RuPaul’s Drag Race: Why Shea Couleé Deserved To Win All Stars 5

Shea Couleé beat out fellow finalists Jujubee and Miz Cracker to win RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 5. Today, it’s time to look at all of the reasons why Shea Couleé deserved to snatch the All Stars title and earn a coveted spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame.

Of all the RuPaul’s Drag Race spin-offs, All Stars may be the juiciest, bringing back fan favorites from previous seasons, some of whom have been told (over and over again) that they should have won their Drag Race seasons, to battle it out for a chance at the title of ‘All Star’. Pitting hungry queen against hungry queen is a high-pressure, high-shade situation. Earlier in the season, we saw Drag Race royalty and season 1 legend, Ongina, crumble under the pressure of living up to (and exceeding) her previous appearance on the show. One thing’s for sure… the raised stakes and sharpened claws make the competition more entertaining.

SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY

In her season 9 appearance, the Chicago-born queen strutted into the Werk Room with the infamous words, “My name is Shea Couleé, and I didn’t come to play; I came to slay”. She was true to her word and proved one of the strongest queens of the season, turning runway looks, winning 4 maxi challenges, and appearing in the bottom only once. In one of the most memorable finales in Drag Race herstory, the top 4 had to lip sync for the crown in two rounds. Shea, a front-runner of the season and likely winner, was paired with Sasha Velour in the first round lip sync, to Whitney Houston’s “So Emotional”. Next thing she knew, Shae’s dreams were lying shattered under a layer of rose petals, as it was clear to everyone watching that Sasha Velour’s dramatic wig reveal would win her the lip-sync round, and probably, the crown.

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Fashion Short Deux // watch now, exclusively on my OnlyFans (link in bio) —- wearing @viktorluna styling @sheacoulee @gimmetigerlily photo @danpolyak video @_j.r.d.n_ @vamstudioofficial

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The top 3 this season on All Stars were Jujubee, Miz Cracker, and Shea Couleé. Jujubee has always been a staunch favorite of RuPaul’sDrag Race fans everywhere, and the queen with the most seasons under her belt: Season 2, All Stars 1, and All Stars 5. In each of her seasons, she appeared in the bottom 3 times and somehow only ever won 1 maxi challenge, yet finished in the top 3 each time. The more controversial finalist, Miz Cracker, racked up 3 maxi challenge wins this season, a vast improvement over her 1 win in season 10, making her the queen with the most growth. On season 10, Miz Cracker received the villain edit but appeared to be softened on All Stars 5… and presented as a misunderstood queen. Shea Couleé won 2 maxi challenges this season (episode 2’s “I’m In Love!” and episode 5’s “Snatch Game of Love”) and showed off her various talents throughout the competition.

Shea Brought It To The Runway

Shea Couleé has a degree in costume design and has always impressed with her runway looks, but this season saw her reach dizzying new heights, serving more elevated looks than ever before. Her look for the Prom Queen Fantasy runway was a Carrie-inspired look with a stunningly intricate headpiece depicting a bucket of cascading rose petals instead of pig’s blood. Shea showed she could channel her previous trauma into inspiration for a stunning new creation.

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Category is: Prom Queen Fantasy! 🌹🔥 This concept was definitely a fun and creative journey. I originally just wanted to make a Carrie reference and pay homage to @sutanamrull iconic Season 3 runway. However, I wanted to push the concept further, so instead of a bucket of blood, it would be a crown pouring roses to honor the S9 finale. When I brought the concept to @fashionbyreyortiz, he had sketch for me in literally 10 minutes, and when I tried it on for the first time, it fit like a GLOVE. The headpiece was constructed by my best judy @gimmetigerlily who also created my hot dog headpiece from the premiere of Season 9. The wig by @zachkilian was stoned by @danpolyak, the heels by @lonestoner, jewels by @ampedaccessories and the beaded drip nails were custom made by the amazing @bbygirlnails! Photos by the AMAZING creative duo @dragfiles

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Shea’s finale look was a self-proclaimed “bubblegum Balenciaga fantasy” inspired by a Polaroid of her mother dressed for prom. It was effortlessly stylish, showed she was not scared to take on bigger silhouettes, and was an example of Shea’s trademark combination of heart and fashion. She’s a Drag Race legend in the making.

