Drag

Drag Race: Fans react to jaw-dropping All Stars 8 elimination

By Jordan Robledo

24th June 2023

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The latest Drag Race All Stars 8 episode has left fans gagged due its shocking elimination ceremony.

After last week’s chaotic episode, the remaining five contestants – Alexis Michelle, Jessica Wild, Jimbo, Kandy Muse and LaLa Ri – were tasked with creating an original outfit “worthy of the Drag Race Hall of Fame.”

After announcing the design challenge, Mama Ru brought out boxes from past All Star winners, including Kylie Sonique Love, Shea Couleé, Trinity the Tuck, Monét X Change, and Trixie Mattel.

“Your mission is to transform these materials into your own signature look that screams ‘I’m a winner, baby,'” Ru explained.

Since LaLa was the top All Star last week, the beloved talent was asked to assign the boxes – which resulted in her snagging Shea, Alexis taking Trinity, Jessica getting Kylie, Kandy taking Monét, and Jimbo getting Trixie.

With their boxes officially selected, the queens got down to work with the iconic materials from All Stars past.

While preparing her look, Alexis opened up to Jimbo about her unfortunate design challenge experience on Drag Race season nine.

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“You know, on my ball on season nine, I didn’t go big enough… I got eliminated. So I really want to push. I want to give drama. I want this silhouette to have an impact,” she said.

In an additional confessional, Alexis revealed that she had worked on her patterning and sewing over the years before expressing her hopes that it would save her from the bottom.

“At this point in the game, I’m the only girl still in this competition without a win. And that gives these girls an easy reason to send me home,” she added.

After Alexis opened up about her challenge aspirations, the queens were surprised by Drag Race stars Shanel and Raven, who offered them some of their “fast fashion knowledge”.

While the season one and season two queens dished out insightful advice, the two legends also asked the competitors to spill some tea, specifically who they thought was their strongest competitor.

Due to her three wins, LaLa and Kandy listed Jimbo as the biggest competition.

When it was Jimbo’s turn in the hot seat, Shannel and Raven praised the Canadian queen for her accomplishments in the competition before warning her of the target on her back.

“Having won the most amount of challenges, they’re waiting. They’re waiting for you to trip on one of those pearls,” they said.

Later in the workroom, Kandy encountered a massive road bump after she miscalculated the cut of her dress.

“Sometimes we can get scissor happy, and I cut and cut and cut away. And then all of a sudden, I’ve opened it too much,” she said in a confessional.

“Oh, my god. The titties are just way low. I’m just like, I’m going to freak out.”

The next day, the queens reentered the workroom to finish up their last-minute bits and bobs for their Hall of Fame looks.

While the majority of the queens were finished with their variations of gowns, Jimbo found herself struggling to complete her outfit.

“I have about 30 things left to do on this outfit, and I am really nervous,” she said in a confessional.

Before heading to the runway, the queens opened up about the upcoming elimination – which they described as the most challenging lipstick decision yet.

“It’s also what we signed up for and we, you know, that’s the reality and how to win,” LaLa said.

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She then asked Alexis not to “forget about her” if she wins, which prompted the former to say, “I won’t.”

“I don’t know how I’m going to do in this challenge, lord be with me. But you know what? I know that Alexis is going to have my back,” LaLa added in a confessional.

With their looks polished and faces beat, the queens headed to the runway to show off their Hall of Fame looks.

Jimbo and Jessica’s ensembles were met with praise, while Alexis’ look led special guest judge Brandon Boyd to say, “You look like a beautiful exploding nebula. You look like a star.”

In the end, Alexis was given her first maxi-challenge win of the season, resulting in Kandy and LaLa in the bottom two.

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After the top five selected their lipsticks, Alexis returned to the main stage to lip-sync against Drag Race France host Nicky Doll.

To the tune of Nancy Sinatra’s These Boots Are Made For Walkin’, the two queens delivered drama, face, splits and fierce yet simplistic choreography.

Ultimately, Alexis was announced the winner of the lip-sync and the recipient of $10,000.

Bestowed with the power of elimination, the season nine star dropped a massive twist when she chose to chop LaLa from the competition – despite assuring the season 13 queen that she wouldn’t eliminate her.

“I really wish I would have sent [Alexis] ass home when I had the chance to. But other than that, I don’t have no regrets,” LaLa said in her exit confessional.

“Of course, the ultimate goal was to get the crown, the sceptre and the coin. But you know what? I had one hell of an improvement from season 13. And you know what? I am so proud of myself.”

Check out the best reactions to the episode below.

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