Slaysian Persuasian Ep 7

Hello and welcome to Slay Asian Persuasion.

My name is Virginia, please, and I'm Calypso, and we are on the 7th episode.

We made it 7 episodes, and we're almost done. I know we're almost done, but we also— this is our second— we had a special episode this week, so this is actually the second episode you're getting this week.

Yes, I hope you saw that. Um, um, Sayang was so sweet and so genuine. She was just so gracious to be with us.

Exactly. And sharing her, uh, experience is really illuminating illuminating. And then of course, I wonder when will we get over that? No, I don't think it's over. It's over. I think we'll learn. It's— no, the world— no, literally in this episode they did it so many times, it's just like reinforcement. Yes. And then we also had our lovely sister, uh, our Gappa sister Quinn Ahmad, who shared her insight, and it was a great conversation. So go check that out if you haven't seen that episode already.

Yes.

But, uh, what did you think about this episode? This is—

I thought, you know, at the first half of the episode, I was like There's no drama, this is boring. It's like, this is just gonna be Lala Perusa and then that's it. But you know, um, your story was very touching.

So yeah, I found it very entertaining as well. I was worried too because I felt like there was no marriage conversation, there was no preparation conversation. They just went straight from mini challenge to challenge. Yes, right. So I was like, oh, so I was worried. I was like, what will we even talk about?

I thought the same. Yes, but they did not disappoint with Lala Perusa.

Not at all. I enjoyed it so much.

Yes, it was so—

it was It was so good. But you know, with that, let's dive right into the episode. So we come in, Siam Pusri is ultimately sashayed away. The queens are talking about it, discussing it. It's kind of her time to go, I think. You know, she showed us the best that she could. They immediately start talking about what's going on, what's happening next.

I was waiting for a drama in that because there's always a drama in that part.

Yes, yes.

There's not.

No, it was— even Kiana was like, hey, listen, you know, I said that I wanted to leave, but I'm ready. I don't want to do that. She kind of apologized for that as well, and she said, I'm ready to be here. Let's do it. Which is funny for me because it's like, that was only like 30 minutes ago. Yeah, like 30 minutes ago she was ready to leave, and then 30 minutes later she's like, nah, I'm good, I'm fine, guys. The episode starts and then, uh, they go, they de-drag, and then it's a mini challenge the next day. They already— so actually, before they de-drag, the golden balut appears. The golden balut appears.

You know what balut is?

Yes, I know. So it is a— let me, let me try to explain and then you can correct me. It is a type of fertilized chicken egg, and then it's like, it's cooked that way so that when you eat it the developing chicken is already inside, correct? But is it flavored in any kind of way? Because how do you flavor the chicken inside?

You need to try it for you to really know.

I'm vegetarian.

I'm vegetarian.

I used to be non-vegetarian, but we passed that skill. But you gotta tell me.

So I think it's half and half. Some Filipinos like it and some Filipinos don't, and I'm one of those who don't like it.

You don't like it. So you have tried it before and it's not for you.

I just can't eat a fully formed chick.

Yes, yes, of course.

With the beak and with all the smell as well.

Well, you know, the texture, the texture of it all.

I think there's a lot of like food shows that feature that. Yeah, I think the Philippines is actually popular for that food.

No, no, no, that's what I thought too. Like, it's like very much like durian in like other parts of Southeast Asia. It's like that kind of polarizing item that some people like, some people don't like, but it's very well known in that region. So I've heard about balut before as well, but I think it's funny how Um, like, you know how Canada has the Golden Beaver? Um, in the US they have like a Golden Plunger and like Golden Scissors, and it's like—

I like that.

Yes, exactly.

I wonder if there's any, any, um, balut available here in the US. I would like it to try. I tried it once, but yeah, never again.

Never again. Never again. Well, you know, tell us in the comments what you think the flavor is like because I'm curious, because I'm like It's in that cooking process. I'm like, do you add any other seasonings? You add any other flavors? Or is it really just like the same way you eat a boiled egg?

Some people would even claim that it's aphrodisiac.

Can you imagine? Really? I mean, you know what? You can say anything about any food and, you know, try to get it on.

Let's just say that.

So the golden bullet appears. Kiana has like a flashback. She's like, I received this last during my last season. So she— they already kind of know, okay, Lala Perusa is coming. That was like the harbinger of Lala Perusa. Harbinger. But yeah, so we get in and then the next day starts. Reading challenge. They already know that it's going to be Lala Perusa. They come in and then they do a spin on the reading challenge. Mama Pau comes in. What did you think of Mama Pau's look?

Um, so-so.

So-so.

Nothing spectacular.

Yeah, no, it was, it was very run-of-the-mill standard suit. I know.

Yeah, I think she ran out.

She ran out. She's like, at this point, she's like, girl, there's only like a handful of episodes left, just pull out the blue suit. So they come in.

What did you think of this reading challenge.

I was like, I love how they're going out of their way to make it different, but I'm like, did it need to be different? Like, it felt like they were— at this point it felt like they were trying so hard to be like, we're gonna be different, we're gonna do it different, we're not gonna do Snatch Game, it's gonna be Snatch Election, it's not gonna be the reading challenge, it's gonna be Reading the Future Challenge. I'm like, it felt really interesting to me.

I'm like, it didn't work for me.

I know, right? I'm like, I think it would have been just funnier if they were— because they were all so funny. I was like, it almost felt like the reading ball, like the crystal ball was a hindrance for their performance.

Yeah, why embed the will when it's already made, right?

And like, this didn't— like, like, what was the justification? I mean, like, they're all gonna still read each other, so it's like, I don't know.

Um, but who stood out for you?

Oh, for my favorite was definitely Suki. I think Suki had such a funny— and the way that she can really— she's the mother, she's the Miss Congeniality, but at the same time she's also very fierce and cunty and like very, uh, shady as well. I like the duality that we're seeing with her, so She had some of my favorites. Um, I think, uh, there was one where like Brigitting's joke kind of flopped and then she kind of did this with her mouth. What was that? And they did it the rest of the episode too.

And that the context there is that if you say something that, that is— doesn't have an effect or failed, nganga is like it's boring because people are like, oh, I see. Okay, it's like your mouth is open because you're wondering why, like, huh?

Oh, I see. Okay, because that kept on happening. I'm like, oh wow. I'm like Perfect. See, that's the cultural exchange happening. I'm learning way more. But yeah, so she did that after her joke flopped, and I was like, well, did anyone stand out to you?

And Yua tried her best.

Yeah, it was very run-of-the-mill jokes. It was very like, you know, drag queen at a show.

I'd say this episode was Yua's.

Yua's episode? No, no, no, definitely, definitely. I think she had a really good arc the past two episodes, this episode and the previous episode. Um, but yeah, it was good. Anybody else stand out to you? Any other reads? No, you know, I think, I think if I ever had to prepare for Drag Race, I think I would come with some reads pre-written, and then I would just see which queen I could like sneak into.

