Drag

Drag Race: Here’s how fans reacted to the sickening winner of season 15

By Jordan Robledo

15th April 2023

MTV
MTV

RuPaul finally crowned America’s Next Drag Superstar on the grand finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Spoilers ahead. 

For the last three months, Drag Race fans have immersed themselves in the show’s historic 15th season – which included the largest cast in the franchise and a top four featuring only queens of colour.

From the sickening challenges – including Wigloose the Rusical and the One Night Only Talent Show – to the various “gates” that took place, the new batch of episodes has taken viewers on a wild ride.

On this week’s grand finale, the top four contestants of the season – Sasha Colby, Anetra, Luxx Noir London, and Mistress Isabelle Brooks – flocked to Los Angeles’ Ace Hotel to participate in one final smackdown for the crown.

Like past grand finales, the queens performed stunning original numbers that showcased their charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent.

Duck walk icon Anetra kicked off the festivities with her dance-heavy performance of Lotus, which is about persevering through the “bullsh*t.”

The second queen to take the stage was New Jersey talent Luxx, who delivered a sickening performance of It’s Giving Fashion, which is about living lavishly and the fashion industry as a whole. 

Before the third queen strutted on stage, Ru took a moment to honour the fashion icon and living legend Bob Mackie. 

“In recognition of his priceless contributions to glamour, beauty, and excitement, RuPaul’s Drag Race is proud to present the first-ever Giving Us Lifetime Achievement Award, the one and only Bob Mackie,” Ru said. 

During his speech, the fashion pioneer gave an encouraging message to the drag community. 

“To all the queens around the world, don’t let anyone or anything dim your sparkle,” he said.

After the brief break, Mistress strutted across the stage and delivered a gagworthy and hilarious performance of her original song Delusion – which is about a girl looking to “cure the town of their drag delusion.” 

For the last performance of the evening, your “drag queen’s favourite drag queen” Sasha took to the stage to perform Goddess, a song inspired by the misunderstood Greek figure Medusa.

Following their performances, Ru announced Anetra and Sasha as the top two queens. 

While the final two contestants prepared for their lip-sync, Orville Peck and Wigloose composer Leland performed an emotional rendition of Built on Drag.  

After the performance, season 14 star Kornbread Snack Jeté crowned Malaysia Baby Doll Foxx as season 15’s Miss Congeniality before announcing her cash prize of $10,000. 

“In a season full of eras. I guess I’m finally in my congenial era,” the Miami-based queen said during her brief speech. 

However before the show could move on, Kornbread revealed that the remaining queens would also receive $2,000 each, courtesy of Olay Body.

Lastly, All Stars 7 winner, Queen of all Queens and Broadway star Jinkx Monsoon performed a truly iconic rendition of When You’re Good to Mama from Chicago the Musical. 

Towards the end of the episode, Sasha and Anetra returned to centre stage to perform a final lip-sync to the beat of Amii Stewart’s Knock on Wood.

In true Sasha and Anetra fashion, both of the queens delivered a variety of fierce tricks, splits, and ruveals, which were well received by the enthusiastic audience. Ultimately, RuPaul crowned Sasha as America’s Next Drag Superstar.

“This goes to every trans person past, present and future because we are not going anywhere,” the LA-based queen said during her acceptance speech.

Throughout the season, Sasha captivated viewers around the world with her showstopping talent, incredible humour and inspiring journey as a trans woman. 

Sasha takes home $200,000 – the franchise’s largest cash prize to date – as well as a crown and sceptre from Fierce! Drag Jewels and a year’s supply of Anastasia Beverley Hills cosmetics.

With her win, she also makes herstory as the second trans competitor to win a regular season of RuPaul’s Drag Race and the fourth trans winner in the entire franchise – alongside her close friend and All Stars 6 winner Kylie Sonique Love. 

After the finale, viewers were finally treated to the first teaser for RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 8 – which is set to air on Paramount Plus and WOW Presents Plus (for UK residents) in May, respectively. 

While the All Stars 8 cast is still shrouded in mystery, theories regarding the show’s contestants have already made rounds on social media.

Some of the rumoured queens include Alexis Michelle (Season 9), Darienne Lake (Season 6), Heidi N Closet (Season 12), Jaymes Mansfield (Season 9), Jessica Wild (Season 2), Jimbo (Canada Season 1, UK vs the World), Kahanna Montrese (Season 11), and Kandy Muse (Season 13). 

Here’s how fans reacted to the grand finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race:

You can watch the complete season of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 15, along with Untucked, on the streamer of all things drag, WOW Presents Plus, in the UK and internationally.