Is it time to rethink how the “RuPaul’s Drag Race” machine works?
Caution: Drag Race season 14 spoilers ahead. (…but not really.)When Willow Pill was crowned the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 14, the response online from fans was generally happy, and even fans who wanted other contestants to win were nonetheless supportive.
But nobody was really surprised. Willow performed well throughout the season, and her win was undeniably fair.From the first episode of this (very long) season, RuPaul heaped praise upon Willow Pill’s irreverent, smart performance, saying Willow and herself were both from the same “school of drag,” where queens were first instruments of counterculture, not just gorgeous glamazons in wigs and makeup and heels.
Week after week throughout season 14, Ru’s eyes twinkled every time Willow bobbled and clomped around the stage. The praise for Willow was always well-deserved, and watching Willow succeed was fun.Then Ru’s praise of Willow became predictable.
And predictability is the enemy of a reality-competition show, which is supposed to have twists and turns and shocking moments.
