Drag

Drag Race: Here’s how fans reacted to the first Global All Stars winner

By Jordan Robledo

27th October 2024

A new queen has entered the International Drag Race Hall of Fame, and fans are gagged.

Spoilers ahead

For their final maxi-challenge, the top four contestants – Nehellenia, Alyssa Edwards, Kween Kong, and Kitty Scott-Claus – were tasked with starring in the music video for the new Global All Stars anthem, ‘Dance Like the World is Watching.’

“The song was composed just for you by Leland, and now you get to write and record your own original verses,” Ru explained.

“Then you’ll work with Jamal Sims to create an iconic dance sequence that will zig my zag and tik my tok. In addition to all of that, you’re cordially invited to join Michelle Visage and me for an intimate Tic Tac Chit Chat.”

With their final maxi-challenge assigned, the ladies wasted no time crafting their respective verses.

Fortunately, all of the queens were confident in their material, with Kitty exclaiming that Drag Race brings out her inner songwriter.

“I’m trying to find ways that I can still be understandable and still be funny and still be Kitty, you know?” she explained to the girls.

Nehellenia also expressed excitement for the challenge, adding that she would be incorporating Italian lyrics into her segment.

“I want to bring some Italian words in my lyrics. Also because in Italia, I can do a lot of joke with the words,” she explained in a confessional.

After completing their verses, the ladies headed to their Tic Tac chats, which were filled with heartwarming moments. Kitty opened up about how she’s changed since competing on Drag Race UK season three.

“I went into it thinking, I’m not gonna win. I’m here to have a good time. I’m here to be funny. If I get far, I get far, and that’s it. And this time, I feel like I’ve really fought because all the girls were so strong from the off,” the UK-based queen explained to Ru and Michelle.  

“And it was like, I can’t rely on just being the funny one. I need to prove that I am the best of the best It’s shaken me, and it pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I think that’s good.”

The next queen up to the plate was Nehellenia, who was moved to tears after Ru and Michelle shined a light on her incredible run and positive impact on young viewers.

“Thinking that maybe one child can look at me and say, ‘Oh my god, I’m feeling like Nehellenia, so I’m not alone. It’s a big deal,” she earnestly stated.

“I’ve been dreaming about this moment for a long time. I work a lot. I study a lot. It’s 11 years that I do drag and it’s for this moment. So thank you so much.”

Following Nehellenia’s chat, Kween made her way to the Tic Tac stage and opened up about her transformative journey since appearing on Drag Race Down Under.

“I think the last time we met in my season, there were so many things that I hadn’t really unpacked to figure out what was strong, which is why I was so defeated,” she explained.

“You know, I think I was carrying all these bags and just had the weight of the world and didn’t necessarily know how to start unpacking and so the gems that you gave me the last time I was here really started the unlocking process. I just feel so free.”

Like the other queens, Alyssa reflected on her full circle Drag Race journey during her Tic Tac chat with Ru and Michelle,

“I walked into this room, and the girls were all saying who they thought their biggest competitors were. And I realized my biggest competition is 23 years of experience in this,” the All Stars 2 star explained.

“Can I outdo what I’ve done? Will I live up to the expectation of what you all have, this vision, this image, this picture in your head?… I want to make myself proud today.”

With all the Tic Tac chats completed, the contestants met up with Jamal Sims to learn their choreography, which was filled with creative and unique moves that showed off their respective skill sets.

The next day, the ladies returned to the workroom to get ready for their final appearance on the Global All Stars stage.

However, their makeup session was interrupted by the eliminated queens, who showered the fierce final four with love and support.

“I feel really focused. I feel really ready. But I’ve just been working so hard – we all worked hard. But the journey from my season to here I just feel really proud of myself today,” Kween exclaimed to the ladies.

Nehellenia echoed similar sentiments, adding that she already felt like a winner.

“For me, it’s already a victory. I’m feeling like a winner. And also, I’m very glad to have met you, and I want to continue to be in touch with all of you,” the Italian queen exclaimed.

Following their final workroom gathering, the final four returned to the main stage to showcase their stunning ‘Best Drag on Earth’ ensembles and watch their ‘Dance Like the World is Watching’ music video.

Of course, Nehellenia, Alyssa, Kween and Kitty effortlessly showcased their charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent throughout the visual, which captivated the judges’ panel.

During critiques, the final four were praised for their work in the challenge, on the runway and their respective runs in the competition.

“I just want to add to all of you that what you have all displayed here on this stage is the promise of a world filled with beauty and love and kindness and creativity,” Ru exclaimed.

“It’s a world that we were all promised. You are all such perfect representatives of what the future could hold for all those kids out there, seeing the possibilities of what you can create. Little paint and powder and a whole lot of courage. You are all winners. You should be very proud of yourself.”

Before naming the final two, Soa de Muse was awarded the Miss Global Peacemaker Award and a cash prize of $10,000.

“I just want to say thank you to all my sisters. Thank you so much,” she exclaimed while accepting the award and flowers.

Ru then delivered one final twist when she announced that Nehellenia, Alyssa, Kween and Kitty would all perform in the final lip sync for the crown.

To the beat of Lady Gaga’s legendary single ‘Bad Romance,’ the ladies laid it all out on stage, with their performances being filled with high energy, passion, drama, stunning choreography, comedy and global star power.

While the final four delivered jaw-dropping and sickening lip syncs, Ru could only select one queen as the first-ever winner of Global All Stars – resulting in Alyssa securing the crown, sceptre and ‘Queen of the Mothertucking World’ title.

“Always and forever, Alyssa Edwards,” the Drag Race season five star exclaimed during her acceptance speech.

Since the grand finale’s release, fans have flocked to social media to share their reactions to the first winner of Global All Stars and the final fours epic lip sync.

One viewer wrote: “A Legend won. As a fan who’s watched Alyssa since S5, baby this is very well deserved!!!! Idc what you say. She earned that Crown.”

Another fan tweeted: We all know that Alyssa is a great and deserving winner, we also know that Nehellenia won everyone’s hearts. Congratulations to the queens for this season, I hope the second season is better.

A third person added: “I’m crying actual tears at work rn!!!! ALYSSA FUCKING EDWARDS!!!!!!!!!!! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.”

See below for more fan reactions to the Global All Stars finale.