Drag

“RuPaul gagged us”: Why Drag Race fans are shocked over latest episode

By Jordan Robledo

7th April 2024

The results of the Drag Race season 16 semi-final have left fans gooped and gagged. 

Spoilers ahead

On the latest episode of the drag competition series, the final four queens – Sapphira Cristál, Nymphia Wind, Plane Jane and Q – were asked to dig deep and write their own memoirs.

“For your final maxi-challenge, I want you to put pen to paper and write stories about your life,” Ru explained. 

“Then you need to come up with a catchy title for your book. Next, you’ll pose the house down for a cover shoot with celebrity photographer Albert Sanchez.” 

Toward the end of her statement, Ru revealed to the queens that they would be interviewed by Fire Island star and comedian Matt Rogers about their books. 

With their rules set, the ladies wasted no time getting to work on creating dragtastic and riveting memoirs.

While Sapphira, Q and Plane seemed to develop solid ideas for their books, Nymphia struggled with writing her story. 

‘I’ve had a hard time writing lyrics and jokes, but this is writing. I don’t necessarily have to be funny; I just need a good story,” she said in a confessional. 

With their books finished and covers shot, the queens met separately with Rogers to discuss their time in the competition and their journeys into the drag sphere. 

During Q, Nymphia and Sapphira’s interviews, the three talents let it all hang out, opening up about some of their difficult life experiences growing up. 

As for Plane, the Boston-based queen kept her interview light-hearted by focusing on her drag personality and unfiltered thoughts on the rest of the season 16 cast. 

After walking down the runway in their sickening “Fandango” ensembles, the four queens returned to the main stage to receive their final critiques. 

Sapphira and Nymphia proved to be the standouts of this week’s challenge, with the judges praising their memoirs, interviews and runway looks.

Unfortunately for Q and Plane, the judges weren’t particularly fond over their memoir covers and the latter’s interview, resulting in their bottom two placements.

To the beat of Tina Turner’s hit single ‘Better Be Good To Me,’ the two queens delivered an electric lip-sync performance filled with comedy, allure and charisma.

In the end, Plane was named the winner, and Q was asked to sashay away, much to the surprise of her fellow contestants.

Drag Race fans were also shocked over Ru’s decision to have a top three in the grand finale, with many taking to social media to share their reactions.

One fan on X, formerly known as Twitter, wrote: “Top 3, no rumix and no drag queens crying seeing their childhood photos?” 

Another viewer tweeted: “AN ACTUAL FUCKING TOP 3 I USED TO PRAY FOR TIMES LIKE THIS.” 

A third fan added: “I can’t believe there’s a top 3 and not a top 4 bitch. Ru gagged us.”

For context, there hasn’t been an official top-three since 2016, after the late Chi Chi DeVanye was eliminated during season eight’s semi-final.

While Jaida Essence Hall, Crystal Methyd and Gigi Goode made it to the grande finale in season 12, the lineup initially included Sherry Pie.

However, at the start of the season, she was disqualified following allegations from five aspiring actors that they had been catfished by the performer posing as a casting director.

On next week’s episode of Drag Race season 16, the eliminated queens return to the workroom to take part in a Lip-Sync LaLaPaRuZa Smackdown for $50,000.

Check out more fan reactions to this season’s top three outcome below. 

Drag Race season 16 is available to stream on WOW Presents Plus and MTV