The trailer for RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars 4 is out, and in the first couple of seconds RuPaul drops a major bomb.
“All-Star rules have been temporarily suspended,” he tells the contestants.
They are in shock, but the trailer doesn’t reveal what rules have been stopped. Could it be that they have to work in pairs rather than individually? Could it be three challenges rather than two? Based on previous criticism of RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars, fans are hoping that it is the elimination system that’s up for a change.
During seasons 2 and 3 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars, the elimination system didn’t have the two bottom performers compete to stay in a lipsync battle as the original RuPaul’s Drag Race. Instead, it was the two top performers for the week that had to compete for the title, but also for the power to eliminate someone.
In other words, the eliminations weren’t always fair. It became a strategy to eliminate the strongest competitors, even though they performed well. The worst of the performers could continue in the competition. Needless to say, viewers weren’t happy about it.
What a total bs elimination tonight. The wrong queen went home…can tell who the producers want to stay #AllStars #DragRace #RuPaul
— Drew (@Drew1214) September 9, 2016
I wouldn't count All Stars 1 as having a chance. The elimination system was terrible
— Andy E-G (Drew) (@AndyEG1982) November 10, 2018
Gurl All Stars 2 and 3 both had this shitty elimination system …
— Goldie Pierce (@GoldieMale) August 8, 2018
@Andy Hey! A question for RuPaul: What did you think of the self-elimination of the front runner BenDelaCreme on All Stars 3? From Ryan, Brooklyn
— ryan (@iap_ryan) March 21, 2018
During the previous season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars, BenDelaCreme decided to eliminate herself because she hated eliminating other queens who performed very well. It was simply too much on her to do. RuPaul was shocked, not understanding why BenDelaCreme would eliminate herself.
If you don’t like the rules, make your own. We create our own beauty. We define our own success. #teamdela4eva
— bendelacreme (@bendelacreme) March 2, 2018
While RuPaul hasn’t said what the changes are, he did tell Entertainment Weekly that fans could be shocked with the changes.
“I think it will shock fans, although I don’t think they’ll be as disappointed. We always try to do something fresh and interesting, and sometimes it turns out in a way that you don’t really expect,” he tells the magazine.
On RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars 4, fans can expect to see Monet X Change, Trinity Taylor (now known as Trinity The Tuck), Farrah Moan, Valentina, Monique Heart, Jasmine Masters, Naomi Smalls, Gia Gunn, Manila Luzon, and Latrice Royale.
RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars 4 starts this Friday, December 14 at 8/7c on VH1.