RuPaul’s Drag Race is back and as sparkly as ever, which should be expected with Season 18’s “Let There Be Light” theme. This time around, each of the 14 queens feels polished and seasoned. Perhaps that correlates to the majority of queens being over 30, or maybe it’s due to better casting. Either way, Season 18 is shaping up to be one of the show’s most exciting seasons in recent years.
After the controversy stemming from Season 10 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, most fans are ready to get back to basics and discover some new names to fall in love with. With Drag Race going back to its classic formula, you’ll find few complaints from us. And since RuPaul loves a good acronym, we’ll be conducting our reviews using the word DRAG (Drama, Runway, About That Challenge, and Gooped, Gagged, and Goated). Read on for our thoughts, musings, and reactions to RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18, Episode 9.
Drama: Sorry, but we’ve got to start at the end here. That Athena vs. Juicy lip sync, what did you think?
Jeanette: I knew by the look on Ru’s face during Athena’s Fannie performance that she was most likely in the bottom. I also had a feeling Juicy would be there, too. So, on one hand, it wasn’t exactly surprising, but on the other hand, I also wasn’t quite prepared for it, either. With Mia going home last week, the Dion family is certainly going through it.
I found it surprisingly emotional to watch a drag-grandmother and drag-granddaughter battle it out, even though it has always been a possibility since Season 18’s beginning. I’ve gone back and forth with how I’ve felt about Athena during this season. She is the drama, but she is also a seasoned professional who seems to have a genuine soft side beneath her “ruthless” exterior. Hearing about Juicy’s addiction struggles and Athena’s attempts to support her made this lip-sync match-up all the more heartbreaking. I’m not kidding when I say I teared up after Athena bent down and urged Juicy onto her knee. Gah! It was so soft!
I’m honestly a little gagged that Athena went home. Juicy’s lip sync was definitely better. Athena literally stood in the same spot the ENTIRE time, but I guess I suspected Athena’s polish to carry her to the end. Again, not sure how I feel about her as a whole, but she is a big personality, and she and all her hijinks will be missed by me.
MORE: Catch up with our RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18, Episode 8 Breakdown
Lyra: As someone who has never bought into the family dynamics of it all of this season, that final lipsync broke something in me. That right there is what was missing for me to feel the bond between Juicy and Athena. Because that performance was grounded in so much love and pride for each other. And I wish I would’ve seen that bond earlier. But then again, maybe I don’t because it hurts watching them mourn losing each other in this competition and I barely like Athena. Imagine if I really really liked Athena and Juicy from the start? Nope. I already cried this episode.
I also want to say that, real talk, this is reality TV. But these are real people. And the last time I was worried about a queen and if maybe this is the space for them, was back when Adore Delano was around. The show wasn’t a productive environment for them before. And I feel the same way for Juicy. She doesn’t need drag race right now. Juicy needs to take care of herself. And it feels like these last couple of episodes have been breaking her. With Athena gone, I’m worried.
Runway: Any looks you want to scream about?
Jeanette: Me liking a Darlene look? Who would’ve thought it? But I absolutely loved that big, shoulder-padded, tweed monstrosity she rocked. It was so camp, but also kind of chic in a weird way.
Then there is Mother, I mean Jane Don’t in that old Hollywood fur number. I agree with Benny Blanco. She looks hot, and I will always bow down to anyone who gives me a Mae West reference.
Lyra: Gotta say my girl Darlene won this for me. She reminds me of those peel and stick dolls I used to play with as a kid. You know the one where all there clothes are different stickers? It was iconic then. And it’s iconic now. I also really liked Myki’s outfit. It was giving Barbie too. Just without the clothese. And then Kenya was just looking ethereal. The dress worked on her figure and the the hair complemented the entire look.
I will sayyyyy, I hated Discords outfit. The judges were trying to push this narrative that everything is razer thin when it comes to how bad or well they’re doing. Don’t lie to me. I’m not a fool, even if I watch reality TV. That hair did not fit with the look. And the dress looked cheap. It’s disappointing too because I haven’t hated Discords looks as much this season. But this one? Chopped.
