DRAG RACE OBSERVATIONS

 RuPaul's Drag Race started off the season 9 premiere with a bang, introducing guest judge Lady Gaga, finally...and what an entrance, and ending the episode with a shocking twist. I finally saw it Monday when I got back in. And I was highly impressed with the breath of fresh air Ru has given the show. Like most season's there’s one contestant that’s so confident in herself, and so uniquely talented, that the true race becomes who will make it to the Top 3 — because who’s getting the crown is already a forgone conclusion. This may be the case with season 9. If we’re going to pour the tea dalhings, we have to say that half this cast feels a little lackluster at the jump… however, if anyone knows how to keep a show fresh, it’ RuPaul. My observations....

1- First off... Lady Gaga was everything! And her being there affected every one of these queens, It was a touching moment I thought for both parties.

2-Luckily, there are several queens who come in hot. One them for me was Nina Bo'nina Brown. Not knowing anything about this one, I reserved comment. The moment Nina Bo'nina Brown enters the work room, we are transfixed. She’s got that “it” quality that instantly sets her apart from the rest of the girls. Her work on the catwalk only further impresses on us that she’s one of the ones to beat this season. We will see. We have seen some queens get over confident, and the stress of competition takes even the most confident queen apart, then not win.

3-So aside from Nina, there’s  52-year-old Charlie Hides.

A seasoned queen! His experience, seasoned talent and naturally hilarious personality will make him an easy fan favorite. Having the oldest contestant ever be named as “America’s Next Drag Superstar” would also exemplify all that is so great about this series — it would be very on-brand for the compassionate and inclusive philosophy of the way Ru looks at our humanity and our future to go for it with Charlie. Having see him, he's a absolute riot. I have long adored him.

4- This season’s Detox, bald-headed beauty Sasha Velour, could be the dark horse of Season 9. I'm excited to see all the kinds of crazy this queen will send down the runway in the coming weeks, and she is a true artist, hence last week's video I posted. It's not often these days we come across the avant garde.

5-Drag baby Valentina, who’s only been working in the field for 10 months, wins my first impression rose for personality. She is a delight to watch, and adorable as hell as a boy, but is probably to green for a top three I think.

6- These days in drag, Brooklyn is where the fresh ideas and looks are coming from. And I agree completely with Lady Gaga on Aja. She will surprise us constantly. If she does half of what I have seen her do, she should place top 5 at least. But I don't see a win.

7- I knew nothing of Eureka, but I am enjoying her outlook, style and her camera time. Do I like her as much as Latrice or Ginger? No, but I still enjoy her and want to see more.

8- LOVE Alexis Michelle. Just wait till she's warmed up. I'm still getting a top 5 vibe here.

9-Jaymes Mansfield should be cute. But I'm not feeling anything about this queen, except annoying as hell.  Another one I'm not feeling is Kimora. I licked her once. Bitter, just as I excepted.

10- LOVED MICHELLE VISAGE'S HAIR STYLE!!! I also love that she snipes with Ross Matthews. I'm with her on this. I could never take that voice of his for a full hour. You can tell she wants to scratch out his eyes.

And right when we’re ready to sashay away for the premiere, RuPaul announces there’s one more SURPRISE...... it’s to make way for a 14th contestant will be joining the series. I had heard rumors of this but wasn't sure whether to believe it. My guesses would be.....

This list would not be complete if we didn't guess Shangela first... because we've learned to never count her out. But I don't think it's her.

Who didn't love the hilarious and fabulous Cynthia Lee Fontaine? And by the figure they showed, the queen appeared to be smaller framed, a pretty good chance it might be her.

Mama Ru could bring back the dramatic but loveable Acid Betty.

 

If there was anyone from the most recent season that would make for an entertaining addition, it would be this queen. As the fifth contestant voted out, she left early enough in the season that a second chance is more than warranted. But again the figure looked too short to be her.

Laganja Estranja has gone on to be one of the most divisive queens since competing during her season of the show. Her addition would not only make for an entertaining choice, but a reflective one. She's grown so much as a queen since her time on the series. And Laganja has the style of that outfit the shadowed queen was wearing.

and finally...April Carrion.

This queen left early in her season and is due for another opportunity. Her aesthetic fits perfectly with the current queens competing for the crown this season. She wasn't given a chance to show off her full potential as she was the fourth queen to leave the competition. And again, that shadowed figure looked much like her figure and that hair style. She'd be my other best guess.

Who is she? I haven’t a clue, but those are my best guesses. And though I've now watched that ending moment of the premiere a zillion times, I still can’t confidently figure out a solid guess. Who ever it is let's just sit back and enjoy the drama unfold.......