Forming alliances is a crucial aspect of winning on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 9. With no eliminations this season, the queens have the power to cut off another queen from winning a Beautiful Benefactress Badge the following week if they win the lip sync. With only eight queens competing, ensuring you have an alliance is the only way to ensure you won’t get cut off by this season’s blocking device, the Ruby Snippers.
The queens have established four duos: Roxxxy Andrews and Plastique Tiara, Gottmik and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, Jorgeous and Angeria Paris VanMichaels, and Shannel and Nina West. Building an alliance with queens having diverse talents and skills will allow them to have each other’s back when a challenge outside their wheelhouse arrives. The queens are playing nice for charity, and with the power in their hands, they will have to rely on each other to prevail this season. The only way to win is to collect Beautiful Benefactress Badges, and the only way to receive those badges is to win a maxi challenge.
Roxxxy Andrews has formed a strong bond with Plastique Tiara, and they have buddied up to share the same cubby space. They alluded to relying on their strong friendship and working together to ensure they have each other’s back. Next up were Gottmik and Vanessa Vanjie, who have an outside friendship and bond. Jorgeous and Angeria Paris VanMichaels, sisters from Season 14, have also formed a partnership. Nina West and Shannel have also joined forces, with Shannel being one of the oldest queens this season.
Forming diverse alliances is crucial this season. The queens should consider who excels at different challenges and form an alliance that covers a range of skills. In the upcoming challenges, the queens should project who might excel at those challenges. For example, Nina West is a sensational comedian and actress, making her an asset to have on your side. Gottmik has won Snatch Game before, so having her as part of your alliance could be beneficial. Establishing an alliance with people who have different skill sets is crucial, sharing the wealth of talent is key to being one of the top three badge holders by the final episode.
This season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars is giving top-tier drag, and the art is arting. The queens will have to adapt to the game and navigate the alliances to earn $200,000 for their charity. With only eight queens in the Werk Room, there are very few places to hide.