Fifteen years afterTyra Sanchezwon Season 2 ofRuPaul’s Drag Race, thecrown has been handed to runner-up Raven.The decision comes afteryears of controversy surrounding Tyra—now known as King Tyra—whose post-show behavior, including online threats and a notorious “kill yourself” tweet to a fan, led to widespread backlash from the fandom.Drag Racefans have long begged RuPaul to revoke Tyra’s title—and now, they’re finally getting their wish.
How ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Season 2 Winner Lost Their Crown
After fixing the “Vaseline filter” from the inaugural season,RuPaul’s Drag RaceSeason 2 crowned Tyra Sanchez, a young drag queen, over Raven. For years, it was seen as a controversial decision, asmany considered Raven the stronger contestant compared to Tyra, who was regarded as the future of drag.Though she returned forRuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 1, Raven’s greatest victory has been becoming RuPaul’s Emmy Award-winning makeup artist. As this was occurring, the Season 2 winner went on a reign of terror,claiming fellow Season 2Morgan McMichaelshad died,threatening to “blow up” DragCon,having a series of arrests, and mocking the misfortunes of fellow contestants, including the passing ofThe VivienneandJiggly Caliente, all of which caused fans to call for Ru to strip away the title. When you winRuPaul’s Drag Race, you become the face of the franchise and represent RuPaul. Like any drag pageant, if you’re unable to fulfill those duties, the title of “winner” should be taken away.
Well, it happened! On the latest episode ofRuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 10, Raven, who was a guest on Snatch Game, was retroactively given the crown.At the end of Snatch Game, it’s common for Ru to announce a winner via a joke. Maybe it’s the audience or “no one.” Ru set this one up as,“Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for. Today’s winner is…Raven! Congratulations, and finally.”She was presented with a crown and asked if she had anything to say, which is typical after a crowning onDrag Race. “With a tanning booth and a dream, anything is possible," Raven said with a smile underneath her glistening crown.
With Ru’s comment and set up, it alluded to the controversy surrounding the Season 2 victor and the fandom’s desire to strip them of the crown. Although an official announcement has not been made,the act alone is sufficient evidence to assume where RuPaul stands on the situation.It’s an honorary metaphor that speaks volumes.
These Two Unexpected Queens Had the Greatest Redemptions of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 10’
Just for these iconic queens!
RuPaul Was Right To Make a Statement About Tyra
Following the death of The Vivienne, King Tyra used a moment of collective mourning to spread hate, mocking the late winner’s passing via a social media post referencing something The Vivienne posted years earlier. It was met with instant criticism for her inhumane post, even from RuPaul, who once defended her former winner.Sharing a clip of herself slapping the drag artistduring a bit from Season 2,fans were overjoyed to see Ru clap back.The post was symbolic and sufficient for fans to comprehend that RuPaul was finished with her former winner and this recent episode was just the icing on the cake.
This is a major moment not only forDrag Racebut for other reality competition shows. It serves as a warning that should you leave the show and become a disrespectful and unsuitable representation of the franchise, the title can be stripped from you. Some have also called for the same treatment to be applied to Season 4 winnerSharon Needles, due to her alleged post-show misconduct.Drag Raceis more than a show, it’s a reflection of the LGBTQ+ community’s unity: support one, support all. With this decision, RuPaul and World of Wonder made it clear that they’re listening to the fans and reinforcing thatDrag Raceis, above all, a chosen family.
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 10streams Fridays on Paramount+.
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars
