RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 7: Dance Like a Drag Queen
Power Rankings with P
Welcome to Power Rankings with P, a newsletter ranking cast members on the reality shows I subject myself to on a weekly basis. What can I say? I love slop.
Branding challenges tend to be my favorite on Drag Race. Like I mentioned last week, the show struggles when the queens aren't given challenges worthy of their immense talent, but with branding, basically anything goes. While I initially wasn't crazy about the structure of the challenge, Tik Tok Dances, this gaggle of girlys made me regret doubting them. I ended up absolutely loving this challenge, and laughed out loud at the majority of the performances this week.
Of course, watching it in the bar while Jinkx Monsoon and Raja gave commercial break commentary made the episode all the more enjoyable. Following the episode and a few tequila sodas later, both queens gave unbelievable and unforgettable live performances. Raja, blazed and wine drunk, lip synced to "This Is My Life" by Shirley Bassey, while images of her as a young child, teenager, her first time in drag, etc. played on the television screen above her. It was a gorgeous tribute to her long life and career as the other-worldly entity that is Raja.
Following Raja's performance, Jinkx sang live, something you don't always see in the drag bar. Her rendition of David Bowie's "Life on Mars" gave me chills, impressive considering I was in a packed, sweaty bar at 11:30pm. Jinkx ended her set by exclaiming, "FUCK THE SUPREME COURT" which was met with thunderous applause. It was a beautiful night with beautiful people, and I'm so happy to have seen my two favorites from this season live in-person. Anyway, there was an episode this week, here's how they did:
BOTTOM 2
Shea Couleé, The Vivienne
Pre-season and after the premiere, if you had told me Shea Couleé would be in last place for All Stars All Winners at episode 9, I would have told you to find god or risk having a 5150 psychiatric hold put on you. Unfortunately, with 2 episodes left in the season and a single Legendary Legend Star on her corset, my Chicago queen has fallen behind. Even worse? I can't say I'm surprised. Show-stopping runways aside, Shea's been coasting in the challenges and has faded into the background this season as a result. This week, while her Tik Tok dance was easily the best of the group, her branding was among the worst. I failed to see how satirizing the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater tied into her personal brand but maybe (likely) my white ass is missing something. Also in the bottom this week is The Vivienne, who, like Shea, also attempted the satire route, this time at RuPaul's expense. The Viv-io was clearly a wink and a nudge at Ru's insistence of slapping "Ru" in front of every product imaginable, a bold move for Viv with no payoff. It wasn't funny and offered zero laughs. Easily the overall worst of the week.
SAFE
Jaida Essence Hall, Yvie Oddly, Raja
Branding herself as a diva really worked for Jaida Essence Hall, who almost edged into a high placement from me. Jaida is absolutely hysterical, throwing coats off her shoulder, making a production out of being winded, and diving back into the "LOOK OVER THERE" well once more. She knows her brand! With her "Queer-dos" top of mind, Yvie Oddly gave a bizzarro, out-there performance, complete with funky body movements and strange jokes. Along with Jaida and Trinity the Tuck, Yvie's branding was among the strongest of the night; she really has a firm understanding on her drag persona's point of view. That leaves us with my beloved Raja, sweet gorgeous Raja, who continued her trajectory of half-assing the challenge the week following her Top 2 placement. I'm not complaining because I do not care; Raja is transcendent and can do no wrong in my eyes. This beautiful new age, LA stoner has captured my heart, and will always have my attention.
HIGH
Monét X Change, Trinity the Tuck
Among the many, one thing I've truly enjoyed on All Stars All Winners has been seeing Monét X Change and Trinity the Tuck compete together once again, all while proving why they both deserve to be crowned queens in the Drag Race Extended Universe. The double crowning was, of course, less than ideal, but ultimately I'm glad it happened; if either one of the Twinners was not crowned, the globe may have slipped off its axis. Still, in my opinion, one, and only one, is absolutely making it the top 4, so eventually one of the Twinners will "win" over the other. I'm just not sure who is production's favorite for the victory.
WINNER
Jinkx Monsoon
Every single season, RuPaul harps on the idea that whatever it is you excel at, apply it to every challenge and you will win. Other than Bob the Drag Queen, Bianca del Rio, and Alaska, I don't think any queen understands this quite as well as Jinkx Monsoon. On paper, a dancing challenge isn't one somebody would imagine her excelling at, but it's Jinkx. Of course she is going to make the challenge her own and completely body it. Duh. So, as expected, Jinkx gave a flawless, hysterical performance that left the bar in absolute stitches last Friday night. The crowd was NUTS for Jinkx (and Raja <3) all night long, and I absolutely loved every minute of it. I would be shocked if anyone else other than Jinkx Monsoon wins this season. Thanks for reading! :)