....stand before us!!!!
The 17th season was not a bad one. While RuPaul's Drag Race can be stale at times, this season and last has been better. And fortunately, the Lip Sync Lalaparuza rated among one of the most fun of any of the season's challenges, and sure beats the boring old sit and talk reunion they use to do. I think the Lalaparuza is fun because it's so uncomplicated and, unlike things like say, the monologues about personal growth or product placement bullshit or launches, the performance part is essential to the art of drag. Which is why I take issue partly with the show. Because most of the challenges, most queens aren't doing in daily life. The reunion lip synch also serves as a form of reunion as the queens all reunite to unpack the response to their work and behavior, the faces were just a little bit more polished, well, most of them. But I always enjoy the Lalaparuza because its fun watching the queens support each other without any sniping or shade, well, most of them. Just queens watching queens doing what queens do best. As I thought from my original post, the top four did end up being Onya, Jewels, Lexi and Sam.

Jewels Sparkles is definitely a very glamours and well-polished queen. And she had me in her corner up till the reunion. She made a snide comment about not wanting to see Suzie Toot tap dancing in a lip synch. Well, the joke was on Miss Thing, as Suzie not only turned out all three lip-synchs, but won the whole reunion episode and walked away with some major coin. The comment made me salty. Sure Jewels can turn a look, but I have yet to hear her sing with a live voice in performing or be able to do any other form of dance like Suzie, who is versed in tap, ballroom, and interruptive dance, and live singing...so by my calculations Suzie is far more talented than Jewels. So far more creative and cerebral with looks. While her final lip-synch were out of her wheelhouse she turned them, something I don't think Jewels could have done. I don't see Jewels taking the crown.

Lexi Love might be a tad of a loose screw, cave under pressure and get inside of her own head but damn it...she was entertaining. Queen might not have won as many of the challenges like other queens, but Lexi is the only one to not end up in the bottom to lip-synch, and she TURNED out the looks on the runway...always, in part to Utica, who designed most of Lexi's looks. While, if I get a ticket to go see a Lexi show, I'm still a tad confused what a Lexi Show would entail, unless she is just a guest queen doing a lip synch. I'm not sure she could carry a whole show, but for some reason there is something about her that rings...She's got it. I feel she would be a great performer though, and a trans winner would be another win for the "T" She is one of two choices for the crown.

I hate to be a cunty bitch, but his voice annoyed me beyond belief. But cards on the table, I'd top him real good, if it was 2am closing time at the club, and I was alone... and only if I could have a ball gag to stick in his mouth. Sam is always on point...stunning, polished, sharp ass wigs, and can switch the looks up. But from experience, I've seen everything she brings to the table here from every pageant queen I've seen over the years on and off the show. There is really not anything new here. And let's face it...if Suzie Toot had switched her style up in her lip-synch against Sam, Sam would not be in the top four. She made it in by the skin of her teeth. I doubt I see her taking the crown.

