The Sellout

This was the week, girls! THE SNATCH GAME! And it culminated in one of the most rewarding moments of the season, with Jinkx Monsoon finally getting the recognition she deserves!… after fighting for it throughout a brutal, punishing episode.

Coco summed it up best at the end of this week’s Untucked: “Competition brings the best and the worst out of everybody.” With several of the queens feeling insecure and defensive about their Snatch Game performances, they pile on the shining star of the challenge, accusing her of being too quirky and unpolished for the competition. But, wait… haven’t the other queens SEEN the past two seasons of this show? Remember Raja? And Sharon Needles? The eccentric, edgy queens who’ve won the damn thing?

I really felt for Jinkx, who refused to sink to the level of the combative queens, and I’m so, so glad she emerged on top. I had been relishing the chance to see her perform as Little Edie, and she didn’t disappoint. The level of polish and wit she brought to the character was just sickening–especially when she took advantage of the Game’s awkward pauses and snatched back the spotlight.

(And as a sidenote, my hilariously neurotic, reclusive cat is named Edie, in honor of Little Edie. Here she is, being her usual self.)

In any case, you all know how much I love this queen. And damn, do I like drawing her.

But Jinkx has got some competition! This season has its share of fierce performers–week to week, you never know whether Alaska, Detox, or Jinkx will steal the show. Given my overwhelming love for campy queens, I adore all three, but I really have no idea who might edge each other out. How could you pick just one for the crown??

I still adore Alaska, who remains a total wild card–you never know when she’ll pull out some delightfully deranged quip or costume. (I do love those animal masks, by the way…) Her performance as Lady Bunny was a hell of a time, and her runway look, although simple, was sleek and funny.

Some of the queens really went with the fishy theme of “The Deadliest Snatch,” but others? Not so much. As a total nerd, I figured some of the other queens might have gone more in the “deadly” direction, dressing up like… assassins? Sexy, dangerous ladies? (Jade, Coco, and Roxxxy were totally serving that up, am I right?)

I liked Roxxxy’s Snatch Game performances a lot, even though I didn’t know anything about the Braxton sister she was portraying. She brings a lot of energy and humor to each challenge, and really, I need no excuse to draw a mohawk.

I was sure Ivy and Lineysha would be stuck lip synching for their lives this week. Although I love both queens, they’re pretty subdued, and so I was worried we’d have another underwhelming match-up. But that was not to be! Instead, we got to see Detox at her best, and what a sight she was! I may have my gripes about the predominant role of lip synching in drag competitions, but Detox showed us all how it’s done. As if her inimitable facial contortions weren’t fierce enough, how much did you love her spin move, where her “jellyfish” dress whipped up around her?

This girl gets it.

As always, I’ve got books and prints of my Drag Race work (including your favorite Season 5 gals!) right here, so take a look at my online store!

Yeah, I know Alaska is still a totally polarizing queen, but can you argue that she’s not the funniest one this season? I mean, come on, this week’s mini-challenge? I died. Lil’ Poundcake, whose catchphrase is “You’re not my real dad and you never will be” was priceless. But my favorite line of the episode was her dry response when Rupaul asked about the underlying lesson to their children’s programming: “Down with Communism!”

I wasn’t weirded out by Alaska’s choice to serve up some Farmer Peewee realness during the TV shoot–for me, the challenge was about proving yourself as a comedian and actor, not as a ravishing drag beauty. So, what was all the fuss about?

The overall challenge this week was totally absurd, but in the zany Drag Race way that we all know and love. Despite some of the trainwreck performances, I was actually surprised by the number of queens who really nailed their characters. Including, of course, Jinkx.

I’ve been frustrated by the lack of screen time Jinkx gets, since she’s one of my very favorite queens this season. But this challenge gave her an opportunity to show off her performance skills, not to mention some of her lovelier looks so far. (People have been saying she did a riff based on Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction, but I totally missed it. Anyone?)

This episode seemed to set up Jinkx as sort of an underdog, finally giving us a little bit more about her history (especially her awesomely supportive grandmother). And although she didn’t win this week’s challenge, hopefully we’ll see her pull ahead sometime soon.

Roxxxy was pretty fabulous in the “Kidster TV” challenge, too, especially because she embraced such a deranged, silly character. I’ve been trying to nail down what exactly I find so alluring about Roxxxy–I think she embodies a kind of hyper-realized mega-glamour, which you rarely see pulled off so well. Raven does so, too, but with a very different approach. For Roxxxy, it seems so effortless, but also so utterly fabulous.
If Jinkx is this season’s underdog, Detox is definitely the top dog, or, uh… biggest bitch? In only the best way. Tall, stylish, stunningly distinctive, and sickeningly talented, I think she’s going to be hard to beat.