I really like the Snatch Game of, um, the season of season 3 where they wrapped.

Oh, you mean the reading challenge? Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, oh yes, I do remember this, and they all had hats and like they were all like really— that was really funny.

And, um, wait, which season was it?

Was it season 2 or 3?

Season 3.

Um, I swore Cat Cat also did something similar.

No, I know that. Um, did she rap?

Maybe, maybe she rap. Okay, I know what you mean. I definitely know that there was a rapping episode. I know what you mean. I definitely recall the rapping reading, but I just—

I know that the winner was really, really good at it.

Was it probably Maxi? I mean, I mean, who else could rap? I'm trying to think of who else could have done really well that season for rapping. Yeah, probably Maxi. It was probably Season 3. Yeah, but in my mind I'm like, okay, yes. But, um, yeah, yeah, really good reading. No, girl, I can Those are skills that we're still developing. Um, I need to first understand how to sing first, and then we'll slowly work our way up.

I can write rhymes for sure.

Really?

Maybe the delivery will make the difference. Okay, yeah.

Can you give us a rhyme right now? I'm like, I mean, you're setting us up, girl. You're setting yourself up. Give us a rhyme. Any rhyme. Any rhyme?

Oh my God.

Okay, well, think on it. Think on it. Before the end of the episode, we'll come back.

Oh, there you go. I just started sitting down on my, on my, um My sweat is falling.

Work, work. Very, very, uh, very impromptu.

Yeah, girl, my sweat.

Oh mama, you know, this is the most clothes that I've worn I think on the podcast so far. But you know, we were rushing, girl. Yeah, we're rushing, and this is, this is October, but this is San Francisco summer.

But listen, we, we insert this activity, this filming, in the middle of our jobs, in the middle of the week.

No, literally, yeah, we're making it work. We're making it work. And it's our San Francisco summer right now. I know It's October, but it's our San Francisco summer, so it is very hot here. But yeah, so reading challenge winner is Suki Doll. She does really well. I mean, she had funny reads, kind of, uh, very intellectual. And then we go in and it's— she gets a secret advantage. We don't know what the advantage is just yet, but then they go right into the Lollapalooza. So how do you think you'd prepare if you were in the situation of being in a Lollapalooza? Like, I was going to talk about that. Yeah.

Because I heard, I just saw a clip of Alaska saying that when you get in, you get this mini iPod with all the songs. Not for sure that all of the songs are gonna be performed.

Yes.

So I wonder how many songs they give.

No, no, absolutely. So I'm thinking this episode alone had like 5 songs. So there were the 4 songs that they would all compete with, and there was a song at the end, right? So let's say 4 or 5 songs just for one episode. So the way I saw that clip, Alaska explained too. So she said that the day before, so like the first day of the challenge, they'll say, this is the challenge, by the way, the lip sync song for tomorrow is so-and-so. So, like, context: most Drag Race episodes are filmed across 2 days. It changes every now and then depending on, like, if it's a premiere episode or the finale episode, or if it's All Stars or not. But for the most part, there's 2 separate days of filming. So there's one day where they do the challenge itself, like, for example, Snatch Game. They'll do the mini challenge, Snatch Game. The next day is gonna be runway, critique, so on and so on. I think this episode was all filmed in one day, you know, because that's, I think, why they did that cut because they went straight from mini challenge, they probably all got ready, and then they just did the challenge, the lip sync that day in and of itself, right?

Yeah. And 5 songs, you could probably— I could probably get by if I had it like, what, 10 days before?

Yeah, yeah, no, I think, I think like Alaska said, as soon as you get there, there's nothing else. You don't get access to your phone, you've got access to your any other media. So the only thing you can listen to is just the songs over and over.

And thankfully these songs are not that hard.

Oh no, not at all. And they're very repetitive and they're like kind of iconic, right? I was like, girl, every Vengaboys song sounds the same to But, uh, so, so that was the— so strategically, you think 10 days is enough to get all the songs down?

Like, yeah, I told you before, I, you know, memorizing, I probably— I think I really think I have dyslexia. Memorizing is really, really hard for me. Yeah, yeah, but I will make it work.

You'll make it work. Yes, absolutely. Okay, now I'm curious about this because I've, I've heard this discourse before that they are saying like if in order for Lollapalooza episodes to be really effective, they should give everybody the exact same costume.

That's interesting.

I heard, you know where I heard this is the last time I heard this conversation was during All Stars 10, where the finale was the lip sync Lollapalooza to determine who was going to win All Stars. And all of them, some of them had reveals that were very specific to certain songs, and if they didn't get that song, then the reveal was wasted. Like for example, Kerri Colby had this, she was like, she had this really big bun and she never took the bun out to let out her ponytail because I think she was waiting for a different song. And Aja, I think, really wanted the song Diseased, so she was in this nun outfit So it's like they had these reveals that were very specific to certain songs, but if you don't get the song, then the reveal is not as effective. So they said everybody has the same catsuit, give them all the exact same catsuit and see who can do it. So no props.

Or give them the same reveals.

Oh, okay. Yeah, you know what? Yeah, that same catsuit, rip it off, same catsuit underneath. Um, but what do you, what do you think about that idea?

Oh, just to level the playing field. I mean, it has a point, but I think it's part of the challenge that you don't know what song is, is coming. And so I think my thinking is that whatever your reveal is, is that you should be able to use it at any given song.

It's more so about strategy. Yes. Um, have you ever done a lip-sync competition before?

No, I actually have.

I have.

Okay.

And I was wearing this exact same costume, and I remember calling a queen and I said, okay, it was literally just like this, like a Lollapalooza type thing. It was in San Jose. And, um, I remember calling a queen and asking for advice, and I said, okay, these are the songs, we don't know what order, should I just make reveals? And like, very— I was like Arizona Brandy. I was like, should I should I swallow contacts, should I pour water on my face? I was telling her all these things and she was like, "No, no, no, no, no. A good, effective lip sync is about connecting with the audience, embodying the song. Focus on that more than any other gimmick because at the end of the day, if you're holding a prop versus emoting the song, that's more important." I did end up losing, so, you know, one of the things that I've lost in drag is that lip sync competition. But I think it's because they gave me the two male songs. There were drag kings in our competition too, So they had some male songs, and because it was just random, I got both male songs. So I got a Neo song and then I got a Queen song.

So they gave you all the songs prior?

Yes, I had every song and I had things ready. I had like— there was a Whitney Houston song, I had a napkin inside my neck that I was gonna pull out because in her performances she would like dab her sweat with a like a towel. Anyways, where was this? This is at Sopa Market in San Jose. It was hosted by Manang and Toritilla.

Oh yeah, yeah. Hi Manang!

