SPOILER ALERT: This article contains details about the episode 12 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.
The queens are in good spirits as Jaymes and Lala walk into the Werk Room as double winners of the lip sync that doubled and tripled their Fame Games points, respectively.
And why shouldn’t the queens be on a high? It’s a family reunion! But there’s still the big question of who is going to win the first ever Fame Games and, of course, who is going to be crowned the winner of All Stars season 8 and join the Drag Race Hall of Fame? Will it be our favorite baloney clown, Jimbo? Or will it be our favorite street queen, Kandy from the block?
The next day in the Werk Room, it’s just like episode one as the entire roster of season 8 walk in. After a Spanish lesson from Lala, Kandy ru-veals to the queens a big secret: RuPaul let them her and Jimbo choose one queen for the top two for the variety show. She tells them that she chose Lala and Jimbo chose Jaymes. The queens actually believe her because as we all know that ain’t true. We all have a good laugh before Ru walks in to let the queens know what’s in store for the grand finale.
In addition to announcing the inaugural Queen of the Fame Games, Kandy and Jimbo will each lip sync to original solo number written by Leland and perform a routine choreographer Miguel Zarate. The pair will each have a TicTac chit-chat with Ru and Michelle Visage — my favorite part of any Drag Race finale.
We actually get some real insight into Jimbo’s personal life. We always see her as a clown, but during the chit-chat we learn that her comedy comes from her past. Jimbo shares that her dad and mom were in an abusive marriage. “It would always shift to insanity,” she said of their relationship. Her dad was a scientist and an alcoholic and her mom, a teacher who was also an alcoholic, removed herself and Jimbo from the situation. Jimbo’s dad has since passed and her mom has gotten sober and is one of her biggest fans.
This is the first time we have gotten such an intimate, non-clowning light. It’s kind of a moment, right?
While Jimbo and Kandy are having their TicTac chit-chats and participating in other grand finale things, the other queens are in the Werk Room sticking their hands in a pink furry box and drawing cards which have questions that they must answer. For instance, Jessica is asked the question on the first card drawn: “Where do you think the queen on your left will be in five years?” Darienne is sitting to the left of her.
“I see her in [the] Las Vegas show,” Jessica starts, “cleaning the toilets.”
A hearty laugh is shared before Jessica continues “I see you as being the successful queen you are today…I love you!” They hug and have a moment.
They start having a good time like it’s game night and then Kasha draws a card — she wins $1,000 and a $1,000 tip to another queen! She chooses Monica. From there, the money continue to flow in. Everyone is getting money! Then, Naysha draws a card that lets her know she gets a vacation getaway!
It’s now Kandy’s turn to have her TicTac chit-chat with Ru and Michelle. “I feel like a completely different person,” she tells them in regards to how she feels being in the top two now compared to being the top two in season 13. She says she has grown as a person but also she is still Kandy. “Every day is still a struggle… these hoes be trying me!”
Kandy is also transparent with Ru and Michelle about her strategy for All Stars. “The way I do it is by making good friendships,” she explains. ” A really good girlfriend ain’t gonna pick your lipstick to go home.”
Despite her rough exterior, Kandy has a tearful moment admitting that if she won it would mean so much to her. It ends with Ru telling Kandy: “I think I may be your biggest fan!” Obviously, that makes Kandy feel good.
The dance rehearsals with Miguel are surprisingly good for both Kandy and Jimbo, leaving no indication who is going to struggle with their finale performance. However, the next day in the Werk Room when the queens are getting ready for the final runway and performances, Kandy tells everyone that Ru told her that she is her biggest fan. Jimbo tries not to let that get into her head.
“Go ahead, be a tasty treat for Mama Ru,” Jimbo says in a confessional.
A lot of the episode is the queens kiki’ing for the last time in the Werk Room. It’s a love fest as they praise each other and say how much they will forever love and adore each other — but there is still a two crowns to be given!
As with all Drag Race grand finales, it’s just family when it comes to the judges: Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, and Ross Mathews. But before they get to the final performances and runway, Ru performs “A.S.M.R. Lover” with her army of shirtless dancers — which is always fun to watch.
First up to perform their original solo number is Jimbo — and it is exactly what is expected of her, but in a solid grand finale performance of the comedic number “I Remember Being Born”. The song is exactly what the title says: Jimbo’s recollection of being born.
Kandy’s performance of “Pay Me With Money” also matches the season 13 queen’s personality and talent. Like Jimbo, it’s exactly what we would expect from Kandy, but it’s solid, entertaining and a perfect encapsulation of their drag.
Category for the final runway is “Finale Fabulosity”, appropriately and all the queens walk. Some standouts from the Fame Game queens include Naysha’s stunning confection of a lewk as well as Alexis’s gorgeously regal lady-in-red gown. Meanwhile, Jaymes’s orange showgirl explosion is a fun time and Kahanna has a sickening lewk that honors her ancestors.
As for the final two, Jimbo, gives us signature Jimbo glam with a pitch-perfect balance of glam and clown. Kandy’s feathered yellow gown looks gorgeous on her skin and that finger wave look makes it look sleek and sexy.
The judges revisit each queen’s journey to the finale, noting their favorite moments. Basically, this is just a moment to celebrate the finale two queens and allow them to speak freely about what they have learned. Kandy comes through with a profound moment calling drag queens a beacon of light, rock stars and superheroes. She says that there are queer kids who aren’t out that are watching Drag Race secretly. “We are hope for those kids,” she adds. “That’s exactly what drag is…it’s hope.”
The judges talk it out and deliberate, but as we know, it’s ultimately Ru’s decision. It seems like it’s a close race between Kandy and Jimbo, but before Ru makes her final decision for the winner of All Stars, we need to find out who will be named the Queen of the Fame Games.
It’s Lala Ri!
“Never stop believing in yourself ’cause bitch, you can!” says Lala as she accepts her scepter.
Now it’s time for the final lip sync of the season. Jimbo and Kandy lip-sync to win the crown and enter the Drag Race Hall of Fame. The song? “Do You Want To Funk” by Sylvester and Patrick Cowley.
In a pink soaked lewk complete with big boobs and a big ass, Jimbo is serving disco comedy while Kandy is serving Studio 54 sexiness.
But in the end, only one could win and Ru announces Jimbo as the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season 8. She makes history as the first international queen to win an All Stars season!
Condragulations Jimbo!
