We are fast approaching the grand finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 11!
Though we’ve been forced to endure a few lackluster contestants, questionable elimination decisions, and a focus on drama and ratings rather than talent, the current iteration of the Emmy Award-winning reality competition series finished its penultimate episode with a bang.
Following the unfortunate elimination of fan-favorite Nina West last week – don’t worry, the title of Miss Congeniality is hers to lose – the top five: A’Keria C. Davenport, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Silky Nutmeg Ganache, Vanessa ‘Vanjie’ Mateo, and Yvie Oddly were left to continue battling for the rhinestone crown.
As we have come to expect, the final five were tasked with a single-take live performance as they lip-synced written lyrics to the beat of RuPaul’s own “Queens Everywhere” track. While a couple rose to the challenge, others strangely fizzled. In the end, one queen packed her bags to reveal the official top four.
You have been warned. Spoilers ahead.
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After receiving intricate choreography lessons from guest judge Todrick Hall, we were quickly made aware of A’Keria’s lack of dance skills, Vanjie’s lack of confidence, and Brooke Lynn’s lack of “stank”. While one of the queens overcame her obstacle, the other two let their flaws hinder the final performance.
“Queens Everywhere” is a fast-paced, hip-hop track filled to the brim with attitude, travel destination references, and self-boasting.
A’Keria kicks off the show, and though it was not as sharp as it could have been, the Dallas queen proved why her consistency throughout the season and polished demeanor earns her a spot in the final four. During the music video filming, A’Keria stares down the camera with every word. She’s ready for her close up. The newly knighted “Miss Ass Almighty” ultimately did what she needed to do.
Judges and fans were expecting Brooke Lynn to hit a homerun with her segment, but unfortunately, the finished product fell a little flat. Her homage to Canada paired with ballerina references made for a tight rap verse, however, a sense of insecurity overshadowed her, especially in her final seconds of solo screen time. “Queen of the north got one thing to say, I never liked double dutch, I didn't come to play,” she warns.
After bursting out of a bathroom stall, shoving peasants to the side, Silky’s performance comes across a mess carried across the finish line by personality and charm. Her lyrics are honestly the weakest of the bunch, she has trouble getting back up from a drop, but the smile never leaves her face. That should be commended. She gets another shot at the spotlight towards the end, making up for the lackluster solo verse.
The world has been rooting for Vanjie since her episode one elimination last season, but sadly, she never delivered on the main stage this year. While her lyrics are some of the strongest of the bunch, her own nerves thwart her performance. She barely lip-syncs, constantly looks away from the camera, and appears to just go through the motions. No energy whatsoever. It’s unfortunate.
Finally, oddball Yvie Oddly pushes her weirdness to the forefront with a standout, acrobatic closing performance. Getting this out of the way now, Yvie SLAYED the challenge, leaving the four other competitors in her dust. Doing so with the least amount of screen time and a trademark laugh. “I'm Yvie Oddly and oddly enough, my edges stay shredded but these tits are tough, when other girls fake, I just call out their bluff, so glue on those shoes and tighten them tucks,” she sings.
In the end, their Best Drag final runway also taken into consideration, lovers Brooke Lynn Hytes and Vanessa ‘Vanjie’ Mateo found themselves in the bottom two. Instructed to lip-sync for their lives to "Pride: A Deeper Love" by the legendary Aretha Franklin, both queens fought hard till the very end. Ultimately, Vanjie was asked to sashay away. The correct decision.
Tune in for the RuPaul's Drag Race season 11 finale, airing Thursday, May 30 on VH1.
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