The 5 Best Strategic Moves on Drag Race

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Last video we talked about the worst strategic moves in RuPaul's Drag Race herstory, but today we're going to do the exact opposite! We're going to discuss the top 5 BEST strategic moves on Drag Race! From iconic eliminations, to breaking the twists thrown at them, to sabotaging others to get ahead.
We'll talk about what went into the moves, as well as how they directly impacted and helped the queen later in the competition.
Let me know in the comments below what moves you think should have been on this list!
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0:00 INTRO
2:55 HONORABLE MENTIONS
6:25 NUMBER 5
8:43 NUMBER 4
12:05 NUMBER 3
15:28 NUMBER 2
18:24 NUMBER 1
22:51 OUTRO

[@highonsugar6273]

Blu Hydrangea voting out Pangina is the best strategic move she could’ve done, she literally won the season because of it

[@RuPaulsDragRaceRejudged]

I honestly think its a mixed bag. On one hand, it got her a season win (yet no cash prize). On the other hand, it ruined the fan perception of the season, and caused her win to be viewed as weaker/undeserved by a lot of the bitter people.

[@zdaladorsey1152]

I was furious when Blu won however I was so freaking proud of her when she actually played the game. All these All Star seasons we had and she was the 1st to have the balls to take out a competitor, that’s awesome

[@RuPaulsDragRaceRejudged]

@@zdaladorsey1152 Pangina did it the episode before?

[@LezbeOswald]

yeah i agree. i think it’s the best strategic decision that directly led to a win

[@zdaladorsey1152]

@@RuPaulsDragRaceRejudged I dont count that. To me I feel like Pangina eliminated Jimbo mostly due to the fact that she wanted to give Juju a chance to redeem herself.

[@crystalocarina8452]

My favourite strategic move was Coco choosin Alyssa for the dance challenge

[@cazzabojangles]

Exactly! Props to her for making a decision that was smart for her and automatically ensured that her team won, rather than making a storyline for production.

[@Struudeli]

​@@cazzabojanglestbf it was also very interesting storyline so I don't think production was upset.

[@heymistercarter.]

Not to mention, their part in the challenge was a Good Vs. Evil battle, and they really played into their rivalry at the time to have that part of the routine go as well as it did.

[@randyw617]

Shea pretending like the Platinum Plunger (which is clearly gold) had a secret benefit, and Trinity immediately catching on and leaning into it. This probably didn't have a huge effect, but sure enough, Trinity and Shea were never blocked again.

[@wowjennawow]

my absolute favorite part of that whole season lmao

[@thedallasryan]

Naomi eliminating Manila completely changed Drag Race.

[@andrewlocke6103]

And then the gag that Monet was gonna do the same thing!!

[@kelsynicole9135]

@@andrewlocke6103too good of an opportunity to make the top, Monet is a smart competitor!

[@ChrolliForever]

And for Naomi it doesn't change anything. Only for trinity, cause she lost her biggest competitor.

[@davidcremin3837]

​@@ChrolliForeverNaomi arguably mad eit to top 4 because of that decision getting also it made it so she no longer was being overlooked by production

[@hay6930]

@@kelsynicole9135 I mean she was right look what happened ,she won because Manila was eliminated.

[@henri3637]

One of the best moments of a queen REALLY strategizing, that i remember, is way back in season 3. The OG Drag Detective, Shangela, manipulating Carmen into picking the reggae genre by acting like she really wanted it. Knowing she's gonna get whatever's left, because Manila chose the order they would pick in, she made sure that whatever was left was in her wheelhouse. Now did Shangela also land in the bottom? Yes, but even then she knew she could beat Carmen in the lipsync (because cmon, what could Carmen do?)

[@IaMShadows1]

One of my favs😂

[@GlenDivo]

Or in that same season when she set the order of the stand up challenge and made two Heathers end up in the bottom. Shangela was strategically taking them out, one by one.

[@emmi5544]

I always forget Shea and Sasha werent top 2 because of how iconic that lipsync was

[@emmi5544]

Like the rose petal moment is so burned into my memory that I always think that was the end of the finale

[@taylorgoff2099]

@@emmi5544It was certainly a final lip sync move.

