| "Grand Finale" | |
|---|---|
| RuPaul's Drag Race episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 12 Episode 14 |
| Presented by | RuPaul |
| Featured music |
|
| Original air date | May 29, 2020 |
| Guest appearances | |
"Grand Finale" is the fourteenth and final episode of the twelfth season of the American television series RuPaul's Drag Race . [1] [2] [3] [4] It was filmed virtually becaused of the COVID-19 pandemic and originally aired on May 29, 2020. The episode tasks the final three contestants with performing lip-syncs to songs of their choice. There are also guest appearances by former contestants Nina West and Yvie Oddly, as well as American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. After a final lip-sync between Crystal Methyd, Gigi Goode, and Jaida Essence Hall, the latter is crowned the season's winner.
For the first time a virtual finale is held from remote locations across the country due to the impact of the COVI-19 pandemic. [5] [6] For the first lip-sync contest, the contestants all perform to "Bring Back My Girls" by RuPaul, with only their faces showing. The final three contestants then lip-sync alone to a song of their choice. Crystal Methyd lip-syncs to "I'm Like a Bird" (2000) by Nelly Furtado, Gigi Goode lip-syncs to "Take On Me" (1984) by A-ha, and Jaida Essence Hall lip-syncs to "Get Up" (2006) by Ciara featuring Chamillionaire. [7] [8] It is announced that Heidi N Closet is this season's Miss Congeniality. For the final lip-sync contest, Crystal Methyd, Gigi Goode, and Jaida Essence Hall perform to "Survivor" (2001) by Destiny's Child. [9] It is announced that Jaida Essence Hall is the winner, making Crystal Methyd and Gigi Goode the runners-up. [10] [11] [12]
The episode originally aired on May 29, 2020. Former contestants Nina West and Yvie Oddly, as well as Dolly Parton make guest appearances. [13] [14]
Crystal Methyd portrays both a mother bird and a baby bird during "I'm Like a Bird". [15] [16] In 2021, Miles Griffis of the American animal welfare organization Audobon said the bird species in the video was "not positively identified". [17] Jaida Essence Hall had the "most traditional" performance of the three finalists, according to Nylon , which said she delivered a "sexy, fishy rendition" of "Get Up" that used her couch and floor, and highlighted her face and hair. [18]
RuPaul wears a face mask. [19]
Kate Kulzick of The A.V. Club gave the episode a rating of 'A-'. [20] Paul McCallion of Vulture rated the episode five out of five stars. [21] Kevin O'Keeffe of Xtra Magazine said "staging their own digital drag shows made for one of the best finale challenges we've ever seen". [22] Daniel Reynolds of The Advocate called the "I'm Like a Bird" performance "unforgettable". [23] Sam Damshenas of Gay Times said Crystal Methyd "served one of the most batshit crazy performances in the show’s history; reenacting the life cycle of a bird and regurgitating in her mouth". [24] [25]