Drag Race is now a global franchise, airing multiple episodes every week.* There are dozens of queens werking it out for not just their country's respective crown, but for our attention. Every queen is captivating — but only one of them is a true gem. Pop Heist's Greatest Drag Race Queen of All Time of the Week singles out one special queen from that week's competitors and crowns her for a one-week reign.
The Week: August 11 to August 17
The Episodes: Drag Race France 4x06 "Makeover, La Maison Du Drag"; Canada's Drag Race All Stars 1x06 "Crown Me, Canada!"; Drag Race Mexico: Latina Royale 1x03 "Guerra de Grupas"; Drag Race Down Under vs. the World 1x04 "Franken-Drag"
The Queen: Estrella Xtravaganza (Down Under vs. the World Season 1)
I am not trying to make a habit of bestowing this very prestigious honor upon one of the week's handful of eliminated queens, but sometimes I can't help it if these shows sometimes make a very wrong call (even if the call is also the right call). So, let's talk about Estrella Xtravaganza, the heart of Drag Race España transplanted to the body-ody-ody of Drag Race Down Under vs. the World.
Estrella is a huggable bundle of contradictions. First, her name literally means "star" in Spanish, but it hilariously sounds like "Australia" when pronounced by a down under accent.
She's incredibly camp, to the point where you wonder if she even exists in our dimension. But she also knows how to serve fashion — like, serious fashion. Like, emulating a Kardashian in a design challenge and kind of eating whilst doing so.
She's also super delusional, case in point her thinking that she might actually be in the top during the week where she was ultimately eliminated. But then, after receiving the judges' critiques, she — laughing to, at, and with herself — says, "When I arrived, I also thought I could be in the top. [turns to Art Simone, laughing] Can you believe that shit?"
It's everything that we all love about Estrella in one moment. A bit of laser-focused self-awareness and good-naturedness cutting through the fog of delusion that every drag queen needs. And how could she not be self-aware while wearing one of the most unhinged things to ever come down a Drag Race runway. Challenged with stitching together one sickening look from three disparate garments, including one mopped from another queen, Estrella came up with what I can only describe as Keroppi cosplaying as Wendy O. Koopa, with the biggest piece of toilet paper trailing behind her.
And as if that isn't enough, her outfit has teeth.
It's such a ... moment ... that the show even includes a frantic reaction pan capturing judges Rhys Nicholson and Michelle Visage confusion.
This is why we watch Drag Race. And the way Estrella took it all in stride makes her a queen worth celebrating. And let's not forget: Estrella served some extravagant eleganze this season, too. Remember her dragonfruit look from just last week?
Estrella can truly leave the competition with her head held high, even if that head is wearing the lovechild of Kermit and Fozzie. Estrella Xtravaganza: You're the greatest Drag Race queen of all time this week.
Follow Estrella Xtravaganza on Instagram at @estrella.xtravaganza