[@highonsugar6273]

I want a drag race spin off with a survivor format, where each week one queen wins the challenge and gets immunity and the queens vote two queens into the bottom 2 where they lip sync for their lives Some good contestants for this I think would be: Baga Chipz Derrick Barry Gia Gunn Jimbo Miss Fiercalicious Naomi Smalls Shannel Vanessa Vanjie Mateo

[@DragDetective]

i would watch the hell out of this

[@turnerhill4695]

And or a Bb format where the top queen puts two in the bottom and the others watch and send one home

[@highonsugar6273]

@@turnerhill4695 it would be hard to incorporate a lip sync into that format, I know you don’t need to have one I just feel like it would be missing something without it

[@turnerhill4695]

@@highonsugar6273 I get that! I’m just saying you have the ‘safe’ queens vote on who won.

[@Luke_Thomas_0802]

Literally exactly what I want the next format to be

[@LWOliver]

Alaska eliminating everyone using Roxxxy as an excuse: that's the best strategy from the whole franchise!

[@bogwitch3860]

don't forget that monet also picked manilla, there's an alternate universe where she wins the lipsync and all the fame/blame is pinned on monet and not naomi

[@randyw617]

Here's a main season strategic move, high risk/high reward: Coco choosing to do a character during the roast instead of just being herself. This decision could have gone terribly, but it almost killed RuPaul and gave Coco the win. I do not think her jokes would have hit RuPaul as hard if she were just herself.

[@highonsugar6273]

Ellie Diamond sabotaging people in the stand up challenge was a good strategic move, although the queens hated her for it it still worked in her favour

[@RuPaulsDragRaceRejudged]

Did it really work in her favor though? Nothing against Ellie, but it got everyone mad at her, and I don't think the performance order really impacted the results of the episode

[@Mb-po4td]

@@RuPaulsDragRaceRejudged Well Awhora was in her head and landed in the bottom. Not sure if Ru would have put awhora in the bottom without all this drama around that. It was the perfect storyline the sabotage thing landing in the bottom and going home.

[@highonsugar6273]

@@RuPaulsDragRaceRejudged it impressed RuPaul, which I think is what saved her from the bottom

[@RuPaulsDragRaceRejudged]

@@Mb-po4td RuPaul would've done anything to get a Tayce vs A'Whora lip sync

[@olly_lmao]

the only reason why ellie wasnt bottom 2 was because the producers wanted tayce vs awhora

[@andrewlocke6103]

I would literally watch an entire masterclass video where Trinity the Tuck just talks about how to excel at Drag Race. She is the ultimate competitor!

[@moaoz]

thats why she won all stars 8

[@kawaiibrutality]

Also, to be honwst, judging by the Fame game shenanigans, James was DEFINITELY a production favorite. Getting rid of her THE SECOND she lands in the bottom makes a lot of sense.

[@amcuevas]

James also being high in episode one was production bs lol

[@styles2535]

@@amcuevaswell apparently Jaymes wanted to quit episode 1, so by putting her up near the top, she’s less likely to quit/ask the queens to vote for her

[@troyarsenian94]

Shangela picking the order for their comedy challenge / Shangela tricking Carmen into taking Ragae

[@AnRuixuan]

Vanjie participating in the romance storyline of Season 11. She was just average and kinda giving the same thing for most of the season but having a storyline with a clear frontrunner ensures that you'll make it far.

[@itsdannyhoney]

Interesting, I was always looking at it the other way - Vanjie was the personality of the season and Brooke used that to her advantage because just like Eureka! in season 10, they obviously wanted Vanjie to last longer this time around.

[@denizyc07]

You gotta give props to Violet on the dance challenge. She won the mini challenge and was picking the pairs. For her partner Violet need someone who she can work with and that person shouldn't overshadow her. Thats Katya she gets along with everyone would listen to Violets suggestions and can dance. The best dancer there is Kennedy she pairs her with Pearl even if Kennedy over shadows Pearl she can't get more overshadowed than Trixie whose with Ginger. That works for Violet because she wants Trixie gone She didnt want her back,she voted for trixie when she was asked who should go she voted Trixie and Trixie was the only one with no wins so she knew that production would be more likely to send trixie than anyone else and it worked Katya and Violet won and Trixie went home.

