RuPaul was forced to “put her children together” in the chaotic new episode of Drag Race All Stars 8.
Following the elimination of Jaymes Mansfield, the six remaining contestants – Alexis Michelle, Jessica Wild, Jimbo, Kahanna Montrese, Kandy Muse and LaLa Ri – received their latest assignment: to improvise in the new RuPrime series, Forensic Queens.
The first slice of drama came to fruition when Alexis and Kandy came into conflict over the detective character, which resulted in the former bursting into tears and the latter removing herself from the situation.
Later, Kahanna threatened to follow in the footsteps of Heidi N Closet and leave the competition – even going as far to pack her bags – telling her season eight sisters that the acting challenges are “taking” her “spirit”.
“This energy ain’t it for me,” she said. “How am I gonna be better this time?” Before she could follow through and quit, however, RuPaul made a surprise appearance in the workroom to “straighten shit out”.
“We gonna have to talk, ladies. I just wanna set you straight before you make any mistakes that you can’t undo. You’re having all these feelings. Of course you’re gonna have these feelings,” she told the queens.
“You’re under a lot of pressure. But, feelings are not facts. You have emotions going, ‘Oh yeah, I’m feeling some kind of way. But I’m gonna do this thing because I’m a professional. I’m a professional.‘”
Reminding the cast that Drag Race is the “greatest stage in the world” for them to showcase their charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent, the host warned: “Don’t let your feelings sabotage your experience in this life.”
“Do not allow the little things to derail your bigger picture. Ooh, she’s gonna preach this evening! Let the church say amen,” Ru continued. “You know how many bitches can’t get a job? You know how many bitches work for years in this business, in this game, never had recognition? Don’t walk away from it.”
After Kahanna came to the decision that she will no longer leave, RuPaul added: “You have survived this far. You know, you’re building your empires here. You wanna be on top of the world. You wanna do it all.
“And also I’m gonna add to that, have fun. This is a fun experience.”
Later, Kahanna felt more secure heading into the challenge following acting advice from Jimbo, while Alexis and Kandy mended their relationship.
The queens then shot the challenge, which takes place 10 years after the disappearance of season five icon Lil’ Poundcake on an unaired (and fictional, obviously) season of Drag Race All Stars.
From LaLa’s unhinged use of a golf cart to Jimbo’s “schtink finger” and Jessica’s proclamation that she is “not a Republican”, the challenge was – in this writer’s opinion – one of the most uproarious in herstory.
On the runway, category was: Miss Fill in the Blank.
The queens’ concepts were as follows: Miss Sausage Party – Jessica Wild; Miss Tired Ass Showgirl – Kahanna Montrese; Miss Bootlegger – LaLa Ri; Miss Arrogant – Kandy Muse; Miss Man Pig – Alexis Michelle; and Miss Tits McGee 2003 – Jimbo.
Jessica and and Jimbo’s performances were met with praise, while LaLa’s “energy” led to special guest judge Javicia Leslie saying, “This was your show. […] You never dropped the ball. You’re talented.”
Unsurprisingly, LaLa was granted her first maxi-challenge win of the season (and her first win ever). Muddled reviews for Kahanna and Alexis resulted in their place in the bottom two, respectively marking their fourth and first time there.
The producers made LaLa “work hard” for her $10,000 tip with season 14 alum Jorgeous as this week’s lip-sync assassin. With Lizzo’s About Damn Time as the lip-sync number, both queens served choreo, comedy, splits and so forth.
Ultimately, LaLa blessed us with the legendary “LaLa Ri Experience” and defeated Jorgeous. Bestowed with the power of elimination, LaLa chose to chop Kahanna from the competition.
Check out the best reactions to the episode below.
https://twitter.com/povdemie/status/1669634928907100160
kandy: "I cannot with dramatics"
also kandy: leaves dramatically#AllStars8 #DragRace pic.twitter.com/UUwwdW0kfk— leo🧷 (@dayacouture) June 14, 2023
https://twitter.com/povdemie/status/1669652193966800899
Jessica Wild, the comedic genius that you are!#DragRace#AllStars8 pic.twitter.com/pHBQ6P5MwR
— Aren (@phevelous) June 16, 2023
https://twitter.com/povdemie/status/1669649596639764481
An acting/Improv challenge that actually made me giggle a bit. I'm shocked #DragRace #AllStars8 pic.twitter.com/lUVGzBJCXJ
— 𝐑𝐨𝐱𝐱𝐱𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐛𝐲 🩷 (@_bluberryXD) June 16, 2023
Jimbo's "Shtink Finger" had me cackling! #dragrace #allstars8 #dragraceallstars #rupaulsdragrace @RuPaulsDragRace
@themattyrants #RantPack @jimbodragclown pic.twitter.com/DzOmlcI0MR— FeralKittee (@FeralKittee) June 16, 2023
Also Jessica Wild was crazy good, like she was giving pure realism. It literally looked, sounded and felt like a genuine true crime documentary! #DragRace #AllStars8
— Padaí Ó Maolchalann (@screenonscreen) June 16, 2023
this is possibly the funniest drag race challenge
— straight fudanshi (@DILFZONE) June 16, 2023
I can't believe drag race made an actual good acting challenge 😭 it was always the script which screwed them up! #AllStars8 #DragRace
— Harry 🪩🐎 (@Harryarbitrary) June 16, 2023
Jimbo's stink finger is the most genius thing on #DragRace since Kennedy Davenport's Bitchelor performance #AllStars8
— Padaí Ó Maolchalann (@screenonscreen) June 16, 2023
Ru telling Alexis she’s been crying the whole competition was so funny to me 😭🤭 #DragRace #AllStars8 pic.twitter.com/IcK3LHdFzn
— DragMik (@drag_mik) June 16, 2023
https://twitter.com/povdemie/status/1669630738990346241
https://twitter.com/So_Jordaan/status/1669636392949895175
https://twitter.com/snack_bae/status/1669605618964123649
Alexis crying had me hollering too😭😭 but nonetheless
Kandy really SERVED CUNT— 6ïx_īx (@Nuelxddd) June 16, 2023
lala and kahanna smiling while kandy n alexis are arguing 😭😭😭 theyre so mee
— jester 📌 zakuro ch4 (@jesterjeno) June 16, 2023
Kandy, Alexis, & Jimbo are making TELEVISION darlings lmao truly tho they all came in with reality tv on the brain and i love them for that
— ❤️🔥 (@ghostedkyle) June 15, 2023
I think Alexis was in thel right for calling out how kandy's stubbornness with the role, but once Alexis said both roles were the same i knew it was over bc she should not have said that 😭 https://t.co/qjIq1oNddS
— dev 🖼 (@astratlas) June 15, 2023
Why are people trying to say Kandy is in the wrong? If Alexis thinks the roles are so similar then why does it matter which one she gets https://t.co/AyWWozNntn
— kurt (@keertoo21) June 15, 2023
okay but kandy does have a point, if alexis is gonna say “there’s not much of a difference between role a and role b”…well okay then YOU do it 😭🤷♂️ https://t.co/0z7rpi1RTA
— ray ✨ (@mascarayde) June 15, 2023