Hi! Yes, our Filipina, Filipina queens and Toritilla. Yes, but yes, so anyways, during that experience I was like, you know what, it doesn't matter. And like, to be fair, Brigitting did not have any big reveals, you know, and she won the whole thing. She was just in that one sparkly bodysuit.

You're right, yeah, she made herself very flexible in whatever song.

Exactly, yes.

And you know, I mean, she won the whole thing, but I must say, like, in every battle it was Brigitting. Like, yeah, I mean, just like Kyana. Yeah, in every battle it's Kiana.

Yeah, and neither of them had big reveals. That was the thing, like both Kiana and Brigette did not have— like Arizona was the one with the literal props, right? Um, but yeah, with that, let's— are we ready to get into the, to the judges? So this week, Mama Pau— I love this outfit actually, so ornate, so golden. We're both in our golden accents today. I really lived. I thought it was a good outfit. What did you think?

I, I thought it was really good too. It's giving Wakanda Forever.

Oh yes, very, very, very regal and like ethno-futurism.

Yeah, Afrofuturism.

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

But you know, as usual, my critic is it's the same silhouette, same butterfly sleeves. But with that being said, I loved it.

No, I really liked it too. I, I— that really speaks to me, that style. Um, and there are two extra special guest judges this week: Precious Paula Nicole, winner of season 1, and Sasha Colby, winner of season 15 of Drag Race.

I would be gobsmacked.

Yes, yes, yes. I have had the pleasure of seeing Sasha Colby perform twice live. She is literally the best drag artist I've ever seen perform. Like, hands down. Like, I've seen so many drag artists throughout my years live. The literal best drag artist I've ever seen perform.

Just the command and the presence, you know? Like, whatever she does, you'd be, "Ahh!" No, I was screaming.

And it's not even about stunts. That's the thing. Like, she could go out there and do a ballad without anything. And it would still be the way that her mouth moves, the way that she captures the audience. It's incredible. It should be studied.

The drag queen's drag queen.

No, literally, I think like absolutely. And my second, I honestly, it's the two Sashas for me. Sasha Colby and Sasha Velour. Oh, really? They're like my top two.

Um, I would go for Sasha Velour.

Really?

Yeah, yeah, because you heard drag conceptualization and the thinking process and the storytelling and the effects and the lighting. Yes, everything is coordinated. Yes, it's not just the performance itself, but the actual, the whole artwork that's being done. Yes, background, the sound, the—

there's a technicality that's just so impressive.

That performance of her, of her being like this lamppost, you know, that— yes, that's amazing. Yeah.

Oh, and the one where she's sawing herself in half, the one where she's a couch, like, oh my God, her mind. Yeah, both Sashas, my top 2. Um, and then Precious as well, and Nicole, of course. I think these are the right guests to have for a lip sync because while Precious didn't need to lip sync on her season until the very, very end, her Sirena lip sync was so good. Like, she helped— she and Marina were going back and back and back and back. It was just beautiful. And she, like, she didn't need to— she didn't do lip sync during the season, but when she had to, it really counted.

Yeah, it's weird because, you know, I— whenever I go to the Philippines, I would see these queens all the time, and now they're just superstars.

Yes, yes. I mean, it's that— I've only been able to experience that by seeing, like, queens like Siam and Rock 'Em Sakura. Those are the queens that I'd seen before and go on the show. But, you know, to see an entire drag industry before and then now to see them flourishing on Drag Race. How do you feel?

Sometimes it makes me want to cry because, you know, during the pandemic I helped support them. They had online shows. Yeah. And they were really, really struggling. And to fast forward to now, it's just like, wow, like, yeah, lives really change and dreams really do come true when— especially for drag artists, because this has never happened before, you know? Yeah.

And in the Philippines especially. Yeah.

And it also must be also very poignant for Precious to be sitting there and judging her sisters who are the ones who were performing with her in front of the camera, in front of, you know, people who are watching them on Facebook and Instagram.

Yeah. Would you say that like the scene in the Philippines, everybody kind of knows each other?

Yes. Yes, I would say so.

And like not necessarily tight-knit in that sense, but like everybody is aware of like who's doing what, who's doing where. Yeah.

Yeah. But I don't know now because every day a drag queen is born. Oh, you know, especially that's that Drag Race boom.

The Drag Race boom, right? Like, I'm a— yeah, I'm a Drag Race baby, you know.

So Philippines has 7,600 and plus islands.

Wow, each island has 10 drag queens.

So I would say so, yeah. But if you're in the— if you're in the main city, the, uh, Manila or Makati, everybody knows everybody.

Yeah, yeah, in those cities. Perfect. Well, I think it's beautiful to see the evolution and the representation of drag. And I— she was just here, and she's— I think she's here in California like now, but she was San Francisco a few weeks ago. She was so cool. I got a chance to meet her as well.

I know, the first time I, I met her in person, she came here to my place. Oh, she was just in the Castro, and then she came here and we talked for hours, girl.

Oh my goodness, she's so— and the thing that gags me is like, out of drag, she presents so— like, you wouldn't guess that that's a drag queen. Like, you wouldn't guess that you're talking to— no, literally, the Philippines' first drag superstar, when she looked like, like a business person. Like, just, you're just talking to someone.

Very simple, no air at all.

No, literally, it's so sweet. And so like, she was like, she tipped me, she was cheering on, like, oh my God, I'm like, I'm still getting like, not emotional, but like seeing that was so validating because I'm like, wow, you're really just so humble.

Yeah, pressure Paula Nicole, we love you.

Yeah, we love you, precious, precious mama, we live.

They call her pressure.

Pressure because, yeah, because her, her, her, uh, presence was— yes, precious presence, pressure Paula Nicole. Um, but yes, so those are our two judges, great judges for this episode. Um, and then yeah, so then they explain the twist.

What was that disadvantage again?

And so the, so the thing that, uh, Suki, as the winner of the mini challenge, she gets to pick her opponent and the song, and then she gets to give another queen the opportunity to not pick anything. So one queen will just not be able to pick anything. So the way that it works is if you, if your name gets pulled, you get to pick your opponent the opponent gets to pick the song. So that way each queen gets some choice. But the disadvantage that Suki gives to Kyana is that Kyana can't pick anything. Kyana is just gonna go up against whoever wants to go against her, and then even then she doesn't get to pick the song. So, uh, Suki gives— picks— so, so that, that's the advantage. If you were in Suki's position, who would you have picked?

I would have done the same.

Same? Yeah. I think if you rank all of the lip sync performers, I think Yuhua would have been the person I would have picked to go up against as well, because Vinyas and Brigitte seeing in Arizona and Kiana, like, oh my goodness, like each of them have won lip syncs for specific reasons. And Suki and Yuhua are the only queens— well, Yuhua last week technically did win, but have not won a lip sync yet.

Yeah, that's what I, that's what I was saying. It was a little bit predictable, you know. And, um, thankfully US Story saved the show for me.

