Skip to Content
Celebrating Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ Communities
Canada's Drag Race Season 5 Episode 9 RECAP: Grand Finale

Canada’s Drag Race Season 5 Episode 9 RECAP: Grand Finale

The fierce final four write and record their own singles and hit the runway one last time before one of them is crowned Canada’s Next Drag Superstar. Musician Orville Peck is a guest judge…

This season of Canada’s Drag Race has been filled with lewks, comedy, sewing challenges, feuds, heated arguments in Untucked and of course, that good ol’ Canadian charm. Last week Perla was eliminated from the competition following a late night-talk show challenge which saw the queens stand out, and let each other shine while answering questions and playing games. Makayla Couture, The Virgo Queen, Minhi Wang, and Helena Poison are our official final four, and at the end of this week’s episode, one of them will be crowned Canada’s Next Drag Superstar. Let’s get into it…

The episode begins with a recap of highlights featuring each of the queens. We are then transported into the werk room following Perla’s elimination. All of the queens talk about what an amazing queen Perla is before sending her off and wiping her message away. The top four gather on the couches to celebrate and Jimbo joins them to congratulate them on making it to the end of the competition and gives them some sage words of wisdom. The queens get to ask Jimbo questions about her reign and what it means to march to the beat of their own drums.

Canada's Drag Race Season 5 Episode 9 RECAP: Grand Finale

It’s a new day in the werk room and the final four are feeling ready to take on the last challenges of the season. Each of them already feel like winners, and now Helena officially is one. They go around the table and point out who each of their biggest competitions are with Minhi, Makayla, and Helena all say Virgo just based on her music ability and Virgo names Minhi as hers. Ru interrupts them for the very last time and leaves them with a video message telling them they’ll have to claw their way to the win. Traci enters the werk room to tell them that for their final maxi challenge of the season they’re going to launch their charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent into the stratosphere dropping their own singles! They’ll also be collaborating with resident choreographer Hollywood Jade for their performance, and they’ll be coached on vocals by Orville Peck. Before they get to the music, they’re untucking with a very special guest…

They meet reigning queen Venus for some candid conversations. They all get to ask each other questions before taking naked-ish pictures in a bed of red maple leafs. After their finale photoshoot they join Orville Peck on the main stage which has transformed into a makeshift recording studio. Helena is up first and her lyrics are great, with encouragement from Orville and the rest of the queens she allows herself to get silly and nail her vocals. Virgo is up next and takes a branded approach with her astrology-inspired lyrics. As expected, the vocals are vocaling. Minhi is third and presents her dumb and camp song which is a journey. Makayla is last to record and pushes through her nerves to deliver an inspiring song. She gets stuck on a note at the end but Orville helps her work through it.

Canada's Drag Race Season 5 Episode 9 RECAP: Grand Finale

After recording, it’s time to learn the steps with Hollywood Jade. Hollywood works with each of them one-on-one to incorporate their own ideas with actual choreography and get them to dance to their full potential. All of them work hard on getting the steps down in preparation for their final performance on the main stage. 

It’s coronation day! It’s time for them to get ready all together for the last time. They talk about how excited they are for this last challenge. Out on the main stage Brooke presents the final judging panel of the season. Traci Melchor, Brad Goreski, and this week’s extra special guest, Orville Peck. Makayla is up first with her song “To the Sky (Limitless).” It’s a fun disco-inspired bop and she’s hitting all the steps. There’s even pyro involved. Minhi is next with her hit “Wangderful.” The lyrics are hilarious chronicling her whole journey in the competition. Though she struggles a bit with the dancing she still sells the hell out of her performance. Helena is third with her song “Poison” and her lyrics are just perfectly her. Her dancing is giving pop star, too. Virgo is up last and her single “The Stars Have Aligned.” I’m here to report that her dancing is just as impressive as her vocals.

Canada's Drag Race Season 5 Episode 9 RECAP: Grand Finale

Following each of their performances the category on the runway is “Coronation Extravaganza”, and we’re joined by all of our eliminated queens this season in their finale best before our top four strut in their very best drag. 

