Nach den Drehungen und Wendungen der letzten Episode können sich die Königinnen im Arbeitsraum versammeln, um zu besprechen, was tatsächlich passiert. An erster Stelle steht der plötzliche Aufstieg von Shea, die es mit ihrem Auftritt zu ihrem Original-Song in einer einzigen Folge vom letzten Platz unter die ersten vier schaffen konnte. Als nächstes wurde Monét nach ihrer Opernaufführung in ähnlicher Weise zum Star-Leader. Sie wirft mit einer wissenden Übertreibung ein, wenn sie erklärt, dass sie mit den meisten Sternen bedeutet, dass sie besser ist als alle anderen. Es ist eine gute Druckentlastung für ein Fandom, das zu oft die Leistung einer Königin in einer Reality-Fernsehsendung mit ihrem Wert als Darstellerin gleichsetzt. Sie spricht auch eine der episoden an‘ihre eindrucksvollsten Wendungen, als sie gezwungen war, das Unentschieden zwischen Jaida und Trinity zu brechen. Während Jaida verletzt spielt und eine Konfrontation vortäuscht, scherzt sie sarkastisch darüber, dass Monét die Königinnen auswählt, die sie länger kennt und mit denen sie eine prägende Erfahrung gemacht hat, wegen jemandem, den sie gerade getroffen hat. Später bestätigt Trinity auch, dass Monéts Entscheidung nicht im Geringsten überraschend war. Schließlich sprechen die Königinnen über den zweiten Wettbewerb und das Preisgeld von 50.000 US-Dollar, um das Raja, Yvie, Jaida und The Vivienne diese Woche kämpfen werden.
Das Segment schließt mit einem Fokus auf Jinkx und Monét und lässt erahnen, was noch kommen wird. Jinkx leise, aber inbrünstig beteuert sie ihren starken Siegeswillen. Ihre Wettbewerbsnatur war während der gesamten Saison subtil zu sehen, trat aber so kurz vor Ende der Saison in den Vordergrund Wettbewerb. Inmitten flüsternder Herausforderungen an die anderen Königinnen kommt Trinity aus dem Bild, um sie auf die Couch zu schubsen. Einen Moment später bespricht Trinity den Wettbewerb mit Monét, der im Beichtstuhl behauptet: dass es dieses Mal keinen Zwilling geben wird. Während die Königinnen in eine chaotische Energie versinken und Vivienne und Trinity Jaida herumschwingen, sind es Jinkx und Monét, die sich anscheinend am meisten darauf konzentrieren, den Wettbewerb zu gewinnen. Das Intro endet damit, dass Jinkx die beste Stunde des Fernsehens verspricht, und obwohl das ein bisschen übertrieben ist, Es war ein guter Abschluss der All Stars All Winners-Saison.
RuPaul betritt das Arbeitszimmer mit Hinweisen auf seinen Lieblingsfilm Der Zauberer von Oz während Sie ein paar nette Worte über die Talente der Königinnen und ihren Einfluss auf die Gemeinschaft sagen. Er kehrt auch zu der Herausforderung zurück, Ankündigung, dass zum ersten Mal in der Franchise-Geschichte, Es wird zwei lippensynchrone Smackdowns für zwei verschiedene Kronen geben. Vorhin, Jinkx bemerkte, dass alles, was sie tun müssten, um zu gewinnen, 16 Mal Lippensynchronisation sei, was eine leichte Übertreibung ist. Die Episode besteht aus sechs Lippensynchronisationen, Das bedeutet, dass es einige Füllelemente geben muss, um eine vollständige Episode abzurunden. Der erste davon kommt, wenn die Boxencrew mit von den 1970er Jahren inspiriertem Haar hereinkommt. Da es ihr letztes gemeinsames Mal im Arbeitszimmer war, RuPaul erklärt, dass die Familie, die „zusammen boogies, oogies zusammen“, den Königinnen sagt, dass sie 15 Minuten Zeit haben, um für einen schnellen Zug zu kommen Seelenzug-inspiriert abtanzen. Es gibt einen unangenehmen Moment, in dem die Königinnen unsicher sind, ob es sich um einen Scherz handelt oder nicht, aber man merkt, dass in diesem Moment keine von ihnen Lust hat, schnell zu ziehen. Es gibt einen angespannten Moment, in dem fast erwartet wird, dass die Königinnen revoltieren. Sie geben jedoch nach und übernehmen widerwillig die Aufgabe.
