In this YouTube short, two speakers debate the fairness of casting and elimination decisions on RuPaul's Drag Race, focusing on the experiences of international queens such as Bernie and Kiana. Speaker A argues that queens from the Philippines have historically outperformed other international contestants, citing a perceived statistical advantage, and notes Kiana’s comment that "international queens just aren't ready," which they label as shady. Speaker B raises the possibility that producers may predetermine elimination order, asking whether contestants would still compete if they suspected such manipulation. Both agree that, regardless of potential bias, participation offers valuable exposure and can lead to future success, even for those eliminated early. The conversation emphasizes solidarity among international queens, the strategic decision to stay in the competition, and the long‑term benefits of visibility on the show.
Chapters
I really feel like Kiana was right. The difference is I really love Bernie on her original season, and she kind of just faded into the background this season, but so did Kiana in a way. So that's what's interesting if these two were having that conversation.
Really, really interesting, the casting here, because I think— I don't know how the producers would choose it, but I could sort of read their minds that, oh, this girl will not, you know, be able to defeat this girl and not be able to, you know.
Yes, I mean, Kiana even said it, the international queens just aren't ready, which I think is so shady. But I mean, if if you take a look at track record and just objectively looking at who did better on Drag Race, every single queen from the Philippines had a statistically better track record than any of the queens from the Internationals. So I think she even acknowledges it, and it's like an open conversation. You really need to stick together and make sure that we make it to the next week and that we're on top because we have to represent because nobody else is here.
Question for you: if you were Bernie's position, if you were invited to a Slayshet Royale and you know who your competitors are, would you have thought in advance that this may be premeditated, that the order at which they will exit the show. I see.
So you're saying like when they were casting it, each person kind of had their role or their elimination order kind of predetermined in a way?
I just wonder if you could actually gauge. If you do, would you still continue the competition? And I think for me, the answer would still be yes because it's an exposure.
That's what I would say too. I'm like, yeah, why not? I mean, you know, there's no more rules anymore. It's not like this is your only shot. Yeah. You could go on this, go home first, and then come back 3 seasons later. Exactly. And we all know that girls those who have—
who did not win made it so big and so far.
And exactly, no, I think it's like, don't turn up— don't turn out the opportunity to get more exposure, to have that experience. And especially when it sounds so fun and groundbreaking like this, she gets to be part of the first cast of this ever. So my mindset, I mean, I, you know, I think you have to be mentally ready and prepared to go back into that environment. If you are, then why not?