[@benjaminmcelroy6894]

the best strategy is girls who know how to make good tv. Miss Fiercalcious is the best example. She gave the story line of her and kimmy in the roast to the producers on a silver platter. Mistress and Lux on season 15 also knew when to give drama and it speaks volumes they made the cut when they shortned the episodes (in terms of how much camera time they had). But of course our queen Kandy the producer muse ran season 13s production

[@moonlightbae6143]

This! The producers will pull strings to keep you around if you do

[@styles2535]

Mistress truly knew how to play the game. No matter what point in the season you look at, she always has a storyline with another person. She immediately had something with the twins, then Malaysia, then Loosey

[@felixhatton7334]

Kinda insane not to feature Blu Hydrangea. She won the season because of her decision.

[@jmarshal]

Has winning really helped her, though? Most people consider her win undeserved and she got nothing because it’s UK. Even the “song” with Ru was a farce.

[@moonlightbae6143]

@@jmarshalliterally the whole point on lip sync for your legacy tho we all want a front runner to get chopped its an iconic moment we remember and will speak about

[@sirving2228]

Shangela picking the order of the comedy challenge on S3 was pretty iconic as during the height of the Boogers v Heathers “storyline” we got the iconic Manila v Delta lipsync

[@diskrisk9145]

I worship the ground Naomi walks on because of eliminating Manila. I have no idea how she manages to tuck because the sheer size of her BALLS for making such a bold choice is shocking. I went from being kind of indifferent that she was in that season (was rooting for Monét and Monique) to fully rooting for her and Monét. I loved the moment so much I took a screenshot of that moment and set it as the wallpaper on my laptop for like 4 months.

[@heymistercarter.]

One recent one I could include is Plane Jane ranking Nymphia Wind in last place on the premiere episode of Season 16. Nymphia had arguably one of the best talent show performances, and would’ve probably had a strong chance of making the Top 2 and even winning the episode (and immunity) in most other scenarios. And if she’s up against Plane Jane, there’s a chance she’d beat Jane in the lip-sync. But by Plane Jane voting her last, Jane knocks her biggest competition down a peg and ensures she has a better chance of winning the episode and immunity.

[@themosteliteyoutuberintheu3162]

Peppermint and Trinity choosing to lip sync against each other so at least one of them would be a guaranteed top 2 spot was that smartest and most rewarding decision ever They saw that production wanted a Sasha and Shea top 2 and they basically said “uh no bitch that ain’t happening lol” (Btw on a separate note Drag Race Philippines crowned the winner of s2 today and honestly worst winner ever)

[@evankearnsx]

Underated comment tbh!

[@immaperfectionist]

I totally agree and I’m glad you pointed it out. More so that Manila was the front runner, I think Naomi’s decision was smart because Manila was always gonna save Latrice who based on track record had higher chances to being in the bottom, meaning whoever was in the bottom with her was getting chopped. If Manila hadn’t been so obvious with her alliance to Latrice I think she would’ve had won the season

[@nicojimenez9614]

Alexis Michelle kinda had the mind of a mastermind for not giving Blac Chyna to Nina Bo'Nina Brown in S9 Rusical, Alexis factually shot down all chances of Nina having a 2nd win by ¿Episode 6 I think? and well then really collaterally propelled the start of Nina heading into her downward spiral inner saboteur trajectory

[@TravioliRavioli]

Too bad she lost her „mastermind“ for all stars 8. Wonder if she hit on Nina too like she did on LaLa lol

[@donniesumling8549]

​@@TravioliRavioliafter NBBFOBLB said her name rhymes with hell, I doubt she will

[@PuccioMA]

According to Nina, she said that Alexis kinda agreed to give blac chyna to her and that a producer came to Alexis and then Alexis picked Shea.

[@squirrlmonkey2]

I think Detox was more likely to win than Alyssa! I don’t think they were ready to crown someone who went home, even though she didn’t miss any episodes.

[@ashishsingh4867]

Easily. Detox was great.

[@testingtwenty208]

Phiphi messing with Roxxy during the Snatch Game hahahaha

[@theophilepetit6223]

I don't think the friendship argument and "maybe they would need friends at to 4" thing is a smart move for Detox actually... If there was something to do in group, then it would have been in pairs. Detox is Roxxxy's best friend, they could have worked really well together. Detox didn't need both Alaska and Roxxxy, and Alaska had been slaying the whole competition. I think eliminating Alyssa was smarter than eliminating Roxxxy, but still not a good strategic move. Detox and Katya were almost tied for second place, Katya had more fan support indeed, but Alaska was miles ahead. And looking at track records, Alyssa had already been eliminated once, I'm pretty sure she had no chance at winning in the judges' minds, in my opinion, she would have been cut at top4.

