Alyssa Edwards is the woman of the hour! Episode 11 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” hit a lot of reality TV high notes: a roast, a returning favorite, actual funny jokes, and insecurities running amok. Alyssa is one of my all-time favorite alums of “Drag Race,” so seeing her interact with the newly inducted RuGirls was a delight to watch.
A Toast to the Global All-Star
Between the mini and main challenges, we got so much good content out of the girls this week. We’re actually seeing more of the real Nini Coco, which is a huge feat. It feels like she’s been hiding a little bit over these last few weeks. And once again, damn it, Kenya Pleaser.
Let’s break down the best parts of episode 11.
The Drama
Honestly, there was very little drama in this episode. So little that we didn’t even get to see Myki Meeks tell the queens what order they’re going in for the Toast/Roast. An odd editing choice that can only be explained by the queens being super chill about their order, so no delicious drama for production to highlight. In fact, it was brought up later during the table read with Michelle Visage and Atsuko Okatsuka. Visage asked Myki a few times why she put certain girls in certain spots.
About Discord Addams, Myki straight up said this is her chance to step up since they all voted her out the prior week. Discord was, as usual, delusionally confident and had done roasts before so she wasn’t worried at all. I live for this level of delusion and need to embody it more in my personal life. Also, Nini keeps getting called out for being a little too mean with her shade, which causes her to get in her head at the table read.
The Talent
Let’s talk about the mini challenge, which was a glorified ad for Scentbird, a brand new to sponsoring the show. The girls had to do before-and-after clips, with the “after” portion being quick drag. Unfortunately, the editors edited out them getting ready in quick drag, which is the most fun part about those types of challenges. I did, however, love how they presented the videos, like someone is scrolling through IG reels or TikTok, with unhinged RuPaul videos in between each girl. Absolutely brilliant editing.
Myki and Darlene Mitchell’s commercials are actually great and could be used on social media for the brand. Juicy Love Dion and Discord’s commercials were awkward and unfunny, to the surprise of no one. Discord’s charisma seems to only come out on the runway or in the Werk Room; the challenges can be hit or miss for her. It’s no surprise Myki wins this. She’s very good at “Drag Race.”
On to the main challenge, the Toast to Alyssa Edwards, our current reigning Global All-Star. This is a cute twist on the roast format meant to celebrate Alyssa’s historic and storied career in the RDR-verse. Discord kicks off the toast with a strong start, but accidentally knocks her drink over and she kind of falters after that. Jane Don’t did pretty well, but I clocked that Ru wasn’t splitting her side at all her jokes. Juicy bombed, predictably, and it was excruciating to watch.
Darlene leaned all the way into being bad on purpose and it was genuinely the most insane thing to watch her keep pulling prop after prop out of her tiny bag. Nini’s toast was very biting and although she got some good laughs, her delivery came off a little mean. This is exactly what she got in her head about earlier in the episode. Kenya bombed as hard as Juicy did. She had this odd put-on voice and couldn’t deliver her jokes well. I thought, of anyone, Kenya would kill this roast, but once again she let me down. Myki ended the toast with a hilarious character and excellent timing.
The Looks
Category is Swept Away (an outfit that blows in the wind), which included huge fans at the end of the runway. Discord’s motorcycle look with tulle flames behind her was probably the most creative look on the runway. Jane’s art deco-style, Erté-inspired showgirl outfit was a lot of look, but I loved the headpiece. Juicy’s outfit is pretty, but her wind piece looked like a fitted bedsheet and wasn’t even the same color as her outfit.
Darlene’s “business woman” outfit was very clever with the umbrella and wind “blowing” her away. I hated the fabric and print, though. Kenya was cute as the tooth fairy in lavender. Her wigs and makeup are always fantastic and looked particularly ethereal tonight. Myki’s outfit is nice, but basic compared to some of the others. However, this is how Juicy should’ve incorporated her wind piece. Nini’s mourning widow look with the “ashes” of her loved one blowing in the wind is very camp. And she created it herself! Bravo.
The Guest
Our guest judge, Atsuko Okatsuka, pulled double duty this episode; also, helping the queens get their jokes together with Visage during the table read. While she had some hilarious commentary during judging (her comment about Jane’s headpiece looking like her signature bowl cut was hilarious), I thought she was better suited helping the queens earlier with their material. It’s always nice when the guest judges are relevant to the main challenge and offer practical advice.
The Winner and Loser
Jane, Myki and Darlene are in the top with Darlene scoring her first win! BANANA! Once again, Myki should’ve won but Darlene was a close second in my eyes. She deserved it, she was wacky as hell.
The rest of the girls are in the bottom. RuPaul had a come-to-Jesus moment with Kenya. She gets really real with her, repeatedly saying, “You have everything it takes.” You can tell Ru is frustrated with Kenya flopping so much because she believes in her more than Kenya believes in herself. She’s so charismatic but doesn’t know how to wield it, which makes her a threat for a future All-Star season.
Juicy and Kenya lip sync against each other and Kenya fumbles the words a little bit, but this was one of the best performances we’ve had all season. Juicy really embodied the music with her entire body and soul, and Kenya’s outfit gave her a boost in movement. Ultimately, Juicy takes this one and the lights are out for Kenya Pleaser. I wish she’d have slayed the competition all the way to the end.
Final Thoughts
We’re nearing the end game now with only six queens left in the competition. It’s getting pretty obvious now who is going to be the final four or top three of the season. I would be shocked if we didn’t see Jane, Myki, and Darlene or Nini in the finale.
I’ve seen a lot of fans calling this season “boring,” but I think part of that has to do with the queens not regularly engaging in petty drama like season 17. And also, we’ve known who the frontrunner is pretty much from episode two. Jane hasn’t even been safe, let alone in the bottom. She’s been steamrolling the competition, so its glaringly obvious she may end up winning the season. That can definitely feel a bit boring and predictable, but overall the season has been a breath of fresh air.
Season 18 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” airs weekly on Fridays at 5/8 p.m. PT/ET on MTV.
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