Which brings me to Onya Nerve. Girl....OWNED the season. Brought the looks...urban, elegant, glam, fishy, club kid and more than once, tied in her heritage and background to ensembles. Wait till you see her finale ensemble!!! She did it all, Dance, sang, turned out very funny comedy. We never knew what we were going to get. She knows her history, and her hometown and community roots seem very important to her. I have no qualms what an Onya Nerve show would be. She could definitely carry a one queen show all to herself. Of all the queens here, she in my opinion has all the checks- Creativeness, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent. 10, 10, 10...10's across the board. She is my frontrunner for the Crown.
What chew think kids???
That first dress is amazing
ReplyDeleteI honestly don’t know. Originally, I thought Onya would bring it home, but she has been off her game a few times which IMO opened the door for Jewels. I wouldn’t discount Lexi either, as she, like you said, has been entertaining and she has a great backstory. At this point, I’d be happy for anyone but Sam for the win. I don’t find Sam as entertaining as the other three and, like you, find his voice grating.
ReplyDeleteJewels is alright, but I don't think she brings anything new to the winner's circle. Ru should just put her in the Vegas show. That's all Jewels seems to do...show girl. I don't think Sam will be top two. I bet Onya will be up against Lexi or Jewels.
DeleteBut I can't wait to see my girl Sapphira and Nymphia come back for the finale!!!!
Jewels annoyed me, too, but from the jump.
ReplyDeleteLexi was a mess and while she looked good on the runway she was way too in her head.
Sam's voice; oh dear. But I did like some of the looks she gave us.
Onya. Loved her from Day One and was stunned to find out she was kinda new to this and works as a cook IRL.
I would love to see her win, but I think Ru has a soft spot, hard spot for Sam and so I worry.
Same. There is a reason Arrietty didn't approach Jewels in the reunion like she did Onya. It's called respect....and she obliviously doesn't respect Jewels. Jewels was Still taking jabs at her. And her looks weren't all that. The family resemblance? HATE IT. I don't see Sam getting to top two if her first performance is with Jewels or Onya. If so... she's done.
DeleteYou nailed the top four again!!!!
ReplyDeleteNo offensive to the queens, but Jewels and Sam are one trick pony's. Onya is the most well rounded, and Lexi I like, but what a mess. I need more than looks. I'd rather seen Onya and Suzi in the top two.
Totally agree with that.
DeleteSo basically, in all her wins, Suzie won enough money to be the actual runner up this season 💅
ReplyDeleteShe actually already done had herses.
Hell, she just about won almost $100,000 in total. I say let her in the finale and win the crown!!!!
DeleteI think it will come down between Onya and Jewels. Jewels would be the big surprise of the night, even though she totally doesn't deserve it. Lexi and Sam won't make it.
ReplyDeleteJust going by the pictures, I liked the first one the best.
ReplyDeleteBut handsome... Onya is your hometown girl, boyyyyy! LOL!
DeleteOnya Nerve!!
ReplyDeleteYou have good assessment. I too like Lexi, but like you said, what would she do in a show??? I can't recall her lip-synchs on the show. But I like her. I love fashion and stunning gowns, but something is missing from Jewels and Sam. There too perfect. Jewels comes across like her ---- doesn't stink. So for me it's also Onya for the win. She is absolutely fantastic and just seeing her made me smile each episode.
ReplyDeleteNymphia's step down look will no doubt, be off the hook and be out of this world. And yellow. But Sapphira will always be my winner, just like Onya is my winner this season. She really deserves it. She really embraced it all.
ReplyDeleteTeam Onya. I love Jewels but she's not as well rounded or ready for the crown yet, maybe All Stars. I don't think Sam or Lexi will get the crown. but it would be shocking if Lexi did win. And I bet either Crystal or Lydia will be Miss Congeniality.
ReplyDeleteNo way!!! for sure Onya, I was rooting for Lexi, she looks like a star, but didn't do so well in the competition, nor Jewels). Onya deserves this crown! But will she get it?
ReplyDeleteI know Onya did amazing this season, and Lexi was never in the bottom or lip-synched... but I’m still rooting for jewels to win she has put up a fight and deserves to get a chance to snatch the crown.
ReplyDeleteWho knows for sure...but Onya will be up against either Lexi or Jewels for the crown. If Lexi...Onya won. If Jewels, there could be a fight honey.
DeleteI absolutely agree with you.
ReplyDeleteI like the top four but would have switched Sam for Suzie. I do find Sam’s looks very polished but she grates me, probably the way Jewels gets to you. I do like her drag more than Sam’s though.
I think Lexi can be chaotic but I agree she’s got ‘it’ factor.
For me, it’s between Lexi and Onya. Cannot wait for the finale cause I want to see the looks.
XOXO
Sixpence
I don't dislike Jewels, but she talked a big game when it came to other queens and their talent... like Suzie or Acacia... they had demonstrated real talents playing instruments or dance. The only time I saw Jewels do anything different was in the Snatch Game. Which was...odd. I feel Onya or Lexi stand out more from other queens. And besides we already have Alyssa Edwards, Trinty the Tuck and Jadia Essence Hall. jewels is just another cookie cutter of already past winners.
DeleteI have no idea, but they had a good cast this season. I did like Onya, Crystal and Lexi the best.
ReplyDeleteAnd I would pay to watch you and Sam fuck.
Mistress Borghese: Who should win the season based on track record and objective criteria?
ReplyDeleteRuPaul: which queen will help us earn more money if I crown her?
OH SNAP!!!!!
DeleteHonestly it SHOULD be Onya but I’m already preparing myself for either Lexi or Jewels to snatch the crown from her. Also Suzie was pretty much robbed of her final placement, and she wasn’t even that big of a villain. Too me, Suzie Toot already won the season. The story of the season was how Suzie Toot was a smart ass, overconfident and a evil person...aka down to earth, intelligent and fully creative and formed in her drag aesthetic. Many of the other queens' storylines revolved around her. I was surprised Ru let Suzie go. I'd be happy with a Onya/Lexi face off.
ReplyDeleteI just watched some of these. Some great performances. Onya was amazing... except for the tits.
ReplyDeleteYour predictions about the winner and losers in the finale were spot-on, Maddie! The costumes, make-up and wigs were showstoppers all, though my favourites were Sam Starr's three layered one and Onya Nerve's red suit. Suzie Toot walked away with $50K, which was much better than the runners up, LOL!
ReplyDeleteNot only that Tundra, but she also took away cash tips for every win she had her season. In retrospect she took home almost as much as the runner up. I made you a little recap soon of the finale.
Delete