From an unexpected reconciliation (Yvie Oddly and Silky Nutmeg Ganache are… friends?) to that dramatic lip sync (not those two!), Thursday’s episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race was a rollercoaster of emotions — which is appropriate, since it ended with one last queen getting kicked off the ride.
The five remaining queens — Yvie, Silky, Brooke Lynn Hytes, A’Keria C. Davenport and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo— were tasked with writing, recording and performing original verses for RuPaul’s new “Queens Everywhere,” as well as appearing as a guest on the RuPaul: What’s the Tea? podcast with Michelle Visage.
With all due Ru-spect, “Queens Everywhere” is no “Kitty Girl,” or even “American,” so it was a little hard to get hyped about these performances. And when you factor in that most of the queens delivered snooze-worthy verses, you’ve got the perfect recipe… for a nap. Sure, I appreciated that Brooke Lynn wanted to go by her new stage name Feminem, and you’d better believe I applauded when A’Keria referred to herself as the “Diahann Carroll of Ru’s dynasty,” but I wouldn’t say anyone wowed me. In fact, Vanjie’s verse and overall performance actually impressed me the most — she was starting to sound like straight-up Animal during her recording session with Todrick, so I set my expectations low.
The interview portion of the episode — SPONSORED BY FACETUNE 2, in case that wasn’t clear! — was also mostly a bust, save for A’Keria’s moving story about adopting her youngest brother’s child and raising him as her own. (“As long as I’m around, he’ll never want for anything.”) Just like when Yvie opened up about living with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, this was a good reminder that you never know what people are going through, and that sometimes the most soft-spoken person in the room actually has the most on their mind.
Then came the runway, which challenged the ladies to serve their “best drag.” And for the most part, they did. Brooke Lynn honored her ballet training by dancing down the runway looking like the star of Swan Lake; Vanjie gave us “Vivien Leigh in Gone With the Wind, Latina-style”; Yvie obeyed the rule of three with trios of eyes, fingers and boobs (because why not?); Silky slipped into something form-fitting and sparkly; and A’Keria stunned in another classic pageant look.
Though this episode didn’t technically have a winner, Yvie was the first queen sent to safety, making her the week’s unofficial victor. She was followed by A’Keria and Silky, leaving Vanjie and Brooke Lynn to lip sync for their lives… and their love? (Honestly, I was expecting Silky to end up in the bottom tonight, so this was a lot to process all at once.)
Vanjie and Brooke Lynn’s face-off — set to the tune of Aretha Franklin’s “Pride: A Deeper Love” — turned out to be a fairly even fight, starting off slow but ending in a flurry of splits and death drops. In the end, Vanjie was sent sashaying away, which means the following queens will compete in the Season 11 finale: Yvie, A’Keria, Silky and Brooke Lynn.
Let’s talk: How do you feel about tonight’s elimination? Weigh in via our poll below, then drop a comment with the queen you want to win it all.
No really though, honest question. Does Silky tend to wear dresses because she doesn’t know or care how to pad correctly?
I wanted to see Vanjie win it all. I am sad to see her go. I really think she has grown a lot since the beginning, and I am honestly bored with the rest of them, except Yvie of course.
Silky should have gone home last week. The fact that she is still in it makes me wonder if this years race is rigged with SIlky winning. Hope not.
Vanjie should have taken it all. Of course, they had to break the couple up. I’m kind of over the angry, combative, abstract queens going so far. I guess that’s what they want to have representing.
Brooke Lynn Hytes all the way!
Silky should have gone weeks ago.
I really thought that Vanjie did a better lip sync, but I guess because she didn’t have the dance ability Brooklyn had that’s why she lost. I saw nothing different in Brooklyn she just was beautiful all the time with no personality
I have been a die hard fan of this show since Season 1 but have been very suspicious of this season. Silky is not refined enough to have gotten this far, so I too wonder if this season is rigged. Her lip-sync last week was so weak, her outfits are sub par and her attitude is lacking, except in front of the judges. Nina truly was the better queen. I am sad for Vanjie , she was much better in that video. She will do well in the future and should be Miss Congeniality.
Silky was by far the worst in that performance. She barely had anything to do and as Michele said “i saw your black padding.” Come on girl.. I miss Vanjie already, but i’m team Brooke Lynn!
It looks like the fix may be in for Silky when she really should have been sent home very early on. Brooke Lynn should be the hands down winner.
Silky is not interesting or funny. Really one of the most predictable and boring season of the show and I’ve watched them all. Ru seems to be pushing for Silky and her judges are just mynah birds…it was so set up for this showdown and even the queens looked bored with the lip synch. I’ve enjoyed Yvie bringing her unusual style the most…. Yvie or Brook Lynn for the win I suppose but puhleeze no Silky as winner, that just disgraces former winners.
I don’t believe in “political correctness” so the big girl should win. I think Silky should have gone home way before now. Vanjie was “robbed”. I want Brook Lynn to win it all. Yvie to place second. The other one – I can’t even remember her name, should come in third. Silky should just go off somewhere and do whatever it is that she does best.
First of all Silky should’ve gone home as soon as the judges commented on her horrible padding, which is making me think of her as the all stars 4 Latrice of this season (but with a lot more personality). I’m definitely team Yvie, but I was really hoping that both Vanjie and Brooklyn would’ve been in the finale because I like them even tho I’m hoping Yvie snatches the crow.