Culture

“This season is taking it”: Drag Race fans praise the Global All Stars double premiere

By Jordan Robledo

18th August 2024

The International Drag Race Olympics have finally arrived, and fans are ecstatic. 

Spoilers ahead

After weeks of anticipation, 12 queens from different franchises returned to the Drag Race sphere for the inaugural season of Global All Stars.

The fierce line-up is as follows: Alyssa Edwards (U.S.), Athena Sorgelikis (Belgium), Eva Le Queen (Philippines), Gala Varo (Mexico), Kitty Scott-Claus (UK), Kween Kong (Down Under), Miranda Lebrão (Brazil), Nehellenia (Italy), Pythia (Canada), Soa de Muse (France), Tessa Testicle (Germany) and Vanity Vain (Sweden).

Similar to other Drag Race seasons, the talented performers are set to battle it out for the title of ‘Queen of the Mothertucking World’, a grand prize of $200,000 and a spot in the “International Pavilion at the Drag Race Hall of Fame”.

The first episode in the show’s two-part premiere kicked off with the queens strutting down the runway in front of RuPaul, Michelle Visage, and Jamal Sims.

After making their charismatic first impressions, Mama Ru revealed that none of the queens were going home before tasking them with their first maxi-challenge, the Global Glamazon Talent Extravaganza.

The drag legend then split the ladies into two groups, with the first comprised of Athena, Miranda, Kween, Soa, Kitty, and Alyssa.

“You’re oozing so much international charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent it’s gonna take two weeks to soak it all up,” Ru added.

With the first round of talent show performances looming in the distance, the queens went to untuck in the glamorous new workroom.

“Damn Ru, I love what you did here,” Tessa exclaimed in a confessional.

Alyssa echoed similar sentiments: “Ok, I think this is an upgrade from the American version. I mean, but it makes sense. This is global.”

In addition to gagging over the workroom, some of the international queens gushed about being able to present their drag in front of RuPaul and Michelle.

“It’s so crazy to think that I will be judged by Ru and Michelle, who I have looked up to for so long, and it’s just so surreal to be here,” Pythia said in a confessional.

While many of the international queens were excited about meeting Ru and company, Miranda theorized that it might not work in their favour.

“I think that queens that already performed to Ru and Michelle, they have kind of an advantage because they have already very good relationship with the girls,” she said in a confessional.

The next day, the first group of queens hit the stage for the Global Glamazon Talent Extravaganza.

Of course, the line-up had no trouble showing off their incredible talent – with Kween performing a gag-worthy original lip sync, Miranda executing acrobatic stunts, Kitty delivering a pop vocal performance, Athena combining burlesque and comedy, Soa performing a captivating vocal/dance number and Alyssa tapping into the 80s workout craze with a comedic exercise performance.

With their talent officially showcased, the queens strutted down the runway in their very best “Garden of Eden” ensembles before meeting the judges for critiques.

While all six queens were praised for their creative performances and stunning runway looks, Ru named Alyssa and Kween as the top Global All Stars of the week.

To the beat of Rihanna’s iconic track ‘Only Girl in the World,’ the US and Aussie talent delivered stunning choreography, drama, dips, stunts, and hairography galore.

Due to their electric performance, Ru called a tie, resulting in Alyssa and Kween receiving a cash tip of $5,000.

In part two of the Drag Race Global All Stars premiere, the queens returned to the workroom, refreshed and ready to tackle the second Global Glamazon Talent Extravaganza event.

However, before the second batch of contestants could hit the stage, Mama Ru assigned them a quick-drag photoshoot mini-challenge.

“You’ll be competing for the cover of Quick Drag Magazine. Now, you’ve only got 20 minutes to get all dragged up and then it’s time for your first photoshoot,” she explained.

After dancing in a hilarious soul train line for the perfect shot, Nehellenia was named the mini-challenge winner and recipient of a $2,500 cash tip.

While taking off their quirky outfits, the ladies bonded over their respective drag journeys, with Gala revealing to Alyssa that she was the first person she ever saw live.

She also opened up about her late husband, who taught her all about the art of dance.

“I always remember him with love, and I’m so grateful to him because he teach me a lot, and that’s why I am here now, you know?” she added.

Nehellenia also discussed her love for dance and her entry into the drag world, revealing that she initially faced pushback from her dad.

However, when she performed at a club for the first time, her father, who worked security at the establishment, put aside their differences and embraced her journey.

“He came to me, give me a kiss and he say, you are the most beautiful tonight. Now I think he’s one of my best friends,” she said.

The next day, the last batch of queens strutted onto the stage for the Global Glamazon Talent Extravaganza.

Like the first group, the ladies shined during their respective numbers, which included a comedic clown storytime from Pythia, a dance-heavy/pyro-inclusive original lip sync from Nehellenia, a burlesque comedy show by Tessa, a fierce rice-making/dragon-slaying tutorial from Eva, a captivating pole dance by Gala and electro-pop performance from Vanity.

After showcasing their ‘Money Makes The World Go Round’ outfits, the second group returned to the main stage to receive their critiques.

Despite the judges showering all the queens with love, Eva and Vanity were named the top Global All Stars of week two.

Wasting no time, the two queens battled it out in a lip sync to guest judge Danna Paola’s hit track ‘Paranoia’.

Throughout their performance, the two talents let it all hang out on the stage, giving sensual dance moves, drama, and fierce dips.

Ultimately, Vanity was named the winner of the $10,000 cash tip.

Since the premiere of Drag Race Global All Stars, fans have flocked to social media to share their thoughts on the first two episodes.

One fan on X, formerly known as Twitter, wrote: “ALYSSA EDWARDS & KWEEN KONG LIPSYNC EPISODE ONE?????????????? OHHHH THIS SEASON IS TAKING IT.”

Another fan tweeted: “Enough time has passed to say Nelly was the main character in these two episodes.”

A third fan added: “I’m SO PROUD of Miranda, She ate the talent show, looked GORGEOUS on the runway, was loved by RuPaul, had her giving her nicknames, oh Miranda Lebrão the Mother that you are!!!”

On next week’s episode of Drag Race Global All Stars, the queens will be participating in a ball.  

Check out more fan reactions below.