new makeup line.
Remini goes way back with judge Michelle Visage and seeing the two of them sitting beside one another made for really great television. The two bantered back and forth and really bounced off one another in the best way.
6 Todrick Hall
There's not much that Todrick Hall can't do. He's a singer, dancer, choreographer, and one of the best RuPaul's Drag Race celebrity judges. Todrick has been a guest judge nearly 20 times between the regular version of RuPaul's Drag Race and RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.
RuPaul has also asked Todrick to come back a handful of times to be a choreographer for the queens in a number of challenges. As such an experienced performer — and an occasional drag queen himself — Todrick is one of the best judges the show has ever had.
5 La Toya Jackson
The first time La Toya Jackson made an appearance as a guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race was in season three. After that, she came back to judge again in season five.
Jackson is a very outspoken person, and she wasn't afraid to tell the queens everything she loved, along with a bit of critique here and there. She seemed like she genuinely had a good time too, which is something that viewers really want to see in a judge.
4 Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus is hands down one of the best celebrity judges that RuPaul's Drag Race ever had. Cyrus was the first judge on season eleven, and she made quite the entrance. She went undercover as a crew member of the show and entered the workroom to meet the queens.
Meanwhile, the queens didn't know they're meeting Cyrus, as her beard, mustache, and wig really cover up her appearance. The queens were so surprised when Cyrus finally revealed herself, and even more excited about her judging.
3 Christina Aguilera
On the season ten premiere of Drag Race, the show teased that a former queen would be coming back. Little did the other contestants know, when RuPaul brought said "queen" on to reveal her to the other contestants, they were incredibly surprised to see that it was none other than Christina Aguilera!
Not only was Aguilera an exciting big name to have on the show, but she was a very enthusiastic judge. She even spent some extra time with the queens, offering them words of advice.
2 Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj was an extremely memorable judge on Drag Race, strictly based on her enthusiasm and excitement to be on the show alone. Minaj appeared on the premiere episode of season twelve, where the queens had to rap for her.
Not only did she freestyle for everyone, but Nicki Minaj was also excited to work with the queens and offer them advice on their rapping skills. Audiences could see how seriously she took the judging role, taking notes on the queens' raps, pointing out what lyrics she loved, and offering advice and constructive criticism.
1 Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga made her long-awaited debut as a judge on the premiere of season nine of Drag Race. Just like Miley, Gaga wanted to prank the queens into thinking she was also a contestant on the show. She made her grand entrance alongside the other queens with her face partially covered.
The queens thought Gaga was a very good impersonator. Gaga even filmed her confessional as her male alter ego, Ronnie. The contestants were shocked when they found out that the "impersonator" was the real Lady Gaga, making for an epic episode.