Another week, another RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars! GAG! This just might have been the biggest gag in Drag Race HERSTORY! No further introduction needed, let’s jump into this episode.
The queens returned to the workroom to find Valentina’s short and sweet lipstick message. Latrice Royale sent her home and shared they had grown close on the road. When they all gathered around on that weird couch, Trinity Taylor revealed she too had Valentina’s lipstick in her bra. Was anyone else surprised by that? I thought for sure she would save her friend. The queens also shared their report card thus far, noting that Trinity and Manila Luzon have by far the best track record. Remember this when the end of the episode rolls around…
It was a new day in the workroom and the queens arrived to find all of RuPaul’s photos were replaced by Judy Garland! As a classic movie buff, I LOVED the intro Ru gave with all the Judy movie puns! It had been 50 years since Judy’s death, the same day as the Stonewall Riots. So, to celebrate, the queens will be making over their best Judy’s! The queens had their loved ones join the cast, Naomi Smalls’ best friend Richardo, Monique Heart’s best Judy, Danny, Monet X Change’s best friend Patty, Latrice’s best friend, Tim, Trinity’s boyfriend, Leo, and Manila’s husband, Michael! What a brilliant idea for the makeover challenge. Oh, and of course, they had to choreograph a musical tribute to Judy Garland.
Who else’s heart exploded watching the queens reunite with the people they’re closest to? Things got real fast though, especially for Monet. She was sent home via this challenge on her season, so realizing she has to put her very pale friend into drag with a family resemblance put the pressure on her. The best part of these makeover challenges is watching these men who don’t do drag walk in heels. Ugh, so good.
RuPaul entered the workroom while the queens were prepping and the first thing she did was ask Monique’s friend Danny if his nose is real. I love that we’re not beating around the bush here. After that question was out of the way, RuPaul had a very lovely moment with Monique. But more importantly, Danny’s nose is real. Meanwhile, Monet’s Judy Patty, a very hairy man, decided to shave his eyebrows. I love the commitment to the cause around here. Latrice’s best Judy, Tim, revealed he made his drag debut in 1994 as Alexis Knight. Latrice said it was pretty awful, so this is her chance to redeem herself! Aside from that great memory, Latrice shared just how much Tim helped her after her incarceration. I wasn’t crying, I just really need to dust my room.
It’s elimination day! Time for the queens to put their best Judy’s in drag. Most of these pairs look nothing alike, so the family resemblance is going to be TOUGH. First, Patty had to have his whole face shaved. All facial hair must go, but Patty was the only one brave enough to go brow-less! Meanwhile, Manila’s husband Micheal was living his fantasy. Also, Manila made him tuck even though their outfits didn’t actually require such a thing. It’s all about the authentic experience.
On the mainstage, RuPaul was joined by Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, and guest judges Frances Bean Cobain and Ellen Pompeo. As a grunge fanatic, I was very excited to see Frances join the panel. Before walking the runway, the queens took the stage for a musical tribute to Judy Garland. As always, it was a bit cheesy, but, it’s always fun to watch non-drag queens get in drag and have to perform a number. Okay, time for the runway!
Category is… best Judy’s! Latrice and Alexis Knight had big hair and sequence, Monique and Shanida Heart had interesting optical illusion costumes, Manila and Iyowife Luzon were the queen of diamonds and queen of club cards, Naomi and Extra Smalls were by far my favorite, with Cher inspired looks followed by Naomi turning into Sonny Bono! It was truly incredible. Trinity and Indigo The Tuck had matching Versace inspired looks, and Monet X Change and Patty Cash looked amazing in matching gold looks. I thoroughly enjoyed this week’s runway looks.
Time for the judges’ critiques. Through the negative critiques Manila and Michael received, Manila was able to have a really wonderful moment where she shared how much Michael helped her through the loss of Saharah Davenport, even stating she thought Saharah sent Michael to her. Again, my house is SOO dusty. Monet X. Change and Naomi Smalls found themselves the top two of the week, while Trinity and Monique were safe, and best Judy’s Latrice and Manila were in the bottom two against each other. Yikes!
The best Judy’s find themselves in the bottom two together, the meta of it all! Latrilla is up for elimination! It was interesting watching the queens interact with one another. Monet made it clear that though she respects Latrice, her performance has not been on par with the other. Manila seemed fairly confident she wouldn’t be sent home because of how great she had done all season. Monique brought up the fact that Manila picked to eliminate Monet when she was against Latrice in the bottom two, while Latrice saved Naomi the week prior.
Monet and Naomi returned to the mainstage to lipsynch for their legacy to Come Rain or Come Shine by Judy Garland! I must say, I was living for Naomi’s costume change. The look went great with the song. She had far more energy than Monet, you could tell she was hungry for the win. Or maybe, Monet didn’t want to be the one to make the decision. Regardless, Naomi took home the win and had to send Latrice or Manila home. In maybe the biggest gag in All Stars history, she gave Manila the chop! Could you believe it?! I truly couldn’t. I really thought Manila would take the crown home this season. I think even her fellow contestants did! Wow, what a twist.
Next week the queens will be making a mockumentary in the last elimination before the finale! I can’t wait to see how that turns out. Come back next week to chat about All Stars again, but until then, leave us your thoughts on this week’s episode in the comments below!