Sie ziehen ein weiteres Outfit und eine Perücke heraus, die Königinnen flattern und schütteln. Es steht nichts auf dem Spiel, kein Geldpreis, kein Titel. Nur die Gruppe genießt ein letztes Mal die Gesellschaft des anderen. Es wirft viele Fragen auf: Wie kann Jaida in nur 15 Minuten so gut aussehen? Was war Trinitys Plan für diese Perücke mit dem versteckten Fach? Hat Shea sich eine Perücke von Jinkx geliehen? Wird Raja aufstehen können? Wird The Vivienne den Viveo viral machen? Keine dieser Fragen wird beantwortet, als RuPaul mittanzt. Auf ergreifende Weise wird das Bild Raja gegenübergestellt, die sich an ihre Zeit im Wettbewerb erinnert, Hervorhebung ihrer Liebe für die Besetzung und die Erfahrung.
G/O Media kann eine Provision erhalten
RuPaul enters the main stage with an impactful look. A huge blonde wig is complemented by an abundance of hand-dyed ostrich feathers, creating a dramatic silhouette. She greets the panel of judges composed of mainstays Michelle, Carson, and Ross before announcing the runway category. After an absence last week, the runway is back with Grand Finale Eleganza.
Jaida is the first to enter in a silky silver fringe gown that may have been an inspiration for the season’s promotional theme. Her finger waved hair and regal style evokes old Hollywood as she describes representing the “Black starlets.” While she may be looking back, Raja has her eye on the future with a directional look that evokes the aquatic and alien beings. The look is stunning and wonderfully balanced with striking makeup and perhaps the best use of contacts the show has ever had. Equally impeccable is the make up on The Vivienne, who represents her classic style with a black ostrich feather gown that intrigues with volume and texture. Inserting a level of camp and oddness, Yvie’s gown wheels itself in as a pastel layer cake adorned with golden frosting. The icing on the cake of the look, as it were, is the unconventional wig that resembles, well, icing. Jinkx continued her Wiccan branding, presenting a video game warrior witch in an armored look. The cool blue and silver juxtaposed her signature fiery mane perfectly. Similarly, yet in a wildly different point of view, Monét presented “neo-African futurism,” in a daring look composed of a nude bodysuit with strategically placed silver embellishments. The bald head and spiky jewelry felt like something new and fresh but still decidedly Monét. Continuing a love of colorblocking, Shea donned a Christopher John Rogers gown that combined color with geometric precision. It was another effortlessly glamourous and cool look from Shea that was perfectly matched with beautiful hair and makeup. Trinity closes the category in a perfectly fine pink fairy tale princess look. The only hesitation is that it pales in comparison with some of her more dramatic looks she has already showcased this season.
While it has been revealed by the queens that there were negative critiques given this season that were edited out for whatever reason, the conversation today is more focused on the tremendous work each queen has showcased. And rightly so. Ross, Carson, and Michelle trade off complimenting each queen and giving them each a moniker that coincides with a video package celebrating their accomplishments. Jaida is called the “Essence of Everything, Raja the “Shaman of Chic,” Yvie the “Queen of the Queerdos,” and The Vivienne is called the “Powerhouse Scout,” after it is remarked that the “Queen of England” is already taken. The flattery continues with Jinkx being called the “Show Queen Supreme,” Monét the “Diva of Heart and Soul,” Shea the “Empress of Elegance,” and Trinity the “CEO of Sass, Brass, and a Whole Lotta Ass.” While each discussion got to the heart of each queen’s talent and brand, the ones delivered by Michelle felt oddly generic. One that felt particularly important at the moment was concerning Shea, who has sparked some debate after leaping into the top four after a single challenge. Carson says that “she makes it look easy,” but that they know it isn’t. This is quite true of Shea’s work. She seemed to be overlooked for potential wins throughout the season because of her effortless professionalism no matter the challenge. The critiques are capped with an emotional speech from RuPaul matched by Monét’s equally poignant response. It serves as a celebration of the work the queens have put into the show and the platform provided to them by the franchise. Despite debates about the future of drag and various controversies, there remains a symbiotic exchange between the show and the queens on full display in a season in which past winners have returned. This might be one of the reasons why the negative critiques were expunged. The episode is meant to be a celebration of each queen and of their drag no matter who wins. This is followed by another filler moment in which RuPaul performs to her single “Smile,” a song that pushes the limits of autotune, with a collection of sexy clowns.
