By Lady Cocotte
The girls make their way into the workroom and you can tell they’re all genuinely upset about Katya leaving. Kennedy Davenport reads Katya’s message on the mirror: “Девочки! Я вас любитЬ! If you need me, you know where to find me. (The dumpster out back) XOXO Katya AKA The Brooke Hogan of drag AKA Diarrhea Perlman ♥♥♥.” We’ve seen the girls shocked by eliminations before but this one is the saddest. I guess Katya was everyone’s favorite. “I need a smoke and a nap,” Ginger Minj quips. That’s the story of my life, Ginger. The story of my life…
MAXIE-CHALLENGE
Michelle Visage shows up to tell the girls about their maxie-challenge (a challenge so big they’re forgoing the usual mini-challenge and even RuPaul’s “she done already done had herses” message). As always, the Queens are going to perform with RuPaul in a music video, this time for her song “Born Naked.” It’s a great final challenge because it incorporates dancing to choreography, lip-syncing, acting and fashion. In addition, they also get a one-on-one “meal” with Mama Ru. She serves tic tacs (because a girl’s got to watch her figure) and heartfelt encouragement. At least one girl every season cries. It’s good tv. Ooh, they’re shaking things up tonight. Usually only the top 3 perform in the video. This season, all four girls will shoot the video and when one is eliminated at the end of the episode, she will be edited out of the final video. Harsh! But also smart. There were a lot of girls who were eliminated right before the video that would have done an amazing job (cough, BenDeLaCreme, cough).
They start by learning choreography from Candis Cayne. No shade (because she’s younger than me) but Candis looks really mature tonight. I almost feel like I’ve watched her grow up on Drag Race. Or maybe it’s just that she’s more done up than usual and makeup ages a bitch. Ginger Minj knows that dancing is her achilles heel but she’s not letting it get her down. Instead, Violet Chachki is the one struggling a bit. Candis tells her to give it more of an 80’s, Cheryl Tiegs vibe. “I was born in ’92,” Violet snipes. Candis looks exhausted already.
RuPaul is preparing lunch for Kennedy Davenport. She takes a few tic tacs and throws them in a blender. “I’m juicing now, you know.” That’s our Ru, always on trend. She asks Kennedy why she never tried out before this season. Kennedy explains that she was always too busy working but finally decided to do it after she lost her dad. I assumed she was going to say he was opposed to Drag but in actuality, Kennedy’s Dad supported her dreams. He even went to all of her pageants. “He told me, ‘you have to go on RuPaul’s Drag Race.’ So by him passing it was like, yeah, it’s time. I’m gonna do it for my Dad.” What a sweet story! That’s how to parent! Kennedy’s sister is mentally retarded so he helped raise her. And with their father gone, Kennedy is her sole caretaker. She wants to win because she feels like it’s her reward for working so hard and taking care of others.
Ginger Minj sits down with RuPaul and starts talking about her family. Even though she knows it’s a cliche, Ginger adores her mother. Her father left his family for another woman when Ginger was 14 and she cries about the lack of relationship. “Growing up, I was so tormented in my life that the only way I could deal was to make jokes and use humor to cover it up.” Despite everything, she hopes her father is proud of her. RuPaul assures Ginger that she is very proud of her and the person she is. RuPaul sends Ginger off with a tic tac for “the ride home.”
Pearl and Violet Chachki are talking about their final look. Violet isn’t sure if she wants to do a gown. “I have tons of gorgeous dresses but I just feel like it’s really expected,” Violet explains. “I don’t want to blend in with these pageant girls.” Violet and Pearl start playing with violet’s clothes. All the while, Kennedy Davenport and Ginger Minj are building giant wigs and sneering at the other two. “While Kennedy and I completely appreciate what these kids are trying to do with their modern take on Drag,” Ginger admits. “Old school is the only school, honey.”
