RuPaul’s Drag Race Season-Finale Recap: Winning Time

by

With season 18 of RuPaul’s Drag Race finished, it’s interesting to think about how we’ll remember it. Many viewers will likely recall Jane’s elimination, Juicy’s impressive lip-sync battles, and Darlene Mitchell’s journey. It’s notable that none of those queens made it to the final two. Does this mean the season had flaws? Maybe. But it was also refreshing to watch a season that kept us guessing until the very end.

What made this season’s top three so interesting was that none of them seemed like obvious frontrunners. If someone had told me after just a few weeks that these three would be the final contenders, I wouldn’t have believed it. (And just for the record, I did predict Nini would make the top four at one point, but I thought she was the weakest of that group, with Jane, Juicy, and Vita all performing better. Clearly, I’m not a psychic!)

Okay, let me tell you, the finale really threw me for a loop! Honestly, going into the final moments, I had absolutely no clue who RuPaul was going to choose. And even when the winner was announced, I was still second-guessing it. There’s a part of me that likes being surprised, but this felt less like a testament to incredible talent and more… perplexing. Each of the final three queens definitely brought something unique to the table, which is great. But none of them truly stood out as a clear winner, and that’s why the crowning felt so… odd. It wasn’t a bad finale, just a really confusing one.

The episode kicks off with the contestants returning for the final runway show, and overall, they all look fantastic in their final outfits. I especially loved Darlene’s over-the-top look and Discord’s creative use of safety pins. It was great to see the queens who were eliminated earlier really shine with their transformations. Mia looked better than she ever has on the show! While I wasn’t a fan of Vita’s cape, the rest of her dress was beautiful. Myki’s dress was very true to her style and reminded me of her promotional look. I liked the hair and the skirt of Nini’s outfit, but the middle section didn’t quite work.

Darlene was the first to perform in the finale. Throughout the show, she’s presented herself as someone who discovered her true self, especially during the roast, and she’s a delightfully unpredictable performer. Her song, which she wrote with Leland, is very sweet, and she clearly understands who she is as an artist. She looked fantastic! However, she struggles with dancing, and the choreography was simplified for her. Her greatest strength is her natural, spontaneous personality, which doesn’t come across in a structured lip-sync performance. I initially felt the final challenge was unfair given her lack of dance skills. But then I remembered the show’s history and realized they often test contestants in unexpected ways. While the performance was cute, it wasn’t a chance for Darlene to truly excel. She was much more captivating during her interview with Ru, and it was lovely to meet her fiancé (now husband!) and see more pictures of her dog, Trash.

Myki’s journey on the show has been remarkable. She started as a fresh face and has truly blossomed into a star, consistently delivering strong performances. While the constant pressure may have been exhausting for her, I believe her growth throughout the competition is genuine. She won four challenges, and realistically could have won even more – potentially seven out of the last eight, if you include performances like Snatch Game, the Rusical, and the Roast. Her final performance number is ambitious and impressive – a big, theatrical piece with a playful edge. It’s incredibly demanding, both vocally and in terms of choreography, but she handles it flawlessly. Ultimately, her biggest advantage is that she’s the only remaining contestant who can sing well, and she sounds fantastic. In her final interview, she’s lovely and endearing, although sometimes comes across as a little too prepared – you can definitely tell which parts she wrote down beforehand.

Nini Coco faced the toughest challenge, but she was surprisingly well-prepared. She really embraced her intellectual side, which the judges loved, and delivered a truly standout performance. Her number, “Stimulate,” set in an office, was incredible – a legitimate pop hit thanks to collaborating with a songwriter who also works with Troye Sivan. Nini executed the complex choreography flawlessly, presenting a clear and polished vision. While her bodysuit wasn’t the strongest element, the performance was by far the best of the night, showcasing her refined skills. I also found Nini incredibly charming in her interview, and her family was lovely. As a funny side note, my boyfriend thought he spotted Nini at a recent performance of Titaníque, but it turned out to be someone else with a similar look!

The show also highlights Miley Cyrus, and deservedly so! She’s been a dedicated fan and a huge supporter of drag for years, and it’s always great to have her involved.

Jane Don’t, also known as Miss Congeniality, is receiving congratulations. I realized I’d forgotten that Crystal Envy won the competition last year, and even who Crystal Envy is! She’s not a very comfortable public speaker, is she?

Okay, so after a tough round, we’re down to the final two! Honestly, I was really on the edge of my seat. Looking at everything, Darlene seemed like the fan favorite, Myki absolutely crushed it during the competition itself, and Nini clearly won this week’s challenge. But then they eliminated Darlene, and I was bummed! She brought such a unique style to the season, and I was excited to see how far she’d go. Still, when I really thought about it, Myki and Nini both took on much harder challenges this week, so it was a tough call, but I understood the decision.

The lip-sync battle came down to Nini and Myki, which was a surprising turn of events. They performed to Miley Cyrus’s song “Every Girl You’ve Ever Loved.” I hadn’t heard the song before, but it was a good choice for a lip-sync. Nini’s performance was polished, energetic, and strong, and the puppet reveal with her handbag was a clever touch. Myki, however, didn’t make much of the spoken-word part of the song. On the other hand, Myki seemed to connect with the song’s raw energy better. Miley’s vocals are powerful and edgy, and Myki brought that same grit to her performance. Nini felt like she was just doing her usual routine, while Myki truly embodied the song. Though, Myki’s hair kept falling in her face and she held onto her hat a little too much at the beginning. However, her pirouette was perfectly timed to the music. Ultimately, both Nini and Myki made strong cases for winning.

Honestly, looking back, Myki winning makes total sense. She really stepped up her game towards the end of the competition, consistently matching Nini’s level, especially during the finale. While a Nini win would’ve been a great underdog story, it wouldn’t have felt quite right, you know? I’m a big fan of Myki, though I’ll admit she’s always struck me as a slightly unusual choice for a winner. She might not have the most natural star power compared to some, but her sheer talent is undeniable. So, congrats to Myki! I’m genuinely thrilled for her – she absolutely crushed it in the last few rounds.

Read More

2026-04-18 05:55