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 discussed all the new queens and drama of All Stars 10 episode 4 last week. Now, we’re back to talk about all the new developments in our All Stars 10 episode 5 breakdown.
Note: This breakdown includes spoilers for episode 5 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 10.
Okay, but seriously, how do we cope with Mistress’ ultimate MVQ points betrayal?
Jeanette: Nicole. Should’ve. Trusted. Her. Gut.
She predicted the betrayal right from the moment she saw Mistress and Jorgeous whispering to each other. But somehow, Mistress managed to gaslight Nicole into “keeping it in the family.” How does she hold this power? Why does anyone trust her? I can’t exactly say her actions come as a surprise, but my jaw fell to the floor anyway. The drama is expected from Mistress, but Jorgeous? That I did not see coming. Nicole is right. She was BULLIED. Kerri was bullied. Honestly, I think I was bullied just by bearing witness to the whole thing. Mistress and Jorgeous might’ve walked away with two points, but they certainly lost my respect.
Side Note: At the very least, I’m proud of Lydia for not messing with the roast order per Mistress’ request. Maybe there is hope for her after all?
Lyra: The gasp I let out at that betrayal. And I expected it from Mistress. Games is her thing. I however didn’t expect it from Jorgeous. Admittedly I don’t know as much about her, but is this really how she is on Drag Race? Because this ultimate betrayal of the other girls is not the vibe she’s giving me. Thats why I let out that gasp. And that’s why the other Queens were also *shocked Pikachu face* As for Lydia, good on you for making your own decision about the Roast. But still, you’re playing with fire. You will get burned.
Shana: I was so mad. So, so mad. Like, jaw dropped for a full minute, then cussing mad. Was I surprised? Eh. Both yes and no. Definitely agree with everyone that Jorgeous shocked me on that one. Girl, you’re supposed to be punching ghosts, not other queens’ trust or whatever.
The only surprising part about Mistress doing that with her Messy Points was that she did a Brooks sister dirty. Somehow, I would’ve expected the betrayal to go in the direction of someone not on the same family tree, however distant the branch. And, really, Jorgeous poses more of a threat based on track record, so I don’t even know what the point was other than to be chaotic. Maybe Nicole summed it up best: “I should’ve known that Mistress is a f**kin mess.”
Then again, I mean…it was sort of smart? Not that this is at all the same thing, but as dirty as Blu Hydrangea pulling Pangina Heals’ lipstick was in UK vs. The World, it uh. Worked out for her in the end.
Given the intersection of Chappell Roan and drag, it seems mandatory to talk about her guest appearance.
Jeanette: Aside from being brainwashed by “Pink Pony Club” when it took over my IG algorithm, I don’t know much about Chappell Roan. I know she’s a queer icon. I know she’s an advocate, and I love how happy it made the queens to have her on the show.
Lyra: Honestly her appearance was blah. I’ve gone through my Chappell Roan phases: excitement, queer joy, memorizing lyrics, and then realizing that she’s a performative ally who likes using drag culture in her work but won’t throw it down politically when it comes to the drag community. And ok, popstars don’t have to be political. That’s true. But she is directly benefiting from a community that can’t afford to stay silent as they are being demonized. I guess money, not art, is a true motivator.
Shana: Lyra nailed it: Blah. I also didn’t like her contradicting Michelle on her Butthole critique because it just seemed like a “well, this person opened for me, so I’m going to show favoritism” moment. I guess she looked cute in Tina’s wig, though? Yay?
The rapping roast! What did you think of it? Who dropped your favorite bars?
Jeanette: I like roasts. I also very much like Jinkx Monsoon. And if you’re asking me, no one can top her All Stars 7 roast. With that narrow and oddly specific opinion in mind, I think the rap element was smart. Not only did the queens have to be funny, they had to rhyme and work a beat.