RuPaul welcomes Violet Chachki to her luncheon. Violet admits that she’s always seen herself as the winner of the show. RuPaul asks about her confidence. Violet has always had to rely on herself and so she became her biggest fan. RuPaul worries that it’s very lonely. She brings up Violet winning “shadiest shade” at the DESPY awards. Violet admits that it hurt but also pushed her harder to prove everyone wrong. RuPaul gives her lots of props for being so strong and confident. RuPaul never mentions the rumor that Violet once stole Sharon Needles’ Drag Race crown and posed naked with it (but I did). And finally, Pearl gets her sit down with RuPaul. Unlike Violet Chachki, Pearl didn’t think she’d make it this far. She talks about her rough childhood. RuPaul acknowledges that she recognized trauma in Pearl. “I’m really not the kind of person that opens up a lot so every time I do, it makes the weight feel a little bit more lifted off my shoulders.” They end on a high note. Fla-say-dah, girl.
Finally, it’s time to dance. Candis Cayne reminds the girls that this is it, their final chance to win the competition. Kennedy Davenport does great in front of the green screen. It’s no surprise that she kills at the choreography. Ginger Minj looks cute. You can’t tell if she’s scared, even when part of her hair falls off. She just grabs it and tosses it away like she meant for that to happen. Candis isn’t happy. Pearl does her Pearl dance. The other girls snicker and call her dance move “the Pearl smash”. Candice stops because Pearl’s wig is sliding back on her head, exposing her boy hair. “These Queens, come on. Don’t they know a bobby pin when they see one?” Pearl goes back to the workroom to fix it while Kennedy and Ginger exchange knowing glances. Violet Chachki steps up, hoping her wig stays in place. She loses the choreography and then her earring falls off. Candis can’t believe it.
In the acting scenes, directed by Mathu Andersen, RuPaul is playing the father while each girl takes a turn playing the mother, the daughter and the son. For the finale, they’ll create a video where each girl plays all the roles. The first time around, Ginger Minj is funny as the daughter but Pearl is pretty flat as the son. Mathu asks Pearl for more and RuPaul suggests using the anger she felt when she almost left the show. Violet Chahcki laughs at her but it works. They switch roles and Pearl is hysterical as the pill popping mother. This time around it’s Kennedy Davenport who is boring as the son. When Mathu gives her direction she doesn’t really understand. Violet is hamming it up as the sister while Kennedy stumbles thru her lines. Apparently, no one understands the role of the son because Violet is also doing a terrible job. Unlike Kennedy, she does listen to direction but it’s still pretty painful.
The girls go back to the workroom to dress for their final runway. You can see the divide between them. As Ginger Minj explains, “At one end of the room you have Violet and Pearl, the ‘pretty girls’ (which they call themselves…we don’t call them that) and on the other end of the room you’ve got Kennedy and myself representing the bitter old lady brigade.” They start talking about first impressions. Violet Chachki thought Pearl was high (hello, chinstrap). Kennedy Davenport thought Violet was vain. And she still thinks Violet is vain. Which morphs into Kennedy and Ginger telling Violet that she’s too young and unprofessional to wear the crown. “This is a job title,” Ginger vents. “It’s not just ‘here’s a check and a crown, have fun.’ It’s ‘you’ve got to be an ambassador for RuPaul’s Drag Race.’”
RUNWAY
There are no guest judges. Instead, both Carson Kressley and Ross Matthews join Michelle Visage and RuPaul for the final runway.
The runway theme is Best Drag. Kennedy Davenport wears a rainbow, fully beaded dress. It’s not to my taste but it’s definitely a statement piece. Violet Chachki has a top hat, highwaist pants and a beaded/fringed bra. Definitely an unusual look for the final runway. She is corseted so tightly that she actually has a line of flab hanging over her pants. I’m not sure how that’s possible since she’s so thin but it’s distracting me. Ginger Minj comes out in a white dress covered from the waist down in fringe. The sleeves are blinged out and her hair is high. Just like with Kennedy’s dress, I don’t like it but I can appreciate that a lot of work went into making it. Pearl is dressed as Pearl in underwear/negligee. She took a cue from the pageant girls and her hair is large and in charge.
RuPaul shows the girls pictures of themselves as children and asks what they would say to their younger selves. Kennedy Davenport tells Rueben it’s ok that he’s different from the other kids and that he’ll be respected for his gift. Violet Chachki tells Jason to try to have more patience, to know how special he is and to get to a ballet class as fast as he can. Ginger Minj tells Joshua that he can always count on himself and to make himself the grand marshall of the idiot parade. Pearl tells Matthew he’s about to enter the toughest years of his life and it’s gonna suck for a long time and you won’t understand why. RuPaul asks Pearl if she knows why now. “Yeah,” she squeaks out. “You’re a star, baby,” RuPaul informs her.
