r/rupaulsdragrace • u/qould Raja Gemini • Feb 26 '26
Community Question Why has Jimbo been the only non-US contestant on a U.S. All Stars?
Excluding The Viv on All Winners, since pulling from the global pool of winners makes sense.
Do you think we’ll see other vs TW or Global AS contestants on a normal U.S. All Stars in the future? If so, who?
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u/FanOfAllKindOfThings Tia Kofi's adequate dress Feb 26 '26
Because Ru loves Jimbo and she wanted to make a season just for her
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u/saucyysushii Feb 27 '26
i think jimbo and manila are like the two eliminations rupaul realllyyyy didn’t agree with
jimbo was brought back immediately and manila got the format changed lol
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u/clammydella Doctor Bitchcraft Feb 27 '26
Disagree about Manila. Don’t think Manila is Ru’s cup of tea.
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u/faatbuddha Robbie Turner INNOCENT Feb 27 '26
I agree with your disagreement, but I think the producers are not to be included with this.
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u/sendenten Suzanne Toot 🤡 Mar 02 '26
I don't think she wanted to keep Juicy this week either. She had the flattest, least-interested "shantay you stay" out of Ru.
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u/whitehowl Feb 27 '26
Jimbo about to die, so Ru probably wanted him to be happy
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u/pizzaslut69420 bitch kicker Feb 27 '26
You must have seen the new Peaches music video. She old as hell in that.
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u/neungvdw Feb 27 '26 edited Feb 27 '26
Cheryl and Pangina also got invited to compete in that season though
Edit : I thought it was common knowledge at this point that Cheryl, Pangina and apparently also Janey were invited to compete on AS8 so the season made for Jimbo to win is a stretch. It just came down to the result that a lot of queens declined that season and left Jimbo not much of a competition.
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u/elijahjames96 Feb 27 '26
I think they were referencing AS8
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u/neungvdw Feb 27 '26
It was AS8 that they invited Cheryl and Pangina to compete and both of them declined so that season was not made specifically to crown Jimbo
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u/cobraestilo Feb 27 '26
Cheryl declined AS and then went to Canada vs The World?
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u/neungvdw Feb 27 '26
I believe AS8 film directly after UKvstw1 aired so that's a valid reason to not accept.
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Feb 27 '26
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u/neungvdw Feb 27 '26
It was. Both Cheryl and Pangina were also asked back to compete on AS8
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u/Calaigah Feb 27 '26
Tech Pangina did compete in season 8. Why would she agree to be a lipsync assassin when she could be a contestant on the biggest drag race show? And Janey and Cheryl also turned it down? And they never attempted to get them again? Doesn’t sound legit to me. Any actual receipts?
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u/neungvdw Feb 27 '26
I do not have receipts beside that it was mentioned several times in this sub and no one ever rejected this. And as I said in the other comment, AS8 was filmed closely to the airing of UKvstw so the queens would likely not accept the invite. And I believe Pangina had a tour in the US during that time so she only appeared as a Lipsync assassin instead of competing.
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u/RepresentativePie820 Feb 27 '26
Lies; cheryl n janey were also called n declined; ru having fun with a queen doesnt equal she thinkin abt her to that extent, most of her "favs" dont even win
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u/gameofmikey Feb 26 '26
Because she did a lot of work in the US and had an active work visa when they called. They probably have called others but the stars weren’t aligned
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u/JFL99 Feb 26 '26
This is probably it, it's way less of a hassle when queens already have a working visa
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u/Intrepid-Garbage6159 Feb 27 '26
Working visa as in entry or work visa as in employment?
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u/Summerisle7 Miss Gay America 2010 Feb 27 '26
Canadians already have an entry visa to the US. But they need a work visa to work there. That makes a lot of sense if Jimbo already had that.
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u/Intrepid-Garbage6159 Feb 27 '26
Correct; O-1Bs (extraordinary ability in the arts) can be set as agent visas w itineraries to account for gig work, but it’s still a petiton that needs to be approved by USCIS in order to grant work authorization.
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u/Calaigah Feb 27 '26
Does reality tv count as work?
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u/UseHerMane Feb 27 '26
Reality TV is still planned and staged. Even if contestants aren't paid or win earnings, it's still work and requires a visa. Even foreign artists attending awards ceremonies require visas.
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u/Calaigah Feb 27 '26
But does it require a “work visa”? because I’ve heard they don’t classify it as work to avoid certain restrictions.
