Welcome to RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Power Rankings! Every Saturday, we’ll debrief the week’s new episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 7 to determine which queens are riding high, and which need she-mergency care. With the caveat that much could change quickly next week, as Jinkx Monsoon and Raja give out bonus Legendary Legend Stars, here’s where things in the competition stand.
Yvie Oddly
Current Star Count: 0
Maxi-Challenges Won: 0
Lip Syncs Won: 0
Poor Yvie really did well this week, only to not get so much as a shout-out during deliberations. Between this challenge, the Rumix and the improv challenge, she’s really shown she can compete on this level—she just needs Ru to notice her. I do think Yvie will be a very likely recipient of a bonus Legendary Legend Star next week, though, so she’s about to get a little boost. If she can stand out in the girl group challenge, she could change her fortunes quickly. But she’ll have stiff competition there from Monét X Change and Shea Couleé.
Monét X Change
Current Star Count: 1
Maxi-Challenges Won: 1
Lip Syncs Won: 0
Speaking of Monét, I’m interested to see if her plan to gain a bonus star pays off. It almost felt like she expended more effort on that this week than the challenge … but when you think about it, that makes sense. Owing to The Vivienne blocking her, Monét literally could not earn a star this week any other way than getting a bonus one. Ten thousand dollars is nice, but being in the hunt to win $200,000 is so much nicer. It’s that kind of big-picture thinking that I’m really enjoying about Monét this season. Unfortunately, based on who won the challenge, I’m dubious it will actually pay off.
Raja
Current Star Count: 1
Maxi-Challenges Won: 1
Lip Syncs Won: 0
Overall, Raja had a great week, and a poor lip sync can’t diminish that. Her commencement address was easily my favourite this week, and I admired the ambition of her runway. But compared to the first four episodes, which felt very centered around a certain queen (Shea Coulée, Jinkx Monsoon, Jaida Essence Hall and The Vivienne), Raja’s first victorious episode felt muted by her not getting the lip sync win. Instead, Jinkx pulled out a little further ahead than the rest. One hopes Raja gets another star soon, but I’ll be surprised if it’s for a Y2K girl groups challenge.
Jaida Essence Hall
Current Star Count: 1
Maxi-Challenges Won: 1
Lip Syncs Won: 1
Jaida is such a light this season, killing it in confessionals and stunning on the runway. Her black veil look was dramatic and gorgeous, and her graduate drag during the challenge was so cute. I enjoyed her commencement address this week, but I will say that Jaida’s effortlessness may be holding her back from doing better with the judges. When others are demonstrating just how hard they’re working—think Jinkx’s inspired, assertive delivery of her speech—Jaida can’t help but feel a bit more casual in comparison. No doubt she’s working just as hard; she’s just a natural, and Ru is split sometimes on how much he likes a natural. She could use another big showcase moment to divert attention back to her.
Shea Couleé
Current Star Count: 1
Maxi-Challenges Won: 1
Lip Syncs Won: 1
Similar to Jaida, Shea has faded into the background a bit when it comes to the challenges, although she did at least get a shout-out during deliberations this week. I really liked her speech (“Baby, you can’t shade the sun!”), and her runway look—which took inspiration from her grandmother—was lovely. But Shea set such high expectations for herself with her first episode performance, and I think we’re still waiting for another breakout moment from her. Luckily, the girl groups challenge is right up her alley—I’ll be stunned if she doesn’t pull out a second win next week.
The Vivienne
Current Star Count: 1
Maxi-Challenges Won: 1
Lip Syncs Won: 1
After laying low for the first few episodes, The Vivienne has become a force in the last two. She’s been right at the centre of the narrative via this new rivalry with Jinkx, and her performance in this week’s challenge was the definition of commitment to a bit. I liked her ball gag and bondage runway, although I did think it felt like another concept with a veil added to address the prompt. One side note: Viv looked stunning in her lip sync look. If you’re gonna get blocked, at least look absolutely gorgeous while you do it.
Trinity the Tuck
Current Star Count: 1
Maxi-Challenges Won: 2
Lip Syncs Won: 0
The relatively even split of stars so far has afforded Trinity a second-place spot even as she clearly recedes in the narrative. I’m surprised her opening up the way she did in her speech didn’t earn her more kudos from the judges, but they may have been docking some points for yet another train runway look. As I mentioned in my recap, I do think Trinity is the most well-rounded queen this season, which should pay dividends as different challenge types come up. But she has to worry about doing too well, since I think the other queens will happily block her the second she gains momentum.
Jinkx Monsoon
Current Star Count: 2
Maxi-Challenges Won: 3
Lip Syncs Won: 2
Jinkx’s record speaks for itself: she is breaking out from the pack, and is winning enough to avoid being blocked. I do think next week will be a vulnerable moment for her, owing to a girl group challenge not being in her wheelhouse (not to mention a Y2K-inspired one). But beyond that? When we’ve likely got acting and comedy tasks coming down the pike? Yeah, Jinkx is going to be fine. I’m most interested to see how she uses this chance to give a star, though. Assuming Raja’s goes to Yvie, Jinkx will have to give someone a star that ties her record. Who she picks will likely be a good indication as to who Jinkx thinks she can beat as the season progresses. Make no mistake: Jinkx has a plan. And we’re about to get a major hint as to what that plan is.
Why you can trust Xtra
