10 Shows Like RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars (2012)

Description: Tyra Banks' modeling competition shares 'Drag Race All Stars'' focus on photo shoots, runway walking, and personality-driven reality TV. Both shows transformed their respective industries by bringing niche talents to mainstream audiences through competitive reality formats.

Fact: The show had 24 cycles over 18 years. It popularized the term 'smize' (smile with eyes). Many international versions were produced.

Description: As the original series that spawned 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars', this show shares the same DNA in terms of format, themes, and aesthetics. Both celebrate drag culture, feature fierce competitions, and emphasize self-expression and charisma. The show's success paved the way for the All Stars spin-off.

Fact: The show has won 19 Primetime Emmy Awards as of 202It was inspired by the 1990 documentary 'Paris is Burning'. The iconic catchphrase 'Sashay away' was almost 'Skidoo' instead.

Description: This horror-themed drag competition offers an edgier alternative to 'Drag Race All Stars', but shares the same core values of celebrating drag artistry and queer expression. Both shows feature challenges, eliminations, and a focus on performance skills, though Dragula emphasizes alternative drag aesthetics.

Fact: Contestants undergo extreme challenges like being buried alive. The Boulets are real-life partners and performers. The show has a dedicated 'Creatures of the Night' fanbase.

Description: This special effects makeup competition parallels 'Drag Race All Stars'' transformation challenges. Both celebrate the art of physical transformation, though 'Face Off' focuses on creature design rather than drag. The shows share an appreciation for detailed, technical artistry.

Fact: Contestants often worked 15+ hour days. The show won multiple Emmy Awards. It featured judges from Hollywood's top makeup effects studios.

Description: As the pioneer of creative reality competitions, 'Project Runway' inspired 'Drag Race's challenge format. Both shows feature timed creative challenges, judging panels, and dramatic eliminations. The sewing challenges in particular mirror 'Drag Race's design competitions.

Fact: The original judging panel included Nina Garcia and Michael Kors. The show made 'Make it work' a cultural catchphrase. It launched Christian Siriano's career.

Description: Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn's fashion competition shares 'Drag Race All Stars'' emphasis on creative design challenges and runway presentations. Both shows blend entertainment with serious fashion critique, though 'Making the Cut' focuses more on wearable commercial fashion than drag's theatricality.

Fact: The winner gets $1 million to invest in their brand. It was Amazon's first major fashion reality show. Episodes premiere simultaneously in 200+ countries.

Description: This HBO series shares the empowering spirit of 'Drag Race All Stars' by showcasing drag's transformative power. Like All Stars, it celebrates queer joy and resilience, though in a documentary format that follows drag queens mentoring small-town residents to perform in one-night-only drag shows.

Fact: The show's queens are all 'Drag Race' alumni. It was created by the team behind 'Queer Eye'. Season 2 filmed in conservative towns to spark meaningful conversations.

Description: This celebrity competition highlights the same performance art that's central to 'Drag Race All Stars'' legendary lip sync battles. Both shows celebrate the art of lip syncing as performance, though 'Lip Sync Battle' features mainstream celebrities rather than drag queens.

Fact: It spun off from a recurring 'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon' segment. Dwayne Johnson's performance as 'Baby Got Back' went viral. The UK version was hosted by Mel B.

Description: This ballroom competition series shares 'Drag Race All Stars'' celebration of queer performance culture. Both feature extravagant costumes, fierce competitions, and judging based on categories. 'Legendary' specifically highlights ballroom's voguing and house culture that influenced drag.

Fact: It features commentary from ballroom legends. The show includes real ballroom 'houses' competing. Jameela Jamil faced criticism as a non-ballroom judge.

Description: RuPaul's scripted Netflix series shares 'Drag Race All Stars'' celebration of drag culture and queer resilience. Both showcase RuPaul's charismatic hosting and the transformative power of drag, though in a fictional road-trip format rather than competition.

Fact: It was co-created by Michael Patrick King of 'Sex and the City'. The show featured many 'Drag Race' alumni. Despite fan campaigns, it was canceled after one season.