Just about two and a half months ago, 13 drag queens began the Race to become America’s Next Drag Superstar. And over 11 episodes, we watched as the bewigged ranks lost all of the exciting big girls from this season and, last week, were pared down to just four glamorous contestants: Puerto Rican wacko Yara Sofia; the curvy (and also Puerto Rican) Alexis Mateo; the sassy Filipino Manila Luzon; and the ever-exotic Raja. Last night, we watched as — SPOILER ALERT — Yara Sofia bit the dust (remember, she was saved before!), revealing a finale-competing trio of Alexis, Manila, and Raja. (See: the photo for the trifecta’s final looks from last night. Dresses made from dollars!)
The offing of Yara, while totally one of my faves amongst the remaining queens, wasn’t surprising: Despite winning last night’s mini challenge with her Pop-It-On hair pieces, Yara was sort of a mess this week (err, every week?), when you consider her runway looks: Her entry in the Swimsuit Body Beautiful area was fine, but her Cocktail Attire After 5 looked like she was going to “Liberace’s funeral,” remarked one judge (so true), and her Evening Gown Eleganza was fittingly summed up by Raja like this: “If she were to sit down in it, it would look like a pile of garbage.” I dare say it looked kind of like one even standing up.
Still, it was sad to see Yara go. Not only because she has such much personality, of course, and that crying jag from Alexis when the news came down, as well as her take-off-my-clothes, lie-on-the-floor, near give-up while lip-syncing to LaToya Jackson’s “I Wanna Dance.” But also because of her plea near the end of the hour, which found her (and the rest of the queens) explaining why she should be America’s Next Drag Superstar, that made her so endearing: “I’m so broke,” Yara said. “I don’t have anything in my bank.” I mean, you wanna talk about serving realness? That’s realness for you. And why Yara’s presence was so beloved on this competition.
The other gals were less blunt and emotional: Raja made an appeal for wanting to be a role model for young boys who don’t know how to express themselves; Manila offered that she’d be perfect since she was “the product of a loving and supportive family”; and Alexis talked of her “desire to continue” to become America’s Next Drag Superstar. Raja’s speech, natch, seemed to touch the judges the most, especially Mike Ruiz, who identified with Raja’s feelings.
But, alas, it wasn’t Raja who won the “Make Dat Money” challenge: Manila, increasingly a saucy competitor, took home the top prize for the second week in a row. But truly, she deserved it, if only for her Cocktail Attire After 5 outfit, which was slingy and a delightful mix of Mahogany and Studio 54 style. (I want my girlfriends to wear this look when we go out.) Her crumpled-dollar look for the Evening Gown Eleganza was beautiful, too, but truly, not as beautiful as Raja’s singular delight. And Alexis’? Hers was so — well — her, but it just was so not competitive with the other two. So it really came down to Raja and Manila.
I’ve said this before, but having Manila win so much here near the end of the season makes me think that the crown will ultimately go to Raja. It’d be no fun if Raja took home the final couple challenges and then also the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar, too. It’s pretty clear that, despite her truly winning personality, Alexis will not win (especially after that breakdown and her “quitting” the competition for a few minutes last night). The show has all but set up a Raja vs. Manila cage match for the finale. Right? Right.
Oh, and just a note, but the finale doesn’t air next week, but instead on April 25. Next week, we’ll be treated to “RuPaul Rewind,” which is described as a “look back at the highlights, ‘low-lights,’ and previously unseen footage from the first 12 episodes as we race toward the climactic grand finale!” Read: filler! But it’ll probably be a blast to watch, still.
But this is where I throw it to you, faithful Drag Racers: I’ve given you my thoughts on who will likely win, but who do you think should win? Vote here:
And just for fun, let’s do a second poll of who will win. As we all know, who should win and who will win are two very different questions.
Vote! And then tell me what you think below. Be controversial! Get some debate started! Revel in Drag Race!
Tanner on Twitter: @EWTanStransky
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‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’: Does Raja have this season locked up already?
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Raj will win..this show is so fake
Alexis would have gone home had Yara not fixed it. It should have been Raja, Manila and Yara.
Alexis and yara’s dresses were horrible, they did look like piles of trash. And Alexis was so wrong trash talking the others, jealousy can be so ugly.
This is a show about DRAG QUEENS. What kind of “realness” are you looking for? It’s entertaining, and while I’ve been sad to see some girls go home, I haven’t really felt that any were ROBBED to make better TV. (like Gary Busey on Apprentice)
Thank you for saying that – I so agree. Raja has a flat personality and a horrible disposition. Yet, she stays. Manila at least has personality, even if she isn’t my favorite. After a time, you wonder if the winner wasn’t picked preliminarily and the trajectory of the show just follows that line.
Just a quick editorial note!
