Ada Vox advanced to the Top 3 and the finale in the Rupaul’s Drag Race spinoff, Queen of the Universe. The all-singing drag queen competition is streaming on Paramount+ now. The finale will drop on the streamer next Thursday (Dec 30).
The American Idol 2018 finalist clinched the Top 3 spot, but not without some nail biting. The semifinals featured the Top 5 queens, but only three could move on to the finale. After performing a rousing rendition of Lizzo’s “Cuz I Love You.” The studio audience advanced two queens–Atlanta’s Aria B. Cassadine and Brazil’s Grag Queen to the next round. The bottom 3 had to face the judges.
The judges, including singer and actress Vanessa Williams; Judge of RuPaul’s Drag Race Michelle Visage; American drag superstar Trixie Mattel; and singer and X Factor UK winner Leona Lewis, would choose ONE singer to complete the Top 3 And they chose Ada. They had to choose Ada, or there would have been a riot. Ada is clearly the best singer in the competition and needed to be in the final. Check out her performance of “Cuz I Love You.”
Top 5 performance! #CuzILoveYou by the always incredible @lizzo ??#QueenOfTheUniverse pic.twitter.com/0p6JGrNhzN
— #TeamAda (@AdaVox) December 23, 2021
“I am actually a super-big Lizzo fan,” Ada explained to the judges. “She lives her life like a representative of a fat bad b—— like me!”
In this house, we stan @lizzo AND @AdaVox ?? #QueenOfTheUniverse pic.twitter.com/SyqQY1anWE
— Queen Of The Universe (@queenofuniverse) December 24, 2021
The Top 8 round the week before featured duets. Four sets of queens created original songs based on themes. Ada and Aria performed a song called “Back Off B—-” Check out the dude strapped in a chair. Aria is also a Top 3 finalist. \
The competition will come down to Ada vs Aria
The competition will come down between the two. Ada is the better singer. But Aria has been competing, and WINNING drag pageants for years. Although singing is front and center in this competition, LEWKS are just as important. Aria’s makeup hair and outfits are perfection, while the judges have criticized Ada for hers all season. It will come down to either the best singer or the most fabulously put-together queen.
And that Aria is COMPETITIVE. For instance, she viewed the duet opportunity with Ada as a chance to study her in order to beat her.
Queen of the Universe Top 8: Ada put a spell on the audience
The previous week, Ada impressed the judges and the studio audience with a performance of “I Put a Spell on You” where she uses every single part of her vast range.
And it all started at the Top 14 with a performance of “At Last” by Etta James.
The winner of Queen of the Universe takes home a huge prize: $250,000! The show, shot in London and presented by Graham Norton, is well produced and entertaining.
Queens share stories of discrimination and even danger
Besides the singing and performing, the backstories can be heartbreaking both Grag Queen from Brazil and Rani Ko He Nur from India shared stories of being discriminated against, and even in danger over their sexuality. Grag Queen’s family forced him into conversion therapy.
This week, @gragqueen shared her story, so, we wanted to tell you about @AllOut, a global LGBT+ rights organization who will continue fighting against conversion therapies in Brazil & throughout Latin American.
For more, visit: https://t.co/PcFvnT1VUA pic.twitter.com/nfsUTqJJTN
— Queen Of The Universe (@queenofuniverse) December 24, 2021
Only 6 hour long episodes, the entertaining series can easily be binged in an afternoon. Highly recommended.
