RuPaul's Drag Race Season 13 — Yes, It's Me Toolz

Henny, let’s chat! Just as a preface, when RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 1 came out, I was a hater. I was like, “What is this show with this heavy vaseline filter on?” I was not a fan, periodt. A couple of years later, my friends could not stop discussing the show at brunches so I was forced to watch the season with Detox, Alaska, etc, and I still wasn’t convinced. Then the show came to Netflix and my best girlfriend and sistah, Lee-Ann Liebenberg convinced me to watch the show. I was ready to give it another try. Enter season 11 with a bigger production budget, and great contestants. Also, VH1 would premiere the show in the US, and Netflix would have it, the next morning. Perfect! Since then I have watched the series and religiously.

The next season is upon us, and we get to meet the queens, in the above video. So even though I am new to the Drag Race scene, I was born to judge. Here are my first reactions to the season 13 contestants.

Denali - A baby drag queen, coming from a figure skating background, so we can expect the dancing to be on point. I’m here for it, but I’m sure the acting challenges are gonna be a struggle for her.

Elliott with 2Ts - She looks a bit like Nina West. She describes herself as “Housewives meets Jennifer Lopez more corporate” Ok whatever that means? She is also a ballet dancer, so again, I expect the dancing and performances to slay!

Gottmik - The wild card here, known to draw on a moustache, or be an alien - so this is the same family as Crystal Metyd and Yvie Oddly. Quirky! Love the trans representation she brings. We know we are going to get powerful & emotional moments from this queen in the Werk Room.

Joey Jay - Straight off the bat, the word that comes to mind: aggressive. She describes her drag as very lazy, very masculine; lipstick lesbian (can’t wait for Michelle Visage’s comments) And she doesn’t wear a wig. It’s a memorable competitive edge if you ask me. Is it drag? In 2020, yes!

Kahmora Hall - Firstly, obsessed with her name! Gowns, wigs, hair, glam and sparkle! I love it! She doesn’t do the kicks and splits, she’s more classical. Well honey, I can’t wait to see how you do in the choreography challenges.

Kandy Muse - HYSTERICAL!!! OMG! She says she most nervous about the food and none of the other queens shaving her hairy back! BEST! She is loud and I can’t wait to see her argue with the other queens. The New York in her is gonna bust out!

Lala Ri - Another baby drag queen and daughter to Tamisha Iman, but she can put a look together. I’m excited to watch her perform. Not pagent or glam queen, but I’m getting performer vibes here. Her downfall will be her fashion - bitch can’t sew. The MESS!

Olivia Lux - She is giving me the full fantasy, and henny, I’m here for it. I’m excited to see this queen perform. She may be a baby queen, but I think she’s one to watch.

Rosé - Here for the pink hues, and all things in that shade. I can already see this queen during the singing challenge belting out her verse, loudly. Another New Yorker which I feel that she might pop off!

Symone - YAAAASSSS!!!!! Giving me EVERYTHING!! She describes herself as the “Black Goddess on Earth coming to save you” I cannot wait to see her on that runway!! The only thing that I think might be her detriment, will be Snatch Game and other acting/comedy challenges.

Tamisha Iman - A DIVA DAAAHHHLING! I love an older broad. I feel like she comes from an era of drag that is inspired by Diana Ross and Tina Turner. She will definitely kill you in the lip sync challenges, but being RuPaul’s next Drag Superstar you need to be a chameleon and evolve with every week. I think she may be a one-trick pony. She is also Lala Ri’s Drag Mother, and I’m here to see that dynamic play out.

Tina Burner - Love the name - derived from legend Tina Turner, who rose from the ashes; hence Burner. Clever! She is a seasoned queen that will put all the baby queens in place. But will she be able to keep up?She’s here to put on a show for us - but we need fashion too, my love.

Utica Queen - I’m so confused. Quirky and odd, there is definitely a fanbase for this kind of drag, and I’m not part of it, however, Crystal Methyd ended up top three. She describes her fashion as Tim Burton (And all I think of is Edward Scissorhands) mixed with an old biblical painting. I’m not a fan of this “genre” of drag, but hey, there’s a place for it.

RuPaul Drag Race Season 13 airs January 1st, 2021 on VH1.