HEADER BY OLIVIA LAWRENCE

We have a Queen of All Queens, baby! After years and years (and years) of rumours and anticipation as to which Hall of Fame-r would emerge supreme, the first-ever winners’ season of RuPaul’s Drag Race premiered earlier this year to wide praise. The queer equivalent of Avengers: Endgame (facts), the series has provided viewers around the world with some of the most iconic moments in, not just Drag Race’s herstory, but reality TV in general: Jinkx Monsoon’s gut-busting impersonation of Judy Garland; Monét X Change’s breathtaking opera; Shea Couleé fierce Janet Jackson-inspired number; Raja’s innovative runways; Winter Green’s long-awaited ruturn (yes we said it!) and so many more. After 11 weeks, the season came to an end on 29 July with a lip-sync smackdown for the crown. Although viewers celebrated Jinkx Monsoon as the first-ever “Queen of All Queens”, the format has come under fire for a multitude of reasons. We don’t disagree with those reasons, either. Here, we explain why it’s about time Drag Race retires the lip-sync smackdown for the crown.

Sasha Velour’s rose-petal extravaganza is untouchable

Ever since Sasha Velour unleashed her rose petal extravaganza in season nine’s unforgettable lip-sync showdown for the crown, various queens have tried – and failed – to replicate her now-iconic stunts. Asia O’Hara’s chances at usurping Sasha as America’s Next Drag Superstar (which were pretty solid, actually) were foiled by a swarm of half-dead butterflies, while Aquaria sashayed onto the stage as a metallic, sci-fi… crab? We’re still not entirely sure what that was, but you get the jist: Sasha’s rose petals can’t be topped. It’s impossible! Can’t be done! Sorry! (Monét X Change removing her pussycat wig to reveal an identical one underneath was revolutionary, however.) Unfortunately, the season nine champ set a dangerous precedent for future seasons and now, game-changing stunts are generally expected. But, if a queen doesn’t have a killer ruveal planned, or dominating the stage to a chart-topping pop banger isn’t in their wheelhouse, then what’s the point in having a smackdown? Remember season 13?