RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Recap: Wild Mild West

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It’s about time for an exciting episode of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” not a Rusical (though I’m cheering for Tonys week!). Instead, I’m referring to an episode deeply rooted in RuPaul’s own legends. Get ready, because “Starrbooty” is back and challenging you to rate it on Letterboxd!

Initially, it was thought that the situation between Jorgeous and Mistress would lead to less drama, but Tina is angry because Kerri and Butthole had a deal to swap points. In reality, this final match seems more dramatic than the last one due to several possibilities – I suppose I have to reluctantly appreciate last week’s tie for allowing that.

Nicole Paige Brooks, often referred to as “the people’s princess,” is the only contestant who has minimal chances of advancing further in the competition, much like Phoenix before her. Despite this, Nicole realizes the situation and understands that she won’t make it to the semi-finals. It’s disappointing because this means she’ll be absent from this episode’s main events. Farewell, NPBFAG (an acronym for “Nicole Paige Brooks Fans Are Gonna Cry”), you delivered what we craved, and presented it beautifully! Unfortunately, I don’t think the judges will bring her back for a wild card opportunity in this round.

Over the past week, it appeared as if Mistress and Jorgeous were so much alike that they didn’t really stand out individually, a similarity made more noticeable by their shared tie. However, this week presents a contrasting image. Jorgeous has skillfully maneuvered herself to gain all the advantages while avoiding most of the criticism for their ruthless partnership. It seems as though everyone in the room is upset with Mistress, and not entirely fairly so.

In the upcoming semi-finals, should Jorgeous play the part of a ruthless antagonist to gain advantage? By allowing Mistress to absorb the criticism, Jorgeous is strategically boosting their chances, enhancing their performance, and excelling in challenges. On the other hand, Mistress’ instigator role seems to eclipse her usual breathtaking drag act.

On the main stage, the queens will perform a musical tribute to Ru’s iconic finger quotes, “Starrbooty”, in a rebooted version. While I am a film enthusiast with extensive movie knowledge, I have not had the chance to watch “Starrbooty”. Given that it is not widely available through conventional means like streaming or even on WOWPresents+, it seems likely that most of the Drag Race audience is also unfamiliar with this film.

I tried to view the movie “Starrbooty” for my research (as a professional), but it seems to have vanished from existence. Obtaining a DVD of “Starrbooty” on eBay costs approximately $100 (I’m not that dedicated of a professional). I can only speculate that the queens are compelled to watch it, reminiscent of the Ludovico Technique, in order to prepare for their work.

It’s hard to comprehend the story of Rebooty without knowing the originalooty, but To grasp the plot of Rebooty, we need to be familiar with the originalooty. The story revolves around a villainous trio abducting Ru as Starrbooty, who requires rescue by a team of crime-fighters. The conflict perfectly aligns with the existing rivalries among the queens. However, if I’m Nicole, Kerri, or Tina, I’d be more inclined to play the villains, given that they have a more impressive group performance.

Perhaps it’s overly straightforward as the “us vs. them” dynamic isn’t particularly engaging for a Rusical. Previously, there was only a Rusical with six queens, but this one seems to require less from the contestants than what is typically expected given the challenge’s nature, and even more so considering it’s an All Stars season. Additionally, RuPaul brought back her Starrbooty character for a performance, but she doesn’t contribute to the count. However, I must commend RuPaul for this new phase of choreographing in the last few years. In this instance, she certainly uses both her arms and legs during her performance!

In the Booty Squad, Tina excels despite her character mainly being defined by “being assertive” and “shining.” This could be why judges perceive her as underappreciated, even though she frequently receives positive feedback. Kerri wisely opts for slapstick to grab attention, and her comedic performance is outstanding, with around half of the humor attributed to her character’s comedically loose curls in her wig. Nicole’s character is rather generic, so she essentially portrays herself (it should be noted that “herself” is a multifaceted role).

At The Wicked Agents of PUSS, Jorgeous’ exaggerated facial expressions, reminiscent of Looney Tunes characters, deserve all the praise from the judges. Lydia exudes a sultry villainous charm and subtly contributes to creating the queens’ sinister appearance. Mistress performs well as a more covert villain, but receives an unusual Drag Race critique for not spreading her arms enough and appearing small in her furry costume. Surprisingly, it’s revealed that Mistress is actually a group of three tiny children standing on each other’s shoulders, hidden under a trench coat!

