RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Recap: Cweepy

Hey there, movie buffs! I’ve just returned from a week-long adventure in Montreal, where I had the pleasure of witnessing none other than the enchanting Giselle Lullaby from Canada’s Drag Race perform with some local talent. If you’re ever in town, be sure to check out Kitana Sweett!


As a travel enthusiast who has been fortunate enough to explore various corners of the world, I recently found myself immersed in the vibrant culture of Montreal, Canada. This enchanting city offered me an unexpected treat when I stumbled upon a captivating performance by none other than Giselle Lullaby from CDR. The fusion of her music with local Quebecois talent was a breathtaking experience that left me yearning for more.

Let’s begin with the aftermath of last week’s events. Angeria appears unfazed by undergoing the elimination process, which is a usual pattern for her in bi-episodes. Plastique, Roxxxy, and Angeria all exhibit self-assurance throughout this episode, possibly believing they have performed well enough to avoid humiliation. It’s unclear if they genuinely aim for the finale or simply don’t care about making it that far.

Moving on, this week’s project is a musical adaptation of “Rosemary’s Baby.” I estimate that at most, two of the girls have previously watched the movie during filming. Most likely, they only know the film from Tyra’s persistent references to giving a haircut reminiscent of Mia Farrow’s character in “Rosemary’s Baby” on “America’s Next Top Model.” Tyra had talked about it so much that one contestant quit the competition.

I’ve been pondering this question throughout the entire series: Is it strange that they turned a musical number towards the (suspected LGBTQ+) misfits, making them beautiful and celebrated, based on a film produced by Roman Polanski? Personally, I lean towards not overthinking it too much, but everyone’s perspective might differ.

The Rusical competition on the show sometimes lacks clarity regarding the rules. Is it required that the contestants sing live? Or is lip-syncing to pre-recorded tracks permitted? This time around, the producers chose lip-syncing in a recording booth. While live singing might be too demanding for some of the girls, they should still be able to convincingly portray vocal characters.

The competition for roles is commonplace, with Angeria being assigned a role she’s not fond of and Vanjie emerging as an unexpected contender, sparking amusement in me with her devil baby concept (which unfortunately didn’t live up to its potential). Recording progresses smoothly, but the choreography proves challenging. This is all rather standard for such a competition.

At “Rosemarie’s Baby Shower: The Musical,” upon our arrival, my response could be described as generally pleased. The actors deliver solid performances in their roles, the choreography is well-executed for the most part, and the musical itself provides enjoyment. The Rusicals have grown more elaborate with time, and while this particular production may not rank at the very pinnacle in terms of writing, it still makes a valuable contribution to the collection.

Among all the performers, Jorgeous stands out with her exceptional skills. She brings M3GAN to life on stage, a role that suits her well since she’s long struggled to align her facial expressions with her extraordinary dance moves. Every movement of hers is meticulously crafted to embody the AI robot doll, leaving audiences mesmerized and unable to look away. This breathtaking musical performance by Jorgeous ranks among the best I’ve ever witnessed, showcasing a remarkable harmony between artist and character.

Based on my personal observation and having seen several performances, I believe that everyone else puts in a commendable effort. However, among them, Shannel truly stands out for me. Having had the opportunity to watch her portray Ruth Gordon’s character in the film, I can confidently wager that she delivers a solid performance, even though technically she is supposed to be Sidney Blackmer. Angeria’s interpretation of Ruth seems to bear little resemblance to the original Oscar-winning performance, making Shannel’s take on the role all the more noteworthy. In my opinion, there is room for improvement and exploration in her portrayal, which I find intriguing and exciting. Ultimately, I think Shannel did a commendable job with the material she was given, and it was certainly worth watching.

Plastique delivers a solid performance as Rosemarie. While her portrayal isn’t exceptionally remarkable from the season’s top performer, she gets the job done. Gottmik’s interpretation of Blair in “The Exorcist” is commendable, but the camera angles occasionally made it seem like Gottmik was slightly off-beat with the choreography. Roxxxy takes on Pennywise, and her makeup is impressively done, while her performance is satisfactory. Nina excels as the gospel exorcist; had Angeria won the role, I believe she could have added an exciting twist. Although Nina delivers a competent performance, I couldn’t help but ponder what might have transpired with Angeria in the part. Vanjie concludes the act as the devil baby, but unfortunately, the show opts for referencing Sam Smith’s “Unholy” instead of allowing Vanjie to fully embrace her inner demon. Her performance is good, but it lacks the necessary strangeness that I was hoping for.

The “runway category” is described as a pearl. Plastique pays homage to the iconic 1995 Mugler “Birth of Venus” dress. The costume is flawlessly made, making it difficult to find criticisms. However, I have one: The clamshell on Plastique’s body starts too high, and in the original design, it accentuated the body by moving with its natural shape. Instead, Plastique resembles having random wings attached. Angeria dons an extravagant pageant gown that doesn’t appeal to me much. Her headpiece is impressive. Shannel wears a quirky, club-kid-inspired outfit that pushes her comfort zone but looks fantastic. Gottmik transforms into a black pearl wearing a Diego Montoya creation. My preferred detail is how she applied black pearls to cover her cheek contour.

Roxxxy’s expression echoes Kim K’s Met Gala 2023 attire, yet she adds a flapper twist, which is valid. I appreciated Jorgeous’s outfit but found the gloves unnecessary. The Bride of Frankenstein wig on Vanjie was truly inspiring. Nina wore an Elizabethan gown that outshone many of her previous looks. It was refreshing to see her in something more fashion-forward. Vanjie looked stunning in a half-clam costume, transforming her into a pearl. Impressive! I adore every aspect of it.

From where I stood, Jorgeous was a sure bet to win, and although there were a few other contenders who could have taken Shannel’s place, the instant Shannel emerged as the victor was incredibly touching – much like the feeling of joy when Susan Lucci finally received her Emmy award.

The girls perform synchronized lip-synching to “Love Come Home” by Kristine W, the surprise judge. They end up having an equal number of points. As a result, they both receive funds for their charities and get to present badges to one another. What a heartwarming scene! Jorgeous advances to the final round with four badges, while Shannel is evenly matched with Gottmik, Nina, and Vanjie. This turn of events adds an element of surprise and demonstrates strategic planning. Quite intriguing!

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2024-07-22 18:27