Drag

Drag Race fans are shocked at this week’s All Stars 8 elimination

By Jordan Robledo

10th June 2023

Drag Race fans were left shocked and gagged over this week’s All Stars 8 elimination. 

Spoilers ahead.

For this week’s maxi-challenge, the remaining contestants were tasked with performing in the glamourous JOAN: the Unauthorized Rusical.

“You’ll each get to play Joan at a different stage in her epic career. First you’ll record your solos with composer Leland. Then you’ll work with the director of hit movies like Hairspray, Rock of Ages and Disenchanted the only and only Adam Shankman,” Ru explained. 

After Ru left the workroom, the queens headed to the iconic orange couches to select which Joan they would be portraying. 

While the division of parts started off smooth, things got a little dicey when Kandy Muse said she only wanted the “No Wire Hangers” Joan – which resulted in the season 13 queen and Jessica Wild battling it out for the part. 

In the end, the cast of JOAN: the Unauthorized Rusical featured Kandy as “No Wire Hangers” Joan, Jessica as “Bring Me The Ax” Joan, Jaymes Mansfield as “Mommie Dearest” Joan, Lala Ri as “Let’s Go” Joan, Jimbo as “Hag Superstar” Joan, Kahanna Montrese as MGM queen Joan, Alexis Michelle as “Don’t Fuck With Me Fellas” Joan. 

With their parts officially selected, the queens met up with Leland to record their solos. During the process, Jaymes and Lala delivered unique and impressive vocals – which resulted in the former catching the attention of Kandy. 

“Jaymes is doing what Jaymes does best. She’s a very comedic kind of queen. Characters is what she does, and I feel like she is a dark horse this week,” the New York-based queen said in a confessional. 

After recording their Rusical numbers, the ladies met up with Adam to work on the show’s intricate choreography, which proved to be difficult for Kahanna, Jimbo, Kandy and Jaymes. 

The next day, the ladies returned to the workroom to bring to life their individual Joans.

While getting ready, the ladies opened up about their parts and their past Rusical experiences on their respective seasons. 

“I am shaking in my boots. Choreography and dancing is, you know, a little bit of an Achilles tendon for me, if that’s even how that goes,” Jimbo said in a confessional. 

“I hope I can just make it through this challenge because I know if I land in the bottom, any of these bitches might take the opportunity to take me out.” 

On the other side of the workroom, Jaymes expressed her excitement for her Rusical.

“I’m feeling pretty good about this because I’m very familiar with the subject matter. And I got to take a comedy approach with my number,” she told Lala.

With their faces beat and vocals warmed up, the queens headed to the main stage to finally star in JOAN: the Unauthorized Rusical

After delivering hilarious and gagworthy performances, the queens strutted down the runway in their best Night of 1000 Grace Joneses. 

Ru then announced that Alexis Michelle and Jimbo were safe, resulting in Kahanna, Kandy, Jaymes, Jessica and Lala as the tops and bottoms of the week. 

During the judges’ critiques, Kandy, Jessica and Lala were praised for their Rusical performances and Grace Jones looks. 

Ultimately, Kandy was named the winner of the maxi-challenge, and Kahanna and Jaymes ended up as the bottom All Stars of the week. 

After submitting their votes, the queens returned to the mainstage to witness Kandy and season 14 queen Angeria Paris VanMichaels lip-sync to I’m Not Perfect But I’m Perfect for You by Grace Jones. 

While both of the queens delivered an electric performance, Mama Ru named Kandy the winner, resulting in Jaymes’ shocking elimination. 

“I am gooped, gagged and gobsmacked right now. But here we are. I feel like I killed this challenge, and I think Kandy maybe took the opportunity to eliminate a threat. But it’s part of the game,” Jaymes said in her exit confessional. 

Shortly after the episode was released, fans flocked to social media to express their shock over Jaymes’ elimination.

One person wrote: “THERE IS NO WAY JAYMES SHOULD’VE WENT HOME THAT NIGHT I’M FUCKING PISSED.”

Another fan tweeted: “Now can someone PLEASE explain how EVERY SINGLE PERSON voted for Jaymes…”

On next week’s episode of Drag Race All Stars 8, the queens will be tasked with another acting challenge. And based on the preview, it’s set to be another drama-filled affair. 

Check out more fan reactions to Jaymes’ elimination below.