Culture

Drag Race star Anetra goes viral with talent show performance: ‘This was iconic’

By Sam Damshenas

9th January 2023

Anetra’s martial arts lip-sync extravaganza has been hailed as one of the best talent show performances in Drag Race herstory.

On 6 January, 16 brand new competitors entered the werkroom to compete for the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar, as per, and a cash prize of $200,000.

The queens are as follows: Amethyst, Anetra, Aura Mayari, Irene Dubois, Jax, Loosey LaDuca, Luxx Noir London, Malaysia Babydoll Foxx, Marcia Marcia Marcia, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, Princess Poppy, Robin Fierce, Salina Estitties, Sasha Colby, Spice and Sugar.

For their first challenge, the queens choreographed an entrance number together for the ‘One Night Only’ talent show, which featured original lip-syncs, comedy routines, ballet, gymnastics, ice water and – in Anetra’s case – taekwondo.

The Las Vegas queen stunned the panel – including special guest star Ariana Grande – and the rest of her sisters with her vogue and duck-walk heavy routine. Towards the end of her number, Anetra karate-chopped a plank of wood, before smashing through another with a roundhouse kick – in heels, we should add.

Although Anetra faced stiff competition from the cast, particularly Jax and Marcia Marcia Marcia, RuPaul declared her the winner of the maxi-challenge.

Anetra’s routine subsequently went viral on social media, with fans rightfully describing the performance as “iconic” and “gag-worthy”.

“She just solved homophobic violence. All the gays doing self defense class now… I live… literally,” said one fan, while another wrote: “This is absolutely one of the fiercest, most surprising, most entertaining, most hilarious talent show performances in #DragRace herstory. #Anetra SLAYED IT.” 

She also received praise from Drag Race alum, including Pangina Heals, Mrs Kasha Davis, Yara Sofia, Shuga Cain, Kahanna Montrese, Scarlett Bobo, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, June Jumbalaya and Marina Summers.

On Twitter, Aja admitted that she was originally “too busy being a hater” before adding, “but Anetra actually did carry”.

“Remember when I warned y’all that Anetra was that bitch?” tweeted Kornbread “The Snack” Jeté. Willow Pill added that Anetra “deserves a Nobel Prize”. 

Check out the reactions to Anetra’s performance below.

After deliberations, Amethyst and Irene Dubois faced the first elimination of the season, lip-syncing to Ariana Grande’s global smasher 7 rings. Ultimately, Amethyst won the smackdown while Irene sashayed away.

RuPaul’s Drag Race season 15 is available in the UK via the streamer of all things drag, WOW Presents Plus, from 2AM GMT every Saturday. Subscribe now via https://uk.wowpresentsplus.com/