About That Challenge: What are your thoughts about the Rusical? Was there anyone you thought was miscast?
Jeanette: For someone who isn’t a big musical theater fan, I still (usually) love a Rusical. Obviously, Annie is so iconic that it was fun to see it spoofed. Nini and Myki’s fight for the lead was the most dramatic casting got, and I think we can all agree that Myki was the absolute best choice for the role. (Side note: I Google Nini’s birthday to see if she is a Libra, because as a fellow Libra, I know what it’s like not to be able to make a decision, but my girl is a Virgo, so I’m not quite sure what her deal is.)
As for everyone else, it felt like pitch-perfect casting: Athena as the regal, ruthless house mother, Kenya as the amped-up ball performer, Jane Don’t as the theatrical drunk, etc. Honestly, I think everyone had the role that best matched their personality (Nini is maybe the only exception), and it worked. Had Athena and Juicy focused more on building their characters and been a little less dead behind the eyes, choosing the tops and bottoms would have been even more challenging this week.
MORE: Need more? RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18, Episode 7 Breakdown
Lyra: Honestly the Rusical is the one that I feel like bombs the most on Drag Race. And I loathe it. Why? Because judging is always all over the place. There were the clear front runners like Myki, Darlene, and Jane. Everything else wasn’t good. Nini and Darlene weren’t giving it and didn’t look any different from the awkward practice performances they did.
When it comes to Juicy and Kenya, Juicy might’ve needed a little light in her eyes, but Kenya again has problems with the lyrics. But she’s not gone? Nah. Because if there’s one foundational rule on Drag Race it’s if you don’t know the lyrics, you’re out. And she should’ve been out ages ago. So it fees like they’re keeping her around to make a final group with one girl who they can sacrifice because she truly doesn’t have a chance. And that’s not fair to Kenya or her craft.
Gooped, Gagged, and GOATED: Do you agree with RuPaul’s choices for bottoms and tops in RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18, Episode 9?
Jeanette: Jane Don’t, my absolute queen, congrats on your win! Listen, I adore Myki, and truly, I wish Ru had given them a DOUBLE WIN because she was fantastic in the lead. That said, Jane was such a campy delight. Jane is super talented and very much driven by her perfectionism. She always wants to do a good job, and she always wants to entertain. That’s not to say the other queens don’t, but I see a bit more fire in Jane (the b*tch is competitive). At times, she reminds me of Jinkx Monsoon—she never half-a**es things; she goes in with a fully realized and developed character and slays out.
Anyway, let’s end my love profession about Jane Don’t because all that really is to say that I agree with the tops. If anything, the bottoms were a bit trickier to nail down. Athena and Juicy were both lacking that extra oomph that the other girls had (I mean, Darlene made a freaking dog entertaining), but I kind of felt like Discord and Nini were just… okay? Maybe it’s because Kenya and Juicy felt like a really gay version of Pokémon’s Team Rocket to me for whatever reason, but I enjoyed their performances infinitely more than Nini and Discord. (Although this is literally Kenya’s fourth time being called out for a bad lip sync, which makes me pretty irate.) So, yeah, I got the bottoms, but I also think some of the other girls could’ve easily swapped spots with Juicy or Athena.
Lyra: Look… Jane won that fair and square. Myki did a great job as the lead. And she also killed it on the runway. The thing is that Jane did all of that and made it memorable. A little splash of difference but enough that she was a step ahead and won the challenge. So good on you.
But… Kenya should’ve been in the bottom. She has forgotten her lyrics time and time again and that just can’t be forgiven. But I guess the show wanted to pay off on that family narrative they had built up all season because that was painful to watch. And not even in a “oh that’s good TV way.” Watching Athena and Juicy lipsync it out felt like I was intruding on a delicate family moment.