[@freddiet.rowlet525]

This kind of "X was expected to win the season" rhetoric has made me interested in a kind of "Queens who won without winning" list, like queens who are kind of held on the same level as winners despite having not actually won any of their seasons, think Manila, BenDelaCreme, Bimini Bon Boulash etc.

[@styles2535]

Is Bimini really on that list? If I were to make a list of the top queens who didn’t actually win a season it’d look like Raven, Jujubee, Alexis Mateo, Manila Luzon, Shangela(awfulness aside), Latrice, Detox, Roxxxy, Bendelacreme, Ginger Minj, Naomi Smalls, and Eureka

[@EY-kj2nc]

@@styles2535naomi smalls? really? lol. not even katya???

[@styles2535]

@@EY-kj2nc Naomi made the finale both seasons she competed on while majorly impacting both seasons(sending Acid Betty home, changing the story of S8, sending Manila home). I probably should’ve added Katya, but imo she never impacted the show as much as the fan base itself

[@leahallcorn3918]

​@styles2535 agree with this list plus Katya, and I agree Bimini is not on it, even though she's great

[@Alicia-cc3gy]

@@styles2535 to question bimini's position but to put eureka and naomi instead is buffoonery

[@Mendejito]

Stan Naomi for that smart ass move. The way she caught so much hate for just making the best move for herself is wild lmao. Was a very go touch grass moment

[@ChrolliForever]

Good move for Naomi? In which world? She wasn't win the season for sure, she only robbed Manila the crown.

[@dyklan2285]

​@@ChrolliForevershe still made it to the finale (for the 2nd time) because of that decision so 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@ChrolliForever]

@@dyklan2285 only cause trinity safes her over latrice. She played fair, not the c*** Naomi. Should be eliminated for the roast, but no one was eliminated there.

[@Mendejito]

@@ChrolliForever hate causes wrinkles. You shouldn’t do it over little shit like this it’s cringe

[@styles2535]

@@ChrolliForeverValentina was going to be eliminated for the roast before they decided to save everyone

[@anthonylee5541]

i need to see Naomi Smalls on All Stars again, genuinely one of the best Queens this show has ever seen

[@DragDetective]

you dont understand thats my babyyyyy

[@anthonylee5541]

@@DragDetective when i met her at one of the christmas queens shows i went to, she was sooo lovely, such a star

[@highonsugar6273]

She can definitely return if she wants to, she’s on pit stop loads so production obviously likes her, I reckon they’ll ask her on a Vs the world season

[@azsazazsa]

@@highonsugar6273she should be saved for All Legends.

[@BHM_Productions]

@@anthonylee5541 I can fully corroborate that. I met her for my 21st birthday 7 years ago at a drag show and she was incredibly sweet, talkative, and easy to be around. She even let me hang around for a little bit longer after the show and take another picture since it was my birthday. Love her regardless but she’ll always have my heart for that night.

[@kikuhondaceleste4822]

The Riggory of Dragula would be amazing. Like sometimes the person who does the worst in the extermination doesn't go home but the person who does the best does.

[@valkyrie6365]

Shout out shangela gaslighting carmen in country vs reggae😂

[@bratpackbimbo]

the GREEN BALL? michelle found not present, featuring extra special guest judge Alexis Michelle as she-hulk

[@titouan4060]

at 20:00 approximately, you’re theory actually doesn’t make sense : you said Manila would not eliminate Latrice at top 5 but of course she would not eliminate her, she’s already been eliminated the episode prior in that universe (Manila - Mo - Monet - Trinity - Naomi are left). It then all depends on wether or not Monet picked Manila or Latrice during her lipsync against Naomi : if she did pick Manila and Manila wins the acting challenge, then Monet is going home and even if she didn’t pick Manila (which I think is unlikely) I think Monet is still going home over Naomi (Naomi technically saved Manila by eliminating Latrice and there was this drama between Monet and Manila earlier on). Your theory still makes sense : it definitely helped Naomi but i think it mainly helped Monet get the crown in the scenario !