All four girls lip-synced to La Toya’s “Just Wanna Dance” during the main challenge.
Alexis and Yara lip-synced to Patti LaBelle’s “I Think About You”
Yes, the writer got the song wrong.
Actually everyone but Raja lip-synched to La Toya’s song. If you notice Raja just did the moves during that routine, she didn’t lip-synch at all.
yes…
How do you know that? The camera was only on her for 1 second during the revolving part.
Oh please! The camera was on Raja for longer than that, and if you watch “Untucked,” Raja, herself even admitts that she did not do the lip-synch. But apparently, that didn’t matter since she was never called out on that.
I am so sad Yara went home! She gave up on the lip sync but at least she tried to design something (even if she over did it), rather than Alexis who has no real fashion sense other than Puerto Rican Barbie. Don’t get me wrong, I love Alexis, but Yara really was the stronger of the two.
I so agree. Yara and Alexis took the challenge too literal by making the dress look like money. In Yara’s defense, she IS out of the box. It was quite avante garde. Not my taste, but I can respect it. She will make it because she’s an entertainer. Raja will walk the runway and then what!!!
And someone needs to tell Alexis to ease up on the padding. She’s looked downright fat in some of her outfits.
And what about Jujube during season 2, hmmmm?
juju looked hot and like a real woman and a lady, unlike Alexis!
LOL!! And Raja or Manila look BETTER than Alexis?? Put on your glasses, friend, cuz you’re not seeing clearly…
I kind of loved it that the judges were crying, too. Who knew LaToya would be such a great judge? She was smart and interesting.
She sucks on the apprentice.
but this isn’t the apprentice
man i love alexis mateo. she should win. that bish raja looks like a grandma that was hit by a truck, nd manila looks like somthin out of a horror film. im just bein real with yall. alexis is the best hands down. ant yara should have stayed and grandma raja or manila should have went home
You are knocking on Raja and Manila’s looks but love Alexis and her goofy ass face?
I totally agree with you brian!!! Raja has style but does not have the look that make be believe she’s a woman.
If you had to make out with one would you really pick Raja. I would pick Alexis!!!!!!! Then Manila then Raja after a couple of shots!!! Sorry, just keeping it real!!!! LOL
No it should be Raja, Manila then Alexis (though it should have been yara in the top 3 but she had to save Alexis cause she felt sorry for her)
Sorry Mindy. Raja is not pretty at all. I agree with all the drag queens. Raja does still look like a man in drag.
Obviously I’m alone here,but I was so over Yara’s schtick by like episode 2. I just could not understand what they saw in her. Sure she can beat the hell out of her face,but when she opened her mouth it was screeching nonsense, and it wasn’t that I couldn’t understand the words she was saying, I got that it was that what she was saying was just nonsensical. Maybe I’m just still upset over Shangela. Also Carmen can suck it, Dr. Pepper with Sprite is delicious.
If u love Shangella over Yara Sofia that says a lot about you then lol and your knowlede (or lack thereof) of drag queens
Calebin2004 stfu. shangela was a good ass drag queen. wtf do u no about being a drag queen.
Shangela was a drama queen – not a drag queen. She should have been eliminated first (with her snowman christmas outfit that was half made).
Shangela straight up sucks as a drag queen: her costumes are sub par & her makeup is atrocious. However, as a comedian and comic actor, he has potential. Wayne Brady said it best when he saying that he thought Shangela was going about being a performer in the wrong way.
Oh Dear Sweet Jesus please do not give the series win to Manila. She is beyond annoying. Michelle seems to love anything she does and has pushed her through so far. And please get rid of the Pepe Le Pew patch on her head once and for all. Thanks.
I TOTALLY Agree with you !
Enough with the crossed & bulging eye bit she does.Ugh.
Yeah, i’m totally getting over Manilla. Go Raja!
You’re right. Michelle has been Manila’s biggest supporter from Day One. Michelle has NEVER said anything negative about any of Manila’s looks, or anything. It’s clear who her favorite is. Kind of annoying. She’s too biased.
you are SO right. I used to think Santino was the most annoying until Michelle got the weekly gig. “Manila, I could eat you with a spoon.” gag, she has been the salvation for Manila.
Michelle loves Manila because she has taste and knows a great drag queen when she sees one. Why do you think she loves on Manila and Raja so much but gives queens like Alexis bad comments?
Yara was giving us realness, alright. Glad that rupaul gave her the opportunities to show her talent. I believe she will be back stronger. Perhaps stay here in good ole USA and improve his language skill. Her breakdown on the stage was probably from exhaustion and pressure to try and make it to the top. What’s not real about? Yara, werk it!
Raja vs Manila vs Alexis (yawn) I’m gonna go with the bizzy bees. Although the african tribal/indian chief look are hard to climb.