This week’s runway theme is the Wild Wild West, yet none of the queens make a reference to Salma Hayek. Jorgeous is a comical character in a pink saloon, Butthole adopts a cowgirl persona, and Nicole presents as a neon merry-go-round horse with a BDSM inclination. Nicole Paige Brooks from Atlanta, Georgia is truly a national treasure, and who am I to challenge her creativity.

The Sasha Velour Word Salad Prize for Reinventing a Timeless Silhouette with a Focus on Empowering Women who Exude Strength is awarded to Kerri Colby. She labels her ivory cowgirl appearance as “my portrayal of being drenched and soggy yet dry.” Intriguingly, this might remind one of a gin martini. Despite the confusion, she undeniably looks stunning!

In a high-fashion setting, Mistress subtly criticizes Tina, yet Tina outshines her on the catwalk in a corset and saddle design. This week, the competition’s frontrunners found themselves at the receiving end of the judges’ contradictory comments, suggesting an attempt to keep them both out of the top spots to prolong the anticipation for the final showdown. It seems as though the judges are trying to maintain a balance between the two, even if Tina delivered beyond their expectations. This is particularly harsh given how far she has come in her development.

Jorgeous and Lydia ended up as winners this week, despite not having leading roles in the behind-the-scenes events. While Jorgeous triumphed in the lip-sync battle, Lydia didn’t receive a clear victory. (No disrespect to “Texas Hold ‘Em,” but slower tempo songs aren’t typically exciting for lip-sync performances on TV.) Instead, one might argue that if this song was going to be used in this competition, it should have been between two Texas powerhouses, wouldn’t you agree?

Since Kerri placed third in the contest, it became an inevitability that Mistress would advance to the semi-finals because Kerri couldn’t have surpassed her total points even if she won a lip-sync battle. Regardless of Nicole’s late attempts at manipulation, there’s no feasible way for any of them – Nicole, Kerri, or Tina – to reach the required 5-point tally. Once more, this tournament-style format demonstrates that a contestant’s chances are largely determined by their performance in the first two episodes.

When she predictably passed her argument to one of the queens who were already progressing, the Mistress abruptly stopped her cheerful devil act and appeared genuinely angry at Kerri for not giving her a point. Kerri was equally passionate in her private comments, staring intently into the camera and criticizing her former Texas companion. I couldn’t help but step back. Although she didn’t win the challenge, Kerri managed to snatch the lead role of the episode from Mistress’ grasp.

As we part ways with this bracket, it’s clear that the initial group of queens stole the show with their captivating and thrilling drag performances. The tasks they were given had varying levels of quality, so I don’t entirely fault the queens for the outcomes. Now we eagerly anticipate what the third group will deliver – here’s hoping it’s a return to jaw-dropping performances rather than just the drama!

Currently, it’s not a time of discord among our “All Stars.” The queens, Jorgeous, Lydia, and Mistress, are moving forward, which swiftly ignites excitement for the upcoming semi-finals. Keeping a close eye on their interactions seems like a must, as I expect some intriguing developments. Mistress may find it challenging to outsmart the initial trio of Bosco, Aja, and Irene, but I believe she has the potential to outshine them. If things go according to plan, she’ll eventually encounter opponents ready for a direct confrontation. I sense a battle looming on the horizon.

Extra Two Pieces and a Biscuit

• When will we get to see Starrbooty’s origin story in the prequooty?

Did DoorDash forget Starrbooty’s sweet tea and curly fries at Chaka Khan Chicken Shack when they delivered her meal? That seems to be the bonus section for today’s recap!

The acronym “PUSS” represents the “Powerful Underground Sisterhood Society.” It carries a vibe reminiscent of the band HAIM prior to their rise to fame.

Jorgeous steps into the Untucked lounge and remarks, “Oh, I’ll surely miss this spot.” But how can you miss a place where you reside, darling?

It seems that the pattern for the advancing queens is as follows: The queen who is most likely to underperform (Irene/Lydia) takes center stage, Aja or Mistress becomes the heart of the competition’s action, and the contestant who makes everyone laugh the most, whether it’s Bosco or Jorgeous. Keep in mind that this pattern is quite flexible!

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2025-06-06 11:54