Yeah, but you—

I still enjoy the battle, of course.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

But you already know that it was you that's going to be at the bottom.

Yes, yes, it was unfortunate. It was unfortunate. That's why I Honestly, Suki and Yua were probably the least, uh, capable— not capable, but the, the— if you had to compare everybody, they were probably at the bottom when it came to lip-sync capabilities in the context of the show.

Suki was so beautiful in this episode. Oh no, transformed so well.

No, literally.

Oh God.

Yeah, that's why I was like, if Minyas and Suki are both gonna wear their human hair bust-downs, I'm gonna wear mine. And then Virginia also got the same memo, so, you know, so if we needed the lip-sync, we could just toss this around and that'll do half the work, right? Right. Um, so yeah, she's beautiful in her human, human unit and this beautiful outfit that had so much movement and pieces and intricacies. Um, but yeah, so she picks Yuhua and she gives Kiana the disadvantage. So let's go into the first lip sync.

I was, I was just thinking, girl, you know, imagine if the Filipino girls were paired with like really, really good lip syncers from international countries as well. This would have been more interesting.

Okay, okay. Yeah, yeah, I think so. But to be fair, last week Yuhua beat both Brigadine and Vinyas, so you really never know. You never know, right? So that— I had the same thought and I was like, wait a minute, last week literally she beat the two best lip syncers of this cast, or one of the, you know. Um, so the first— first, which song spoke to you the most?

So there's the—

so Goddess, Sasha Kobe, uh, Queendom, RuPaul. There's a Filipino song and then the Venga Boys song.

The Venga Boys is my generation.

That spoke to you? So the boom boom boom, and it's easy, easy to learn. Yes. Yeah, she would have picked that song. Yeah, I think I would have picked Queendom because I know every— I know every word.

Oh, there you go.

Yeah, I, I know the words part was a little tricky for all of the people, but I love that song, so I would have picked Queendom.

Like I said, the Venga Boys was the easiest. It would have been easy.

So, um Sasha. So the first song picked between Suki versus Yuhua is Goddess, Sasha Colby. Do you want to know a fun fact? Sasha Colby didn't sing that song. Because if you remember, that was the Season 15 finale song. Each of those songs are not sung by those artists. They just happen to get a singer who sang really, really closely.

This, this voice actually sounds like Kiana singing.

Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. No, no, it's definitely— and I remember, I think she gave an interview too. She was just like, she was telling Leland— so Leland is the music producer on the US franchises.

Yeah.

Who who produces all of the tracks. So during the finale song, he picked singers and like, basically the way that works is Sasha, Anitra, Lux, and Mistress all send them examples like, I want this vibe, this is my vibe. And then they get back a song that Leland produces for them with a separate singer. So that song just happened, got that, the person who was singing Goddess sounds exactly like Sasha Colby, but it's not Sasha Colby.

Wow.

Isn't that interesting? But people just automatically assume she performs that everywhere and it's a great song.

If you were to make a song, what would it be the vibe?

Oh, okay. I've actually thought about this because my drag daughter is a music engineer and she knows that really well. And I was like, hey, you should make me a song. So I think I would go for something that was like, I love the songs that have like an ethereal vibe to them because I think like in my mind, Calypso is like this goddess creature type of ethereal deity. So I would want to channel that. And then I don't think I'm very much— I don't think I'm like a bitch track, like, kaka kaka kaka. That's not me. So it'd have to be like upbeat. But it'd have to be like ethnic vibes, kind of like, okay, High CM is my— would be my— I'd be like, send High CM, because I think the part where it goes, that's very me.

I've been waiting for a queen who would really, um, not follow the trend of it, like, you know.

Yeah, no, no, no, that would have—

yeah, I would wait for a queen who would choose like a, a slow song.

Yeah, yeah, like a ballad.

Yeah, like a ballad. Yeah. Well, I'm a songwriter, so I know.

Well, okay, perfect. My daughter can produce it, you can write it, and then there'll be some rhyming in it. We'll make it work, we'll make it work. So what vibe would you say would be your song if you had to pick a finale?

I actually have a few songs already.

Oh, well, okay, well, she's ready, she's ready. Drag Race, she's ready.

Yeah, it's rock, and that can be converted into an electronic dance music because you are a part of a band.

Yeah, I actually have a question for you about that later. We're gonna get there, but I have a question for you about barren in its logistics. But, um, yes, okay, so that's the vibe that you would go for. Okay, okay, beautiful. Well, so Sasha Colby's Goddess plays again, not technically her singing it, but it's still her song. Um, another fun fact, I just have to share this, I'm so sorry. Like, this is— I was there at the season 15 finale taping. I bought— my friend and I got tickets to go see it live. Wow. So we— I was there when this song was played for the very first time in public ever. And I remember seeing Sasha being like— she had all the dancers holding her and she was in this big snake costume She was pulled out on stage and it was incredible. Like, seeing it in person, like, mind blown.

How do you get in there?

Okay, so the way that it works is they don't do this anymore. If you noticed on season 16 and 17, they filmed the finale on a closed set. But before that, from like season 4 onwards, they would— World of Wonder would just release tickets. So they just released tickets for it and they said, uh, film— we're filming it, buy a ticket. I think my ticket was like $80 or something. I was worth it. I was like, we saw RuPaul, we saw like the entire season. It was in LA.

Yes, yes, there you go.

But they— but some tea about that, um, during the filming, Anitra's dancer, one of his knees dislocated. We saw it happen. So basically what they do is each of them do their performances, right? Anitra was the first one. I think it was alphabetical, so Anitra and then all the other ones. And they shared the dancers for all of them. So all of their finale performances have the same like 4 or 5 dancers. There's this one trick that Anitra was supposed to do where she like swings on him and falls into like splits. When she did that, his knee like popped out.

Oh my God.

And like he fell to the floor and held his knee and they had to cut the music and they had to stop production for like a good 40 minutes to an hour. And then I think that's why they don't do it live anymore. That's why they do it on a closed set because RuPaul didn't come out until the very end, but her day probably got delayed by like an hour and a half. So TS Madison, Ross Matthews, they were just going to the audience saying, hey everybody, how's it going? Just doing like crowd work. Yes, exactly. Okay, back to the episode.

Back to the episode.

Goddess plays. Neither of them knew the words.

Neither of them knew the words.

All for picking that song, being so confident. Neither of them knew the words. My favorite thing was when they cut to Sasha and she was just like, "Ooga." Like she wanted to sing the words, but she was like, "Oh, I can't." Like, it felt like that.

Well, I think Tsuki's beauty won that challenge. I want that battle.

See, I thought the same. I was like, okay, no, neither of them know it.

It.

So now what are we looking at next? And I think Suki commanded the stage better. She commanded the stage while Yuhua was like her backup dancer. Did you notice that Yuhua was going like this? Oh, there you go.