After a questionable lip sync performance, the focus turns to the two lip sync smackdowns. The pit crew, adorned with new silver lamé bikini briefs, spin wheels and open boxes to end the season. However, it is the queens who hold their fate. The first lip sync is between The Vivienne and Yvie to “Push It,” by Salt-N-Pepa. While The Vivienne jokes she should have picked the other box, her comedic approach does earn a big laugh from RuPaul when, for the third time this season, she does the Viveo. She is determined to make it viral. It ends up being not enough to eclipse Yvie’s limber tricks. Yvie is declared the winner. The Vivienne exits gracefully earning her own scepter, proving that no one will be going home empty handed this season. Jaida and Raja are the next to face off, lip syncing to “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” by Deniece Williams. Born two years after the song was released, Jaida is at a slight disadvantage. She gives a great performance, but Raja’s dedication to what seem like obvious and literal choices, like cradling a baby, are strangely subversive coming from her. She is heavily favored by the camera and is unsurprisingly chosen as the victor. A scepter in hand, Jaida gives a touching speech about being true to herself and, keeping that in mind, leaves the stage mimicking a fart, to Michelle’s chagrin. This leaves Yvie and Raja to face off for the final lip sync in their bracket.
In the parallel competition, Jinkx and Shea are the first to compete. They must perform to Lady Gaga’s “Judas.” Early on, Jinkx undoes her coat, giving her a good amount of fabric to dramatically move across the stage, which is followed by Shea’s own reveal into a bedazzled jump suit. There are moments where it seems as if Shea is doing the actual steps from the music video, but Jinkx is announced as the winner. While not completely sure that Jinkx won that lip sync, it still feels right that it would be Jinkx advancing to the finale. As if to obliterate the idea of a potential twinner situation, Monét and Trinity face off next. They perform to “So What” by Pink, which was probably the best matched lip sync of the night. The highlight came when Trinity, in her signature all-fours ass shake, is mounted by Monét. It was a moment that the camera cut away from showing directly but was confirmed by both after the performance ended. Monét wins, and she and her fellow twinner share an embrace before she exits the stage.
The competition moves to the two final lip syncs with the four contestants making a costume change. Raja and Yvie, vying for the title of “She Done Already Had Herses,” perform to “Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves,” by The Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin. While the lack of references to The First Wives Club was unfortunate, Yvie managed to insert an impressive wig malfunction that turned out to be an expert reveal. It was a wonderful misdirection, but did not topple Raja’s committed performance. While not the winner, Yvie has had a moving and beautiful arc at the end of the season as a queen of great strength and perseverance. As the winner, Raja thanks RuPaul, and you get the sense that it a relationship of mutual respect and admiration. She is also thankful for the cash.
The main event final descends on the main stage as Jinkx and Monét, the queen with the most wins and the queen with the most stars, respectively, perform to Katy Perry’s “Swish Swish.” Jinkx interjects character humor flawlessly when she looks down at her leopard bodysuit as she lip syncs the lyric about a “tiger,” feigning both confusion and embarrassment. Their approaches could not be more different. Monét is all swagger and attitude, combining fluid voguing with tricks like the lipstick prop or the raining money, which was a wonderful callback to her entrance with the money guns. The ending in the dip felt perfect. Jinkx is character-based and comedy. She amused and held her own. While it felt like Monét gave the better overall performance during the lip sync, the lack of response to her mimic of the viral dance associated with the song spelled out that Jinkx would be the winner. Interestingly after the lip sync, RuPaul made a distinction that she does not normally make. She says “based on this lip sync and your performance all season long.” The all season long is clearly the window needed to award the title to Jinkx, who, while not the strongest lip sync artist, performed exceptionally in an immensely talented group of queens. Production made it to the right decision, but you have to start wondering if the lip sync smackdown format to decide winners is a little arbitrary and not indicative of the talents these queens possess. It is an important part of drag performance, but as the final arbiter of an entire season of work, it feels incorrect. Interestingly it was the queens from the earliest seasons who took the titles, but the season proved that the entire cast is superb, and it was a privilege to get to see them compete again. The All Stars All Winners format really did let them all come out as winners.
Stray Observations:
- So… based on the platinum and brass boxes, they do understand that the platinum plunger is not actually platinum.
- It was a surprisingly good selection of songs for the smackdown.
- It was funny to hear Monét mention that it had only been two weeks. Production is normally so intent on making each episode look like it took an entire week to make happen.
- I wonder how soon the next All Stars All Winners season will be. Hopefully, at least four years like the Olympics. But with all the international winners, they must have enough to fill another season now.
- Thanks for reading all season. See you for Season 15.