RuPaul’s Drag Race: And the gigantic crown goes to….

We have come a long way together, folks. From mopping to tucking to beating our faces. I’m getting teary just thinking about it, which just won’t work because in honor of tonight’s finale, I am decked out in full drag myself. Last week, we had a fun recap show that was more entertaining than probably any recap show I have ever watched. I didn’t recap it here, but I highly recommend you check it out. Chaz Bono appears in a Ru Burlesque stage act cover of Cher’s performance of “You haven’t seen the last of me”. Amazing stuff, I tell you.

On to tonight’s finale! The three ladies we have left are Alexis Mateo, the super sweet queen with prom-fashion sensibilities, Manila Luzon, co-creator of the dumb Heathers group and overactor (but she does have a pretty solid look and generally fabulous outfits), and my personal fave, Raja—runway model with a talent for fashion and a walk that would make Tyra (and Miss J) proud. Who will take home the (literally 2 foot tall) crown? Ru tells us it will be shocking!

After one last She Mail (sigh, I will miss gorgeous Ms. Ru), Michelle Visage comes to deliver the final challenge to the ladies. The will become Greek goddesses and star in RuPaul’s music video for her single “Champion”. Fun! The ladies each also get a one-on-one luncheon with Ru. My dream.

The ladies work with some sort of crazy choreographer (he is dressed in an insane way) and basically they are moving from one Greek-inspired pose to another. Alexis does well, while Raja and Manila struggle, a little.

Alexis is first to “lunch” with Ru. There is like a big bowl of orange jelly beans and Ru gives Alexis one. It is weird. Alexis tells Ru about her family supporting her. Manila is next up and Ru asks her about her family. Ditto for Raja. These lunches are disappointing.

They get to the shooting and it doesn’t seem to go very well for the queens. Ru is there for the first part of the shooting (she is in the shot). Raja is called out for messing up a couple of times, and the director seems pissed at all of them. Manila didn’t have great lines (physical lines, in her poses), that is for sure. They move on to an individual part where the ladies have to work with a member (hi-oh) of the Pit Crew and classy grind on them. Raja’s classy grind gets everyone in the room hard. Alexis is wearing gigantic hair that gets in the way of a few things, including Manila. 

Mainstage

The final mainstage will feature only the regular judges, Santino and Michelle.

Raja: Raja is wearing a Fosse-inspired little outfit. Kind of a body suit with a bowler hat (think Chicago). It is pretty cute and she works the runway as always. Raja’s video performance was rated as medium by the judges. She doesn’t look good as a blonde (not her choice), and she didn’t have enough make up on.

Manila Luzon: I am not a huge fan of Manila’s dress…it is lime green, shiny and tight. It fits her well, but it looks a bit cheap to me. Santino notes that some of her choreography wasn’t great, but he likes her look. Michelle is also a fan

Alexis Mateo: Alexis’ outfit is a pink fluffy monstrosity. She calls it her showgirl outfit, and I can see what she was going for, but it doesn’t really work. It looks like she has no boobs at all. Alexis doesn’t really get a critique on her video performance, but Michelle says she has stayed true to herself throughout the competition.

Each of the girls get to give pros and cons for their competitors and for themselves, but thankfully they do it while the other girls aren’t on stage. It doesn’t turn into anything mean, just honest critiques of their pros and cons.

The judges deliberate. Manila has a big stage presence, but Ru worries that she isn’t as emotionally connected to the experience. Alexis’ drag look is a little too specific (Ru says it is Florida-style), but she has a lot of heart. Raja is amazing at runway, but doesn’t always wow with her performances. Ru loves the way she plays with gender.

Ru calls the girls back, and Alexis is told that she is not the next drag superstar. She is sad, but keeps a very positive outlook on her journey. The remaining two girls will have one final chance to lip sync for their liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiives. They are syncing to Ru’s “Champion”. Both performances are strong, but I give the edge to Raja (because I love her).

The winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race is…..

Raja! WOOOO!

Raja has a fun ugly cry on the stage, and Manila looks RIGHT pissed. She breaksdown backstage and we get another classic shot of her mascara-streaked face. Raja dons the gigantic crown, and struts down the runway to “Superstar” (which I bought on iTunes yesterday and have been listening too on a loop). Ru bops over to the side and is so cute.  Amazing.

• I realized at the beginning of this episode that I was judging these queens as if they were just actual women. Drag is a fascinating art.
• This choreographer is so, so, so odd. Hopefully that is what he was going for. I can’t even think of how to describe him. Here is a picture.
• Ru, fabulous at the final Mainstage (no surprise of course). Yellow works for her.
• “Wilkommen Bienvenue” – Michelle said this as Raja walked the runway. I think it was a reference to Blazing Saddles’ Lili Von Shtupp, but I don’t know for sure. If so, Ha!
• A satisfying finale, I would say. There was enough drama to make me doubt that Raja would win it, and the challenges were fun.
• What an amazing show. I am so glad Taryn suggested that I recap this gem. I loved learning about the drag world and am looking forward to seeing my first live show in Vegas! I guarantee that I will recap the next season of this amazing show.
• Thanks for reading!
• Last words go to Taryn, as always. “You gotta be original. My girl was always herself and proud of it!”

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