I'm like, why is she doing that? Like, she's, she's, um, taking out the attention from her.

And yeah, and she's like pointing to Suki.

I'm like, I wouldn't— you wouldn't do that.

Oh girl, I'm like, this is the most evenly matched battle. So I'm like, if Yuhua really locked in and went in her own route, but it felt like Suki was just I think Suki's confidence of being able to pick the song and the opponent kind of gave her this edge.

Yeah, you know, and then YooA was like at the end, I was like, what are you—

girl, get out, get out, but you get out.

She sort of like gave up in that battle.

Yes, I, I clocked that too, and I was like, girl, come on. But you know, um, still a good, good, good start. And I think Sasha was very complimentary, a little too complimentary for me. She was great energy, guys. Like, and it's a hard song. It's a hard song. I'm like, I would have been like, that's my song. None of you know the words. Mama Pal, send them both. Um, but yes, Suki is ultimately declared the winner. Do you agree?

I agree.

Okay, of course.

Yeah, yeah. Well, yeah, why did, why did you like gave that away to her?

I don't know. Yeah, take it. Bowing down, bowing down. Um, and then who was, who's the next lip sync? So that after that It's Venus. Yes.

And Brigadine.

Yes, exactly. So they come up, they do their song, and then they pick, uh, well, Brigadine gets to pick the song, right? Yeah, Brigadine picks the song.

Well, Brigadine picked Venus.

Oh, correct. Brigadine picks Venus, and then Venus picks Queendom, and then they both do that song. And I'm like, that's a tricky song because there's a lot of rap parts to it. And like, those RuPaul songs, like, even RuPaul's like, girl, I don't even know how to sing those songs after I'm recording them. So without the words right in front of you, it's so hard to kind of And this is a very special moment, like you explained, because Season 1 on the stage, Season 1 on the judging panel, you know.

Yeah, I really thought Venus was gonna win. She pulled out so many tricks than Brigitting did. Why did you think Brigitting won?

I think that goes back to the thing of like sometimes tricks aren't what give you the lip sync. I think the things that really gagged me, the gaggiest moments for me was when Brigitting did this or when she did this. I think it's just like, this is a lip sync for your life, not a little fan blow dryer for your life.

No, but Vinnia's also featured that. Even at the very beginning, she was already like this and her mouth like really pronounced, you know.

I think, I think it's really— I think especially when you're going up against two people, it's about who commands the attention first. And I think once you command it, once you grab that attention, it's hard for the other person to do it. And I think honestly, I think part of it also goes in the edit as well. Because there's so many cameras that are recording you and they get to pick which ones make you look the best, right? So I think from that storytelling perspective, it felt like Brigitting caught that. And then the story fell along with that too.

Yeah.

But I think the specific moments that put Brigitting over the edge was when, when the fan came in, Brigitting interacted with it. Do you remember? So Minyas was like blowing the fan around and then she was like pretending to be blown away.

But they both did though.

They both did. But I think it was Brigitting's like ingenuity in that moment, you know?

I really think, because either way, any of them who lost could have still made it through. Yeah. Um, but I, I was just thinking that to even the playing field between Brigading and Venus, they would give the Ru badge to Brigading this time.

You thought so?

Yeah, I thought so.

Yeah. Okay, from a storytelling perspective, yeah. I mean, yeah, make everybody have 2, 2, 2, 2, right? Going into the finale or going into the top 5. Um, but yeah, so the winner is ultimately, uh, Brigitting, and then Precious gives a little like, I hated it, I'm kidding, I loved it, I'm disappointed. Yes. Um, so the season 1 Divas all retreat, and then Brigitting wins, and then she goes back, Venus goes back, and then Yuhua's kind of gagged. I— you know what I loved about this episode? Yuhua's attitude backstage. Yeah, she was living, she was watching it like she was at a drag show, she was cheering even though she was alone back there. She was cheering, screaming, yelling. Um, loved you, has the attitude and the way she speaks.

Girl is really— she should have a job of being an anchor or being a commenter. Yes, for every franchise.

Do you watch her? Do you watch her YouTube series?

Uh, unfortunately I don't.

Oh, okay. No, girl, you're like, she should host a show. Do you watch the show that she hosts?

No, I mean, you have watched something.

No, I think she has a very, uh— yeah, I agree with you. I think that's why she's had a very successful YouTube career. Because she has that way of like explaining things. And especially I'm watching all her episodes because she's giving the insider tea about what the behind the scenes went. And every episode is with a contestant from the season. So she's able to get more tea and details. Siam was the most recent guest on her show too.

Yeah.

So, well, same with ours. Siam was the most recent guest on ours.

Wait, Anjua is from LA, right?

She's from New York. Oh, okay. Yeah, I've— when I was in New York in February, I went to her viewing party at Pieces, Pieces Bar in New York. And in that 2 hours, she sold her merch. She did 4 performances, 3 or 4 performances while the commercials were going. She was selling merch, she was talking to everybody in the crowd, she was getting a slice of pizza from somebody. She was doing numbers, she was talking to each person about the show, asking who's gonna go home, why they're gonna go home. And just all around entertaining.

Ultimate personality.

Yes! And it's like, that's that grit and her work ethic.

That's her drag.

Yes. And she came and she shook everybody's hands who wanted— she took a photo with me. She was so nice.

That's a different type of talent.

Yes.

And not everybody has that as well. No, I think there are some fierce performers, when you talk to them, they're so silent. Yes.

Yeah, you know, I, I've also heard this as a tip. Somebody gave me this tip. They're like, when you're in a drag show, you are the superstar. So it is one thing to want to be like, oh, I want to wait till it's my number. I'm going to come out and do my number and just go backstage. But you are the superstar in that room. So if you go and even talk to 5 people in the audience, they just got to interact with the star of the night, you know? So that impact is so important to them. So I— someone gave me that advice. It was the queen in Reno who gave me that advice. She said, you're the superstar, and if you go talk to them— with Shania— Shania Twain, she told me this, and, um, it stuck with me since.

Yeah, I mean, I do transform. I— and when there's an audience, I can talk to them, but when I'm backstage, I'm probably going to Right, right.

But would you ever go out into the audience and be like, thank you for coming to the show?

Of course.

Yeah, yeah, I think that's the important part.

I interact when, when people are interacting with me. I do interact and become this character. Yes, yes. But when I'm backstage, I'm almost always outside.

You're like, girl, I'm just waiting for my call. You're just waiting there. But yes, next, next lip sync is Arizona versus Kiana, the battle of the first runner-up. Going into this, who do you think was gonna do better?

Um, I was thinking like, uh, it was easier for Key— I mean Arizona to beat Kiana because of her storytelling prowess. I don't know, at this point you've already seen what Kiana can do and she's been repeating that over and over and over again. But just like what she said in her message to me, that Mama Pau has already probably been tired of what she's been doing.

