Drag Race Reveals Which Queens Will Compete In The Season 14 Finale
The stage is officially set for the Season 14 finale of RuPaul's Drag Race, including which queens will be competing for the show's biggest prize yet on Friday, April 22 (VH1, 8/7c).
The finale, which is preceded by a reunion special on April 15, will be broadcast from Las Vegas' Flamingo Hotel, home of the RuPaul's Drag Race Live residency. For the first time in the show's herstory, the winner will take home $150,000. The runner-up will also be handsomely rewarded with a cash prize of $50,000.
But I'm getting ahead of myself...
This week's episode presented the five remaining queens — Angeria Paris VanMichaels, Bosco, Daya Betty, Lady Camden and Willow Pill — with their final challenge: to create looks, write verses and perform in the music video for RuPaul's new single "Catwalk." Now available on iTunes.
RuPaul and Michelle Visage also invited the queens to sit down for individual Tic-Tac lunches, even if they lacked the traditional accoutrements like tables. And plates. And Tic-Tacs. Still, the conversations made for some really interesting moments, as the queens further opened up about the struggles they've had to overcome.
So, which queens made it through to the finale? Read on to find out.
DAYA BETTY
Can we talk about how this queen was eliminated in her first episode, then returned to become the first one confirmed for the finale? Say what you will about Daya — and I've said plenty — but she's a fierce competitor, and she absolutely earned her spot.
Daya's work in Friday's final challenge was indicative of the drive that got her this far. Not only did she design a sickening look for the music video, but when Angeria passed on Michelle's note to crawl on the catwalk, Daya swooped in and did it herself. (Being able to take directions is important, even if they're given to another queen.)
Daya's burned runway dress ("Singed for the gods!") was merely the cherry on top of an impressive week.
LADY CAMDEN
She's a winner, baby!
A stand-out performance in the music video, coupled with that Cinderella-worthy runway look, earned Camden her well-deserved third win, tying her with Bosco for the most wins of the season.
I've always enjoyed Camden, but she's been absolutely on fire for the past few weeks and has quietly emerged as a frontrunner to win it all. (And you have to admit, she'd make a heck of a Drag Race UK host if RuPaul ever decides to pass the torch.)
BOSCO
Though Bosco was gently critiqued for her work in this final challenge, she was ultimately sent to safety. And I was... shocked?
I mean, Bosco is obviously a strong competitor, but I didn't think this was her best week. That Steven Universe-looking music video outfit didn't do it for me, and I thought she had the weakest verse in "Catwalk." I will give kudos to her for that runway moment, though — I do love a Marilyn moment.
Ru-gardless of what I think, Bosco is through to the finale!
WILLOW PILL
Willow has been in my hypothetical Top 4 ever since she delighted us with that Enya-set bubble bath in the premiere, so I was positively gooped to hear that she'd be lip syncing for her life against Angeria — another queen I always figured would make it to the finale.
Sure, she wasn't the liveliest model in the music video, but I figured that Willow's stunning rat royalty runway look would have made up the difference.
Sadly, it did not, so Willow had to face off against Angeria to Lady Gaga and Beyoncé's "Telephone." And while I fully expected Angeria to wipe the floor with Willow, the mushroom lover had some tricks hidden up her sleeve.
ANGERIA PARIS VANMICHAELS
[Extreme Laganja Estranja voice] Oh, y'all wanted a twist, eh?
In keeping with Season 14's theme of avoiding eliminations at all cost, no queens were sent home this week.
Both Angeria and Willow was told to stay, meaning that all five remaining queens — including Bosco, Camden and Daya — will compete in the finale.
Who do you want to take the crown? And was there an obvious queen you would have eliminated this week? Drop a comment with your thoughts below.