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 got into all the drama of All Stars 10 episode 5 last week. Now, we’re back to discuss the end of Bracket 2 in our All Stars 10 episode 6 breakdown.
Note: This breakdown includes spoilers for episode 6 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 10.
Tina got herself in the middle of drama AGAIN. Do you think it’s fair for her to call out Lydia for not giving her an MVQ point in the episode’s opening?
Jeanette: Unfortunately, MVQ strategy is what All Stars is all about, and numbers-wise, Lydia giving Tina a star just because they had some half-baked alliance that seemed to quickly fall apart in the same episode they made it in–never mind two episodes later–doesn’t make sense. Sure, Tina deserved points, but that’s clearly not the game these queens are playing. Lydia giving Kerri her point not only reinforced her alliance with Kerri but created a more even playing field than if she had given Tina one.
So, do I think it’s fair for Tina to call out Lydia about MVQ points? No. But do I think it’s fair for Tina to call out Mistress’ lies and Lydia’s questionable allegiance to her? Absolutely.
Shana: I mean, not really. She keeps talking about playing fair this and playing fair that, but then she kind of felt like she was owed something. It can’t be both, sorry to say.
Lyra: Tina Burner needs to get her head in the game. Yes, people should be playing with a little more honor because you will be seeing these people outside of Drag Race. But you still got to play hard. And Tina Burner isn’t playing the game.
Nevertheless, I do think it’s really shady that Lydia let Kerri Colby think that Tina was working against her. Lydia, my dear. You were there. You saw that Tina didn’t nod and say yes like Mistress Isabel Brooks was implying. It’s giving being wicked just to stay in the good graces of mommy. Be better. Be your own Queen.
What was your favorite moment between the queens in All Stars 10 episode 6?
Jeanette: Can I just say Nicole? She might not have performed as well as some expected her to, but her subtle shade and deadpan humor have grown on me over these last three episodes. Like her saying “testies” into the mic during the Rusical recording instead of “testing” is what I mean. It’s that quieter humor that I’ve come to like. Plus, she was a really good sport when Adam basically said she was the worst dancer he’d ever seen. I probably would’ve been in tears.
Shana: Oh, same. Just Nicole being Nicole. I might actually die for N.P.B.F.A.G. at this point. “Like I said, I’m number one. I am the one. I’m the only one. Y’all can all suck it.” Yes, ma’am! Her “I know” and little shrug when Mistress said she turned it in last week’s rap challenge? We’re not worthy. I was even living for her looking down the bridge of her nose over the rim of those rainbow glasses when she was reading the script.
It’s Nicole Paige Brooks’ world, and we’re just living in it.
Lyra: I think this might be a Nicole Page Brooks fan club because she was the best part of this episode. She was what Mistress wishes she could be aka fun, shady, and capable of causing the right amount of chaos that delights instead of making you grown in WTF.
But if we’re talking about favorite moment, it’s got to be when Nicole was falling asleep. It wasn’t just that Mistress was boring her. It was that she consciously decided beforehand that she was going to fall asleep. Subtle and shady. What a Queen.
Runway thoughts: Speak your truth!
Jeanette: Tina Burner gags me once again! Wonder Woman meets the Wild West is the mash-up I didn’t know I needed. But hear me when I say that I LOVED it! From the Lynda Carter-inspired wig to the iconic spin, Tina stole the runway as far as I’m concerned, although I also loved Lydia’s look.
Shana: Should’ve just called it “Night of 1000 Bodysuits.” Kerri and Nicole were the only ones who even tried to do something a little bit different. Although, I did love the color of Jorgeous’ saloon girl look.
Lyra: I really loved Tina Burner’s outfit. And I know some people clocked it as Wonder Woman immediately. But I didn’t. If anything, I saw Xena: Warrior Princess up there. Am I alone in this? I also really liked Kerri Colby’s dripping hat. I do think the crown of her oversized hat needed to be a little bigger to compensate for how big the brim. Because… it was giving designer diaper hat. AND I HATE SAYING THAT BECAUSE I SEE THE VISION. *covers face*
Do you agree with RuPaul’s top two All Star selections in episode 6?
Jeanette: Um…okay…so Michelle said Kerri stole the show, but she didn’t make the top? RuPaul said Kerri was fascinating to watch, but she didn’t make the top? Call me annoyed, but I thought Kerri stood a pretty good shot, and, as we see what happens in the final MVQ point exchange, it’s the only way she could’ve booted Mistress out of the top 3.
Jorgeous delivered the expected Jorgeous-level performance, so I get it. But Lydia didn’t necessarily stand out to me any more than Tina or Mistress did. If anything, I felt her emoting lacked at times. Yes, she walked on some chairs, but Detox did it first, and I’d argue that Detox did it better. Lydia’s ropey runway look launched her to winner status, and I refuse to be told otherwise.
Shana: No. Absolutely not. Although I respect (and fangirl over, obvs.) Adam Shankman’s expertise here, especially as it relates to his own choreography, Lydia just “going for it” still didn’t mean she and Mistress didn’t both show their weaknesses—big time—when they were in a group with Jorgeous. Lydia’s movement style has always given me “lazy, wet noodle,” and it was particularly egregious after seeing Shankman demonstrate and Jorgeous rocking it. And while I do agree that Butthole’s runway is probably what got her bumped up to a top 2 spot, that wig…girl. No, thank you.
I would’ve put Kerri up there. Her dance skills, such as they were, also…not great! But. She more fully embodied the character and style she was supposed to be working with. Tina, on the other hand, didn’t quite take the corrections Adam gave. And uh, N.P.B. B.H.H. (bless her heart).
Lyra: We’re in agreement that Kerri should’ve been up there. Because right now, it’s giving playing favorites for RuPaul.
Are you happy with the Bracket 2 All Stars moving on to the semi-finals, or is there someone else you think deserved a spot in the top 3?
Jeanette: There’s just something so unsatisfying about seeing Mistress and her two “goons” make it through to the semi-finals. Mistress is undoubtedly talented, but any appreciation I hold for her gets outshone by her attitude.
Let’s be real clear. Laughing and smiling while you’re gaslighting and manipulating people doesn’t make it any less toxic, and you could see by the end of episode 6 that Tina and Nicole were completely over her. At that point, their mission became keeping Mistress out of the top 3. Unfortunately, that half point Ru awarded her last episode ensured Mistress would make it through, unless she gave her point to Kerri, which we all knew she would never do–but hey, let’s listen to her gaslight everyone and call Kerri a “fake b***h” in front Ru and the judges, anyway.
Really, I find myself lamenting that half-point. If Mistress didn’t have that, the queens could’ve created a tie between Kerri and Mistress (or Kerri and Tina if they wanted) and forced Ru to pick a winner. Sure, he still might have chosen Mistress, but maybe it would’ve hurt less…maybe.
Shana: LOL no. I just think that someone who manipulates every situation to make herself a the center of attention should watch the edit of her “dancing” next to her fellow double-crosser and consider how she’s very lucky she and her bodysuits knew how to play the game and the judges never managed to read the bodysuits the way they do everyone else’s. Let’s leave it at that. And, to reiterate: LOL no.
Lyra: Honestly I was bored with this group passing forward. Why? Because it was predictable. The only way you can balance out villainy like this is if you have an underdog to cheer on within the All Star group. Where is that balance? It ain’t there. All I’m seeing is mean Queens. And that honestly isn’t fun.
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 10 airs new episodes every Friday on Paramount+.