When Ru announced the runway’s theme was “Think Pink,” I groaned a little. But only Detox could pull out such an unexpected, stunning number.

By the end of this episode, it felt like the show had run through a lot of the “big storylines” it alluded to in the first episode and in subsequent teasers.  Monica’s “big secret” has been revealed, Serena got taken down, and I’d guess most of the drama and intrigue about Coco and Alyssa’s past has been dealt with. No, we haven’t heard exactly why Alyssa lost her title, but I suspect the actual reasons are complicated and not terribly dramatic, so I doubt the show will dwell much more on all that.

So, what’s next for this season? My hope is that, now that a lot of the over-sized personalities and rivalries have gotten their share of the spotlight, we might get to see more of the quieter queens, like Honey, Ivy, and (of course) Jinkx. However, in this week’s Untucked, we got a glimpse of something new on the horizon–a potential romance brewing between Roxxxy and Detox. Which could be pretty spectacular, but I just hope the other queens get a little love, too.

Although we’re only 3 weeks into Season 5, I’ve already gotten permission from a lot of the queens to make my illustrations of them available here, so I’ll be posting 11 x 14 prints at $10 each in my Drag Race Print Shop!

Another season of the Drag Race is underway, and I’m already overwhelmed–so many queens! So much drama! So much to draw!

But seriously, it is a really fascinating mix of queens. They kept saying how fishy they all are, but I’m more impressed at the diverse set of skills and styles we have here. I had done a bit of research into the queens prior to the season for my full-cast poster that you can see here, so I definitely already had some favorites.

First of all, I love the deranged, funny, self-aware queens: Alaska, Detox, and Jinkx.

Alaska’s got her demented glam style down, with a sharp wit to match. My only concern had been whether she’d be able to show a softer side, which this episode delivered. There’s been a lot of discussion about whether Alaska’s relationship with past winner Sharon Needles will be either a hindrance or unfair advantage–I’m glad that this episode let the girls ask all those questions and get ‘em out of the way. Alaska was candid and funny about the jealousy, frustration, and insecurity she feels about it all. And now, hopefully, she can move on in this competition unencumbered.

And I seriously can’t wait to see her shine in some performance challenges.

Detox is a clear frontrunner–she’s got incredible style, a distinctive look, and an ego the size of California. I’m hoping we’re able to get to know her better throughout the season– she has an ironic detachment and arrogance that reminds me a lot of her friend Willam. But regardless, I can’t wait to see what else Detox brings to the show!

And then there’s Jinkx: what a gem!

I have a huge soft spot for Jinkx, and I’m not afraid to shout that from the rooftops. I think she’s funny as hell, embraces a delightfully quirky style, and is an amazing performer. I think she might be the greatest “funny queen” in the show’s history, and I’m hoping this show helps launch her into superstardom. She’s already been producing hilarious web videos for years (check out her Funny or Die series “Monsoon Season“) and is currently starring in a Seattle production of Hedwig & The Angry Inch, which I would DIE to see. My only worry about Jinkx is that, although she’s a fantastic actor, singer, and comedian, the Drag Race’s emphasis on lip sync and fashion might be her downfall. (but I hope not!)

But, as in every season of the Drag Race, there are surprises. I didn’t know much about Roxxxy beforehand, but with her juicy curves, enormous hair, and sleek fashion, I think she could go far. And if you watch Untucked, you’ll see that Roxxxy can read these girls FOR DAYS.

I think Honey Mahogany is as sweet as her namesake, not to mention strikingly gorgeous and stylish. She’s also one of several queens this season who’s an accomplished singer. I’m hoping she’s a standout this year, but I’m worried she might be too damn nice for this show!

I can’t wait to draw the outrageous outfits that Ivy Winters will walk down the runway! She clearly has some design skills, and I’m hoping she gets more of a chance to show off her personality, too. (I had been hoping to draw her this week, but just didn’t have time. But soon!)

My biggest surprise this week was Lineysha Sparx–although she’s an obvious beauty, I hadn’t expected her to bring such style and grace to the show. Seriously, that girl moves like a cat. And even though her runway look was stunning and should have won the challenge, I decided her first look would be even more fun to draw!

I’m definitely not planning to animate all my Drag Race art this year, but I wanted to have some fun this week. Let me know if you like ‘em!

As always, prints of my Drag Race work from past seasons can be found here, as well as art books that collect the best pieces!

Check back next week for my thoughts and drawings of the second episode!