Well, actually, I don't think, I don't think they know that she sent you the message. Tell us, tell us, tell us the context. So a few episodes ago, tagged her in one of our posts, and then she messaged you and she said—

and because, uh, our, our, our— that short was about— we, we were talking about her being underrated, correct? Yes. And she was like, yes, yeah, I think Mama Pao is already tired of what I've been doing. Just, she's not surprised anymore, she's not impressed anymore.

I think that just also goes to show that Kiana is the youngest in this cast. Yeah, she— if this is what she can show at this young age, just imagine what what 5 years would give her as an artist to transform and explore.

Yes.

And you know, she has all the potential, she has all the vision, she has all the resources, she has the it factor. I think it's just a matter of pushing that forward, and it's hard. Like, how, how do you do that when like you've been so good? But you know, maybe Global All-Stars.

Um, the first time I met Kiana a few months ago in the Philippines, yes, and I was filming Puro Loko Vega because I was making a documentary film about her.

Yeah.

And she was like, why are you the one filming? You should be the one in front of the camera. And she was like kind of like flirting with me.

Oh, okay.

I added her on Instagram. I was just like, oh my God, gag.

Wow, she said that I was sexy. 150, Kiana, slide in, slide in. She was sliding into the DMs actually. That's what she was doing. I live, I live.

Yeah, now, but now she knows that, you know, I'm virgin.

You freak. Hi, um, okay, work. That's— oh, now why am I getting hot? Okay, work. So, uh, Kiana and Arizona go up against each other. The song is Venga Boys, boom boom boom. Girl, what storytelling is there for this song? I'm like, when you said storytelling, wait a minute, what storytelling is in this song? It's the same words repeated. But we start the lip sync, uh, immediately I'm like, okay, Arizona is a little too stiff for my liking. So I'm like, okay, what is gonna happen next? What is gonna rip off? What is gonna happen? Immediately wig wig split in half. Gag. She's been like the wig queen.

Like, how many reveals did she do in this number?

Okay, so like, I'm trying to think. She had like the wig reveal one, and then she had like the skirt reveal two, and I think there's like maybe one more.

Well, she had a vape.

Yes.

Did she remove the sleeves as well?

I think the sleeves— like, there was like a— it was always all yellow, and I think the sleeves were like, uh, it was just supposed to stay there so that she could do like the armography.

Got it.

The sleeveography. Um, I'm good lip sync. I, I, I don't condone vaping, but I think it's so cool whenever she does it. I think it's like, I'm like, work! I'm like, I would never vape, I don't think vaping is good, but in the context of this performance, I'm like, vape couture, I'm there. Vape couture.

And Kiana was, was simulating— was that a masturbation?

No, no, that's not now, that's not now, that's in the last episode. She also did it in the last episode.

Did she do it here too?

Oh my god, I mean, you know what, for the context of the song, Storytelling, yes, you're right. You want you in your room. Yeah, stimulating, boom boom.

Exactly.

Um, but yes, so I think the thing that really sent her over the edge was the reveals, and then the— this thing gagged me, two vapes in the nostrils, and then yeah, crazy.

So Arizona was just like, oh, what, what? She was just like looking at Aria, it's like, okay, what's next?

No, literally, it's like, girl, what? Because Kiana's like, I just have this jacket on and it's staying on until the next lip sync, so there's nothing else that we can really do.

Yeah, yeah, you know, the dips and the stunts can only get you— yeah, I mean, after a while of you doing it, it's like, what else is next, you know?

True, true.

But I thought of the same thing with Ari as well, but I guess storytelling and reveals are more interesting than—

yeah, I think it's also the— I think it's just a gag. The gag is a gag, right? I mean, it is a gag when you see a queen do that split, but we've seen Keanu do that iconic slow-motion drop like twice this season already. And then we've also seen her do it on her original season and every performance that she does. It is very impressive, of course. But I think when you're going up against it, it's like the same thing like Kiana said. If we've seen it before, then yeah, what's new? Don't work out.

Exactly.

So, but she gags us later, but we'll get there. So Arizona wins. She is to the back of the stage. Kiana goes backstage to untucked with Minyas and Yuhua. And then now it's a lip sync between all three. Honestly, this was my least favorite lip sync of the night.

Mm-hmm. Yeah. What did you think?

Brigitting versus Suki versus Arizona? Yeah, I was like, girl, anyways, like, I mean, I think Sasha even said it felt like there was a girl group performing. And I'm like, I think what I didn't like about this lip sync was that it felt like Suki and Arizona were talking, were lip syncing to each other. Well, Brigitting was lip syncing to this, to the audience, you know what I mean? Like, it felt like there are so many moments when Ari and Suki were like doing this and Brigitting was like, hey, I'm here alone.

Yeah, and at this point you already know, you've already seen what they all can do.

Exactly. So I think it was really just a matter of Brigitting just commanding the stage and she captured that attention while Suki and Arizona were like facing each other. Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah. But yeah, I'm like, was there anything else that stood out to you about this episode?

This episode was a little bit boring. Yeah. It's okay, we're getting there. We're getting to the final episode.

But now we're getting to the drama because Brigitting just won. She gets the power of the golden balut and then now they go backstage. This is where I think the episode was really highlight for me because they're all back there pleading their cases. How did you feel about this moment when they were all backstage?

Yes, yeah, when they were trying to console, um, Yua, right? Yeah, yeah. Um, this was the— this was Yua's moment and Arizona opened it up and that's what really got Yua emotional. Yeah, and all the words were were on point, totally right about how she has performed and how she, you know, has contributed to, you know, um, the entire episode and how she meant for the girls and how she treated them. Everything was—

yeah, I think, um, another layer of this is that out of all of this cast, she is the oldest Drag Race contestant in the— not, not in age, I don't, I don't know if she is, but, um, in the context of who has been on their season the longest Season 10 was like 7 years ago. Season 10 was the season that I started drag. So I like that season, and I'm rewatching it right now because Race Chaser is doing a recap of Season 10. So that season is so ingrained in my mind because that was literally when I started doing drag. So when I saw— I can still remember when I remember seeing Yuhua walk in, and that point, someone who was embracing their Asian heritage so fiercely, like, it was like— I'm getting goosebumps thinking about it now. I'm getting chills thinking about it. Like, it was like And there was no— I mean, again, there was no South Asian representation on Drag Race yet. She was all like— seeing any Asian representation, I was excited because I'm like, that's close enough, that's close enough. And seeing her in her all red look coming in with her umbrella, and she's like, are you ready to throw the shade? Like, I still think about it. I'm like, she was so charismatic and silly, right?

I remember that.

So when all these queens were genuinely talking about how much her presence on the show meant to them, like, I could agree, I could relate.

Yeah.

