No butterflies were harmed in the filming of this finale…
Well, friends, we have made it to the end of another season. We have watched countless runways. We have endured HUNDREDS of acting challenges, seen one sewing challenge, and we have witnessed too many of those rattlesnake sound effects in the werk room. We re-welcomed Vanjie back into our hearts, as well as welcoming our first on-screen showmance (R.I.P). We finally got to meet Nina West, and all of us are better people because of it. Most importantly, we saw some of drag’s up and coming superstars. This season has been a mild ride with little to no twists or turns, and the only gagging we really did was over a few lip syncs. The competition seemed fair, and a truly diverse, dynamic, and talented top four are walking the stage tonight, with one of them finally taking the crown, and becoming America’s Next Drag Superstar.
The finale starts as finales always do, with all of this season’s eliminated queens walking across the stage looking their absolute best. Every single queen looks truly sickening, and I’m just wondering where all of this fierceness was during the competition… After the parade of the eliminated, Ru enters the to a standing ovation, and vision in green, which I’m sure Michelle is GAGGING for. Ru announces that the top four will compete against each other in pairs in a series of lip syncs for the crown.
Before the lip sync smack down, the top four each have their time in the spotlight, starting with A’Keria C. Davenport. The producers are trying something different to the digital packages this year with a more comedic approach, but some of the shots are reading a bit Maury to me… no? A’Keria was the queen nobody saw coming in the finale (literally), but she looks stunning in her final look. Brooke Lynn is up next, with her package mostly about her ballet background, and how hard it was for her to let loose and forget about her strive for constant perfection. Brooke Lynn is our queen of the north, and whether she wins or loses tonight, she has made Toronto, and Canada proud.
The top four introductions are split up with an on screen memorial for Michelle Visage’s breast implants. They are going heavy with the comedy in this finale, and I think I might like it? The Reverend Doctor Silky Nutmeg Ganache is up next. Silky may have been loud and obnoxious at times (her words not mine, though I can’t say I disagree), but she stole the show, and I appreciate her affinity for always having a snack on hand. We are then treated to a different rendition of Sissy That Walk featuring some of the most memorable queens in the show’s herstory, as well as a touching package about the history of Pride, and the importance of voting.
Before we can get any closer to the lip sync battle royale, the personality of season 11, Vanessa Vanjie Matteo interrupts Ru on stage with a street segment interview that was PURE GOLD. Though she didn’t win the crown this season, she won our hearts, and I have no doubt we’ll see her in future seasons mentoring new queens for sure. Yvie Oddly’s time is finally here. Yvie has been one of the most interesting queens to watch this season, always trying to elevate others around her, as well as herself. She kept it real, and she’s here to slay. Yvie is a strong competitor with an infectious laugh. She’s come a long way since her remote control entrance outfit, and her finale lewk is weird and stunning, and totally perfect.
It’s finally time for the queens to start lip-syncing, with the first pair being Silky and Brooke Lynn. The two lip sync to Bootylicious by Destiny’s Child. The lip sync is fun, and bright with plenty of reveals, splits, and pointe shoes. Ru decides that Brooke has won the first lip sync and will be moving on to the final lip sync for the crown. Silky’s time in the competition may be over, but something tells me we’ll probably be seeing a lot more from her in the future (probably in All Stars 5).
A’Keria and Yvie are up to lip sync next, and they are performing to Rihanna’s SOS. Both queens are TURNING IT OUT, but the real star of the show is the “Free Britney” spandex shorts under Yvie’s dress. Yvie was the only queen out of the top four who opted to go without reveals during their lip sync, instead letting her body do the work for her performances. Ru puts Yvie through to the next round, proof that keeping it real always pays off.
Before we find out who will win the season 11 crown, Miss Congeniality MUST be recognized. I think we all know who will be getting the crown this year, but we’ll let Monét X Change do her piece. As expected, the PRIDE of season 11, Nina West, takes home the Miss Congeniality crown, and there is truly nobody more deserving. GET IT GIRL! Our reigning queen Aquaria enters the stage (looking sickening) to pass on her crown.
We have finally made it to the final lip sync of the season. For the crown Brooke and Yvie perform to Lady Gaga’s Edge of Glory, and if this is anything like the last lip sync these two did together, we are in for a treat. Living up to their last joint performance, Brooke and Yvie are putting on an absolute show that I could honestly watch for hours. Can we have another double crown? After the lip sync Ru and Aquaria present the crown and scepter to this season’s queen… Yvie Oddly! Not only is she super deserving, but Yvie was also consistent through the competition, constantly trying to better her own drag, and the drag of those around her. She kept it real, and I have no doubts that she will do great things over the next year of her reign. Stay odd, and CONDRAGULATIONS GIRL!
Thanks for re-capping with us, and we’ll see you queens next season.
Missed a week?: Read our RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11 recaps right here!
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