YES, THE QUEENS...

Hard to believe that the 18th season of RuPaul's Drag Race premiered last Friday night. I was on the fence if I would even make the effort to watch yet another season, at least for me, would promise another cast of queens that we would mostly likely recognize as the same queens we already saw on previous seasons. Yes, I may be getting Drag Race fatigue, and for me is no doubt getting tired and pushing oversaturation from too many seasons, All Stars, spin offs, formulaic formats, and production meddling, and a perceived loss of the original's raw, artistic magic in favor of commercialism and the cookie cutter of drag. Most of the cast looks all the same to me. Anymore the judges seem to give harsh critiques of the queens not coloring in the lines... many of the one of kind queens are often more memorable than the winners. Most of the cast are too fishy still and more editorial. Let the judges tell a Bunny, a Coco Peru, a Jackie beat or a Dina Martina to change their look and I bet they will get a very polite "fuck you" right back. Of course, not too long ago the show felt revolutionary to see Drag Race's assemblage of gay men on television, but now it seems like other reality show that is staying on too long. Hell, even RuPaul said herself she'd stop getting in drag if it wasn't for the money. And where is the diversity this season? A whole big country and half the cast seem to be from NYC and Florida yet again??? I may check in from time to time, but to watch the season in its entirety will be a hard pass from me.....but I do have my thoughts. What kind of a catty queens would I be otherwise. 

I have the feeling these two queens will be the first queens to take a hike. I like DD, and the jawline. But I'd rather make out with him, then see his drag. Yes, for some reason he gets me hot. And sadly, Mandy is a fellow Philadelphian sister, who I don't think will come anywhere as close to the crown like Sapphira did....but Mandy is also the poor man's Nymphia Wind 2.0. and not in a good way.

The next three to leave I suspect will be Mia, Briar and Kenya

Mia...a more polished and bigger boobed, Latina ala Selina Es Titties...but without her charm and funny humor.

Briar is LEGENDARY on the drag circuit. I fell in love with her, from her now famous Tina Turner performances in a pink tinsel dress. Her performances are out of this world, but she is too much "march to my own drummer" and will not take any orders which is why I don't think she will get far. And I wouldn't blame her.

Love her, Love the name and LOVE her personality. But I don't think big girl is gonna get to far.

On my nerve from the get-go. Can you say Utica 2.0 with shades of Jimbo and Cystal Methyd? Loved Utica, but Ciara Myst will not be what the judges are looking for. She'll go flat quick. This will be the season the older, longtime queens will be picked off too.

We've seen Athena before. Alexia Mateo. April Caron, and Trinity Taylor

I have also known of Vita. She is GOOD. Sickening designer and stunning. But is she bringing anything we having seen already with the likes of Trinity K Bonnet, Asia O Hara, and Akeria C Davenport?

Discord I've long known of. Very bitter and salty. Again...similar too Acid Betty, Aja, and Nina Flowers. For these reasons....I think the top 6 will be...

Jane Don't is cute and has a schtick. Her vintage take, if done right will be what Hormona Lisa should have been.

As long as she doesn't show all skin all season, I think she may do well...although I see a lot of Naomi Smalls. Morphine, Lux Noir London and Xunami Muse.

I don't know much about her, but she seems different somehow, in a good way.  She doesn't remind me of another drag queen per say, but she looks like Ayra Stark from Game of Thrones out of drag. Myki could win...her looks on socials are all across the board and appear well done.

At this point I adore Darlene! I would love to see her win. Or is that Miz Cracker?

And yes, she does look like Alyssa Edwards!

I will check in from time to time to see whose is still there and who's left. But otherwise, I will not be covering the show. I am going to commit to bringing and continuing to showcase queens not on the show, And I have to know, as boys, where in HELL did most of the casts go to get their hair did?!?!?!? Or did they get some guy with a weed whacker to cut their hair? I've never seen so many bad haircuts. I think I'd live in drag with those haircuts.

QUEEN GINGER

 .......Queen Ginger Minj!!!!!

Arise!!!! And it's about damn time!!!!!!!!! 

