![RuPaul's Drag Race: [Spoiler] Eliminated -- Season 9 Episode 10 Recap](https://tvline.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/andy_final.jpg?w=250&h=250&crop=1)
Friday’s surprisingly personal episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race confirmed the queens’ worst collective fear: In this new post-Valentina world, everyone may have an equal shot — but all of their padded butts are also on the line.
That line ended up being drawn right in between Nina Bo’nina Brown and Shea Couleé, this week’s bottom two. And if you really think about it, wasn’t that the perfect pair to face off? Considering all the spoken and/or unspoken tension between them — Nina ominously referred to Shea as “The Negative One,” much to Shea’s confusion — I was ready to see either of them go. (But preferably Nina, who I can never understand. Half the time, I swear she’s just speaking in tongues.)
![RuPaul's Drag Race: [Spoiler] Eliminated -- Season 9 Episode 10 Recap](https://tvline.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/drag-race-valentina.jpg?w=620&h=420&crop=1)
The execution of the battle, on the other hand, was a little puzzling. Nina (via voiceover) said she felt like doing a “Charlie move,” which I took to mean she was basically giving up (a la Charlie Hides) before Demi Lovato’s “Cool for the Summer” — an odd choice for a lip sync battle, but whatever — even started playing. But to be honest, neither of the queens gave a particularly memorable performance; it was one of the most evenly matched/boring battles I’ve seen in a minute.
Alas, one of them had to be sent packing. And while I initially rooted for her at the beginning of the season, Nina’s negativity has really weighed down the show in recent weeks. I’m not sad to see her go.
Additional thoughts…
* Can we talk about Kesha (no dollar sign) for a minute please? I feel like I haven’t seen her out and about in a while, and this was not where I was expecting her to turn up.
* Shea’s drag sister may have looked a fright coming down that runway, but the fact that she named her Bae Couleé totally made up for it in my mind.
Your thoughts on Nina’s elimination? And which of the five remaining queens do you consider worthy of the crown? Cast your vote below, then drop a comment with your rationale.
For some reason, I tend to gravitate to certain specific aesthetics. I am a die-hard Nina Flowers fan, for instance (her thrift store look killed me on the first challenge). That’s why this season I am digging Sasha Velour a lot. We’ll see.
I loved nina at the beginning and I hope she gets some help and comes back hard in all stars 3
I hope not. That was just too much negativity!
Why wouldn’t Kesha judge drag race? She’s been an ally for the LGBT community pretty much her entire career. I’m surprised she hasn’t judge before. Was not really surprised they didn’t do a Kesha song for the lip sync though. I’m sure the rights to her songs are in legal hell right now.
Tours, rehab, recovery, court.
Sarge and her where everything tonight though
Shea, Sasha, & Trinity should be top 3
YAS!
Indeed!
I was so GLAD that whiney guy left! #GOODRIDDENS #ADIOS #GETINTHEWIND #TAKETHATNEGATIVITYSOMEWHEREELSE,
Nice to see that Alexis Michelle visits TV Line. There’s no way in heck that anyone else would vote for her to win this season.
PERFECT kind of show for snowflakes. lol
I’m not sure how the generic white mass that is snowflakes applies to a show celebrating diversity, but you do you, boo
I thought Sasha should have won the challenge this week. I’m pretty over Trinity at this point, but agree that the top three should be Sasha, Shae, and Trnity of those left. I’m leaning toward Sasha for the win, but would be fine with Shae as well.
Is anyone else Surprised that Alexis Michelle made it further than both Nina and Valentina? Like any of the others could win and have earned their spot but how has she squeaked by this long
In complete agreement. She had a few good episodes, but she’s gone downhill consistently for the past three and needs to go next.
I think Alexis Michelle is where she is because she is being defended by Michelle Visage. This week’s outfit and performance was not good ans she should have been in the bottom.
Even Ross Matthews said about the outfit but Michelle kept defending Alexis…
I just love Peppermint. I know Queens who is more “out there” usually wins so I don’t think Peppermint will win but she is beautiful, poised and talented and you know I have to give it up for the big girl. Got to stay true to my girl.