15 of the most iconic Lip Sync Battle performances

STUDIO CITY, CA – SEPTEMBER 11: Colorful commentator Chrissy Teigen (L) and Host LL Cool J perform onstage during Spike TV’s Lip Sync Battle: All Stars Live on September 11, 2016 in Studio City, California. (photo by Trae Patton / Spike TV) (Photo by Handout/Getty Images for Spike TV)

Lip Sync Battle has had many a showstopper since its debut episode, and likely many more to come. But these fifteen battles rise to the top.

Each late night talk show host has their signature bit. James Corden has “Carpool Karaoke,” Seth Meyers has “Ya Burnt.” Jimmy Fallon had a penchant for challenging his guests to a lip sync battle on his show.

It brought out the silly side of celebrities, encouraging them to be as outrageous as possible. With that came hysterical performances, like Melissa McCarthy pouring her heart out — while also wearing protective eyewear — to “Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas. Basically, it was a joy to the world.

So, in 2015, Spike TV network turned the concept into its own show, simply called Lip Sync Battle. The show followed the basic premise introduced on Jimmy Fallon’s show; it pitted two celebrities against each other in a lip sync competition. But, to hit the half-hour benchmark, each star would perform two numbers.

And boy, did Hollywood run with it. Contenders have worn costumes, used full sets, and brought in special guests of their own.

To kick off 2018, Lip Sync Battle celebrated the catalog of Michael Jackson, recruiting celebrities to do a live show. Taraji P. Henson, Neil Patrick Harris, Hailee Steinfeld and Laverne Cox all performed, and lip-synced their hearts out.

But those are just a sampling of what the show has given us. We reflect on some of the best Lip Sync Battle performances to date.