RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season-Finale Recap: LaLaPaSnooze-a

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There’s no need to worry about the increase in humidity and the falling barometer; we’ve reached the finale of the tenth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. Based on various reports (yet to be verified), it seems like a festive yet underwhelming conclusion to a rather dull season. Stormy weather? Think more of a light drizzle instead.

During the discussions, the introduction of brackets dominated, leaving little room for character development. The semi-finals have been a mix of struggles to rekindle or (for Irene, unfortunately), completely suppressing the energy the queens built in their brackets. However, it wasn’t just the new format that made the season feel flat: the rapid sequence of Snatch Game, talent show, and now Lipsync LaLaPaRuZa has made Drag Race seem more formulaic than ever before. In essence, the finale provides seven strong lipsync performances without a weak one, but it ends All Stars on a lackluster note since the season failed to create a compelling narrative.

As a devoted cinephile, I must admit that the initial shocker of Kerri Colby’s Wild Card return felt somewhat understated compared to the grand build-up we witnessed last week, where it was teased that only she and Mistress Isabelle Brooks would be vying for the title. The low-key unveiling in the workroom is one of those signs that the bracket format might not have delivered as intended – at the end of her bracket, Kerri seemed to have been dealt a less than ideal hand. However, with time, I find myself struggling to recall the intense drama that prevented her from reaching the semi-finals. If the purpose of the Wild Card is to inject excitement and unpredictability into the competition, there should be more force behind the comeback of the returning queen.

In the finale lipsync battle, there seems to be a significant challenge in terms of excitement, which might affect some queens’ chances of winning (unfortunately, Kerri) and potentially elevate others who didn’t make it past the semi-finals (Denali). The issue here is that, given the structure of this All Stars season, many of these contestants have already lipsync-battled multiple times throughout their Drag Race career. So, how likely are we to witness something new from them? To compensate for the lack of drama, Rate-A-Queen returns, aiming to clarify the concept of a seeded bracket (which I must admit, I still don’t fully grasp).

Instead of this unfortunate turn of events, a climactic face-off isn’t as thrilling when the Lipsync LaLaPaRuZa is used. It holds more tension and importance when it results in a queen being eliminated or re-entering the competition. However, it’s even more exciting when it offers a low-pressure prize for a previously eliminated queen (creating unexpected moments like restoring Megami’s reputation, even if she doesn’t ultimately win). As a means to determine the season’s winner, it results in an uneven race that benefits only the final queen standing. In essence, I suggest reinstating regular eliminations during All Stars seasons.

Ginger and Kerri start off performing Lady Gaga’s “Disease,” a performance that resembles a fierce confrontation with both women twisting their faces in ways reminiscent of Lady Gaga’s characteristic agony. For Ginger, the performance is essentially a test of facial expressions, while Kerri seems to be finding it challenging to keep pace. Kerri returns with an energy that is unusual, full of positivity and catchphrases, but it appears as though she is merely going along with the flow. Just as suddenly as she came back into the competition, the beloved Kerri Colby departs once more.

Irene is about to perform next, but she stumbles during the lip-sync (and she falls quite dramatically, girl), but even if she hadn’t, Lydia could still have outperformed her. It’s disappointing to see how the show built such an intriguing storyline around her initially, only to eliminate her suddenly. From a struggling contestant in the early rounds to a standout performer, Irene’s growth is the kind of authentic and deserving progression we hope to see on ‘All Stars’. She didn’t have any special advantage or manipulation to win; her success was earned through her exceptional drag performances. Unfortunately, she didn’t get the recognition she deserved in the end.

In simpler terms, the only hints of manipulation in Rate-A-Queen rigging were the pairing of Aja and Jorgeous, despite both ranking each other first. It’s hard not to want these two powerful lipsync performers to battle it out, but Aja ranked sixth doesn’t add up. In this episode, Aja dressed as a strong nun from the abbey, ready to solve problems, was a standout moment, and her energy with Jorgeous during Natalie Cole’s “Party Lights” was infectious. However, Jorgeous really shined as that nun too. Although Aja may have felt sad about losing the lipsync, she certainly made a strong comeback in this All Stars season, showcasing a more developed side of herself in the drag world.