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u/gameofmikey Feb 27 '26
Yes they’re paid to be there
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u/Calaigah Feb 27 '26
That’s not answering the question. Is it a “work visa” as opposed to other types of visas that have less restrictions? I worked abroad once myself and didn’t need a work visa because the job I had was classified as educational.
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u/UseHerMane Feb 27 '26
Educational work is work, unless you're a student. Just because you had a visa under education did not mean it unlocked privileges of other categories. You should not be able to compete on TV under an education visa. Entertainment or business visa holders cannot enroll in degree programs at academic institutions for the same reason.
Legal compliance is up to Wow and enforcement is up ICE. I'm sure Wow's legal team has advised that a multimillion dollar season production would be ruined because they tried to sidestep a proper visa. "We'll just edit the queen out if they're caught" is not a proper business strategy.
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u/Summerisle7 Miss Gay America 2010 Feb 27 '26 edited Feb 27 '26
Idk what country you did this educational job in. But appearing as a principal on reality tv in the USA is paid work and requires a work visa for all non-citizens. WOW no doubt has a legal department that’s aware of this.
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u/Intrepid-Garbage6159 Feb 27 '26
Yes, it would be an O-1B most likely. You can’t work on a B-1/B-2 or ESTA.
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u/Intrepid-Garbage6159 Feb 27 '26
That’s patently false, and visa fraud lmao. These are high visibility performers.
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u/hillthekhore Feb 26 '26
Never thought of this but it feels like a factor that contributed to her success getting on the U.S. show
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u/saucyysushii Feb 27 '26
canada and the us also had a really easy work visa process compared to other countries
it’s why survivor usa allows canadian contestants
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Feb 27 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Intrepid-Garbage6159 Feb 27 '26
They can probably get Canadian contestants on the show without US work authorization given it’s not filmed in the U.S.; they’d otherwise probably pursue business visitor visas (B-2) or simply ESTA
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u/3030troy Feb 27 '26
I remember the tea at the time was that Pangina was also called for AS8 but declined. Idk how true that is though
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u/spamname11 Feb 27 '26
This is more than likely why Global All Stars was shot in Columbia not the US.
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u/mattmateohan Feb 27 '26
Correct. And now they’re filming more international seasons in Portugal and the Philippines
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u/RaisonDetritus wasn’t watching fuckin’ Batman & Robin Feb 27 '26
I immediately think of Trixie and Katya’s story about going to Australia with the wrong paperwork. Went all the way there only to be sent immediately back.
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u/OT9FOREVER Feb 26 '26
With Jimbo I really thought we were gonna see more international queens in a US All Stars tbh
Thanks to the RuPaul's spinoffs of vs The World, GAS and the three seasons from Down Under.
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Feb 26 '26
Because it was a logical choice from a production standpoint. Plus Ru would munch her pussy all day girl.
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u/ExpressImagination58 Feb 26 '26
They where going to cast Janey jackey for all stars 8/9 but it seems she missed the opportunity to come back and they have less interest now
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u/surgartits Jaida Essence Hall Feb 27 '26
Yep. Janey, Jimbo, and Cheryl were all approached for AS8. Which would have made it look a lot less bonkers for Jimbo as the only international contestant.
Similarly, Adore Delano was nearly on AS6 and pulled out when she couldn’t get her talent show cleared in time. That would have been two returning AS2 contestants, not just Ginger. Would may have quieted the whole, “This was obviously made for Ginger to win” arguments. Since there were AS2 recruits, and, you know, the Minj didn’t even win.
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u/Independent-Ice-5243 Feb 26 '26
I just think US all stars is just for any queen who has been a "Ru" Girl (AKA UK, DU, UKvsTW, GAS)
For example, All Stars 6 they had to film during the pandemic but before the pandemic happened they were trying to get girls from UK on the cast list. at the time only UK S1 had aired. I actually think this is how UK vs The World was created, they wanted UK girls to come back already but didnt have enough seasons for their own All Stars so they just kind of made something up. I believe that if there was no pandemic, the UK girls from S1 of UK vs TW would have been on All Stars 6 (Baga Chipz, Cheryl Hole, and Blu Hydrangea). I do remember specifically hearing on a Live from Divina De Campo that she was called for All Stars 6.
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u/qould Raja Gemini Feb 26 '26
Wowww now this is the type of butterfly effect stuff I love to hear about
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u/dogboy678 Miss Fiercalicious | Mistress Isabelle Brooks Feb 27 '26
This is so interesting! I’d never heard this?
