Chad, Raven, Jujubee, Shannel – The final four put it all out on the runway (and on stage, on the menu and in the drag mobile) to win the coveted crown and a place next to Mother RuPaul in the Drag Race Hall of Fame.
The Lady gloves come off as Team Rujubee and Team Shad are finally split up and it’s every queen for herself. As the She-Mail announced, “Winning is what becomes a legend most”.
Right away Ru lays out the day’s challenges in which they will need three All Star looks – one for performing, one for an interview and one for receiving an award. They will be taking ‘Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve & Talent’ on the road. Each will perform a comedy routine at the Comedy Store and have comedy coaching time from guest judge Cheri Oteri. Next they will be interview as a group with ‘celebrity reporter’ Marc Malkin. Third is an appearance at Hamburger Mary’s in West Hollywood where each will unveil a signature burger named after them. To get to each event they will be transported in two ‘drag mobiles’ driven by former Drag Race contestants Delta Work and Ongina. Not only will the vans be their transportation, but it’s also their dressing rooms to change outfits for the next event.
All of that in addition to the final runway strut.
It’s time to tuck and roll!
The interview with Marc Malkin starts the day. All four answer questions from ‘what would you do with the money?’ (Jujubee – ‘vacation’) to ‘what is your celebrity inspiration?’ (Raven – ‘Kris Jenner’). They verbally nudge and interject to get as much face and voice time as possible.
Now it’s pile into the drag mobiles, undress and change outfits, and head to stop number two: Hamburger Mary’s. In front of an enthusiastic crowd, each queen describes the burger named in their honor and gives their thank you speeches. The Mayor of West Hollywood has also proclaimed the day as “RuPaul All Star Day” and Chad, Shannel, Jujubee and Raven each get a proclamation and Key to the City.
Running in heels down Santa Monica Boulevard, it’s back to the drag mobiles. Drive Ongina! Drive Delta Work! We must get to the Comedy Store pronto! Oh look…traffic.
It’s showtime at the Comedy Store. Surprisingly, each queen did quite well and had the audience laughing. Not surprised that any of them could be funny, drag queens have an inner funny bone and wicked tongue, it’s just hard to translate to the stage with a rehearsed routine. Jujubee did a Margaret Cho-style routine talking about his family life. Says Juju, “I was born a drag queen and the afterbirth was glitter”. We also find out his birth name is ‘Airline’. Ooookay. Shannel was all confused as he kept saying in rehearsal, and then on stage “I’m a white man trapped in a black woman’s body”. Pssstt…you got that backwards. Chad makes fun of his plastic surgery and Raven does a funny skit of prison love.
Cheri Oteri – RuPaul – Beth Ditto
We finally come to the final runway walk and judges review. Joining RuPaul, Michelle, Santino and Cheri Oteri is the second guest judge, Beth Ditto of the Gossip. Ru again was stunning, rocking copper penny realness.
Chad was beyond fierce in a holographic rubberized catsuit. She always delivers on the runway every week and this time was no exception. Chad looked so stunning that when Jujubee followed in a ruffly blue/green party dress it was a disappointment and, well, bland. It was SO not the Jujubee we were used to. Shannel, well she went all out, wearing a red Ursula/Medusa/lobster/showgirl combo of looks. Raven had her classic sultry boudoir look as only Raven can do.
It became obvious which two had made the biggest impressions on the judges, and Jujubee and Shannel were told “this is not your moment” and sent to the back of the stage. As to be expected, Raven and Chad were the finalists and would lip sync for their All Star life.
Both Chad and Raven pulled out all the stops to RuPaul’s “Responsitrannity.” The music stopped, and the tension rose.
Chad Michaels
Giving a nod to experience and near flawless performances, Ru declared Chad as the winner of All Stars. Her knees buckled, tears of joy flowed, as she celebrated taking her place in RuPaul’s Drag Race Hall of Fame.
RuPaul set the All Star crown on Chad’s head, a crown made especially for the winner. She also won $100,000, a special trip vacation and lots of makeup.
So ends this mini season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Not sure doing teams was the optimum way to go, as it forced one half of a team to suffer if her teammate screwed up. And it’s understood that teams helped the shortened season move to the finale faster. I just hope this type of All Star format isn’t repeated. Perhaps if ever a second All Stars, it’s among just the previous winners and/or runners up.
Regardless, we do get to start fresh in the early new year with Season 5 of RuPaul’s Drag Race!
Halleloo!
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