BROKEN DOWN DOLLS

It was a darker episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race last evening as front-runner Alexis Mateo nearly walked off set and stayed away, scaring everyone in the process. Getting to the nitty-gritty, the Mini Challenge had the Dolls advertising something they had created on the newest and queerest home-shopping network, RuVC. “Fake it ’till you make it,” Ru encouraged as each of the final four girls tried their hands at the challenge. Raja sold her sweet-smellling “gaft” which holds her manly bits in place between her legs. Manila sold some “MANila (hair and body) Spray” while Yara sold some ratted out hair braids and Alexis sold homemade hip-pads for your body. “But wait! Order now and you get these extra butt-pads, as well!” Alexis offered. Yara somehow won the challenge and was named choreographer and lead Doll on the Main Stage Challenge of creation of 3 fashions made from funny money: Bathing Suit in gold, Cocktail After-Five, and Evening Gown Eleganza for RuPaul’s “Make That Money Ball.”

Getting to the good stuff, Alexis Mateo has a mini-meltdown and walks off set because she wants to go home and is crumbling under pressure. The other Dolls wonder if that’s it, as Yara basically chases her down and tells her to get a grip and compete, which she does. All of the contestants have some drama pulling things together but in the end it all works out for the best. Judges Latoya Jackson and The Arrangement’s Gigi Levangie Grazier joined a hair-done-how Mike Ruiz and a Cher-looking Michelle Visage, who just doesn’t seem to care much for Mateo. In the Main Challenge, Raja wins the gown category,  Manila won swimsuit, and the cocktail creation was a toss-up.

The bottom two were un-surprisingly Mateo and Yara Sofia lip-syncing to Patti Labelle’s “I Think About You.” Starting out of the gate, Mateo had it down and was taking this, even with the manipulation that had reared its ugly head among the judges. Yara started to sing but turned around, dropped her gaudy gown of paper cash and collapsed on the runway. Alexis finished but it definitely was a darker final challenge than that of weeks past. Everyone was in shock at the outcome of Yara’s breakdown as Alexis humbly assisted her to her feet. Mateo was asked to stay and basically collapsed into Manila’s arms off stage from the emotional runway and strong-willed Yara Sofia was sadly asked to “Shantay… Away.” TOP THREE!

The best quote of the evening from from Raja who offered that the reason he does drag and wants to be “America’s Next Drag Superstar” is because he wants to give little boys the knowledge that there are other ways to express yourself and that it’s OK. “The Power of Fuck You” was his theme, and Ru and judges loved it, as did I.