They review Kennedy Davenport’s video dailies and Carson Kressley thinks all her characters seem the same. Michelle Visage really likes her runway look and is impressed with how much she’s grown. Michelle also likes Violet Chachki’s dancing. Carson enjoys how Violet gave each character their own personality. Michelle is not impressed with her runway outfit. Violet is shocked. And Ross disagrees. “For me it feels like a natural progression for you. I think I get what you’re doing.” “I think you do,” Violet shoots back. Michelle gives her major stink eye. Michelle thinks Ginger Minj’s characters were the most fleshed out (plus, she was the only one who played the son character well). Carson acknowledges that dancing isn’t Ginger’s strong suit but she did it her way. Michelle is impressed that she was able to roll with the hair malfunction and it shows her professionalism. Carson really likes her runway look. “You saved the best for last.” The judges panel cracks up watching Pearl’s dailies. Ross calls her a weirdo which Pearl takes as a compliment. Michelle thinks she went out of her comfort zone in the acting but compares her dancing to “that stoner stripper that’s so high she just wants the dollar, she doesn’t care about anything else.” But she follows that up complimenting Pearl’s beauty and telling her she deserves to be in the top four.
RuPaul asks the Queens why they, and not their competitors, should be the winner. Kennedy Davenport talks about her experience and professionalism but she repeatedly uses the word “condone” when she means “comport”. She also thinks Pearl and Violet Chachki don’t know how to condone themselves (sic). Violet admits that she already feels like America’s Next Drag Superstar. “And I’ve been telling myself that for a really long time now.” also, compared to her competitors, she represents the past, present and future of Drag. Ginger Minj wants to split the crown with Kennedy Davenport. “We’ll get conjoined twins gowns and we’ll wear them all year.” She’s afraid Violet’s temper will get her in trouble and she is upset that Pearl was ready to walk away at one point. She also thinks it’s time for a big girl to win. Pearl talks about how hard she has worked for everything she has. “You have been telling me how exhausted I come off and I am… from life.” She acknowledges she had a moment but that doesn’t define what she’s done.
In the final judging discussion, Michelle Visage brings up what a great dancer Kennedy Davenport is. Ross Matthews defines her as “Glamorous.” Carson Kressley calls her the professional of the group. Michelle asks, “If she’s the pro, then why wasn’t that speech professional?” Michelle thinks Violet Chachki gave a great lip-sync and her acting was great. Ross talks about how Violet tells a story with her looks. “I believe that she had this last outfit planned all along.” “That is not the best look,” Michelle interrupts. “Don”t try to convince me.” Carson calls Ginger Minj a fine dancer and Michelle adds that she can give comedy, glamor, acting AND singing. Ross appreciates what she represents for the plus size community. “You know, I grew up as a full figured young boy… And it does say something to kids in small towns everywhere, who may be chubby, that there’s a chance that they can really rise to the top here.” Ross agrees that there was a time he was ready for Pearl to leave but he likes that she fought her way back. “She made me fall in love with her.” Carson cites her “boozy charm.” RuPaul calls it star power and finds her intriguing. He wonders if fans will fall in love with her. RuPaul says, “There just one more topic we need to discuss: Michelle Visage. Uh, Carson, pros and cons…” And we get that famous Michelle Visage “Jersey” laugh.
LIP-SYNC FOR YOUR LIFE
All four of the final girls must lip-sync for their life tonight. They perform Born Naked by RuPaul.
It’s kind of overwhelming watching four performers on the same stage. It’s our first chance to see what Violet Chachki can do. Ginger Minj sits down on the steps to differentiate herself. Violet moves her body beautifully (I wish we could see more). Pearl is doing the “Pearl Smash.” Kennedy Davenport is being pretty still. In fact, no one’s really moving much. It’s pretty crowded, though. Kennedy is performing right to the judges. Ginger moves in and demands their attention. Violet is shaking her boobs. Kennedy Davenport, sashay away.
