RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Recap: A Perfect Foil

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Following the entertaining Snatch Game last week, it seems that RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars is inching closer to an underwhelming conclusion. This is primarily due to the fact that there are still a large number of queens competing in episodes just before the finale. Normally, Drag Race manages this dynamic quite well during non-elimination seasons, so what’s causing the lack of momentum this time around?

In the wrap-up of a season filled with format explanations and less impactful storylines, it’s refreshing to dive into an episode brimming with spectacular drag performances! We witnessed the reading challenge, the talent show, and even a thrilling Foiled Again runway where most queens truly delivered. As a devoted fan, I couldn’t ask for more!

In the reading challenge, Bosco was the only one who went all out, particularly when discussing Jorgeous’s “esophagus-related establishment.” It’s no surprise that Bosco emerged victorious yet again. Meanwhile, Mistress attempted humor, but her jokes were already used by someone else prior to the challenge. She aimed at Ginger, but more so at the production for its apparent favoritism. Trying to suppress emotions often leads to crying harder, and this was evident with Mistress as she grappled with her Snatch Game outcome. Lastly, touching Aja’s hair could be seen, in the words of Men in Black, as a major move.

In regards to this week’s highlight, I must admit I feel somewhat indifferent about “RuPaul’s Drag Race” as a regularly featured event. It’s a contest where the queens have immense freedom (except for the rule of not making a glass of water), but many tend to perform similar acts. To put it musically, it’s like listening to songs you’ll likely never play again on Spotify’s New Music Friday. This season of “All Stars” follows suit. However, during the original song lip sync, there are two strategies that can make your performance stand out: (1) developing a distinct, strong idea to make it seem more innovative or (2) generating enough enthusiasm to power a medium-sized city (which is what Aja and Jorgeous do).

For each queen who chooses to lip sync to a mashup of Frankensteined gay slogans instead of originals, we eagerly anticipate seeing queens like Willow Pill or Sapphira Crystal defying conventions with something truly unique. Ginger boasts about her involvement in the first installment of this challenge during All Stars 2, but the queen who sets the bar for groundbreaking talent show creativity remains her past competitor: Tatianna’s “The Same Parts.

In contrast to previous seasons, where this challenge often serves as an introduction or reintroduction for queens and provides opportunities for underdogs to impress while established queens may disappoint, All Stars 10 appears to have used it to distinguish the queens capable of winning from those who cannot. Sadly, this approach reduces the appeal of a talent show by removing much of what makes it interesting. The competition is intense because the end is near, but this narrows the potential benefit of taking a creative risk. It’s no surprise that most of the queens opted for original songs instead of taking risks. Let’s dive into a detailed recap of how things unfolded…

Regardless of her ability to make lip sync performances seem electrifying, Aja’s act often incorporates deep, spiritual themes along with a unique twist – she performs half of her number while brandishing a machete. However, Aja’s performance in this instance doesn’t quite match the impact of her iconic appearance on ‘All Stars 3’, which created numerous memes and left a lasting impression. In comparison, this performance seems less polished.

In a clever twist, Bosco uses her own song as a platform to showcase her burlesque talents rather than the typical AI-generated lyrics about dominance and competition. Among the episode’s original tracks, hers stands out with witty jokes instead of conventional themes. The highlight of the episode is undoubtedly Bosco’s impressive balancing act on a chair, an accomplishment that sets new standards for physical feats on the show, excluding the Pit Crew’s performances. Moreover, her femme fatale look on the runway ranks among the best in the series. After taking a backseat during last week’s Snatch Game, Bosco’s performance this week is precisely what she needed to shine.

The number, which serves as a sensitivity training course at work for Daya, portrays Daya’s actions as if they were a workplace-set, energetic, and risqué romantic comedy. However, her performance in this episode is not particularly memorable. The concept of blending work and performance feels a bit forced. I was expecting more from Daya this season, but her performance this week highlights that she excels on the runway. While some contestants overemphasize the task at hand, Daya’s duct tape dress demonstrated that her edgy style is a reflection of her sophisticated taste.

The performance by Ginger on Broadway-style parody showcases a typical limitation inherent in talent shows’ original composition rule. While her vocals are excellent (even if not live this time), the uninspiring original piece she’s required to perform falls flat. It would be more impactful if Ginger could sing any genuine Broadway tune, as it seems that the era of licensed material in talent shows may have ended. In reality, Ginger wouldn’t choose this performance; she would have opted for a classic like “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.” Unfortunately, her imitation isn’t as captivating as the original would be. The shortcoming is not due to Ginger’s abilities.

In an attempt to shake off the jitters from her debut talent show performance, where she left a bit of a stain, Irene the Alien delivered some hilarious and unforgettable moments. What truly captured everyone’s attention, however, was when she strutted down the runway transformed into a winged valkyrie. Her extraordinary wingspan, even with the awkward false arms, left spectators in awe. Ru, calling in from a guest appearance on Hot Ones, exclaimed, “We’ve witnessed many wings, but never these! Those are truly remarkable!