Yara Sofia as I have always stated is the best this season. She left the show yes but on her own terms. Yara is already a SUPERSTAR. Baby ECHA PA LANTE
Ok, here’s my T: I actually enjoyed Manila this episode and thought she was fabulous despite wanting Alexis FTW. Loved L-A Toya—so adorable. Raja looks like a Pointer Sister! Ha!
yara is sore loser ( so is alexis). she can’t take criticism. she can’t accept that her gown was total mess.
you said it Tim!
Yara was a one-note, trash talking queen who played the victim when things didn’t go her way. She is no better or worse than the rest of the Top 4. I don’t understand why everyone was so in love with her.
The only reason I still watch this season is for RuPaul and the judging. The queens themselves are just a bland group. I hope they come up with a better group next season….
I think all the crazy-@$$ b!tches left the first few weeks, leaving talented but less ineresting finalists.
I’ll admit Ru is hilarious, i often find myself most entertained by her commentary. When a drag queen can entertain me like that, they can really earn the mantle
This season has been so disappointing with the group of racers…it is obvious that Raja will win..but her make-up looks terrible! She walks a good runway – but that is it…This season pales in comparison to the other seasons….(sigh)…hope Ru picks better talent next year…and please get RID of Michelle..I didn’t think there could be a more annoying judge then Santino!!!!
seriously michelle is such a dreadful judge. and for someone who is such a self declared drag-hag, seems to have no idea what’s going on half the time, most of the time looks a hot mess herself. i’ve actually found myself missing santino.
you hit the nail on the head. Michelle is horrible, especially when she makes you prefer the dreadful Santino. Ru should have guest judges every week and get rid of Santino and Michelle altogether. They are so WalMart.
I hate, hate, hate the thought that Raja will win. She is not a drag queen, more like a model-wannabe. I really do hope the spoilers are wrong. I’m rooting for Manila all the way!!!
People who paid money to see her perform for over the past decade disagree with you.
I thought it was common knowledge that Raja won? …and that he and Ru have been friends for many years.
Folks are saying Raja is going around Hollywood telling everyone he won too…
I wish Manila would win now,Alexis has no hope,she realized that just like Shannel did!
The only one saying that is YOU.
Oh did Rupaul design and sew all the outfits Raja made? Write her comedy routine, do the acting in the skits for her? And did RuPaul give her a super memory transplant so she wouldn’t forget any words? Who did that LSFYL with Carmen? RuPaul? See how stupid that idea is? Raja had every opportunity to lose but KICKED BUTT.
Matt and Amanda are grasping at straws cause their favorites aren’t going to win lmao
I don’t think Raja will win even though she is the one primed to take the crown. Ru has been consistent in seasons 1 and 2 with picking her favourites. I think given this season’s surprises: the non-elimination lip sync and the return of Carmen, the finale and the winner will be shockers. C’mon Manila, do it for the Asians momma!!
Raja is Asian, too.
Only two queens this season were worthy of RuPaul’s mantle of fabulous-ness, Alexis Mateo and Stacey Matthews….they never got nasty. While Manila has her moments of theater, Raja is just plain nasty, and karma should deliver her a loss. Alexis is consistently stunning, always compassionate and totally worthy of superstardom. (but ya gotta think that Manila will win it…)
I think Raja will win, but Manila really deserves it.
THANK YOU… i feel less alone now!
I think Raja is on her way to the crown, but I don’t think you can cross out Manilla completely
What show are you watching? Alexis is just as mean spirited as the other contestants. Yara and Stacy were the ones who didn’t get in the middle of the fray.
yep she sure was
I wasn’t aware that this was the Miss Congeniality Drag Pageant. Alexis – who I like – always looks dumpy and dresses like one of those 80s country queens. Stacey failed week after week after week and I was thrilled to see her finally go. Who cares who’s nice and who’s clawing their way to the top!? It’s a competition! Been sayin’ it ever since “Queens in Space”…Manila FTW!!!
Stacy & Alexis are RuPaul’s heirs apparent? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Stacy is good at one thing: eating; not dancing, not costuming & not being entertaining enough to handle Ru’s legacy. The less said about that monstrosity, the better.
Stacy,no. Alexis, can be with a little more polish. She’s a great entertainer. Her LSFYL saves her every time. Her stand down against Shangela was by for THE best LSFYL this season. And because of that, with a little polish, Alexis can take this win.
Do you watch tv with the volume off? Alexis was nasty from the first episode.
i thin Alexis should win raja has an unfair advantage because he’s in the fashion ‘bizz’ and all manila is good at is crossing his eyes and when he made that speech about his loving family and loving friends did he mean the [boogers?]Alexis is the prettiest the last time they walked down the stage she looked like a beutiful woman between two dude’s.