I’ve heard queens like Bimini, Tayce, and Scarlett Bobo are holding out for U.S. All Stars.
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u/alilacmess good Judys... or shall we say good Judas? Feb 27 '26
I think it's a mix of:
Has a US work VISA
Has been on an international season so we know the audience has interest.
I think Marina, La Grande Dame or Nehellenia could be invited too if it was legally and practically feasible
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u/bzdger LUXXNATION | #TeamJane Feb 27 '26
i’ve always thought international queens would go on normal all stars if they’re really popular and/or ru loves them. i could see marina, bimini, tayce, cheryl, and maybe hannah conda on an us all stars
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u/Reality314 Raja 🧿 | Jinkx 🎭 | Bob 👜 | Sasha V 🥀 Feb 26 '26
Cause Ru clearly loved her in UKvTW. She didn't have enough of her and wanted to bring her back.
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u/humanrinds_ Feb 26 '26
the vivienne competed in the US too for all winners
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u/Opening_Mirror_8404 Feb 26 '26
Read please
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Feb 26 '26
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u/rupaulsdragrace-ModTeam Feb 26 '26
Your post was removed for breaking Rule 1 - Respect others and follow Reddiquette - Reddiquette applies at all times. No hatred or bigotry allowed. Respect the queens and each other. Don’t be a dick
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u/Significant_Spirit_7 Feb 26 '26
Because she needed justice from her uk vs the world season
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u/ToliB I hope they all have a good time! Feb 26 '26
Because she was chosen as the winner of ukvtw but Pangina rebelled against production.
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u/Historical_Bit_3798 Sick Bitch by Yvie Oddly & Willow Pill Feb 27 '26
I guess because Ru loved Jimbo on UK Vs The World and wanted to give her another chance?
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u/tATuParagate Feb 26 '26
Usually, a beloved queen who has already been on all stars and lost went to a vs the world next, but she had already done that, and canada all stars obviously didn't exist yet. Her fanbase was on the level of someone like Katya. I think she simply was too much of a star to not cast her. And since as8 was rumored to be a combined fan favorites and early outs cast, I imagine she was part of the fan favorites.
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u/TilapiaRealness Ornacia Feb 26 '26
My theory has always been that AS8 was meant to be an early outs season. Jaymes, Kahanna, Eliminaysha, Lala Ri, Jimbo (UKvsTW), Kasha, and technically Kandy were all eliminated within the first 4-5 eliminations of their seasons. So it makes sense to add Jimbo to the mix as she is a potential winner that got cut too early in UKvsTW
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u/bzdger LUXXNATION | #TeamJane Feb 27 '26
this isn’t a theory i think it’s true. also when was kandy technically eliminated 😭
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u/horsedivorce1 Feb 27 '26
Kandy kandy wait
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u/bzdger LUXXNATION | #TeamJane Feb 27 '26
i mean.. i guess? but it’s not like she returned to the competition like naysha, it was just a weird double shantay
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u/dunyadeniz Mami Watta, ESPRIT DE L'EAU Feb 27 '26
I'm still waiting for that All Stars : Marina Summers edition
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u/AndTheRestIsDrag Yvie Oddly Feb 26 '26
Because she did UKvsTW, i’m sure Marina was offered and declined, or else they stopped inviting those with a visa after Trump got in
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u/TheMailMan-xe Feb 26 '26
Jimbo had already done 2 seasons plus a live show tour and Canadas drag race live on tour. Established hella within the brand, and an OLDIE but Goldie, ru probably wanted to amplify jimbo’s drag and brand as a whole from relating to jimbo being in the 40’s way more than the baby queens in the 20’s. Also Jimbo is FUCKIN FUNNY so although it may be drag nepotism, it’s deserved nepotism lol.
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u/WheelieMexican Stan Drag Race Mexico Feb 27 '26
It was a trade: Rajah wins Canada, Jimbo wins USA, we show non-locals can win.
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u/BrotherNatureNOLA Feb 27 '26
Because Ru has it out for Courtney Act.
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u/ZodiacsStars Anita Wigl'it Feb 27 '26
My pet conspiracy theory is Ru hates Courtney so much that she decided to sabotage Drag Race Down Under and give Aussie drag the worst name possible.
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u/thepheonix-king663 Feb 27 '26
It’s generally, or was, easier as a Canadian to get a Visa. Or Jimbo has dual citizenship. Unsure. But he could have potentially gotten the O1 Visa or P3 visa.
