Drag

“That’s a winner!”: Drag Race fans react to showstopping All Stars 9 finale

By Jordan Robledo

27th July 2024

The winner of Drag Race All Stars 9 has finally been crowned, and fans are gagged over the decision.

Spoilers ahead.

On the final episode of All Stars 9‘s charity-led season, the ladies returned to the workroom for the last time following their preparation for the Slay It Forward Variety Extravaganza.

“Everybody’s a little sad. This is the last time we got to walk into the werkroom and get ready, and, you know, hear Roxxxy’s voice,” Vanessa Vanjie joked in a confessional.

“We all kind of bonded really a lot this season. We all became really close. Everybody emotional. Everybody crying.”

As they slowly got ready for their impending performances, the tears continued to flow, with many of the ladies pausing to give hugs and share encouraging words.

However, after gathering their thoughts and feelings, the queens returned to competition mode.

On one side of the workroom, Shannel asked Angeria Paris VanMichaels if she felt “ready-ready” for the upcoming talent show, to which the former immediately agreed.

“I’ve been waiting for this for a minute. And I hope that it lands me where I want to be, girl,” Angeria said.

When asked if she felt any pressure, the Atlanta-based queen revealed that she was completely at ease compared to other challenges.  

“Like, this is probably the most relaxed I’ve felt all season about doing something because if you can’t be confident in nothing else, you should be able to be confident in what you do, your talent,” she added.

Halfway through their makeup session, the queens were interrupted by Drag Race icon Kylie Sonique Love.

After having a little kiki about the competition’s Beautiful Benefactress Badge system, Plastique Tiara asked the All Stars 6 winner for advice regarding the final lip-sync for the crown.

“Bring something really big that you can slip on and then roll out of it,” Kylie joked, referring to her epic slip-turned-flip moment during her final All Stars performance. 

“I had no expectations of winning when I did All Stars. I was like, no matter what happens, I’m just gonna keep working hard for all the things that I’ve always wanted to do.

“When all the years would go by, and I would see all the new seasons and all the new girls, and I was like, ‘Fuck, I really wish I could come back so I can get a piece of this cake’ because it looks real yummy.”

Kylie went on to encourage the girls to be proud of themselves and enjoy their time in the competition.

“I remember there was a couple of things that I didn’t necessarily love seeing about me on season two because I was in my head about things and I wasn’t allowing myself to enjoy it,” she continued.

“And the reason I do drag is because I love doing drag, and I think it empowers the people around me, and that’s just one thing that you don’t ever want to forget.”

In addition to Kylie’s unexpected visit, the queens were treated to another inspiring message from All Stars 8 winner Jimbo, who appeared virtually due to being on tour in Dublin, Ireland.

“I’m so proud of you all. Everything you guys brought this season, the looks, the drama and the fashions,” she exclaimed.

After going over their favourite challenges, the ladies finally hit the main stage to show off their unique talents in front of Ru, Michelle Visage, “the hilarious” Ross Matthews and guest judge Connie Britton (American Horror Story). 

The first queen to turn it out on the stage was Angeria, who performed her original song ‘Park and Bark’ which was chock full of cheeky lyrics and a glamorous Old Hollywood choreography.

For the second act, Gottmik channelled her inner metal songstress with her original song, ‘I’m So Gorge’.

While she lip-synced most of the performance, the season 13 star surprised the judges when she delivered a sickening guitar solo.

Following Gottmik’s electric rocker number, Jorgeous strutted across the stage to deliver a killer show of her original track.

Of course, in true Jorgeous fashion, the beloved talent showcased drama, charisma, and insane choreography – which included a lift/stage slide stunt that will forever be ingrained in Drag Race herstory.

For the fourth performance of the evening, Plastique hit the stage with her own beautiful original number– which incorporated her Vietnamese culture, lightsaber choreography, stunning lifts and a shocking firecracker breastplate reveal.

The next contestant to take the stage was Nina, who debuted an inspirational yet comedic original song about the power of drag.

Like Angeria, her number channelled old Hollywood feel with its quirky musical-esque production.

Everyone’s favourite doll, Roxxxy Andrews, followed up Nina’s performance with a sensual and dynamite burlesque number about her time on All Stars 9.

The Las Vegas showgirl energy continued when Shannel hit the stage, which brought her iconic juggling skills to the forefront.

While she shocked the judges by juggling traditional pins and swords, it was her final stunt of balancing a box in her mouth that truly wowed the panel.  

Closing out the Slay It Forward Variety Extravaganza was Vanjie, who performed an original song backed by show-stopping choreography. 

The performance also included a cheeky ruveal that took aim at Michelle Visage’s dislike of leotards.

After sashaying down the runway in their finest Grand Finale Eleganza, the queens returned to the mainstage to receive critiques from the judges’ panel.

While all of the queens were praised for their incredible talent, Angeria and Vanjie were named the top two All Stars of the week and recipients of three Beautiful Benefactress Badges.

The suspense continued when Ru recapped everyone’s badge count before revealing the Double Diamond winner.

“All Stars, the queen whose badge total is about to double, is Nina West,” Ru exclaimed.

While the Hairspray star’s final badge number rose to four, it wasn’t enough to make the top three, resulting in Roxxxy being named the third finalist of the competition.

To the beat of Janet Jackson’s ‘Rhythm Nation,‘ the top three contestants laid it all out on the stage in one final lip-sync showdown for the crown.

After their stellar performance, Ru selected Angeria and her charity – the National Black Justice Coalition – as the winner of All Stars 9.

“From the country to the silver screen, I’m officially the All Stars Queen,“ the Southern queen exclaimed.

In response to All Stars 9‘s fantastic finale, fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their reactions.

One viewer wrote: “Angeria’s reaction to winning all stars is the most genuine, she truly deserves it omg I’m gonna cry.“

Another fan tweeted: “JORGEOUS not in the top 2 PLASTIQUE not in the finals ROXXXY robbed RuPaul JAIL!!!”

A third person added: “Good luck to future seasons of #DragRace cause Gottmik and Plastique gave us the best runway packages in the history of the show!!! ART.”

Well, there you have it ladykins, another incredible All Stars season in the books.

Check out more fan reactions to the finale below.