American Idol’s Ada Vox Hopes to Make her Mark on Paramount+ competition Queen of the Universe
The CBS/Viacom streamer, Paramount+ dropped the first two episodes of its competition reality show Queen of the Universe last week. Produced by RuPaul, it features 14 drag queens from around the world vying for a $250,000 prize.
But in THIS competition, there is no lip-syncing! Only Queens who can sing need apply. Therefore, the competition is a perfect platform for Ada Vox (Adam Sanders). On American Idol 2018, Ada was the first drag queen to make it to, as she describes, “the live voting rounds of the show.”
Ada blows away the panel with a rendition of Etta James “At Last”
And if you are wondering whether the show is worth checking out, watch a clip of Ada belting Etta James “At Last” for 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 alum Leona Lewis. UK comedian and presenter Graham Norton serves as host.
The Queens are split into two groups. Ada performed on part 2. In her video package (not included in this clip) Ada, who represents Sant Antonio TX, mentions appearing on the huge platform, American Idol. “I may not have won American Idol, but winning Queen of the Universe would be the redemption that I’ve needed from everything that I’ve gone through, and everything that I’ve worked for.” Ada becomes emotional as she shares, “This show has to be the one for me. I really want to win, y’all.”
After delivering the show stopping “At Last,” complete with earth shattering runs and high notes (thank a vocal cord condition called infantile epilogist which has kept her cords baby sized) the judges are full of praise.
“Good lord!” says Vanessa, “The growl, the soft approach, the sexiness, just overall presence!” Calling “At Last” an overdone song that she’s come to hate, Vanessa confessed, “You opened your mouth and you changed it. I Was blown away.”
“I’ve never heard a drag queen sing like that”
“I’m dead!” says Leona. “Some of the runs on the end got lost a little bit, but I didn’t even care!”
“I’ve never heard a drag queen sing like that,” says Trixie. “It was just amazing!” She added, half jokingly, “I love meaty t*tties. Your breasts are so beautiful.” But she observed, “They are cousins that haven’t talked in awhile. I’d like them to be sisters!” As Ada complied and pushed her cleavage together Graham quipped, “A family reunion!”
“Honestly, that was so enjoyable,” said Michelle. “You saw us getting excited, so you kept going, and running more and more, which of course we love!” She complimented, “I have a pet peeve–a vocalist who runs too much and forgets the melody. There was no melody lost on any of it!”
After the gushing remarks from the panel, Ada became tearful. When she heard about the show, she thought “This is probably my moment to…really be appreciated.” Ada continued, “I felt tossed aside and like I was done wrong in the past just trying to make it. Now I feel like I’m really somewhere I could stand and be appreciated truly.
Watch Ada Vox perform Etta James’ “At Last”
Ada moves on to the next round alongside 7 other Queens
The episode culminated in BRUTAL cuts, made exclusively by the panel (no voting!). Six of the 14 Queens left the competition! But Ada made the cut, and will move on to the next round of competition. There is already a cliffhanger. After the cuts, the judges fretted that they may have made a mistake sending home the oldest Queen, 42 year old La Voix, a former Britain’s Got Talent contestant from London England. They hinted that a wildcard may join the eight Queens in the next episode!
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Still in the running for Queen of the Universe are…
…Ada Vox, Australia’s Ginzilla from America’s Got Talent and X Factor UK, Brazil’s Grag Queen, Rani Ko-He-Nur from Mumbai India, Atlanta’s own Aria B. Cassadine, yodeling country queen from Montreal, Matante Alex, Leona Winter from Paris France and Mexico’s Regina Voce.
Check HERE for bios on every singer.