Similar to Aja, Jorgeous follows the grandeur of a past, breathtaking presentation – her All Stars 9 performance where she was elegantly flung across the stage. Entering in her top-notch Gale Weathers cosplay, Jorgeous swiftly dismisses the theme and delivers the thrilling, energetic bounce we’ve come to anticipate from her. However, what’s lacking in Jorgeous’ number is a bold, daring act, but her captivating stage presence nevertheless stands out among the rest. At her peak (which she achieves here), Jorgeous becomes her own unique spectacle.

Lydia Butthole Kollins, one of the unique acts not based on existing tracks, opened with an intriguing burlesque interpretation of Humpty Dumpty, which seemed reminiscent of a Lynchian sex dungeon setting. Despite her reveals getting mixed up during the performance, I found myself chuckling throughout. The judges appeared to appreciate her runway look, which had an otherworldly allure, as if borrowed from the set of the movie Species. Later on, RuPaul referred to Natasha Hennystridge as “My Beautiful Butthole”, and I can only imagine she maintained an awkwardly intense eye contact during that moment.

In a comical Funny Or Die skit that satirizes medical ads and her personal weight loss experience, the character Mistress pokes fun at both. The atmosphere resembles a brief interlude between musical numbers in a play (which isn’t necessarily negative), but due to the fast-paced nature of the sketch, some of Mistress’ humor doesn’t quite hit its mark. Despite this, it’s far from the catastrophe her critics suggest. In the end, it’s determined that Ruzempic has exceeded the season’s insurance coverage limit, leaving Mistress with an unexpected bill. Her spats with Ginger and Aja prior to the challenge make her bottom placement in the competition predictable, storyline-wise.

Although Bosco GLP triumphed in the challenge, it seems that hosting the talent/variety show at such a late stage of the season gives producers an opportunity to sidestep eliminating less competitive contestants without actually doing so. With this many queens competing just before the finale, being considered ‘safe’ essentially means they won’t be taking the crown home. This week, Bosco, Jorgeous, and Ginger are the frontrunners for the title, leaving little chance for others to win. The energy of the remaining queens has dwindled significantly, and it’s particularly unfortunate for Irene, who shone brightly in Bracket 1 but received minimal attention during the semi-finals.

Without queens making awkward blunders, it’s disappointing to see Lydia and Mistress in lower positions when they both showed great creativity. They definitely deserve credit for originality, especially since neither of them faltered this week. However, they will be lip-syncing against each other for the song “Guess” by Charli XCX and Billie Eilish, which promises to be intense. Aja was correct in pointing out that the queens need to focus more on their underwear (Jasmine Masters should receive royalties for this catchphrase). Both performances were strong, but Lydia’s stood out as the one the judges felt surpassed expectations – it’s goodbye and good luck with My Beautiful Butthole for Mistress.

In the absence of Mistress (due to the Wild Card Lottery), the narrative of the season appears to have significantly diminished or, theoretically, disappeared. The season’s struggle to present a coherent tale suggests it’s not shaping up well. Ginger’s recurring storyline about her unfulfilled victories dominates, while Bosco and Jorgeous’ renewed confidence seem underdeveloped. Moreover, Irene’s potential storylines are not being fully explored as they should be.

Instead, the Master’s strategies, her trials of strength, and the gradual descent weren’t a completely fulfilling narrative, but it was undeniably a narrative and one the season chose to unfold. The workshop conversation about the recent assaults on trans rights and queer representation seems like the initial signs of the season, enabling the queens to share their personal experiences, which has been a crucial yet absent aspect. Even if we’re provided with a valid winner next week, I’m not fully convinced that it will mark the end of a compelling arc where we grasp why we are supporting that queen.

Extra Two Pieces and a Biscuit

Which person is providing the Untucked lounge with hard-boiled eggs, and why are the queens receiving this treatment?

The Wild Card Fraudery finale hints at the possible return of either Kerri Colby or Mistress for the lip-sync battle next week. Given that this seems predetermined by the three primary judges, there wasn’t room for a third contestant in the race. However, it’s important to emphasize: justice for Denali.

In this episode, Irene references Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War” during her discussion about competition and strategic timing for attacks. However, it is intriguing to consider if Sun Tzu had any advice on makeup techniques like contouring or choreography.

Bosco’s key advantage in conquering this challenge? Polishing her showgirl talents on the RuPaul’s Drag Race live stage in Las Vegas. She’s now the fourth contestant to triumph in this challenge who had previously performed on the Vegas strip.

Next week might bring a twist reminiscent of “Rate-A-Queen,” and it’s possible that the final episode could introduce a jury-like setup similar to “All Stars 3.” You get the idea with the RuPaul binoculars meme.

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2025-07-11 13:55