RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 10 features the franchise’s biggest cast yet. This time around, 18 queens assemble into three groups of six to twirl and whirl their way to the finale. Before they even get the shot, though, the top three queens of each bracket must compete in the semi-finals to earn a spot in the big lip sync smackdown. With a point-based system back in play, that means alliances, drama, and plenty of shade. We already discussed All Stars 10’s two-part premiere, and we’re back to break down All Stars 10 episode 3.
Note: This breakdown includes spoilers for episode 3 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 10.
1. Those MVQ points got messy in episode 3’s opening. That’s it. That’s the prompt. We need to debrief.
Jeanette: Man, that opening had my head spinning. Phoenix got neglected. Aja got betrayed. To be honest, I’m not surprised about either development. This is exactly what happens with alliances, and Aja’s allegiances sort of fell apart when she started doing too well. I will say that Olivia handled Aja’s “backstabbing” allegations pretty diplomatically. I’m not entirely sure why she gave Aja a point rather than DeJa in the final point trade. But it happened, and we got a solid top 3 out of it.
Shana: Ok, first of all…how was Aja out here, talking about betrayal or whatever when she had endless alliances in a game with only six queens? Girl, come on. Then, there’s the Phoenix situation. I know what it’s like to be that person who’s totally left out of the “group,” so that was hard to watch. Was what she showed in this competition up to the level of the others? Arguably, maybe not. But still. OUCH.
Lyra: When it comes to the final MVQ point allocation in this episode, that final point from Phoenix… it should’ve gone to Deja. I understand that Aja is great TV. And she’s doing great herself. But if I have to judge the Queens based on this episode, I think Deja did better. And so did her baby Queen. They were both funny, worked hard at that dance and showed up, and the makeup was beautiful. Also, that girl shaved her brows for this. That’s commitment!
2. None of us particularly loved last week’s mini-challenge. What about watching the queens toss basketballs?
Jeanette: I actually really enjoyed this! It was funny. It was engaging. And, at times, it was even a little bit tense. As a side note, RuPaul failing to dunk that basketball and then running away screeching with his arms flapping was comedy gold! (A special thank you to the editors for adding the slo-mo and dramatic music.)
Shana: Definitely had a blast watching this one. I agree with Jeanette about Ru’s dunk fail to screech moment. I was like LMAO — literally. I’d like to point out that Irene whining about “I don’t want to do a sport” was very me coded. (Actually making all those shots, however, was not.) Pro-tip to Aja, though: You can’t do the “girl. Athletics?! With acrylics” thing when Jordan Chiles exists, does gymnastics with hers. Just saying!
…but let’s be real: This whole thing was just an excuse for Ru and the girls to get to play with some hot pink balls, and I support them.
Lyra: I really liked the tension of this mini-challenge, especially when the girls were catching up to Irene. It’s really relatable, especially with the lack of basketball skills from all the Queens. We’ve been there doing silly things like this. And it felt real in a way that other challenges don’t.
3. What was your favorite moment between the queens in All Stars 10 episode 3?
Jeanette: I can’t say RuPaul shooting that basketball again, can I? In all seriousness, Abby (an honorary queen of sorts) letting DeJa shave her eyebrows off was heavy metal! You don’t see that type of dedication often, and I love that they got to share that little moment of naked mole-rat realness together.
Shana: Just watching everyone with their adopted drag daughters. I mean, when there’s a makeover challenge, what else even is there in the episode?
Lyra: I’m with Jeanette on Abby shaving her brows. The commitment really drew the eye. Alsoooooo I really loved DeJa’s comment in the confessional about the dance routine. Pushing your baby Queen is great. This is a competition after all. But you also have to play into their strengths. And DeJa did that with her youngest Auntine. Man… I think I’ve entered into the bitter stage of watching All Stars. Justice for DeJa! :p
4. Who was your favorite pairing in the family resemblance challenge?
Jeanette: Olivia and Nevaeh were like partner soulmates! They meshed together really well. I liked that Nevaeh felt comfortable enough to voice her ideas during the choreography, and that Olivia was open enough to be like, “Yes! I love that!” Their music-inspired look was also amazing (The tilted afros were everything!). And while they didn’t win the challenge, I’d argue they became the most like family because they truly seemed to respect and get each other on a deeper level.
Shana: Olivia and Octavia Lux, hands down. I’m actually shocked over the robbery of them not being in the top. Family resemblance: Check. Fun looks within that assignment: Check, check. Performance: Big check as they lived out their best lives.
Lyra: I agree with Jeanette and Shana. When it comes to family resemblance Olivia and Octavia Lux had it in the bag. They were both painted the same and the hair and the actual outfit were similar enough that you can clock they’re family but not twins. It was seamless.
