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. After All Stars 10 episode 7, we breakdown All Stars 10 episode 8, the midway point for Bracket 3.
Note: This breakdown includes spoilers for episode 6 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 10.
What do we think of Acid Betty’s proposed strategy of pooling the bottom queens’ MVQ points to get one of them into the semi-finals?
Jeanette: Like I said last week about episode 7, Bracket 3 has had minimal drama–at least when compared to the toxic mess that was Bracket 2. As for Acid being Acid, I can’t say I’m surprised, and honestly, it’s not necessarily the worst strategy. Instead of everyone holding on to one or two points the entire time, why not work together to elevate one of the queens who might not get a shot at the semi-finals otherwise? That’s sort of what the queens tried to do at the end of Bracket 2 to boot Mistress out. The issue: They made the decision too late.
If Acid enacts her plan at the next MVQ exchange, she is right. They could absolutely change the game. The real question is, who will they pick? Or will the whole thing just fall apart?
Shana: Finally, a strategy that makes sense mathematically and isn’t a big ol’ betrayal…at least in theory. We’ll see.
What was your favorite moment between the queens in All Stars 10 episode 8?
Jeanette: Honestly, I have to give Alyssa credit for shooting her shot with Orville Peck. *Approaches Mic* “Do you have a boyfriend?” *Claims to focus* “You are so sexy.” Alyssa had everyone giggling like a bunch of schoolgirls. What’s not to love about that entire interaction?!
Shana: I just feel like they all had some fun shady moments, which I really appreciated. It never exactly felt like trying to tear anyone down, even when Alyssa was having some issues during the recording session. Everyone was just kinda having a good/friendly laugh. That’s a fun time for me!
…also a big fan of watching Denali work with the two other queens in that group to get choreography that worked for all of them. Oh! And when she just threw down her lyrics from Season 13. Amazing.
Lyra: I have to speak my truth… about Denali’s arms. Every single time she pops up in confessionals I feel myself swooning. The definition, the shoulders, the top. Super cute. Super hot. And I would love for her to hold me in her arms and tell me what to do with my life.
What did you think of the challenge?
Jeanette: Country isn’t my thing, but I always love a good lyric writing/dance performance, and that’s exactly what we got. As a whole, I think the first group was stronger. Cynthia can sing. Daya had attitude, and Ginger couldn’t help but steal the entire show. I’m a bit disappointed that Daya’s cartoony dog growl and deadpan “b***h” didn’t make it into the final cut. But, hey, we can’t get everything we want…I guess.
However, sexy Ginger more than made up for it. When Jamal said, “I don’t think your basement was the only one that was flooded,” I thought, “Rude of you to call me out like that, Jamal.” But it’s true. No one does confidence like Ginger. And yeah, that’s hot.
Shana: I mean, it was basically the Girl Group Challenge but with some country stereotypes. I’ll take it. Of the two groups, I think the second one was actually more cohesive in terms of how they approached the choreography. That’s probably down to them having a literal choreographer in their group…who, admittedly, also stuck out like a sore thumb in terms of the wardrobe. But I’m not at all surprised Jamal Sims guessed correctly that Denali was the main choreographer there.
Lyra: I… hated this girl group challenge. But I’ve always hated these lyric/dancing challenges because besides a sprinkle or two of them doing well… most fall flat for me. And for me, the only ones that really shined were Ginger Minj and Denali. Ginger has evolved so much when it comes to her craft. And as a fellow big girl I love seeing another big girl feeling herself. As for Denali, this is her strength and it shows in the lyrics and moves.
Runway! Let’s talk about it.
Jeanette: I’m with Michelle. It was nice to see Acid Betty step out of her comfort zone and deliver something a bit more unexpected and, dare I say, elegant on the runway while still holding on to her style with the thrashed rocker wig. Alyssa also looked gorgeous.
Quick sidestep off the runway, but can we talk about Denali’s cropped T-shirt, open-leg track pant outfit during the choreography practice? Like…um…I could NOT stop staring at those abs! I don’t think I saw a single thing they did on stage.
Shana: …how are y’all going to do 1000 Mileys without anyone having an actual wrecking ball? Do better! Anne Hathaway, Lip Sync Battle. There’s your inspiration for if/when there’s another Miley runway. You’re welcome.