Daya Betty’s emotional departure underscores one of the season’s overlooked storylines, where Daya and Bosco shared a deep bond. Instead, we saw Daya’s friendship with Ginger grow, suggesting that this season was about relationships for her. However, the narrative didn’t delve deeply enough into their connection to make us feel fully satisfied or able to cheer for Daya’s success. Despite her intricate and punky drag performances, she never became a clear favorite in the competition.

Bosco, who was initially favored to win, surprisingly lost in one of the episode’s more noticeable moments. Dressed as a showgirl with Las Vegas adorning her head, Bosco looked stunning and confident before delivering an impressive burlesque performance that sent Irene home. However, against Ginger during a Pink track, Bosco seemed to tire out, suggesting she might not have been as strong in the lip-sync battles. Yet, her first performance of the night, which some considered the best of the season, challenged the perception about her lip-sync skills, showing that she was always a potential winner.

Surprisingly stealing the spotlight was Lydia Butthole Kollins. Dressed extravagantly, as if a Mario World castle had become an outfit, Lydia confidently showcased her unique charm and viper skills, leaving an indelible mark as a star. Although she lost her final lipsync against Jorgeous, her striking appearance and strong performances in the competition might just be Lydia’s best moments on Drag Race. Unlike some of her peers without crowns, LBK is concluding her journey on a triumphant note. She’s known as RuPaul’s favorite Butthole, and now America seems to agree.

In the grand finale of Drag Race, it’s between Jorgeous and Ginger, making them the first top two without a height restriction. It’s like riding on Carson Kressley’s rollercoaster! Miss Muggy performs admirably, but it seems that Ginger is set to take the crown in this competition.

This year, Jorgeous had an impressive consistent run, but some might not appreciate it as much due to her recent appearance on All Stars. Since we’ve seen a lot of Jorgeous compared to some judges, their appreciation for her gradual improvement might have been overshadowed. The balance between Lydia’s quick comeback and Jorgeous becoming a regular in the workroom could potentially be a factor here. Overexposure across three seasons in just four years may not have helped, even considering Ginger’s longer but more spaced-out exposure. Despite the criticism due to her youth, Jorgeous’ “It’s Raining Men” performance showcases her classic, enduring drag queen style. And despite delivering the best final performance, she seems to be the season’s most affected by favoritism – perhaps the ultimate victim in this context.

As a die-hard fan of drag, I’ve got to say that Ginger took the crown for this season and entered the Drag Race Hall of Fame. It’s no secret that winners who faltered in their final lipsync aren’t unheard of, and neither is a champion like Ginger whose best days were during her original season – although, I must admit, her fashion game has definitely stepped up its game, even showcasing an impressive wedding dress on the runway. In her shining moments this season, such as Snatch Game, it felt like she was reprising roles that she’d played with more flair in the past. But let’s not dwell too much on the allegations of favoritism – after all, the laws of Drag Race often bend the competition to nurture its shining star, even if it wasn’t quite as obvious this season.

It’s not really Ginger’s fault that her wins seem unimpressive, as the show didn’t provide her with a substantial storyline beyond the fact that she never wore a crown. However, one could argue that this lack of depth in her character might stem from the fact that we never had a chance to miss her when she returned for All Stars 2, 6, and 10. If she hadn’t won this season, we would have likely anticipated her return on All Stars 14, appearing as promptly as a reliable public transportation system in a big city. Yet, she might still make an appearance!

Extra Two Pieces and a Biscuit

All the queens who selected their own song ended up winning the lipsync and were highly ranked queens. Just wanted to mention this! I promised I was done with complaining about rigging!

• Al Pacino : “my eyes see Oppenheimer.” :: RuPaul : “the ball says Ginger.”

• Photo evidence of Lydia’s Shakira birthday cake or it didn’t happen!

It seems more engaging to say, “Couldn’t we have revealed the Rate-A-Queen scores after the eliminated queens had left the workroom instead of immediately? A touch of extra drama could have made the anticlimax less flat!

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2025-07-18 18:56