[@laincoubert7236]

i've thought about manila's elimination and i feel like it's also vital that it was naomi pulling the lipstick and not monet. like monet was just being petty edit-wise, which to be fair is iconic in and of itself, but it wouldn't have ranked AS iconic as other things in the drag race iceberg or whatever. who knows, maybe the fan reception would've been even worse and would've prevented her from winning because of that move. i mean, they already got backlash for the double crowning. also look at UK VS the world, one of the lowest-rated seasons of drag race... now, naomi's move was messy but still kinda perfect? like yeah, there were 0 chances she would have won the season so she might as well carve a place for herself in the drag race legacy while she's on air. her competitors never saw her as a threat, and she came out with that lipsync AND lipstick making a STATEMENT mama. she really said, do you take me seriously now? she single-handedly shook up the game in a similar fashion to her beating acid betty on S8.

[@naikahara]

This reminds me of when Sasha Belle went into season 7 saying that she had studied the show for years and had all the perfect strategies to win. In a parallel universe she could have been in this video lmao

[@naikahara]

Also spice if she had actually learned the words to don't go yet

[@joseuribe9273]

Alexis doesn’t get enough credit for playing her cards right with production. From giving Blac Chyna to ashes instead of Nina Bonina and then to crying on cue on AS8 she gave them what they wanted.

[@paulweisner9425]

I think if Naomi sent home Latrice, and Manila ended up winning the next episode, she would have sent home Monet. Monet also chose Manila to go home, so if Manila stayed she would have seen that Monet chose her and then probably would have sent Monet home.

[@he-lium]

That Factor food @1:47 looks like explosive diarrhoea in a tray

[@anavictorianormie]

We keep missing that Manila's elimination has a twist: Monét ALSO picked Manila's lipstick, so she would go home either way. Of course she wasn't strategic as Naomi, but that was the end of the road for Ms Lose On.

[@siriuslynow8226]

no honourable mentions for shangela’s reggae/country dupe? 😂

[@luisprego2225]

Willow Pill said in roscoes or somewhere that she and Bosco had talked about wanting to do that song or something so it actually wasn’t as big of a strategic move as it seemed

[@lindsay6324]

It’s still strategic, if she knew in advance Bosco wanted that song instead of just suspecting! The strategy of choosing based on what song you want rather than why opponent you want is a good one and not what everyone would necessarily think of

[@Nate-ht4se]

⁠@@lindsay6324 in that instance idk if it was really “strategy” cause willow and bosco weren’t just casually talking about what songs they liked, they literally made a deal prior to the lalaparuza to pick each other so they could do that song together. production just really played it up in the edit to make it seem like more of a strategic chess move than it really was. i’m so glad they did though cause it was such an iconic moment lol

[@lindsay6324]

@@Nate-ht4se did they make a deal? from the commenter's wording of talking about wanting to do it, that doesn't sound like a deal to me, just that they knew what the other queen's song choice. either way iconic moment and amazing TV

[@kelsynicole9135]

Not Derek steaming the backdrop twice 💀 thank you for your effort, I honestly didn’t even mind the wrinkles! We don’t deserve your hard work 😂❤

[@judewatts6942]

Can we also commend Willow's entrance look setting president for her spot in the competition? It made her the underdog on the first episode while also being the first queen to intentionally do this stategy successfully. It made her endearing and not as much of a threat to the rest of the girls.

[@MDRslayer]

“Trinity did serviceable” LMAO she absolutely slayed that WITOY Janet lip sync

[@TheRageGamer234]

I really disagree with the Detox move at #4. I think you're underestimating Detox's place in the season to a pretty severe degree. Detox had the next best track record after Alaska and I think she has a great chance of winning in the finals without Alaska there. Katya never won a lipsync and was thrown in the bottom twice early on, once when she had no business being there. The judges fully expected her to go when Ginger went and they were fine with that. Alyssa had already been eliminated and there was a huge discussion on the show regarding whether or not Alyssa was being favored by the judges. It would be a weird move to show that discussion and then crown Alyssa with the 2nd worst track record. They'd be validating Jaremi's complaints and we know that's the last thing drag race wants to do. Detox's only time in the bottom was episode 2 and she didn't even deserve that to begin with. She was only put there for Rolaskatox drama and the judges knew that. If she eliminates Alaska, she's sitting in the finale with the best track record, the best strategic resume, and the most story momentum. And she's up against someone who was in the bottom every episode, someone who was already eliminated, and someone who the judges expected to go home episode 3.