5. Let’s talk runway. What did you love? What did you hate?
Jeanette: I adored Bosco and The Goddess (Lauren). Like, holy cow, they both looked stunning! They managed to capture the family resemblance while also delivering something very elegant. Bosco has yet to disappoint me on the runway, and I hope that trend continues.
On the other hand, I felt a bit let down by Phoenix. When she first talked about recreating her season 3 entry look and infamous same-wig/samish-outfit battle with India Ferrah, I thought, “Yes! Give me that.” However, the final result was a bit… underwhelming. Ts Madison is right. Phoenix and Maya nailed the family resemblance part of the challenge, but I wanted more. Drama? Camp? I don’t know. No one asked me, but why not go all the way and have Maya snatch the wig from Phoenix’s head?
Shana: Not even sure if I necessarily hated what Aja and DeJa both did, but we all know they should’ve avoided green if they wanted Michelle Visage to have anything positive, whatsoever, to say to them. Ladies, y’all are not new here. Come to think of it, nobody is at this point. We’re on All Stars 10, plus 16/17 of the “regular” RPDR seasons, plus UK, Down Under, UK vs. The World, and Celebrity. BFFR.
I wouldn’t call it hate, necessarily, but I kind of thought Bosco’s look was a bit messy. Then again, she poured everything into making The Goddess look good, so…kind of mixed on that one. As far as Phoenix/Heron went, I loved the throwback. It was fun.
…but Olivia’s music-inspired vision still just wins everything about the challenge for me.
Lyra: When it comes to favorite looks, I think it’s def Irene the Alien and her baby Queen. It was so polished and whimsical but also fit into Irene’s aesthetic. I would want to see those girls perform every week. As for not so favorite looks… I’ve got two. One, I really expected more from Phoenix when it came to that throw back look. It should’ve been at least the same kitten wig or had the same blonde fringe. Because this wasn’t it. And unless you told me it was a throwback, I wouldn’t have gotten it.
Then there’s Aja. I could see the “hood fairy” of it all in maybe the way that the Queen and her baby Queen carried themselves. But where is that translated in the look? In confessionals Aja wears that spray painted top. That could’ve been brought into this look. And as someone who grew up in the hood, I loved me a good chunky bamboo style earring. That could’ve helped too.
6. Do you agree with RuPaul’s top two All Star selections in episode 3?
Jeanette: Bosco and Irene winning the challenge won’t get any complaints from me. However, Olivia was also a strong contender, from the outfits and makeup to the energy in her performance and the overall vibe. Did she deserve to boot one of the other girls out? Gah! I’m not sure. If she had, we might be looking at a very different top 3 in Bracket 1.
Shana: No. Olivia belonged in the top, and based on where the points were at the time, it just felt like the messy points system was a waste of time and energy. RuPaul’s had her semi-finalists picked since the first episode, it felt like.
Lyra: Bosco and Irene brought it. But I agree with Jeanette and Shana. If it’s a family resemblance challenge, it should’ve been Olivia up there. Also also also, that lipsync. Sorry, not sorry but Bosco won. That song needed a different kind of energy outside of flips and kicks aka the usual showboating when you’re not really feeling the song. And Bosco? Oh she was feeling that song and selling every second.
7. MVQ points aside, are you happy with the three Bracket 1 All Stars moving on to the semi-finals, or is there someone else you think deserved a spot?
Jeanette: Honestly, Bosco, Irene, and Aja are the top 3 I envisioned. They had very few misses, and Irene secured a win in ALL three challenges. Like I said in last week’s breakdown, I’d flip a table if she didn’t make it to the semi-finals.
However, when it comes to Aja, my feelings are a bit more complicated. Don’t get me wrong. Aja deserves to be there (The woman is riddled with talent), BUT her alliances and aggressive confidence made me a little less enchanted with her. During the suspenseful wait for the queens to reveal their choices, I found myself hoping Olivia and Phoenix would give their points to DeJa instead–and honestly, had DeJa returned the point favor to Phoenix in the opening exchange, Phoenix very may well have. So, while I’m not angry Aja moved on to the semi-finals, I think her spot was the most up for grabs.
Shana: I don’t exactly like how the selection/points worked with this bracket, but based on judges’ feedback and how the competition went during these episodes…sure.
Lyra: I’m… not happy with these three. I think DeJa deserved a spot in the top. She’s such an entertaining watch and I still think we’re not giving her enough credit for how talented she is in this episode and the last one, especially after that mystery challenge they did. She’s a star, baby.
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 10 airs new episodes every Friday on Paramount+.
