There are three ways to watch Rupaul’s Drag Race: the edit, the cynic, and the truth. The first is sincere and enthusiastic, but blind to the obvious production meddling that at this point is a stylistic feature. The second is to distrust everything, to the point of rejecting any and all story beats in a way that completely ignores the very real and heartfelt stories at the centre of this program.
And the third is the internet’s newest catchphrase: “MEDIA LITERACY”.
This is, at the end of the day, a reality show. It’s a heightened version of the truth, but while you can often feel the hand of fate at key points, these isn’t scripted. You can tell that because the writing gets really bad when it is. Which means, for the most part, the manipulation at play does not effect these interactions. The editing can emphasise good or bad qualities, but they’re there in the first place.
Enter Loosey LaDuca.
As we come to the final few episodes of season fifteen, we’re left with a quintet of drag queens that range from the calm, the cool, the collected – and then also, the rattled. In a season where many of the storylines have been barely etched out due to shortened episodes, we have one thread that will remain up until the finale. A queen who, despite doing well, is being set up to fail.
I’m an out and out fan of the incorrigible Loosey, a performer of the highest competence who brings to mind a winner like Bianca Del Rio. Extremely clear in her branding and able to pull through in most challenges without showing much actual weakness, this is the type of contestant the show traditionally loved. But there is something more to her. Something that will take her to the top and prevent her from winning. Let’s call it an inability to play the game of television.
Many of these contestants are either drag superfans, or veterans who understand the role of reality show personality in a way she clearly doesn’t. In a season littered with delusion and consistent failure to match the hype, only Loosey manages to make every moment a compelling trainwreck. When she wins, she’s magnanimous and friendly. When she doesn’t, she wants you to know she should have. Every interaction feels phony, and every episode is feels like a countdown to her inevitable, on-screen breakdown.
Except…is it?
If you’re an established RPDR fan, you’re aware of this trend. I’ll call it, appropriately, the “Jan Effect”. The perfect second place performer, who regularly receives praise, but is edged against wins that they arguably deserve. Somebody who’s desperation sits heavy in the air as the eyes go blank and scary towards the end. Regularly you’ll see a clenched jaw and subtle eye widening, or in more show appropriate terms, a “face crack”. And despite her two wins, placing her in the frontrunner category, Loosey is getting Janned. No matter how much this is the edit, that’s just what is happening.
There’s clearly some truth to the show’s presentation of her. This is a contestant with a penchant towards dramatics and ego. She’s not alone in that, but she’s probably the least palatable. Almost everyone else left walks with quiet confidence (or simply announces they’re great) – but Loosey shouts her accomplishments out, hoping you’ll join in on the chant.
But no matter how much they show us this, she’s often not wrong
Because, to reiterate, she’s a great competitor. Decent singer, funny when needed, serious about her craft in a way that shows real professionalism. But in this latest episode…that’s the problem. At least, once Luxx puts into words the reason the judging places her in the bottom, it’s the problem.
In a moment that solidifies her as the singular contestant of this season to watch, Luxx effortlessly outlines why Loosey should go home. To cut down the extended round up, she explains that in a line-up of unique and compelling performers, Loosey is “generic”. It cuts like a knife in segment that traditionally sees people playing all sides. Instead of picking the very worst or the very best, she places a button on the ongoing battle.
The episode is a masterclass in building to the climax in a way that the best of the show have always done. Luxx plays her part very coolly, and her ally in Mistress Isabelle Brooks is just sly enough to make it seem like a joke. But in every moment, Loosey is unravelling. She’s on edge, and they’re poking her with a stick towards the cliff face.
I doubt the tension is this heavy in the workroom. We’re getting the best moments of 2-3 days of nonstop filming. But while tension can be amplified, it isn’t coming from nowhere.
I’m glad she’s still in the competition; you can’t buy this kind of drama.