[@matheusferracin9318]

"Mistress who's someone really really funny" - I mean, ok...😂

[@mowiie]

So serious: I love hearing about Naomi Smalls. Yes yes yess

[@sungexpression9093]

If you get a low aperture lens, it’ll blur the background where we can’t see the creases. Plus a light in the center would give it a halo effect

[@testingtwenty208]

Shangela manipulating Carmen on season 3 Hahaha

[@PlaneMirage]

Btw Detox after choosing Ayssa´s lipstick, she wanted to change it to Roxxy´s but production didnt let her change it

[@paige6680]

idk when you added it but I LOVE THE BACKGROUND it looks incredible

[@benjaminsurrette3034]

i think one thing you could add to jaymes is the fact that there was a lot of credible reasons to send her home. she was doing well but didn’t have a win compared to kahana so there was relatively no blood on their hands.

[@gustavobagarolo]

I really love your videos !!

[@Gruntdawg0007]

Love your videos. Thank you.

[@ntuneric]

I think Detox's chances to win AS2 would have been really big if she chose to eliminate Alaska. I think she didn't want to do it not only bcs Alaska was her friend (cus at the time Detox was pissed at Alaska for throwing a tantrum) but bcs of the backlash it wouldve brought (see blu hydrangea).

[@eddys.595]

Thank you for your work

[@ikerfuk_]

gotta comment a logic flaw on Naomigate. you mention how keeping Manila puts her on the choppimg block bc Latrice would be in the bottom with her and Manila would want to save her however, if Naomi keeps Manila that means she already took Latrice out of the game and is in the bottom with Monét and one of either Trinity or Mo Heart. I do think she's probably Manila's lipstick anyways but I couldn't ignore the error.😅

[@bugginonthewall]

Ginny Lemon walking out is my favorite LMAO

[@ella-louise9537]

YES! I’ve been saying for ages that saving roxxxy was such a smart move. Not only was it great to get strong competition out but they were about to do so under the guise of “friendship” (I’m sure that played a part but let’s be real) which softened the blow in fans eyes as they’re not just taking out the competition for the sake of it. And it makes AMAZING tv.

[@christopherv6415]

Dear, you crack me up with the steaming issue with the backdrop. Hehe❤

[@juanpansuperchannel]

Underrated Strat with AS2: Keeping Roxxie. Its annoying as a viewer BUT it's obvious that keeping roxxxie makes the odds of winning MUCH higher. They KNEW that roxxxie would get cut at top 3/4. Ru would not let her win, DUH. Why make the odds 1/4 when it can easily be 1/3. Why do you think they made dumb excuses? Lending a shirt? When Alyssa secured Alaska a win? They tried to do this in other seasons but Dela would not let that hapen.

[@signaturenote5814]

I’m dying @ the logic of not eliminating Alaska - who was winning if she makes to the finale 100% - instead of cutting her and actually having a chance at the crown even if she didn’t win. The returning queen was not winning and we both know that.

[@qb10002]

When I think of a strategic move on Drag Race, I think of Shangela gaslighting Carmen into picking Reggae in the singing challenge on season 3. She was still in the bottom, but she was able to send home a weaker lip syncer than her. So smart.

[@jackstanton735]

Me looking for the wrinkles like imma wrinkle detective bc they're so camp

[@alfiedodman5231]

You should do a video on that new drag show drag duel, i dunno if you heard of it. Oh and a video pn dragula would be pretty cool

[@murilop.423]

You should make more videos about international seasons!

[@Alecssei4]

great videos. could you do a video with 3 strategic moves (good or bad) on each season? Thanks in advance

[@Remierth]

Very curious to see the best/worst producer moments video! That's a great idea.

[@fuckinghugepablo]

as mad as it made me when jaymes went home, it was a solid strategic move and kinda warranted after hearing about jaymes complaining and wanting to quit at the start of the season by eliminating jaymes instead of kahanna, thats one less strong competitor in the race. and seeing as kahanna had been in the bottom consistently, it gave everyone a "free" week essentially, since the unanimous vote wouldve ended up in kahanna going home after 4 bottom placements. 🧐

[@eduardocasarini1057]

I really think number 3 was by far the best strategy because it was something nobody saw it coming, not even production.

