The Week in Drag – the Fame Games are on, Drag Race Emmy noms, the return of We’re Here and more – News JoJo

AuthorJuly 16, 2023

0 0 7 minutes read

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Hello, hello, hello! Welcome to our weekly wrap-up of all things drag! This week, we were treated to the return of our eliminated all stars for a talent extravaganza, and we’ve got all the details.

We also meet the 12 fierce Pinot queens fighting for the crown on Drag Race Philippines and the host of a spicy new international franchise.

In addition, we have Ru-caps and Ru-views of last week’s episode of All Stars from some of your favorite alums. Trixie takes us back in time to the season 7 finale through the magic of makeup, Jaymes has us craving croissants in the Big Apple, and Honey Davenport answers your burning relationship questions. We’ve got lots to cover, so let’s bring it to the runway!

For the first time, we have a top two on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. Kandy and Jimbo’s alliance held firm and brought them to this moment. Of course, the alliance is now dead, and the pair throw an epic mock catfight to mark the occasion. Ru enters and informs the top two that the workroom is just a little too lonely, so she announces the return of the eliminated queens. Everyone (except for Heidi…sob…) is back: Monica, Naysha (giving us all of the Honey Davenport feelings with that beard), Kasha, Darienne, Jaymes, Kahanna, LaLa (yay!), Alexis, and Jessica.

The eliminated queens are told they are the ones to determine the winner…just kidding…. In the grand tradition of Paris is Burning…we are treated to a super-sized reading challenge. The queens all brought the funny to the challenge. Jessica told Alexis, “I was tired of seeing you cry” Alexis and LaLa flirt, and LaLa says her next look is a dress made from the bags under Jessica’s eyes.

Jaymes jokes that Kasha has the only drag queen story hour that kids protest; Kasha describes seeing Alexis from behind as spotting a “helicopter landing pad.” Kandy said she was surprised Monica left so early because “I thought the cleaning crew was booked for the entire season and Jimbo told a very naughty joke about Kahanna, also telling Naysha that “J-Lo called. She said, ‘F— you.’”

After the library was officially closed, Ru declared Mrs. Kasha Davis as the winner, and she’s now $2500 richer. Ru went on to say that the queens were not just back for reading. They are there to show off their charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent one more time in the Fame Games Variety Extravaganza. Kandy and Jimbo do not have to perform, but they are given hosting duties.

The queens return to the werk room with a lot of stuff and meet with Ru to discuss their talents. Kasha is planning to do a little rapping and plugging her children’s book (you go, Kasha), Naysha is doing a Flamenco-inspired dance and Monica is performing her one and only original song. Kahanna is combining cheerleading with an original sing, Darienne is doing comedy (because she’s funny) and Jaymes and her breastplate are doing a comedy number about having no talent.

Our favorite theater kid Alexis is singing live and doing choreo inspired by Gypsy, LaLa promises to give the full experience with an original song and Jessica is also rocking an original song. Ru gathers the queens and tells them that the Fame Game rules in full effect. She will choose the top 2 performers to lip sync for a chance to dramatically increase their Fame Game fan votes (with a spin multiplier up to x5).

Can I just say I am SO glad to have a other week of confessionals from LaLa (“Spin, spin, spin…rise, rise, rise.”) Alexis and LaLa cleared the air which was nice (but is the love connection reignited?) Kandy and Jimbo still feel pressure to do well. Jimbo says she’s “just pretending” as she’s not hosted before. I’m sure she’ll do just fine.

Ru rocks the runway in her promo look and the hilarious Ego Nwodim from Saturday Night Live joins the judges’ panel along with Ross and Michelle. As for the talent on display, Monica looks stunning and her song is pretty good, Naysha does an impressive Flamenco dance in stiletto heels, and Kasha’s rap protest song delivered a great, strong message.

Darienne is funny, so it wasn’t a surprise that she killed it (get her on America’s Got Talent), Jaymes’ song about having big boobs and no talent was truly funny (I feel like a lot of people have been sleeping on Jaymes, and she’s really an underrated talent) Kahanna gave a spirited, energetic performance of a catchy song, complete with flips and LaLa was awesome – she served a great look, a great song, and great choreography.

Alexis gamely sang live in her burlesque number and looked great (love the wig) and Jessica was en fuego with hair-o-graphy and a catchy theme song. And, in addition to hosting duties, Kandy and Jimobo had “Command performances”. Jimbo won the show IMHO as she made a very unconventional banana split to the tune of Europe’s hit “The Final Countdown.” She pulls ice cream out of her wig, a banana from behind and whipped cream from her boob cannons. It’s quintessential Jimbo and I loved every minute of it. Kandys song was another good, on-brand tune.