Drag Race All Stars Season 8 Recap: Episode 12, Grand Finale

July 24, 2023
JORDAN JAYRO

Good evening distinguished panel of judges! The time has come to crown a new queen! It’s time to talk about the grand finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 8! Last week was The Fame Games Variety Show Extravaganza, which ended with Jaymes Mansfield and Lala Ri both getting a boost in votes for The Fame Games! Now the time has come for our top two queens to face off for the crown, and a coveted spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame! Who will reign supreme? Will it be Jimbo, who has the most challenge wins? Or will it be Kandy Muse, who has played the best social game this season? And who will win The Fame Games and the $60,000 prize? Let’s find out together!

All of the queens are back in the werk room after the talent show, and Jaymes and Lala are both relishing in their win. Finally, Jaymes got to experience being in the top! She gets to double her votes for the Fame Games, and Lala gets to triple her votes. So at this point, it’s safe to assume that one of them will win. But you never know! Anything can happen!

It’s a new day in the werk room and the entire cast is still here! RuPaul enters the werk room and tells the queens that for their final maxi challenge, the top two queens will perform original solo numbers written by Leland! I love this!! Jimbo and Kandy will also be joining Ru and Michelle for a Tictac lunch! Jimbo’s chat was first! She talked about growing up in a tumultuous household and how it motivated her to become a clown. Kandy talked about coming back and being in the top two for a second time. She shared how difficult her journey has been to this point, and how much it would mean for her to win the crown. It must be hard making it to the top two for the second time and possibly losing again.

The way she delivers! Mama @RuPaul absolutely TORE the main stage up with an "A.S.M.R. Lover" performance! #AllStars8 is now streaming on #ParamountPlus! pic.twitter.com/unbqPuhNkY
— RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) July 21, 2023

Can we talk about this runway? It begins with a performance from RuPaul. I love watching her perform, mainly because she is truly just standing there while the dancers move around her. Very Mariah Carey. Jimbo’s performance was the first! Her song was about remembering being born. It was really cheeky and funny, and she wore her white vinyl outfit from the makeover challenge. The one her daughter didn’t want to wear! Now let’s talk about Kandy’s performance! She wore an orange outfit similar to the pink one she wore last week. Her song was very Kandy! It was dancey and fun and was all about getting paid. She ate this choreography and gave us hair! I loved it. I think Kandy won this round.

Category Is: Finale Fabulosity! Who's giving you the full finale fantasy? #AllStars8 is now streaming on #ParamountPlus! pic.twitter.com/9OM6M8a8be
— RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) July 21, 2023

Now let’s talk about the actual runway! The category is Finale Eleganza! All of the eliminated queens are showing their looks in order of elimination. It’s nice that they all get to show off their outfits! These are so expensive and they deserve to be seen! Jimbo looked so gorgeous in her colorful newsprint gown. It was very different and edgy for her! Kandy wore a yellow gown that looks like it has a tearaway skirt. Jimbo won this round for me though. That printed gown was everything!

Spoilers ahead! The fans have spoken! ️ Make some noise for our newly-crowned Queen of the Fame Games! ⭐️ #AllStars8 is now streaming on #ParamountPlus! pic.twitter.com/rLspQf1IC0
— RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) July 21, 2023

The time has come to crown a winner! The first winner announced is the queen of The Fame Games! The winner is… Lala Ri! She wins a scepter and a cash prize of $60,000! Which after taxes is a really nice meal at the Cheesecake Factory! She’s so iconic! First Miss Congeniality, now Queen of The Fame Games! Before a winner can be crowned, Jimbo and Kandy will need to lip-sync for the crown! They lip-sync to “Do Ya Wanna Funk?” By Sylvester & Patrick Cowley! There were reveals and stunts and lots of sequins! They both slayed! Now it’s time to reveal who will be crowned the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 8! The winner is… Jimbo!