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Bubblegum Balenciaga Fantasy ✨🎀✨ Inspired by my mom Marilyn’s prom dress. “My Drag in its purest form is a love letter to black women.” Designed with @viktorluna Flawlessly executed by @viktorluna Hair by @marcoswigs Gloves by @creepyyeha Jewelry by @ampedaccessories Photo by @danpolyak Assisted by @brendon_brown_

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Perhaps the most instantly iconic look of the season was the “Love the Skin You’re In” runway look, in which Shea recreated Botticelli’s famous painting, The Birth of Venus, with a completely crystal-covered, nude illusion bodysuit. The Birth of Venus has long been regarded as an ode to female beauty in which Venus is notably white; to give viewers the black equivalent is both timely and breath-taking.

Shea Made Us Laugh

Whilst most contestants impersonate famous females for Snatch Game, Shea took a risk with her hilarious take on a very masculine Flava Flav that brought down the house. She won the Snatch Game, long considered among queens and fans to be a strong indicator of who might win the overall competition. Also impressive was her comedy routine in episode 7’s “Stand-Up Smackdown“, in which she discussed her infamous season 9 loss to great comic effect. The stand-up comedy challenge is always a disaster for the less-funny queens. Don’t judge, but many viewers live for the awkward silences when someone goes too far when insulting a judge, or better still, a guest star judge.

The Rose Petal Trauma

This season saw Shea Couleé cautiously re-enter the limelight with the rose reveal incident firmly planted in the back of her mind. She was open about going to therapy to work through her depression and confidence issues following the season 9 finale, and mentioned interactions with fans of the show who made her the butt of their jokes; she very much had something to prove this season. In the end, she figured out a way to use one of the lowest points in her life as material for her stand-up, and to create one of her best looks this season. Shea didn’t come back just to slay, she came back to win.

Oh No Shea Didn’t

From her entrance words in All Stars 5, “I’m blaaack”, to her statement at the final judging ,“My drag, in its purest form, is a love letter to black women”, it was clear that Couleé had more on her mind this season than just rose petals. In a conversation with her musical collaborator Mykki Blanco, she said,

 “at the end of the day, I’m competing in this reality competition where a lot of the people that are calling the shots are white men. But my duty to myself and my duty to my people extends beyond that. I will celebrate myself, I will celebrate my successes as a Black person and an artist, and I will put my sh*t out there, but at the same time there will be swipes where it’s coded information because I want you guys to see that too.”

Also, she reacted to President Trump’s proposed policy eliminating transgender recognition, with a withering post that put the POTUS in his place.

RuPaul’s Drag Race veteran Jujubee has a likable personality but has a poor track record when it comes to winning tasks. Miz Cracker was the dark horse of the race, winning more maxi challenges than any other queen, but her personality still left a lot to be desired. Shea Couleé has undeniable talent. She is a look queen, a comedy queen and a dancing queen, and she has also shown that she is beautiful on the inside. She’s graceful, kind, and never hesitates to share her sewing expertise with her fellow competitors. In the finale, Shea Couleé brought the house down with her flawless moves in the “Clap Back” musical challenge, then beat out her competitors in a three-way lip sync for the title.

Some will say that it was an obvious outcome considering this season’s running theme of Shea Couleé’s season 9 loss, but it still felt right. Shea Couleé decided to come out of her rose petal cocoon, exhibiting the perseverance and strength of a true Drag Race queen, one who was ready to be outspoken on important matters. Shea Couleé essentially walked through the fire to secure her place as winner of Drag Race All Stars 5… fans are kind of relieved she won because they’re not entirely convinced that she wouldn’t have had a nervous breakdown if she didn’t.

Source: Shae Coulee via Instagram

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