Bracket two is here; she’s pink and loud! “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” season 11 episode 4 brings a new set of six queens, which means a whole new rotation of strategizing, agonizing, and slaying.
Spoilers ahead!
It Takes Ru, Baby
The pink bracket has officially begun with Silky Nutmeg Ganache, April Carrión, Aura Mayari, Salina Estitties, Crystal Methyd, and Vivacious all vying for only two spots in the semifinals. Ru definitely has some favorites in this group, making it very interesting to see how those queens played off each other and how successful they were with the main challenge this week.
Let’s talk about episode 4’s highlights.
The Entrance
As an aside, RuPaul and Michelle Visage in those copper wigs had me giggling throughout the entire entrance runway. This show does silly very well and thank God for that.
- Crystal’s oversized Mexican doll outfit is maximalism at its finest. I can’t wait to see her looks in this round.
- Salina’s body looks phenomenal in this Barbarella-esque gold look that is an homage to her Golden Boot award. She should be platinum blonde more often, it suits her.
- Vivacious’ look is a reference to her entrance look on her original season with Ornacia and its honestly ugly as sin. But I love seeing MUTHA back!
- April is fucking gorgeous in this water goddess look, it highlights her body so well. Her makeup is soft and pretty. We stan a Puerto Rican princess.
- Aura’s look is kind of ugly, it has too much going on, but I can tell it’s well made.
- I like that Silky’s look is a nod to her original season’s entrance look; the western cowgirl vibe is very cute.
The Drama
The tea is lukewarm, the drama is tepid at this point. There’s some light bantering between the queens when they have to choose their songs for the main challenge. A little teasing of possible drama with Salina’s multiple alliances and Crystal avoiding discussions of point-giving, but nothing really meaty here besides a few tucks.
The Challenge
No mini challenge, we’re jumping right to the main course with duets! The girls paired up to perform songs for the 69th Shablammy Awards. Silky and Viv do ‘HBF,’ Crystal and Aura do ‘Hoes Before Bros,’ and April and Salina do ‘Dreamin’ of Me.’
- Silky and Viv went first, which in hindsight was for the best. Viv was struggling a bit with some lower energy than we’re used to. Silky made up for it with her usual larger-than-life energy. Michelle was cackling throughout their entire performance and I couldn’t tell if it was with them or at them. They got the short end of the stick with that song, I fear.
- April and Salina were better with similar energies. Salina ate this up though. She’s a natural performer and commanded the stage. April was a little less confident but she was still great and her body looked incredible.
- Crystal and Aura did so amazing. They were on the same wavelength the entire time, while using their props and staging well. Aura really is a dynamic performer and Crystal’s lyrics were fun to listen to. She might’ve had the best ones to be honest.
Ru commenting on Salina’s “lightness” this time around was a really touching moment that I’m sure the younger queen will carry with her forever. I can see it too. Salina is moving and talking with more confidence and less of an affected accent. I feel like we’re seeing the real her.
The Runway
The category is: You Butta Ask Somebody, which is a very fucking funny pun. I gotta hand it to Ru or the writer’s room because the puns are always on point.
- My jaw dropped when I saw Vivacious. Her butter look is beautiful, regal, and reminiscent of African royalty. The pants in particular were so well crafted, I paused and rewound to watch her walk in it again. I can see why she didn’t want to change after “Untucked.”
- Silky came down the runway as a dragged up stick of butter but her headdress was definitely wearing her. The bodysuit is incredibly done, however.
- April paid homage to Puerto Rican bomba with a bright yellow Vejigante mask and crown. It’s really cool to see boricuas repped like this.
- Salina looked so very glam in a buttery tulip gown that was an homage to her mother. The crescent moon-shaped hair was a very nice touch. It made her seem like a “Sailor Moon” princess.
- Aura honored her Filipino heritage with a gorgeous, vintage, buttery yellow gown and parasol.
- Crystal’s look was a literal butter stick, complete with the plastic packaging for her jacket. The wig is cool as hell, but she is looking a bit like drag Homer Simpson. That’s not a read, the entire look is astounding.
The Guest
Reneé Rapp is the guest judge and she looked absolutely hot as hell, even with super thin eyebrows that most people could never pull off. The pop star had some actually thoughtful feedback for the girls, especially performance-based ones. Her exchange with Aura was very cute, you can see how geeked the drag performer was to hear Rapp’s thoughts.
The Winner and Loser
It was pretty obvious from the three performances that Crystal and Aura were the top two; their duet really was the best. But my first thought was: this is going to be an odd lip sync and baby, was I correct.
Crystal can’t dance for shit in but her props are helping her. Although they were also getting in her way. Aura’s cringe popped out here and there, but she really is a visually appealing performer. It’s hard to take your eyes off her…unless you also have Crystal doing whatever the fuck with her third leg. This was a silly and messy lip sync. Crystal wins, which means Ru is still charmed by sheer stupidity.
The Untucking
Not going to hold you, but this was a mildly boring “Untucked.” I mean, the previous bracket’s “Untucked” episodes weren’t the most exciting but there was still some tension.
- Aura and Salina pondered about how the wins would break down and also stress the importance of winning the first episode because otherwise it’s a fight every episode for points. And truly, having to campaign for points alongside pleasing the judges, doing your makeup, tucking, gluing, and on and on, seems mentally draining. I can see why the girls are already scheming.
- Silky was very somber in the lounge. She seemed pretty aware she was not going to win this challenge. She also felt like Salina owed her a point because she pulled April in to do the song, ousting Silky, who originally wasn’t backing down about it. It’s convoluted logic, but that’s how Silky rolls sometimes.
- Reneé Rapp enters and talks to the girls about faking it until you make it when trying to succeed. She really understands the girls and her appreciation for doll culture and being cunty makes me love her even more.
Final Thoughts
This was a “just fine” episode of the All Stars 11. I’m already missing bracket one. This bracket is a bit of bore in some parts, so I’m hoping things pick up soon. It could also be that I’m just not that invested in any of the queens like I was after the first episode of bracket one. I like Crystal, but she seems like a shoo-in for the semifinals, because she’s still a Ru fave. Salina has grown on me a lot over the years, mostly because of “Sibling Rivalry,” but I just don’t see her going further than this first round. Let’s hope the pace picks up.
Season 11 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” and “Untucked” streams weekly on Fridays on Paramount+.
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