Ok, to be more serious for a minute: Acid Betty ate that up. She totally brought Miley, elevated the look, and stayed true to her “brand.” That’s what it’s all about.
Lyra: I didn’t like Alyssa Hunter or Daya Betty because they were so… basic. There was no added drag element to it or some sort of transformation. It was just copy and paste. And those are always the most boring looks. When it comes to best, I’d have to say Ginger Minj and Denali. Ginger for sure because she took Miley’s look and incorporated herself in it. And then Denali because of the 2 in 1 of it all. There’s also the fact that she carried that bear on her back. That bear wasn’t light.
Do you agree with RuPaul’s top 2 All Stars in episode 8?
Jeanette: Will I ever not agree with Ginger being in the top? Probably not. The woman oozes stage presence, and let’s be real; the moment she uttered, “And I’m your wife,” in that deep, guttural voice, she sucked everyone in. Ginger has a way of grabbing you right from the get-go, making sure you press your face against the TV screen and keep your eyeballs glued to her.
To be honest, I had a hard time hearing Denali’s lyrics compared to some of the other queens, but the twirling and whirling and dropping and spinning certainly deserved a win. I’m not mad she made the top. In fact, I expected it. Did I absolutely hate her pink and purple fuzzy, sparkly cowboy getup during the performance? You bet I did. Did I secretly want Michelle to read her for it? That might also be true.
Shana: Honestly? Even as someone who doesn’t even care if the fix is in for Ginger Minj (sorry, not sorry), no. It just…ugh. Ok. Let’s do this…
So, the editing does a good job of disguising this, but if you’re the type of person who looks for these sorts of things — hi. Dance nerd. I look! — you can see Ginger not quite having the same energy, and therefore not quite being as completely on the counts, as the other two girls in her group. There were also spacing issues with that trio, more than with the second group, and at least to my eyes, it looked like Ginger was the one that was off her mark.
Don’t get me wrong here. Ginger Minj is a phenomenal performer, easily my favorite coming into this bracket season. I still, even being kinda “girl, please” about this week, believe she was robbed in RPDR Season 7. (If nobody believes this, I am dead and there’s no way for me to haunt y’all.) Honestly, if these were solo performances, I’d even say a win for Ginger would make sense. But part of the challenge was the group aspect, and it wasn’t solely can you slay a character. There were multiple elements to this, and I just don’t think she was the best of the best here. Frankly, I don’t think her look did her enough favors to justify putting her over some of the other girls either. (I’m sorry, my queen.)
One of the Bettys (Betties?) should’ve joined Denali at the top. Using their Miley choices as a tiebreaker, I’d lean toward Acid. Cynthia Lee Fontaine could’ve easily been in the top for me, as well. When you have six queens who are all so good, it does a disservice to everyone competing and the viewers to give favors that can’t even be explained hand-waved away.
Lyra: Yes, the top two of Ginger and Denali makes sense. And sure, maybe Ginger could’ve done better with the dancing. But none of the other girls lit up the stage like these two did so… yeah.
Denali seemed disappointed that Ginger won the lip sync. Do you think Ru made a fair call?
Jeanette: Listen, I love Denali, and she undoubtedly worked her furry pink and purple butt off during the performance, but Ginger WON that lip sync—and funny enough, she seemed the tiniest bit surprised by Ru’s decision herself.
Denali is fierce, but I have the same problem with her that I do with Jorgeous: sometimes, it just feels like too much. The constant twirls, splits, and fancy dance moves almost feel distracting. Ginger knows those aren’t her strengths, and she leans into what she’s good at. And man, it all just works so well.
Shana: Again going to say…honestly, no. Denali had the moves.
Lyra: Admittedly, at first I thought that Denali should’ve won. She pulled out the biggest moves. But I do agree with Jeanette that Denali suffers from the same thing that Jorgeous does. The new wave of Queens are all about the flips, splits, and death drops. And that’s cool and takes a lot of technical work. But if you’re going to do that you have to combine it with a little stage presence and personality on stage. That’s what hurt Denali and led to Ginger winning, which I agree with. Maybe they should’ve split it like they did with Mistress and Jorgeous in All Stars Season 10 Episode 5?
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars airs new episodes every Friday on Paramount+.