[@hellodumzo]

The strategic choice of Vanessa Van Cartier exposing the queen for having the phone in the workroom on camera. If she wasn’t the badass mother bitch of the season before that, she definitely was after.

[@monsterhighdoll]

Have you done a video on shadiest eliminations on all stars?

[@reneegoughnour3988]

When are you coming backkk!!! We all miss you so much

[@mathewk6026]

Fr I love drag duel but I miss these videos ;(

[@thomasdegroat6039]

Not you microwaving the ranch cup!

[@xolinapig]

I dont know if youre watching but Id love to see you do a riggory of drag race germany video once its over!!

[@ozkr380]

Hey Drag Detective do you do any Dragula videos? I'd love to hear your opinion!

[@Itsclarkew7]

The thing is; half your list is based of what you perceive a strategic move. To my knowledge, Rolaskatok just kept each other around, it damaged Roxxxy in the long run. Peppermint and Trinity have never said they applied any logic to selecting each other. Peppermint in a interview said she just wanted to showcase her skills at lip syncing. The group eliminated Jaymes because they felt she was being favoured and a diva. There could have been logic as they get a briefly descriptive list of outfits so you could by process of elimination know what challenges were coming up. I agree with Selina and Willow. In the earlier seasons, don’t forget Shangela when selecting the music categories playing other girls. Ellie diamond with the comedy roast order, but the queens beat her down with being salty bitches. The last two with Naomi and Blu I agree with. However, Blue is an example where it paid off for her. Naomi kinda damaged herself.

[@JJ-kd5mx]

Delusional stans being mad at Naomi for playing the game didn’t hinder her career. She just turned her comments off so y’all didn’t have a seat at the table to talk

[@adrianwang0617]

are you ever gonna do Canada, pls.

[@sondheimisGAWD]

Some early season examples, since this only covers after 2017: Alaska picking Mack in the Season 5 makeover (picking someone tall and thin to make over kept her out of the BTM2) Shangela choosing the Standup challenge order in Season 3 (to mess with the Heathers) Tyra & Raven bullying Tatianna made her insecure and built themselves up, which wasn’t punished because RuPaul LOVED Tyra at the time Katya staying out of the Season 7 drama led her to become THE most beloved queen in the her story of the franchise. Katya was so loved, Trixie won All Stars because of her proximity to Katya.

[@toriandtilly]

All Stars 2 was the beginning of playing Drag Race like you would Survivor. Alaska and Detox brought "a goat" along to the finale that they knew would never win so they only had to worry about eachother and the quirky underdog. Alyssa would have been another wild card and would have killed read u wrote u

[@morganfitzgeraldglass]

No pressure but I need new videos from you asap please 🥺

[@ashishsingh4867]

Okay, Alaska isn't going to be sent home because of friendship but not Roxxxy? Also, she got good fan response. Detox won't be cut for sure. Easily. Detox is Michelle's favourite. Michelle loves her. RuPaul gagged for all of her runways. Carson is a fashion person. She was easily making Top 3. Without a doubt.

[@stanloonaur69]

that one queen saying she likes reggae so that she ends up getting country which is what she wanted all along

[@efrainspena]

Would you start doing Dragula? There’s a lot of strategy there like dollya saving herself with the key or when jade put Getty in the bottom with the same key haha

[@jonnyc4241]

Fine, fine... I'll subscribe.

[@atvpresenter4292]

Detox's move wasn't very strategic... I think that's a reach. She just kept her mates?!

[@donniesumling8549]

Look at it this way, why make your chances of winning 1/4 instead of 1/3?