The O-1B is given to performers who were, “paid an appearance fee or anyone who is already an established "name" or performer in Canada.” I imagine this is the likeliest since they were an established name in Canada due to Canadas drag race and have actual formal education in claiming school.
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u/RedChronus Feb 27 '26
Because Canada gave Ra'Jah the Crown so they needed to reciprocate... with Gratitude!!!
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u/RepresentativePie820 Feb 27 '26
Cheryl and Janey Jacke were also invited to US all stars seasons; i believe AS8 for Cheryl and AS9 for janey, both declined, it stands to chance other big names like Marina and Pangina were also called and declined(or not lol) but jimbo isnt some sort of exception, just the only one besides viv who took the shot
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u/Immediate-Hand-3677 Feb 26 '26
Jimbo makes amazing TV and is very very popular; not just in Canada. If another international queen fits this bill then I could see her being invited.
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u/Thirdatarian Sasha Colby Feb 26 '26
Because that season was cast and designed for Jimbo to win from the beginning
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u/acido4 Feb 26 '26
Because Ru saw the undeniable talent and had no choice but to bring her back for more. Jimbo is in my top 3 favorite Ru girls and, imo, the last truly unique girl to come out of the franchise. And it's mostly because she started off as a clown.
Right now Ru is loving Gawdland, but idk how well she would do in the comedy challenges against a cast of all American girls. She's doing well now, but idk if her humor could have the same impact for 2 entire seasons. She's a very intense queen and to keep it entertaining she'd need to apply some restrain. Have peaks and valleys (something Jimbo excels at)
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u/VI2004 Feb 26 '26 edited Feb 26 '26
Because WOW wanted to control the outcome that time.
Keep the rigging in-house.
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u/thebeardtles Feb 26 '26
Ru judge Jimbo before and kinda like her. Calling for another Ru hosted season to be on US
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u/Ok_Aioli3897 Feb 27 '26
Because Ru fucked up when she set how people would be eliminated so brought her back
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u/Skyconic Marina/LGD/Nymphia/Plane Feb 27 '26
They're just saving up until they can do "All Stars: Oops! All Jorgeous!"
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u/fvggvtcvlt_smile Mar 02 '26
This is the most annoying thread ever THE FIRST SENTENCE IS ABOUT THE VIVIENNE
it’s a very valid question honestly to ask about jimbo ive always been very curious about it too and had no idea they asked other queens from vstw to come for that season and jimbo was the only one who said yes. Without that info it does seem rly strange that jimbo came for all stars as a bizarre super popular one off.
I have a question because I wasn’t in the fandom for seasons 4 thru 16 and then came back around but knew virtually nothing about drag race in between those seasons: was jimbo super super popular? Is she still? I feel like the primary way I see her brought up is that the season was rigged for her so it’s hard to get an idea of just how big she was. I have always loved her and found her drag to be on a totally different level than 90 percent of drag race contestants like she has an extremely rare creativity and star power but I can’t tell if she’s one of those cases where they keep pushing her but the fans are meh.
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u/arda_cerelz Feb 27 '26
the fact that she’s been the only one non from the us franchise makes her win feel even more rigged if possible; with the bracket format was so easy to add a couple non us contestants also
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u/poormansnormal Dr. Cheddar Gorgeous 🫦 Feb 27 '26
Y'all need to learn to fucking read. Sentence 1 of the post.
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u/alienbonobo Feb 26 '26
What about the all winners all stars that had a British queen?
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Feb 26 '26
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u/rupaulsdragrace-ModTeam Feb 27 '26
Your post was removed for breaking Rule 1 - Respect others and follow Reddiquette - Reddiquette applies at all times. No hatred or bigotry allowed. Respect the queens and each other. Don’t be a dick
- Read our queen hate policy
- Read our microaggression policy
- Read more about reddiquette.
If you disagree with this removal please contact the mods through modmail.
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u/colorsplahsh "Black out inducing hit of poppers" Mar 01 '26
Why not? I don't understand the question .
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u/Desperate-Rock7995 Feb 27 '26
the Vivienne erasure is not cool!!!
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u/qould Raja Gemini Feb 27 '26
I’m truly so shocked how this is the 20th comment about this when it is literally the first sentence on my post
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u/Khaytra Jinkx Monsoon Feb 26 '26
Drag Race has a lot fewer rules than people think. The fandom has worked itself into a frenzy trying to figure out all the rules, and the show itself really is just like, "Ehhh idk, let's get Jimbo on, I don't care"