Now, this is where the problem lies. I liked Mistress’ lyrics. I even laughed, but the toxicity she emitted throughout this entire competition made me do so through gritted teeth. Personally, I wish Tina did better. She had the hard task of opening, and she did so pretty well–but Michelle is right. If she didn’t stuff the lyrics, she’d probably be looking at a top spot. Still, you cannot tell me that her yelling, “You’re a mean girl, Mistress. A b***h! A jerk!” wasn’t cathartic.
Lyra: I’m with Jeanette on this one. Mistress did great. She knows herself, her art, and is an excellent performer. But I was impressed with her while also giving her the side-eye. Because she’s not giving fun villainy that the earlier seasons of Drag Race were so good at. It’s giving planned mean girl vibes because they simply can. And that’s not fun at all even if good TV.
Shana: I thought it was the corniest thing I’ve seen in a minute. The production was very “RuPaul misses 90s MTV.” Even so, ugh. Fine. It worked for me, in its way.
Yes, Mistress was great (and, arguably, the most believable in a “rap” anything). But my two highlights were Nicole Paige Brooks going off about Ross’ colon and Jorgeous not only dancing but also dropping that Alyssa Edwards “…BEAST!” reference. I love, love, love, love. love me some Alyssa Edwards!
What was your favorite moment between the queens in All Stars 10 episode 5?
Jeanette: Kerri casually talking about society’s ongoing tension with the LGBTQ+ community and the issues with her family. “If you know who you are, be it.” “There’s a lot of people who really love living in oppression.” “Part of your contract with having children should be loving them unconditionally.” Every word out of this woman’s mouth just drips with unshakable confidence. What I love the most about All Stars is witnessing people’s growth. Aside from the runway and challenges, moments like these are why I watch.
Lyra: As ughhhh as I am by Jorgeous during the betrayal, her performance during the roast was woah. And not even the lyrics. I don’t remember them AT ALL. But the actual on-stage dancing? Memorable. I also think every moment with Nicole Page Brooks is underrated. She knows she’s not going to make it to the next round but she’s not bothered. She’s here for a good time and not a long time.
Shana: Hate to say it, but the betrayal and all the shady aftermath. Nicole had the line of the night: “You want to be a fu**in c***? Get ready, b**ch. Because I’ve been a c*** longer than you could ever think about.”
Runway thoughts: Drop them here.
Jeanette: Lydia’s gothic Little Shop of Horrors fantasy delighted my little black heart. I haven’t seen much of Lydia to really know her style, but I like this…A LOT.
Shana: Tina’s was gorgeous, but Jorgeous’ was meh. Loved Nicole’s head pieces and the first part of her look, but I agreed with the judges about the reveal being unnecessary, messy, and a letdown. Butthole: Polish. Mistress: Just another bodysuit that Michelle won’t read, for some reason, but make it a cactus. Kerri: …oh. Wow. Go off.
Do you agree with RuPaul’s top two All Star selections in episode 5?
Jeanette: No! Nope! Nada! After the stint Mistress and Jorgeous pulled at the beginning of episode 5, both of them being winners feels like a bad third-act twist of a movie where you–the audience–helplessly cry, “What? No!” The issue: There isn’t really a strong contender for that runner-up seat. Nicole’s runway negated what good she did in the rap. Lydia and Kerri didn’t hit as hard with their roasts. Tina, maybe, but none of the judges really seemed interested in her.
Jorgeous and Mistress both landed the jokes, and let’s be real, who wasn’t laughing when Jorgeous dropped that Alyssa Edwards “beast” quote? Talent-wise, they take the win. Morally, I wish it weren’t the case.
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 10 airs new episodes every Friday on Paramount+.
Shana: I mean, based on performance, yeah. Nicole might’ve topped if she hadn’t blown it with that reveal in her runway, but then I wouldn’t have gotten to see a Jorgeous lip sync. So…it works.
…but the double win? Girl, please. Jorgeous mopped the floor with Mistress, and I’m just saying a lower battement with a stretched knee is better than a high, sloppy one. Take notes.
