Can you all believe we have reached the finale of yet another season of RuPaul’s Drag Race? Maybe it’s quarantine talking, but this season seemed to go by so fast! Let’s get into this because there is a lot to unpack here!
The episode kicked off with a pillow fight, or a breastplate fight if you’re Shea Couleé. The queens were anxious about who exactly it was that called RuPaul at the end of the last episode. The scene that followed answered that question. The previous queens snuck into the room while the top three, Shea, Jujubee, and Miz Cracker, reflected on the season. They listened in from behind a glory hole. It was great to see the eliminated queens back in the workroom!
The best part of the reunion was Shea insisting the eliminated queens knew what was going on and Ongina playing into it by pretending she knew and saying “Ok, I’ll tell you… I have no idea.” Ru came into the workroom shortly after and turns out, he actually knew what was going on. The eliminated queens would join the top 3 on stage as they perform their own verses to one of his songs. The top 3 would also join Ru and Michelle Visage on their podcast. Most importantly, however, all the queens are going to sit down and discuss all the drama first!
I’m going to try to recap this drama as quickly as possible. India Ferrah apologized to Derrick Barry, believe it or not. Ongina opened up about her lack of confidence after the reading challenge and how it affected her moving forward. Mariah Balenciaga confronted real-life bff Mayhem Miller for eliminating herself, but they squashed it quickly. Finally, the moment we all were waiting for, Alexis told Mayhem about the India/Shea conspiracy. Mayhem confirmed that there was no campaigning and was disappointed that she sent herself home because she thought India should have stayed and in turn, India threw her under the bus. Turns out, Alexis just stated who she voted for AFTER the vote. Also, Mayhem admitted she had a deal with India that if she saved her week 1, she would do the same. In the end, everyone got along and it was a happy finale.
After the library was closed, the queens met with Todrick Hall to work on their choreography for the finale performance. Jujubee’s lack of dancing ability really spoke to me, especially when she said she felt terrible about it all. Juju also asked what her feet are doing and when asked at what part, she simply replied, “all of it.” She was, as always, the star of the show comedically. Another highlight was Blair St. Clair doing the other queen’s choreo from the sidelines.
The eliminated queens joined the top 3 in the workroom as they got in drag for the finale. I loved watching them all interact with each other again like it was day one. Juju and Ongina had a really cute conversation about growth. Shea and Alexis talked about her anxiety about performing her complicated choreo. Miz Cracker confided in Mayhem that she thinks she can win this competition because she has three wins under her belt. It was wholesome!
It was time for the final performance of the season. Joining Ru on the judges’ panel was Michelle, Todrick, Ross Matthews, and Carson Kressley. First came the final performance. I really enjoyed how they incorporated the eliminated queens. It was a fun performance, but Shea stood out. She really slayed the choreography.
Then came the runway. Even the eliminated queens got to walk the runway! I loved Ongina’s ode to her season 1 finally look, along with Blair’s look. AS for the final three, Juju’s Hindi-Buddha inspired look was absolutely incredible. Cracker’s look inspired by her Russian heritage was beautiful as well. Shea’s look, however, was my favorite. The ’60s inspired gown was so perfectly done. Come to find out, it was actually inspired by her mom’s prom dress, which makes it even better. That runway was incredibly strong, maybe the strongest in Drag Race finale herstory! As for the critiques, they were positive across the board. The competition was stiff.
Of course, we got a group lip-sync. The queens gave it all to Janelle Monae‘s Make Me Feel. It was a high energy, fun performance filled with Shea doing the robot. While the crown could have gone to any of the top three, it was Shea who took home the crown. I’m not crying, you’re crying!
Well y’all, another season down. What a fun ride! Until the next season, squirrel friends.