The top four meet at the front of the stage to see their best photos with Venus. Virgo talks about her journey coming from poverty and coming up from the hood has made her who she is and she’s grateful for it. She’s also learned that you need to keep your head up and keep pushing. Helena is next and speaks about how her hustle and perseverance has allowed her self-expression to shine in the competition. Minhi talks about her childhood in Australia and how moving to Canada allowed her to fully explore her artistry. Makalya is last and speaks about her childhood, meeting the judges on the main stage for the first time a few seasons ago and how her strength has carried her through.

Canada's Drag Race Season 5 Episode 9 RECAP: Grand Finale

Final critiques start with Virgo. Brooke loved her performance and said she totally gave pop star. Orville compliments her voice and tells her that her ability to take notes was seamless. Brad compliments her look and gives top toot to her versatility throughout the competition. Brooke calls Helena a wonderful performer and Orville tells her she’s a great lyricist. All of the judges commend her for doing everything her way with Brad giving special compliments to her latex gown. The judges tell Minhi it’s been Wangderful having her in the competition. All of them could tell how much fun she was having and thank her for bringing herself to the runway week after week with Brooke calling her the fashion girl of the season. Finally, Brooke starts Makayla’s critique by telling her the makeover is finally complete and how much of a pleasure it’s been being part of her journey. She also compliments her lyrics and Brad tells her she’s done the House of Couture very proud. Traci calls her performance “music award show level”, and Orville gets teary talking about how proud he is of her performance. Brooke tells the queens that while they untuck, they’ll decide who gets the Miss Congeniality prize this season.

Canada's Drag Race Season 5 Episode 9 RECAP Grand Finale - 10

Backstage all of the eliminated queens catch up with the top four. Tara asks what drama she missed and Minhi runs down the whole Xana and Makayla fight from two episodes ago. Xana apologizes and Makayla says she loves Xana down but she just needs some time. Sanjina tells Minhi that she was hurt by her Golden Beaver decision. Tiffany tells everyone she doesn’t feel any sort of way about not being saved. Uma tells Tara she was sad she didn’t get to stay in the competition for longer and Jaylene addresses the elephant in the room…she (Jaylene) looks amazing (and we have to agree). She walks the queen through her Every Child Matters gown which not only looks incredible on her, but also sends a very important message. 

After the judges deliberate, all of the queens join them back on the main stage. Here to present Miss Congeniality with her cheque is season 4’s Miss C, Kitten Kaboodle! Brooke announces that the season 5 winner of Miss Congeniality is…Jaylene Tyme! Nobody deserves it more! Brooke tells the top four that the two queens who will be lip syncing for the crown are Makayla Couture and The Virgo Queen. That means it’s the end of the competition for Minhi Wang and Helena Poison.

Canada's Drag Race Season 5 Episode 9 RECAP: Grand Finale

The top two lip sync for the title, the money, and the crown to “From This Moment On” by Shania Twain. Both queens give an emotional performance, putting all they have left into this final lip sync, even lip syncing together while still staying in their own spotlight. With both queens certified superstars, it’s tough to call, but there can only be one winner, and it’s finally time to find out who it is.

Canada's Drag Race Season 5 Episode 9 RECAP: Grand Finale

Venus does one final strut in her reign to pass the scepter on, and the winner of Canada’s Drag Race Season 5, $100,000, and the title of Canada’s Next Drag Superstar is… The Virgo Queen! Long live the queen!

Canada's Drag Race Season 5 Episode 9 RECAP: Grand Finale

Related Articles

February 11, 2025 / Entertainment Latest

Queer Film ‘On Swift Horses’ Sets Spring 2025 Release Date

On Swift Horses, starring Jacob Elordi and Daisy Edgar-Jones, will finally hit select theatres across North American on April 25

February 9, 2025 / Entertainment Flashback Latest

FLASHBACK: The First Gay Sitcom Character Appears On TV, Archie’s Pal On All In The Family (February 9, 1971)

Today in 2SLGBTQI+ history

RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 Episode 6 RECAP: Let’s Get Sea Sickening Ball

The remaining queens make runway looks from sea trash in another sewing challenge. Actress and model Hunter Schaffer and stylist Law Roach are guest judges

POST A COMMENT

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *