RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All-Stars: Is It Living Up to the Hype?

Peter Lord
Oct 24, 2024
3 min read

RuPaul’s Drag Race has been a cultural phenomenon for over a decade, turning queens into household names and producing endless iconic moments. With every new spin-off, fans have eagerly awaited the magic that made Drag Race a beloved franchise. However, the latest instalment, RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars, has left fans divided and scratching their heads.

Lowest-Rated Season on IMDb

Shockingly, Global All Stars has earned the dubious honour of being the lowest-rated series in the Drag Race franchise on IMDb. Fans who usually rave about the extravagance and high production value of the show have been vocal about the quality this season, with many wondering, what happened?

The Budget: Cheap and Cheerless

From the moment the season aired, it became clear that Global All-Stars had taken a different direction—and not necessarily in a good way. Longtime viewers pointed out the noticeable drop in production value, with some labelling it the cheapest season yet. Let’s break down why:

Judges Lineup: Usually, Drag Race dazzles fans with a rotating cast of celebrity guest judges. Not this time. For Global All Stars, we mostly saw choreographer Jamal Sims as the only recurring face on the panel, with occasional appearances by a member of the Pit Crew for the Lalaparuza challenge. While Sims is undoubtedly talented, the lack of variety left much to be desired.
Lalaparuza Soundtrack: Speaking of the Lalaparuza, fans expected a range of fabulous tracks for the lip-sync battles. Instead, all the songs were RuPaul originals, giving the episode more of a self-promotion vibe than an exciting music showcase. While Mama Ru’s music is iconic in its own right, fans craved more diversity.
Recycling Eliminated Queens: Perhaps one of the most baffling choices was the decision to bring back eliminated queens not once, but twice, in the same season. While twists and turns are part of what makes Drag Race thrilling, this just felt like the show was stretching for content. One fan tweeted, “They brought them back twice? Are we out of queens, or what?”

Social Media Buzz: Fans Speak Out

As expected, social media lit up with a range of opinions, from praise to disappointment. Here’s a snapshot of what people are saying:

Positive Reactions:

@dragfanboi_21: "Say what you want, but Jamal Sims SLAYED every episode. His energy was everything, and I’m here for it! #GlobalAllStars"
@queenbaeofficial: "RuPaul songs for the Lalaparuza? Iconic! No one promotes themselves like Ru can. #GlobalAllStars"

Negative Reactions:

@tea4queens: "This is the cheapest season ever. ONE judge and RuPaul songs on repeat? We deserve better. #DragRaceGlobalAllStars"
@dragshade101: "Eliminated queens TWICE? It’s giving budget cuts… #GlobalAllStars"

The contrast in opinions shows just how polarising this season has become.

The Drama: Did Kween Kong Cross the Line?

Beyond the questionable production choices, the season has been rife with drama. A notable controversy involves fan-favourite Kween Kong, who was at the centre of an alleged bullying scandal involving fellow contestant Nehellenia. Fans are divided on whether Kween Kong’s behaviour crossed the line, sparking intense debates across social media.

We recently covered this exact incident in our post Did Kween Kong Cross the Line? Fans Divided Over Alleged Bullying of Nehellenia on Global All-Stars. The ongoing tension between the queens has only added to the chaotic vibe of this season, leaving fans even more divided.

Final Thoughts: Can Global All Stars Redeem Itself?

While RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars may have missed the mark for many viewers, there’s still time for the show to make a comeback. Can the finale with four fierce queens - Kitty, Kween, Nehellenia and Alyssa save the season?

But for now, it’s clear that fans feel short-changed by the cheapness of the season—both in terms of production value and storyline. Whether Global All Stars will end on a high note or fade into the background as the weakest link in the franchise remains to be seen.

In the meantime, let us know what you think. Do you agree with the critics, or are you loving Global All Stars despite its budget constraints? Leave your thoughts in the comments!