Ginger Minj was finally rewarded for her talents! Let's face it, this queen had all the criteria all along, by far had more far-reaching talents then other queens on her previous seasons. Have you heard her sing? She's also won three Snatch Games, no easy feat. I was pretty sure she'd won the crown after her Mama Rose talent show act; Everything's Coming Up Ginger. She nailed that! And it's not been easy. With some big weight loss, discovering herself again, and finding out she has a degree of autism, all while celebrating 9 years with her man, and juggling a drag career, solo drag shows, three studio albums and two films... she's on top, and all this before the crowning. But alas, already on-liners have already said she was the favorite from the get-go, claiming a rigged season... and don't believe she should have won. She faced off against Jorgeous...and the over the top, big hair, old-school drag style won out. And let's face it, Ginger is one of the few who really can carry a one queen show or easily meddle into an ensemble cast. She already has more irons in the fire. She sure won't let the haters get her down. I feel this has been a longtime coming. Yes, The All Stars is even more predictable than the regular season. Some think the All Stars is rigged from the beginning to give queens that were favorites, the reward of the crown. Who knows. All Stars 11 is already casting. When Ginger's bracket of queens opened up this season, I just knew she cinched the crown. She left the other queens to dine on her dust. Congrats......and All Hail Queen Minj!!!

FOUR QUEENS.....

....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???

THE QUEENS

I never thought we'd be here 17 seasons later with RuPaul's Drag Race. Yet again, I wasn't sure if I'd watch this season, but then when Sixpence visited, I had told him I had the feeling a friend might have gotten on the show, but he'd been mum about it. Well, sure as shit he finally told me he did indeed film the season!! So I will have to watch and support Crystal Envy, I mean what kind of person would I be to not watch? This season promises to be one of the splashiest seasons yet, and many of the queens are budding queens, so I like the idea of the stage being a more even playing field for queens to battle it out without well-known seasoned queens, yet the cast is still a bit too fishy for me, although there is a few campy queens. The stage is set for tomorrow night on MTV, with 14 queens in age from 22 to 34 and all have vastly different levels of style and experience in high heels. Here is the cast... and from what I know of them, I have them in an order I think their stay duration will be. I have the feeling yet again, there may be a clear top four.

Lucky Starzzz-Miami Florida

Joella- Los Angles CA

Hormona Lisa- Chattanooga Tenn.

Acacia Forgot-Los Angeles 

Crystal Envy- Asbury Park NJ

Kori King- Boston Mass

Lydia B Kollins-Pittsburg, PA

Arrietty-Seattle, Wash.

Lana Ja Rae- Nyc

Suzie Toot- Fort Lauderdale, FL

Top 4....

Lexi Love-Louisville KT

Onya Nurve- Cleveland Ohio

Sam Star-Leeds ALA

Jewels Sparkles-Tampa FL

A nice mix of queens, and also what is nice to see, is the mix of cities the queens are from. I'm fairly confident in my top four. Trinity Taylor has two of the top four in her house, if they make it.  All four are fierce as hell, and Sam and Crystal will be the hot boys out of drag. People may think a friend may place Crystal higher and while I wish her well, knowing the judges, they are going to want more then I think Crystal will deliver. Glam and fish is nice, but lately the winners have been extremely versatile in their ranges. But stranger things have happened...So bring the crown Crystal!!!!!

Now Meet the Queens...

 Jewels's wig and headpiece in the Meet the Queens....OFF THE HOOK and jaw drop stun-NING!  I also found I adored Suzie Toot.

What's your thought squirrel friends???

SIXTEEN QUEENS.....

 ...enter a club and one will come out!

Here we are, at the end of yet another season of RuPaul's Drag Race.  I was originally not going to watch, what with trying to keep up with the main show and then all its international sisters. But then Ru decided let's air 2 or 3 at one time. Well, I gave up...it's impossible to keep up with. But what with friends and sisters Sapphira Cristal and Megami who got on this season, what kind of person would I be if I didn't tune in to support them? Over all, not a bad season, and one of the better ones in some time I though. Here is some of my thoughts and predictions. Most of the queens left in almost the order I thought they might, although I thought Plasma might have lasted longer and Mh'ya Iman leaving sooner. I had them flipped. As for the crowning queen? I think it's going to be....

Of course I'm rooting for Sapphira girls!!!!! I'm mean Philadelphia hennies!!!! Sapphira for me is a good mix of fabulous old school drag, but then twists just the right amount of new school to keep things fresh. She takes herself seriously but also not, weakness and body issues she embraced and makes light of them and use them to her advantages. She knows her herstory, and her style in shows NEVER disappoints. She can host, do comedy and then there's that 6-octave singing voice. Incredible... and you need to see her use that in person. She really does embody the CUNT. Creativity, uniqueness, nerve and talent. When you leave one of her shows, you will remember, or be back, or both, not to mention she won 4 challenges, and four mini challenges Trust. So I think it's her or.....

