Makeover challenges are usually a roller coaster ride; they start off on a high, with super sweet moments between the makeover subjects and the queens, and then end on a low note with confusing judging. But this time, “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” season 11 episode 6 bucks that trend with an unexpected top two that was well-deserved.
Spoilers ahead!
Gay Dads and Drag Moms
Bracket 2 (Silky Nutmeg Ganache, April Carrión, Aura Mayari, Salina EsTitties, Crystal Methyd, and Vivacious) is coming to a close with this week’s episode. It’s been an uneven bracket, if I’m keeping it a buck, but has gotten entertaining over the course of the 3 episodes. The plotting and strategizing have reached a crescendo we have never seen before, borne out of many queens’ anxieties and desperate need to move to the semifinals.
Let’s talk about episode 6’s highlights.
The Drama
Salina’s plotting reaches its highest peak yet after not getting picked for the top two. She makes a big show with tears and dramatics and honestly I respect the hustle. Salina thinks she can snag 3 points if Aura gives her a point, April gives her a point and then if she gives Vivacious one, then Viv will give her one back. A nice thought, but it did not go down like that.
Aura gave her point to Vivacious (Salina is fake offended in the confessional but confirms she would’ve never given Aura her point anyway), Viv gave her point to Aura, while Salina and April swap points with little fanfare. Afterwards, Aura talked to Salina about it and Salina lays it on thick with fake tears, manipulating her into promising her final MVQ point.
Throughout the episode, Salina is campaigning, plotting, and being sneaky about how to secure her spot in the semifinals. She’s trying to be the mastermind of this bracket, similar to how Mistress Isabelle Brooks did in “All Stars 10,” but it’s not giving the energy. She schemes with Silky to knock Crystal out of the top two, while also kiking with the “Tres Leches Alliance” (Salina, Crystal, and April) to keep the points between the three of them. This might blow up in Salina’s face if she’s not careful.
The Challenge
We got a mini challenge this episode! This one is particularly delightful where they have to insult each other (the fun part of the reading mini challenge) and the insulted queen has to pretend-slap them. It’s one of the more fun, clever mini challenges. Silky really did have the best insults and slap reaction, so it makes total sense that she won.
For the main challenge, 6 gay daddies come in for a makeover and drag performance training! Silky assigned the dads to the queens. putting Crystal at a severe disadvantage with a dad who isn’t a huge fan of her drag style. Vivacious is scared shitless because she’s never done a makeover before and is still on her own makeup journey considering Michelle Visage’s critiques the last couple weeks.
Not only do the queens have to makeover their dads, they also have to teach them to perform a group number. The new drag daughters performed “Too Many Daddies” together and they all did really well. Some of them actually looked like their drag moms performing, I had to do a double take. Now, let’s dig into the runways and makeovers.
The Runway
The category is: Drag Family Resemblance and as previously stated this challenge can go any number of ways. Often in the past it seems like it’s been used to oust queens that have come too far in the competition that production wanted out, but considering the format, it was up in the air how this would be judged. I’ll admit, I assumed, despite the flaws, that the judges would push Silky and Crystal into the top two, because that appears to be the two faves of the bracket.
- Silky Nutmeg Ganache and Creamy Cayenne Ganache were not my favorite. Creamy’s makeup looked uneven and the outfits looked like long figure skating outfits. A chop for me.
- Aura and Whora Mayari (excellent name) matched beautifully and their makeup was very good. I wasn’t a fan of the acting, though, it should’ve been more ethereal to match the moon goddess-inspired outfits.
- Salina and Titi EsTitties were the best of the night. The bedazzled pinstriped zoot suit-style outfits were incredible. Their makeup was fabulous and Titi looked exactly like Salina in the face.
- Crystal and Sister Pull-Out Methyd’s looks honored the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence who are charitable drag performers with a purpose. The looks were so maximalist, it’s overwhelming, and though I appreciate the reference, it’s not giving the drag family fantasy the others were.
- Vivacious and Vivicious (clever!) look like two glamorous creamsicles with Ornacias (according to Viv, they are Ornacia and Ornicia, which got a chuckle out of everyone and me) in their wigs. A drag family look that really checks all the boxes.
- April and May Carrión come out in rain coats and blue dresses, pretty but boring to be honest. Unfortunately, this has become a recurring theme for April.
The Guest
Janelle James is the guest judge and, at first, I was very excited to see her, but as the episode went on I became a little dissatisfied with her commentary and critiques. She barely spoke up during the runways (it’s possible her comments were edited out) and her feedback felt like her pushing for viral one-liners, rather than actual thoughtful critiques. “This is my favorite era of white women” was a great line, however, from her to April and May.
The Winner
Much to my surprise (because I thought there would be the usual shenanigans), SALINA AND VIVACIOUS ARE IN THE TOP TWO! So earlier in the episode, Silky said she wanted to challenge herself, picked a dad that didn’t resemble her, and ended up gifting Viv a win with her choice of gay dads.
Some interesting quick moments before the lip sync started, Salina whispered “Pekpek” to Aura to remind her of their alliance. It’s then revealed that in “Untucked” Silky made a deal with both Aura and Crystal to swap points if they’re in the bottom. The point strategy is WILD this bracket, y’all.
The lip sync is to Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass” (ew) and, yikes, Viv doesn’t know most of the lyrics. Salina killed this performance with a split and lots of energy that matched the song, she obviously wins the lip sync.
The final points are finally handed out and the results: Crystal gives her point to Silky, Silky (looking gobsmacked) chose April, Aura gave her point to Silky, and April gave her point to Crystal, effectively shutting Salina out of the semifinals. Her alliances did nothing for her, but everything for Silky and Crystal.
The Untucking
This was the most entertaining “Untucked” episode of bracket 2 and well worth the wait. The amount of point plotting that happened was historic. Some highlights:
- The Tres Leches Alliance, mostly powered by Salina, discusses their point plans, but they never really talk about the fact that if Salina is in the top and Crystal isn’t, who is April going to give her point to? The alliance was literally made to benefit Salina only.
- Silky comes barreling in, interrupting their strategizing, then immediately gets to campaigning for points, starting with April.
- Then, Silky asks Crystal to swap points so they can both make it to the next round.
- And THEN, Silky talks to Aura about swapping points with each other. This girl is on a roll to get to the semifinals. She’s taken Salina’s strategy and amplified it by 10.
- Post-points giving, Salina is furious with Aura and April for not giving her a point. She also argues with Silky.
- Silky makes it a point to say she basically betrayed all of her alliances.
Final Thoughts
It’s official Silky and Crystal are headed to the semifinals! Despite Salina’s robust efforts, the top two were exactly who production wanted from the beginning. Compared to the first bracket, this one was lacking something, I’m not sure what, but it wasn’t as enjoyable. That being said, I’m very intrigued to see how the queens will interact with each other post-merge, especially Silky and A’keria. Now we’re headed to the third and final bracket next week with some of the spiciest queens of the season.
Season 11 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” and “Untucked” streams weekly on Fridays on Paramount+.
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