Next week: Countdown to the Crown, highlights of the season plus the world debut of the music video for “Born Naked.” The week after that will be the finale. I will personally be in attendance at the live crowning ceremony to bring you all of the dirty details. And don’t forget to watch Untucked, available every Tuesday. You can watch this week’s episode right here on TamaraTattles.com !
Thanks for another great recap Lady Cocotte!!!! Violet and Pearl have blown me away with their creativity and beauty…after watching this episode of Untucked…now their maturity-WOW!!!!!! Hail to those Queens for keeping it so classy!!!
Thanks, David! I’ve really enjoyed doing it. And now that Katya has been eliminated I’m team Violet all the way!
I was not going to watch this week since my favorite Katya sashayed away last week but decided I have to find out who was going to win. I am not sad to see Kennedy go. I thought her Why Do You Think You Should Be The Next Drag Superstar speech was shady as hell and the judges agreed. Ginger basically said the same type of things but with a little more tact and didn’t “condone” using improper vocabulary.
During Untucked Ginger tried to explain her reason for her statements and tried to make it up to Violet and Pearl. Whereas Kennedy was rather cutthroat and uncaring. So now it’s down to three. Ginger Minj is a plus size pageant girl, can act, is funny and has experience. Violet is beautiful, confident, powerful and can grow into the role. Pearl has come a long way but I’m afraid she might be a one trick pony. We shall see.
Again Lady Cocotte, thanks for a great recap. I am so excited that you get to be at the crowning. I wish I could be with you. I know I would love it. Have fun and get all the juicy details for us.
Katya’s message on the mirror was hilarious. Loved it!
Though I appreciate Violet’s aesthetic, I just don’t like her. Plus she’s too young & inexperienced for the winning title. She was born in ’92? Damn I switched teams & started sleeping with men in ’93. #BabyQueen
I love Pearl’s edgy look. But she is ABMIEN in wig. I can’t stay awake when she drolls on & on with her deep slow annunciations of the English vooocaaabuuuularry. #NoPersonalityQueen
I am #TeamGinger all the way for the win. She has the personality & experience to entertain & hold the audience’s attention, mine at least.
So I checked out the DragRace twitter account to see how people are voting based on retweets for favorites:
Pear is in the lead with 1,500 RT
Violet has 1300 RT
Ginger has over 400 RT.
This does not look good for Ginger if this is the only thing that RuPaul takes into consideration, and I hope he does not.
Lady Cocotte I am so jelly that you get to go the finale show. That for sure will be an awesome time. What are you going to wear? Please share pics & all the juicy messy shady details too.
UF why do you think Pearl is getting so many more RTs than the other two? Out of the three I’m hoping Ru realizes Ginger is the one. Pearl is Ambien in a wig…lmao. She does act like she’s sleepy, looks like she needs a nap and puts people to sleep. So I agree with your statement 100%.
Younger people on twitter, and Pearl was the underdog for most of competition, and I think people like a good winner story. Plus his tearful story about all sorts of unspecified vague abuse probably got him some extra RTs too.
I can’t believe that Pearl is still in the running. She is one of my least favorites. Katya was my favorite along with Ginger. I am hoping for a win by Ginger Minj. Pearl and Violet are too young and ignorant. I remember the very young winner several seasons ago, who recently was arrested and was just too immature to carry the title IMO. (Not that I think Violet and Pearl are criminals). I have a feeling that Violet is going to win though.
I have to admit that I’m team Violet (which is so weird because I hated her & loved Ginger for most of the season). But only because Katya was eliminated…
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I’m shocked Pearl is in the lead. I think she deserved to stay over Kennedy but the race for the crown is really between Ginger & Violet.
The finale is taping tonight but they’re going to do the final crowning on June 1 (when the finale airs). It’s kind of confusing. At the finale they tape 3 endings with each girl winning but the girls don’t find out who actually won until the finale airs. I’m going to the crowning ceremony on the 1st. We’re going to watch the finale, they’ll crown the winner live & then the top 5 perform. I’m super excited.
It’s so weird & stupid that they shoot 3 endings so that the winner won’t be leaked before the finale airs on TV. Why don’t they just do a live show? Oh Lawd people this is only a drag queen contest…
Anyone got a link to RT for Ginger?
