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 11.
Drama: Honestly, Ru has made some questionable calls this season, and Juicy makes a good point: Why are there still seven queens? What are your thoughts?
Jeanette: I agree with Juicy: “It’s annoying.” Of course, I hate seeing people eliminated, too, but I keep coming back to Ru’s more questionable calls. I feel like a broken record at this point, but Kenya butchering multiple lip syncs? There used to be a time in Drag Race that a botched lip sync meant automatic elimination. Let’s not forget the time that Myki was also in the bottom for that Rate-A-Queen nonsense that I’m so sick of being included in the show in the first place. Then, there are the more divisive things, like Discord’s, I’m going to call it what it is, “misuse” of safety pins in the design challenge. Oh, and the forced lip sync between Juicy and Athena because, gasp, we need drama.
Had Ru gone about things differently, this season could look entirely different. Would that be good or bad? I suppose I can’t say. However, I’d be a lot less frustrated for its worth.
MORE: Catch up with our RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18, Episode 10 Breakdown
Lyra: Yeah I agree with Juicy. What is the grading system that the show is using. Because if we clock it as audience members, imagine what it’s like as a participant? You’re basically just throwing things at a wall and hoping that it works out. And that’s not fair to them after the copious amount of time they spend on this show but also the money spent on looks. That leads to pressure cooker situations where someone eventually pops. Thankfully it seems like this season has queens who actually like each other. Because if not, these rules that make no sense would’ve broken them. And isn’t that the last thing you want from your queens?
Runway: Any looks you want to scream about?
Jeanette: Do I agree that Discord’s “Swept Away” outfit was kind of stiff? Yes. However, I still really liked it. It felt like Ghostrider does drag, and in my opinion, that’s just plain fun. I’ll say the same about Darlene’s umbrella number. She reminded me of a character in an Alfred Hitchcock movie, just infused with a lot more camp. The comedy and character really sold the look. The same can be said about Nini’s mourning widow. This week, for whatever reason, the story-forward runway outfits really spoke to me more than anything else.
Lyra: Jane Don’t outfit made me gasp because it was so different and beautiful. You could tell that everything was made with an attention to detail that is unmatched on this show. I will say I didn’t like how bulky the hip portions looked. But that’s a small thing. I also really looked Kenya’s fairy outfit. She 1000% could be in the Winx Club. It was just so cute and the color was perfect. And her hair. Just everything!
Jumping on after Jeanette’s thoughts on Discord’s outfit. I liked it. But I think the fire needed to be shaped differently. Because when she was walking, it just looked like hair from the side. And that’s the last thing you want. Also…. Juicy’s parachute looks like a fancy fitted sheet. I couldn’t stop thinking about it once I saw it. I’m sorry! lol.
About That Challenge: How excited were you to see Alyssa Edwards?
Jeanette: Listen, as soon as I saw her name in the screener title, I was locked in. I think it might be impossible not to like Alyssa, right? She is so unapologetically herself at every moment. No one lives the diva fantasy quite like Alyssa. And truly, from the moment she stepped on the stage, she was a sight to behold. Say what you will about her win on RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars, but if that series showed me anything, it’s that Alyssa’s sparkly, pageant looks are unmatched—and, yes, that trend continues. We should all bow down when Alyssa walks into a room. She isn’t just a drag queen; she’s royalty.
MORE: Need more? RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18, Episode 9 Breakdown
Lyra: Honestly I wish I was more like Alyssa Edwards. She’s always herself and that’s a quality to admire. But truly truly, has any other queen left such an impression on Drag Race like Alyssa has? It’s in her iconic phrases for sure. But also her poise, pageantry, and the iconic pop with a stone cold face with those eyes. She’s a full body experience.
I also liked what we saw on Untucked when it came to Alyssa. Because we have to remember that Alyssa is a teacher. And sure, some teachers are a-holes. But that doesn’t seem to be Alyssa when talking to the other queens. That was pure guidance, love, admiration, and understanding of what they’re going through. Loved this episode.
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: Okay… okay… hear me out. I don’t think Darlene deserved that win when Myki and Jane were standing right there. Do I respect Darlene for realizing her roast was bombing and leaning into the chaos? Absolutely. However, perhaps my controversial opinion is that I don’t think the props and random humor were funny. I chuckled once or twice, but after rewatching it, I realize those laughs came from hearing everyone else laugh. If Darlene’s set ran without the background laughter (especially Ru’s obnoxious giggles) and the cast’s reactions, I truly think it would hit differently. It’s like those creepy YouTube videos that edit out the laugh tracks from sitcoms like Friends. It entirely changes the tone of the show, and instead of laughing like you normally do, you’re left cringing.
In contrast, Jane and Myki’s roasts were tighter, smarter, and shadier. That’s the other element missing from Darlene’s set—the shade. It had moments, but it was mostly gimmick. In my opinion, Jane and Myki were neck and neck. However, Alyssa’s adoration of Jane’s roast feels like it should’ve secured her the win.
That said, the bottoms felt fitting. Kenya is the energy, the moment, the vibe, but she needs more polish. The same can be said about Juicy. She has so much talent, but she isn’t quite as well-rounded as some of the other queens. I truly love them both; however, their bottom placements weren’t a surprise to me. This lip sync match-up has been a long time coming, and it ate.
Lyra: As a Darlene defender, I’m glad she won. Yes, Jane and Myki might’ve had tighter sets. But it’s Darlene that I would be talking about while walking out of the roast. “Was that a fever dream?” and “Did she really have that many props on stage???” Also you could tell that the queens and the judges were like “what the f*ck are we watching?!” And that unhinged nature of it all while still being Darlene is what made this a win.
