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Editor’s note: This post contains spoilers about RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18, Episode 14, titled “Good Morning Bitches.”
It was “Good Morning Bitches” and goodbye Juicy Love Dion this week on RuPaul’s Drag Race. With Mia Starr eliminated midway through the season and Athena Dion sashaying away after a lip sync against drag granddaughter Juicy Love the following week, only one South Florida queen remained. Now, we know the crown will not come home after all.
In the tradition of South Florida contestants like Latrice Royale, Morphine Love Dion, and Suzie Toot, Juicy Love Dion just barely missed out on the finale. Still, like those other queens, her impact on the competition was undeniable.
At the last check-in, Juicy was in tears following Athena Dion’s elimination. This week, she was in tears over the shocking elimination of Jane Don’t. Both queens offered Juicy support and guidance throughout the season. Between the tears, Juicy undulated from safe to bottom placements following her two earlier victories. Unfortunately, that trajectory, coupled with Myki Meeks and Darlene Mitchell’s more recent ascendance, put an unwanted spotlight on Juicy.
A Drag Race conspiracist might postulate that this week’s episode reverse-engineered Juicy’s departure. Instead of a typical final challenge highlighting each contestant’s star power and singular performing talents, there was an oddly placed partner challenge that required them to host a daytime talk show.
Juicy partnered with Nini Coco with middling results. The judges’ critiques instantly telegraphed that Juicy and Nini would be lip-syncing for their lives. The judges claimed their performances were too rehearsed, and that Juicy, in particular, played it too blue. Since when has being prepared and telling sexual jokes been a detriment on RuPaul’s Drag Race?
Despite Juicy’s prior win during RDR Live, a character-based comedy challenge does not play to her particular talents. She should be commended, however, for recognizing her strengths and weaknesses and for giving her utmost effort in her performances. She’s been bold and unafraid all season. Even if it goes wrong, Juicy commits.
Despite getting the dreaded existential question, “Who are you?” from RuPaul this season, Juicy seemed to know exactly who she was. So, what stopped her from reaching the finale? Perhaps, as she shared about her struggles with substance abuse and reconnecting with her father, Juicy is in a state of rebuilding herself. But she’ll be sorely missed at next week’s LalapaRuza. It would’ve felt so right for her to secure the lip sync crown for the home team for the third consecutive year after Morphine and Suzie.
South Florida may not have won the crown this season, but we keep getting closer and making an impact. From Mia Starr solidifying her last name with an impressive return to drag, to Athena’s grand dame energy and Juicy’s loveable personality and powerhouse performances, this season has been another astounding showcase of South Florida drag talent. This season’s contestants have likely widened the door for more South Florida queens to get cast on the show.