On Tue, May 19, 2015 at 11:29 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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I’m not breaking the rules!
Vote for Ginger as your favorite for Drag Race winner by Retweeting:
https://twitter.com/RuPaulsDragRace/status/600700025954574337
Of course you are breaking the rules, but this is important! 🙂
Lady C…I want to be you when I grow up. First the cruise with queens and now going to the finale. Pearl and Violet impressed me a lot with their thought process of saying why they SHOULD be only. May not be “the game” but was classy. People are voting for Pearl because she is now the under dog. Based on what she said had a very traumatic childhood, got some tough love from Ru and came out the other side.
What I missed this season was the confidence Bianca. She helped out others knowing that she was being the best Bianca she could be, so if that wasn’t what the judges wanted it was OK.
I still want Ginger to win. Just don’t know that I would say that if she was on a different season.
Where is the crowning ceremony? Take lots of pictures. This is so exciting!
On Tue, May 19, 2015 at 7:55 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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The crowning is going to happen in NYC & luckily my cousin scheduled her wedding at the perfect time for me to attend. Thanks, Evie!
p.s. tickets are still available if any East Coasters (i.e.: damn Yankees) want to join me!
Lady C just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your recaps every week. You really capture the essence of the queens , judges etc. I hope you have a wonderful time attending the crowning and can’t wait to read all about it. I’m pulling for Ginger to win but I think Pearl (Ambien in a wig-lol UF!) Will be the winner.
I was at the taping today for the finale. They do not shoot 3 separate takes. You sign a confidentiality agreement not to leak the winner until it airs. 😉
Oh my! They switched it up this year. Well, no spoilers, please. I want to be surprised…
p.s. I’m super jelly you got to be at the finale!
IDGI, I thought YOU were going to the finale???
On Wed, May 20, 2015 at 11:29 AM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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I promise no spoilers. Would never want to piss off Mama Ru!!
Love your recaps Lady & I also love you TT 🙂
Long time reader first time post was yesterday. Didn’t want to make anyone upset with my post & im glad it didn’t offend anyone!
I want to know what you wore to an event full of sparkly Drag Queens.
I don’t want to know who won. I just want to know if I’m going to be pissed off by who did win. Well I guess that’s kind of the same thing and you did sign that damn confidentiality agreement and all. So never mind. Lol. I just really want Ru to skip the Born Naked Release till after the crowning. I’ll watch it afterward but think it needs to be done during a reunion thing. I’m just all out of sorts.
I just want someone to explain why some newbie is here saying she was at the crowning and LC says she is going to it later…
On Wed, May 20, 2015 at 11:38 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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The finale taped on Tues, 5-19 but the official crowning ceremony is on June 1. When I bought my ticket, the producers claimed that the crowning would air live on June 1. I’m very confused. I’m going to do some digging & get back to youse all. >
Ok, I’m not calling anyone a Lying Liar Who Lies but… my sources (who were at the finale taping) confirm that they taped 3 endings & no one knows who actually won. I think someone (cough, Miss Maizy, cough) is playing a little joke on me… >
I missed this episode and had to wait til tonight to see a repeat. It wasn’t on demand.
I’m so sad to see Kennedy go but she forgot to play the “be nice” game. Lived her vulnerability tonight. Love her.
I almost got tickets but couldn’t understand why RuPaul want listed to be at the venue. It felt like a scam.
Thank you Lady Cocotte. I loved your observations. This is my Fav show aside from the Good Wife.
They shoot 3 possible outcomes for the public. However they also shot segments with the Winner which is only shown in front of a select audience (friends/family). I work for WOW.
Well, that explains why you have insider info! >
Lady, if you are in attendance at the crowning let me know if interested I can get you some interviews for the blog. You can also meet me and see my shiny WOW badge lol 😉
I’d love it, as long as you don’t plan to shove that badge down my throat! 😉 >
I’m all about Pearl. I like Ginger’s drag but I don’t like her attitude. I actually kind of tolerate Chachki now, but I still don’t want to see her win. I think she may though.
Lady, would never shove it down your throat. Love your recaps! Not sure if you can direct message me…..
I can’t direct message you but my photo is a link to my Gravatar profile (with my email & twitter). I’d love to meet you & some press hookups would be awesome!