RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Recap: Lip-Sync for … Some Fun!

As a longtime fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race, I’ve seen my fair share of unforgettable performances and heart-wrenching eliminations. But this week’s episode was particularly gripping, as we saw Roxxxy continue her reign as the Lip Sync Queen, leaving her competitors in her wake.

I’m not going to be picky about watching an TV episode filled with lip syncs. In fact, I adore lip syncs! Do you recall the lip-sync reunion from season 16? It was a standout episode for me because the queens faced significant challenges and gave it their all, resulting in exceptional performances. Admittedly, this season’s episodes have felt lackluster and underdeveloped, but my appreciation for fabulous hair flips has helped me overlook these issues.

We’ll begin with the criticisms before I move on: A major problem that persisted throughout this episode is the subpar lip syncs, especially in more recent seasons. Previously, Lip Sync Battles featured higher stakes and produced iconic performances like Sasha vs. Anetra, Megami vs. Morphine, and Bosco vs. Jasmine Kennedy. These battles left viewers feeling the intensity and significance for the queens involved. In contrast, the current Lip Sync Battles don’t evoke the same sense of importance. Additionally, every song chosen for this competition is a fan favorite that has already been featured on the show. This comparison to the original performances often leaves the new versions falling short, whether due to nostalgia or superior lip syncing from before.

I absolutely adore lip sync performances! In fact, given the choice between watching them and engaging in most other activities, I’d prefer the former any day. Thus, it goes without saying that this event boasts a pretty high level of entertainment value.

Running down the lip syncs, in order:

As a longtime fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race, I’ve seen my fair share of surprising match-ups between queens. But Gottmik vs. Angeria in season 13 was one that left me scratching my head.

In simpler terms, during the drag competition, Vanjie selects Plastique as her adversary due to Plastique’s struggles with lip-syncing. Vanjie wisely chooses this matchup and Plastique selects “When I Grow Up” by Pussycat Dolls for their face-off. They have previously performed this song on the show multiple times. While there are plenty of hair flips and tricks, the connection to the music is lacking in this round. Vanjie’s performance is more captivating, enabling her to secure the victory and sending Plastique to the back without any lip-sync victories this season. If only Plastique could concentrate on her facial expressions instead of her hair and stunts, she could improve significantly.

In the latest episode of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Nina chooses Shannel as her opponent in the lip-sync battle. This decision makes sense since Shannel had picked a song earlier that Nina wasn’t fond of. Shannel selects “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” by Dead or Alive, which is a welcome choice for many viewers due to its association with Trinity the Tuck’s infamous performance in old-age makeup. Instead of focusing on songs that need redemption, some fans suggest Nina should have revisited “No Scrubs.” However, Shannel delivers an impressive performance and wins this round with ease. Though Nina gives a decent effort, her costume is unflattering, and Shannel’s familiarity with the song shines through. Overall, it’s been a successful week for Shannel as lip-syncing is one of her strongest suits. She effectively redeems Dead or Alive’s reputation on “Drag Race,” leaving many viewers in awe of her performance and admiring her hair.

In this version, let’s call it:

In the semifinals round of “Drag Race,” Vanjie has the power to select her competitor, and she goes for Shannel with the belief that Shannel would choose “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan – a song both queens desire. Unfortunately for them, they must contend with the formidable presence of Trinity K. Bonet. Although both queens deliver solid performances, Shannel manages to outshine Vanjie due to her expertise in drag standards. If “Drag Race” placed more emphasis on current music trends, then Gottmik might have advanced instead. However, this isn’t the case, and Shannel emerges as the deserving winner, securing herself a badge and joining Angeria in the number of badges earned. An intriguing turn of events for this season would be if Shannel ultimately claims the crown in the final three. What a hilarious twist!

In the second semifinal round of the lip sync battle, Roxxxy and Angeria faced off using the song “Groove Is in the Heart” by Deee-Lite. While this track is a fan favorite, its rap section, performed by Q-Tip, can be challenging. Roxxxy outperformed Angeria impressively during the competition. It seems that Angie’s versatility has been limited this season, and an ’90s dance number like “Groove Is in the Heart” appears to be outside her comfort zone. Angie is a fantastic queen, but it looks unlikely she will take home the crown without a remarkable finale performance. Roxxxy not only mastered the rap verses but also executed the song flawlessly, adapting to its varying tones and whistles. I’d enjoy watching Roxxxy compete against Asia O’Hara in this number instead – both queens are exceptional, but it was a treat to witness someone handle the rap. This triumphant performance earned Roxxxy her fifth star, an impressive achievement considering the bonus star from Nina.

In this episode, Roxxxy and Shannel go head-to-head during a performance of Ariana Grande’s “Break Free.” Previously, the judges favored Shannel in several challenges. However, for this song, Shannel seemed unsure and wore an ’80s outfit that didn’t quite fit the pop star image. In contrast, Roxxxy embraced her role as a pop star, flipping her hair wildly and taking charge of the stage. As a result, she secured another victory for the Miracle of Love team and advanced to the finale with confidence. A key takeaway from this episode: make sure to secure your wigs properly before performing!

2024-07-22 18:08

RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Recap: Lip-Sync for … Some Fun!

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