Culture

Drag Race viewers celebrate the first ever Queen of All Queens

By Sam Damshenas

29th July 2022

The first-ever winners’ season of RuPaul’s Drag Race came to an unforgettable close this week with six epic lip-sync smackdowns. 

Last week’s episode, which saw the beloved winners compete in a variety extravaganza with original tracks, powerhouse vocals and intense choreo, dwindled the top eight down to four: Jinkx Monsoon, Monét X Change, Shea Couleé and Trinity the Tuck. 

Just when viewers thought the twists and turns and goops and gags were over, Broom announced that, in addition to the Lip-Sync LaLaPaRUza, a second tournament would be held amongst the other four queens to determine the “Queen of She Done Already Done Had Herses,” which comes with a $50,000 cash prize. 

After defeating The Vivienne and Jaida Essence Hall in their respective lip-syncs, Yvie Oddly and Raja faced-off to the beat of Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin’s iconic empowerment anthem Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves. 

The latter ultimately emerged victorious, thanking RuPaul for the “trajectory you’ve made in my life” in an emotional acceptance speech. 

“I’ve always been a fan,” responded Ru. “We’ve always seen your remarkable spirit and talent, and it gives me so much joy and so much pleasure to have you on this stage.” 

The first two lip-syncs between the top four saw Jinkx serve dress-ography as she battled a choreo-heavy Shea to Lady Gaga’s Judas, while the second, between “twinners” Monet and Trinity, was a pop-rock showdown to Pink’s anthem So What. 

Jinkx and Monet later advanced to the final, where they competed in front of all the queens to Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj’s house favourite, Swish Swish. Taking the lip-sync and their performance throughout the competition into consideration, RuPaul declared Jinkx Monsoon the first-ever Queen of All Queens and the winner of $200,000. 

“Drag is my passion and something I’ve dedicated half my life to at this point,” the internationally tolerated drag queen said in her speech. 

“I feel so grateful to be invited here and I just hope to share the gifts that [RuPaul] has bestowed upon me with everyone else out there. And show them that we are all beautiful, no matter who we are or how we present ourselves to the world. 

“And I claim this in the name of Hecate, mother of witches – thank you!”

On All Stars 7, Jinkx memorably became only the second queen in Drag Race herstory, after her Seattle sister BenDeLaCreme, to win five maxi-challenges. 

Following the episode, Drag Race viewers celebrated Jinkx’s win on social media, with many acknowledging how it was “well-deserved” due to her “steamrolling” the other contestants throughout the season. 

“Jinkx Monsoon ATE this season. So glad she won! She deserved,” said one fan, while another tweeted: “The most revered [Drag Race] winner, she was the one to beat from the moment they all set foot in the competition.” 

See the best responses below.

RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 7 is now available to watch in the UK exclusively on the streamer of all things drag, WOW Presents Plus. Subscribe now via https://uk.wowpresentsplus.com/