[@beko____]

unrelated video idea : i'd find it interesting if u looked into why in the last few seasons rpdr hasn't been inviting injured girls back to the show ( kornbread of course, victoria scone)

[@rogelio9225]

Detox gettin rid of Alyssa instead of Roxxxy feels like one of the worst moves cause aside from who she likes the most, if she eliminated Alaska she has more chances at the crown cause she wouldve been the front runner, they did told them the next episode was the finale so she knew there wasnt more eliminations, and even if there were she just saved Alyssa AND Roxxxy is her bestie so the only person who could get her out is Katya and she probably would have send Roxxxy home, so either she saves Alaska which she did and has no chance at the crown cause Alaska has the best track and Katya is the fan fave, or she gets rid of Alaska and has a better chance cause she has the best track at least, the chances of her winnin are small but theyre better especially cause know she did the biggest move of the season, Alyssa is great and a good performer but shes not good at lyrics and she was already eliminated so its between Katya and her, they werent crowning Alyssa even tho she was a fan fave Katya was THE fan fave, so i dont see Detox cutting Alyssa as a good move

[@Mb-po4td]

Kinda of disagree about Manila not making a huge move at this point of the competition. She was definitely ready after Latrice elimination to send some big competitions home, especially at the end of the season. I think Monique, Monet or Trinity would have went home (maybe Monique for trying to eliminate Latrice or Monet for being safe because of their issue). She thought (at that point) that Naomi loved and respected her so it would be smart to keep her (knowing what happened obviously not that much...)

[@styles2535]

In the roast she had the opportunity to pull Trinity or Mo’s lip stick, and they were the only two who had one two challenges prior to the roast apart from Manila, yet she chose Valentina

[@Mb-po4td]

@@styles2535 Yes but it was pretty early in the competition and it wouldnt be a smart move from her to have the attention focused on her again after the previous week with her choosing monet.

[@styles2535]

@@Mb-po4td but you mentioned that after Latrice went home she was ready to start eliminating big threats, and she did the opposite

[@Mb-po4td]

@@styles2535 Yeah like it was in her mind but I never said that she would/should do that right the next episode.

[@stardustmeatbag]

10:58 "..instead of Alyssa or Katya or *whoever*" Alexa, play Muniz's "oop" compilation

[@loganvouvalides1921]

Hi Derrick I have a question why don’t u talk about international seasons like Unrigging of Phillipins France down under cananada Brazil’s gemeray or uk 5 It would just be nice for u do it pls and thank you by the way huge fan

[@JonahSMoonRiver]

u look gorgeous derek but what is this lighting? trying to change it up? it feels a it dark. not that it's a problem. thanks for the content!

[@JamesCriss-rd3ue]

Revisit your wording for #1 because if Manila stayed we’d have no Latrice. Thank you for all the content I love it and you

[@jakedoheny3336]

Another strategic move (making an alternative top 2) in all stars 8 could have been if Kandy sent home Jimbo instead of Jessica , but i'm happy for Jimbo either way i think 3rd time was the charm for her truly

[@laincoubert7236]

let's be real, kandy was not gonna win regardless of who would've been top 2 with her, jimbo or jessica. she made a SMART choice by doing the "right" thing and avoiding the backlash (aka hate comments and death threats).

[@styles2535]

Genuinely I don’t think there was any strategy behind Kandy eliminating Jessica. If Kandy is anything, it’s loyal. Her and Jimbo were in an alliance coming in and were great friends before the show, so she stuck to that

[@CYBER_N0T]

​@@laincoubert7236Maybe I'm just delusional, but I think Kandy might have had a chance of winning against Jessica? Idk

[@breezybunny1251]

imagine a Read U Wrote U with Alyssa

[@kaylasays]

FIRST

[@pengoschwortz4734]

Blu knocking out Pangina not being on the list but Salina not even getting a win from her move is? I don’t think

[@timmaher1167]

I disagree with the detox one, because while yes eliminating Alyssa and keeping roxxxy solidifies her a top 3 spot, it also sealed her off from the win. A real strategic move would’ve been to eliminate Alaska, and would’ve been a move similar to Naomi eliminating Manila only stronger. She would’ve gone into the finale with the strongest track record, and easily secured not only a top 3 spot, but a top 2 spot (bc keep in mind at the time, the only other Allstars they had seen was a top 4 cut to top 2). By putting Alaska in the finale, the race becomes Alaska vs Katya and detox is just there. Should she have sent Alaska home, she has the statistics on her side AND ensures that the overwhelming fan favorite support that Katya had is now split with Alyssa as another fan favorite.

[@Brainfly-]

I still think Joan: The Rusical should've been a non-elimination episode. The only one that didn't do great was Jimbo but they weren't gonna risk putting her in the bottom there 💀