RuPaul’s Drag Race fans got an early holiday gift courtesy of Ru and World of Wonder when it was announced this week that they will be airing a special called A RuPaul’s Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular. It is set to air December 7th on VH1.
Essentially the show is bringing back 8 legendary Drag Race contestants who will compete for the title of America’s First Drag Race Christmas Queen. This could also mean that they will announce the premiere dates of either All Stars 4 or season 11 of RPDR… but I might be getting ahead of myself here.
I was all excited to hear about this very fun event, as at this point I’ll pretty much watch Victoria “Porkchop” Parker downing a pork chop herself as long as it relates to the show (I’m a super fan as you can tell). When I found out who the 8 queens were that will be part of the special, however, my excitement paused.
Here are the 8 listed:
Eureka O’Hara (Seasons 9 & 10)
Shangela (Seasons 2 & 3 and All Stars 3)
Jasmine Masters (Season 7)
Kim Chi (Season 8)
Mayhem Miller (Season 10)
Latrice Royale (Season 4, All Stars 1)
Sonique (Season 2)
Trixie Mattel (Season 7, All Stars 3 Winner)
This is actually a very fun group, and it makes me think that the date for All Stars 4 will be released first instead of season 11 (just like they did this year) as Latrice and Jasmine are on the rumored list of queens competing.
It’s fairly obvious, from a diehard fan like mine’s POV, that Shangela will win. I really don’t think they would put her through something for a fourth time only for her to lose.
Let’s break down Shangela’s time on this show. Season 2 she was out first against her late friend Sahara Davenport. Did she deserve to go that soon? Arguable, but we may not have her as the star she is today if she made it further into the competition.
Season 3 emerged a much more confident and ballsy Shangela. She took on anyone who came in her path, got rid of not one but two of the “Heathers” clique and made her way all the way to the top 5.
All Stars 3 was a different ball game for her. She was already an All Star in the real world having scored major acting gigs and becoming one of the most recognizable names the industry has seen in years. Not to mention this was before word got out that she and Willam were in A Star is Born, which is poised to take home several Oscars next year.
She made it to the final four alongside Trixie, Kennedy Davenport and Bebe Zahara Benet, only to lose due to the eliminated queens not voting for her to make it to the final two. It confused Ru, the judges and everyone else at home who felt that she not only belonged in the top two but should have easily won over her three competitors.
Was this Holiday Spectacular specifically made just for her to win? A lot of comments on social media seem to think so, and to be honest it would be nice to see someone as talented and amazing as Shangela finally take home a crown she should’ve won this year. Then again… you never know.
This post was created by one of our Contributing Writers and does not reflect the opinion of Instinct Magazine or the other Contributing Writers when it comes to this subject.