There is just nothing to say except that Ongina‘s breaking down after winning the MAC Viva Glam challenge and admitting that she has HIV and her parents don’t know might be the singularly most intense moment of reality television I’ve ever witnessed.
Let’s face it, “Reality TV” is as scripted as anything else, the producers of any elimination-show have the final say–which they probably exercised this week, since Jade was superior to Rebecca Glasscock in every case, except for the ability to produce drama. So for something so honest as a nationally televised admission of a person’s HIV status to emerge is startling.
I’m not suggesting that TV people would generally self-censor something like that, but it’s still uncommon. Even RuPaul was a little taken aback. So while I’m not sure Ongina can or should win the competition, I think she’s pretty courageous and I love her. She got a little lucky with the screen test, though, because it called for jubilation and bubbliness, and that’s what she brings.
Bebe Zahara Benet, though. Whoa. I think her downfall might be the inevitable realization that this piddling little show on a mediocre niche cable channel is kind of beneath her. If this were Italy or Mexico, she would be hosting a primetime show where she would interview political figures and could torpedo their careers. I don’t care if she has only one facial expression. She’s an empress. And she’s only 23? She looks simultaneously older and ageless. It’s entirely possible that she’s a crazy person, though. I just get that vibe.
God, could Shantelle be more self-important? Given the opportunity to be glamorous and fun, she squandered it on literally lecturing the camera for ten whole minutes without even coming to the point. She even dressed like an old maid schoolmarm. How revealing.
Nina Flowers has been getting rickety. I think she has the best look, but everything she does is a variation on it. As odious as Shantelle may be, her versatility is formidable and I see the two of them vying for the third spot in the finals, since Ongina and Bebe have probably clinched the top two. Nina’s non-facility with English hasn’t hampered her so far, but it might.
I wonder if Nate Silver win analyze the probability of each queen winning…
Suck the Rainbow 