So impactful to see Asian representation on that season because that was when I started drag. I remember seeing queens like Aquaria, Monét, Monique. All of them inspired me so much because Monique, I think Monique and Monét kind of look like me. So I was like, okay, perfect. I can base my drag off of them. Her and them and Asia as well. Aquaria was so close to me in age where I was just like, oh my gosh, if she can do it, I can do it. And then Yuhua being the Asian representation of the season, I was already like on board. Like at that point, every Asian queen, I was just like, yes. Kim Chi, Kimora Black, Yuhua, all of them during that era were like all the Asian representation. So when Kiana was talking about it and saying, you meant a lot seeing you all those years ago, I mean, I think Kiana and I are close in age too, so she was probably in a similar, you know, time frame of her life.

Yeah.

So yeah, she represents a lot, and she consistently on her YouTube channel would have queens from other countries on them. Like, she would, she would do the reviews She would do the, like, the fashion reviews on her show. Yeah, and she would bring in queens from all over the world.

And just her attitude, girl, it goes to show that if you have— if you start with a positive attitude, that really brings you a long, long way.

Yes, yes. And she got really emotional because she was like— feels like she got the validation because I don't think she got that from the show during her time, you know. She— here in Season Royale, she was able to meet all these queens who she loves and respects and admires. She was able to get the validation from the judges, win a challenge. When Snatch came out of all the things and, you know, I think it's a—

I think it also creates this unique atmosphere when you're with people who look like you and who have not similar experience, but I don't know. Yeah, am I, am I, um, running into something here?

No, this is, this is why we have this podcast, to dig in, to say it.

Yeah, no, but like, you know what, what I told you when I first stepped in the Gappa runway pageant and seeing seeing, uh, how large our community was and people who looked like me who were queer and trans, that was really, really validating. And I think to be surrounded by other Asian AAPI drag queens and to be validated like that must be— must feel really, really special.

Absolutely, absolutely. I agree with you. And it's like, until you see yourself represented, you don't even think of it as a possibility oftentimes. And Yuhua and all of these queens in their own ways represent that for so many people out there. I think that's the most important thing. Like, I didn't start performing— I mean, I started doing drag, but I didn't do anything cultural until I saw a former GAPA winner, Sanjeev, perform live. Yeah, GAPA 2018, I believe. That was the first time I ever saw a drag performance where someone did an Indian song in person. Like, before that, I would see it on YouTube or anything, but like, Sanjeev came to San Jose State, did that performance, and I was like, I need to do drag again, and I want to do drag just like —Yeah. So it's until you see yourself that you've realized that it's possible. That doesn't mean that you can't do it yourself because sometimes it's like, it's empowering to be your own representation. But to know that there are other people out there like you means that like, oh, this person did it. And then within 2 years I won Gap as well. And, you know, so yeah, it happens.

Amazing. Yeah. Representation is important.

Absolutely. And we're testaments to that. I hope, I hope we're representation for someone out there. I really hope. And I do think we are because I'm reading the comments and, you know, people are so complimentary to both of us. Us your knowledge and wisdom when it comes to all these cultural references. And they're talking so much about how, you know, we're providing that, yeah, conversation. Yeah, we love to see it. Yeah. Yes. But yes, done with Yoo-ha. Kiana says something very interesting. She says, don't give me that balut, I'm here to prove myself.

What did you feel about that moment?

I was like, oh, you better work. I mean, I was like, this is not the Kiana we saw 2 days or like a week I appreciated that.

But on the flip side of that, it's just like, don't give me the Balut, I'm going to beat Yuhua. And I'm like, girl, it's obvious you can beat her. I mean, do you really need that kind of, um, you know, I mean, um, conviction about that? It's obvious. Yes, you could beat her.

Like, you don't need to— it also felt like— it also felt— you're right, she just told Yuhua, you were doing the most on your season, which is why I love you. Brigading, give me— yes, the Balut, because I can beat that bitch. Like, oh my gosh, that was crazy. The whiplash of that. And Veedius was just like, I mean, if she's saying it, then— That was my favorite part of the episode for sure, because Veedius was like, well, save me. She didn't— Veedius didn't even like— that's what Arizona was— I think someone said like, she didn't even plead. Veedius was just like, well, okay, girl, I'm getting the balut. So you two figure it out. And it also lowkey felt like at one point it felt like telling Yuhua, you did a good job. Go, you know, have a safe flight home. Like, that's how the vibe felt. Yeah.

Be like, oh, we've already accepted it. Yes, you're going home.

Yeah, here's a consolation. I know, literally. I'm like, bro, what? Um, so that was hilarious to me, but that's exactly how it goes. So the thing is done, and then they make this joke that like YooHwa is eating so much food when she's there. Did you get that joke as well? That like eating the security guards' food? I was like, what? I just asked Siam about this, and YooHwa also talked about this. I said, what kind of food do they give you? And they said that they were very accommodating to like different dietary restrictions, and that YooHwa was pescatarian, so they gave her a lot of seafood and fish. Um, but then Yoo Hwa also said that when they said— she assumed that when she told them that, they thought that she only ate fish, so all her meals were only fish. So she was like, no, no, I eat other things too, I just don't eat those things. But like, all her— so maybe she got tired of the fish and she was sneaking in the other security guard's food.

You need protein, girl. No, right, exactly.

And like, sometimes you can only handle so much fish, right? You are what you eat, am I right? Um, yes, so then they go back to the main stage. This is a really interesting moment. It was a fake-out moment. Boogading is like, I'm going to pick a queen, her name starts with the letter V, and I competed on the same season, her last name is Deluxe. Kiana, you're lip-syncing. Like, it felt very much like a fake-out. Did she say Deluxe? No, no, no, I'm just— I'm being hyperbolic. Hyperbolic. Yeah, I'm being hyperbolic. I'm just saying, like, it was so funny where she's like, my best friend, great queen. Scene, and Venus was like, wait, what's happening?

She's like, no, girl.

Um, so Brigetting knows how to make good TV. She was giving the producers exactly what they wanted. Yes. Um, and then we go into the lip sync. Okay, this is my question for you. I don't think that was the live band singing it. No, it sounded like a recording.

Yeah, but it was probably their song.

No, no, absolutely. I'm just saying, I'm I'm like, also in the context of, you know, you're in a band, there are too many factors. Like, what if you do something slightly different and you didn't practice the song like that? I low-key feel like that's a disadvantage to do it live. Yeah. What do you think?

I just thought that they wanted to promote that back in the Philippines, and they all looked great, and I loved it, and it was Drag Race first.

But then I'm like, are they also lip-syncing it? Because that's what I was looking closely. I was like Uh, I'm sure he should have won.

No, that's what I was like.

And then that's what I thought was so funny when Yuhua started like dancing with the main singer. I was like, girl, both of y'all are lip syncing right now. I mean, play the real audio because I'm like, this is obviously a track because how do you practice for a live version? Because you know, sometimes there's certain, uh, idiosyncrasies.