Nymphia Wind

This queen kept me cracking up all season in the work room...and I found it utterly fascinating as comical and crazy and relaxed as she was just how detailed, structured and flawless her runways would be. While she only won 2 challenges and safe otherwise, so did Bianca Del Rio, who ended up winning her season.  Nymphia is not your usual drag queen who is going to do a lip synch or stand up, and thanks heavens for that!!!A Nymphia show is going to be very Sasha Velour...very artsy, avant-garde and part performance art... and she is going to treat you to a very one-of-a-kind dance performance where she will take her cultural background and takes us somewhere new with it. Her style and mug is always flawless, yet she is very laid back and accessible. 

Plain Jane. Yes Yes...she made the top three. I'm still not sure how, as most of her looks contained mostly skin, or a one pieces body suit, or a tight shapely long column dress, with exception to a few break outs. Michelle even called her out on it. And let's face it, she was mean spirited and not trustworthy most of the season, but I did like her better by the season end. But for me something is not there or missing. She also waited too long in the competition to break out the glam and different looks, after what seemed like a long line of body suits. I could be wrong, but I think Ru is going to throw a curve ball in the finale with a group lip synch and I think that is where it will come down to Sapphira and Nymphia...and Plain who historically doesn't dance, or lip synch well will be knocked out. My friends and girlfriends think I'm nuts and Nymphia will be out, but I'm not so sure.

Megami. I have always enjoyed her and one of the biggest sweethearts you'll ever meet. She is soooo Brooklyn New York with her style of drag. I'm just glad she made it on, and unfortunately, she didn't really gain her passion and the side I'm used to seeing till the She Done Already Had Herses Tournament. Now that was the Megami I'm used to seeing. Her looks not seen this season are also sickening! She is a good drag egg.

Morphine Love Dion was a joy to see all season. I didn't think she'd get top 4, but damn was she pretty funny all season, and I just loved some of her looks. And the funny part? She won $50,000 dollars for winning the lip synch tourment right? More than the first runner up will win tomorrow night!!!!! Maybe not a bad thing she didn't make it to the crowning circle? I think I could hang with her and be shady all night.

Mirage was the queen that was my surprise and delight queen. I didn't expect to like or enjoy her, and I loved her lots. And that bitch knows how to give body and use that body m'kay!!!!

Mhi'ya Iman Le'Page. I'm still trying to see how her, and her looks got her that far, but alright. And you have no idea how gleeful and happy I was to see her face when Megami sent her packing in the big lip synch tournament. Miss Thang was pissed. Sorry, don't see the lip synch assassin here. These queens get to reliant on the dead drops and flips. If that's your only means to woo an audience, then move on. It's SOOOOOO overdone. I want to see a tight Morgan McMichaels style lip synch, and a body feeling the music. Not constant flips and drops. I personally think she should have been an early out. She was right next to Dawn with being plain annoying.

Xunami Muse...so different then her drag mama Kandy Muse, and thank heaven for that. Xunami was another I really grew to love while she was there, was always positive and had everyone laughing, a good sister to be with in a workroom I surmise. I enjoy most of her looks. Wouldn't surprise me if she wins Miss Congenitally. Yeah, I could hang with Xunami, and I had a huge crush on boy Xunami!!! Oh yes I did. I found his laugh very sexy and catching. After a show we could must definitely take turns on each other!!!

And Q. Now I started out loving her, but she quickly became painful to watch if she didn't win. There was no hiding her feeling. And I found the voice annoying after too long. But no denying bitch had some tough and very memorable and avant garde looks. The above was one of my favorites.

And next season can we get less of the queens talking like stupid valley girls? So annoying. We will also see the exit of Ross Matthews and rumors are swirling with sisters, that the fabulous Jinkx Monsoon will be the newest rotating judge.

So, who you rooting for, or do you think will crown kids! What's your thoughts on the season???? As for moi, I'll may watch the finale in a new number created for me by good friend Miss Bill. Or should I save it for the Woods shows this summer?

You know I adore pink... and a matching chapeau and bag girls.