Idiosyncrasies. No, but what did you feel about Kanda simulating masturbation so many times?

Gag. I mean, I was like, girl, we're doing something. And you know, that's what it was. That was the first time I've ever seen anything like that. Precious was like, like gagged. Precious was like, girl, what is happening? Um, Sasha Cole was also gagged. Mama Pao was living. And like, Yuhua sees her doing this, she like gets on top, and like she's also kind of like, you know.

I mean, you gotta thank Madonna who did that first.

Oh, the, the stimulation? Yeah, yeah, yeah, with, uh, Like a Virgin, right?

Yeah. Was it Like a Virgin? Um, it, it could, it could have been, um, San Pedro, something like Oh, when she was in the bed. And, um, I just watched the music video for that, controversial, because that performance was also, uh, was also pointing to religious iconography.

Oh, was it like a prayer? I think what you're describing is more so like a prayer, because I just watched the video for La Isla Bonita like yesterday. I don't think it was that one.

A lot of her songs are are subversive to religion.

Absolutely, and rightfully so. I'm like, man, I, I love art like that. So good, good. Yeah. Um, but yeah, so she feigned masturbation. She had the spray gun going through. I'm like, it worked from the angle that they got it. It looked really convincing, even though right before we could see that she had the spray can in her hand. Like, when it was actually being done, I thought it was really—

where did you get it from? That's what I was curious.

I think it might have been a jacket. I think it might have been on the side or in her jacket because she didn't take her jacket off until that lip thing. She— or something like that. I don't know. I, I looked, I looked at him like, okay, can in her hand, what is she doing? What's she doing? I'm like, wow, that gagged me. Yeah. Um, well, Kiana is declared the winner. Yuhua sashays away, and Yuhua is very emotional on her exit. She said that she came here for love, acceptance, community, and she got every single thing, and she was very—

came here for— yeah, yeah.

I mean, I actually— this was the most emotional elimination for me.

Yeah. I mean, I would I want to have the same exit as well, but do I want to be someone who's given sort of like a consolation just because I, I have a positive energy? And it felt like that a little bit.

Well, she didn't get a consolation though. I mean, she won a challenge just the week before.

Well, yeah, but girl, but I'm just like, the way they, um, crafted this episode is like trying to honor her for her positive energy. Yeah.

Or maybe Wrong. No, I, I can see what you mean.

I'm just trying to make an issue out of something.

You know what I mean, girl? What else would we talk about? The episode happened, this episode, this podcast would be like 10 minutes long. So no, I, I, I see that. I think it was very— you're right, this was her episode. I think if there are two main characters for this episode, was Brigette. The top three for me: Brigette, Kiana, and Yoo-ha had the biggest stories this episode. Yeah, right. Yeah, because Brigette had this like star on the rise, like just demolishing all the Kiana really did a total 180 from last week where she's like, I'm ready to prove myself. And Yuhua gets this emotional send-off, you know.

I guess if I were to restate my question, is that it would be, do you want to go home being remembered as a fierce queen or as a queen who has a positive attitude?

I mean, I mean, okay, well, I think I think if I was in her shoes, this send-off was perfect because every single queen ran up and gave her a hug before she left. They didn't do that for any of the other girls, you know, not the same way. Literally, even Bernie, they just said, all right girl, bye. But Yuhua, every single one of them ran on stage to give her a goodbye. She won a challenge, she proved herself, she did something that she couldn't do on her own season. She established herself, you know, globally doing this. Yeah, I think it was a perfect— I would have Again, would have loved to see her in the end, but I think this is the best.

I'm probably forcing the issue. There's nothing wrong with you, there's nothing wrong with having a positive attitude. I don't—

here's the thing, I don't think she always had a positive— I think she was— she threw it out. She was shady and she was— and she was a good player when it mattered. She wasn't like outright mean or anything, but like she was— during the early episode, she was like really the narrator of the season. She was pushing the plot forward. She wasn't just this sweet, nice queen, you know what I mean? Like, I think— I think very much so that she did a really good job on all accounts.

Yeah, and there's no— being a drag queen is not a model. You don't have to be fierce. You can be your own.

I mean, just look at us. I'm kidding, I'm kidding, I'm kidding. No, we're fierce, we're fierce. Yeah. Yes, yes.

Like I said, I'm trying to make something out of nothing.

No, we're making mountains out of molehills today. But yes, I love this season so much. I don't want it to end, actually. Now that I'm thinking about it, I could do And even she said, she's like, season 2, there absolutely needs to be another season of this show. This was so good. I don't think— I mean, I guess I'm also kind of in a bubble because we're making a podcast about it. I'm consuming all the other podcasts about this. I'm following all the queens. We're like, we have queens who are in our orbit, like Siam. So I'm like, this is the most exciting season of Drag Race ever. I mean, you're right, I—

this is the most I've paid attention because I've been watching since season 1. Really? What? Okay, I stopped watching, like, um, like intently watching maybe after season 10. Okay, after that it's like I just watch clips. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But this, this time since we are doing a podcast on it, I'm like really paying attention. I'm like watching these episodes, y'all.

We're watching these episodes like 2 or 3 times. We're, we're setting up, we're playing it in the background while we're doing our makeup, we're watching it again. I'm trying to read as many comments Reddit threads to get all the information I can. Like, I think we're, we're like, we're going about this in such a scholarly way that we are so— we are engrossed. Yes. And encapsulated. Encapsulated.

And I'm really glad we did it. Um, some of the comments were really encouraging, letting know we really dive into the cultural, um, context and perspectives, which a lot of you appreciate. We appreciate that. That feedback is really, really, really— yes.

And you know, literally keep the conversation going because I'm learning so much for watching the, the comments as well, reading the comments. Yeah, keep telling me I look like Lara Raj. I'll take it. I love that comparison. So I'm wearing my Lara Raj hair today.

Yes. Well, anyways, yes.

Yeah, um, but yeah, great episode, great season. We'll see you next.

How many more episodes do we have?

Episodes? I think we have— so we're at top 5. Yeah, if it's gonna be a top 4, maybe there's one more episode, and then one, and then the finale.

Yeah.

I think there's been 2 more episodes. Oh my God.

Yeah, I invited Didi for the next one, by the way. Beautiful.

You don't need to ask me. I'm like, mama, pull up another chair and we'll have the conversation. And she also did Binge Queens 4, so I'm sure she'll have an extra tidbit for us. Yeah, whatever the NDA will allow.

Yeah, she said she, she just has to tell them. Oh, okay. She said it's fine.

Okay, work. Okay, work.

Anyways, this has been really good. Yes. And I enjoyed it.

Yes, me too. Great episode. I actually like this episode a lot. So we will see you next time on Slayton Persuasion.

Bye-bye.