Vita VonTesse Starr Eliminated: ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 18 Exit Interview

The competition on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 took a surprising turn this week, sending frontrunner Vita VonTesse Starr home in 10th place. The elimination, following a challenge that saw both Starr and Juicy Love Dion land in the bottom two, shocked many, given both queens’ previous successes and strong performances throughout the season.

The bottom two placement stemmed from what judges deemed unfunny parodies for a fake campaign ad challenge. However, it was the subsequent lip-sync to Dua Lipa’s “Houdini” that sealed Starr’s fate. The song, known for its dynamic choreography potential, proved a formidable test, pitting Starr against what many consider the season’s most skilled lip-sync performer, Juicy Love Dion.

Starr, reflecting on the moment in an exit interview with Gold Derby, acknowledged the challenge. “I was like, ‘Vita. Get it together, girl. You already know what Miss Juicy gives,’” she recalled, recognizing Dion’s established prowess in lip-sync battles. The pressure was particularly acute coming off the heels of the talent show, where the stakes were already high. “I’m like, ‘I am in the fight of my life.’”

To maintain focus, Starr employed a strategic, if somewhat isolating, tactic during the lip-sync. “I couldn’t even look at her, because I knew if I looked at her, I was going to get sidetracked because her body is a slinky,” Starr explained. “So I’m like, ‘She’s going to throw me off my game. Just look at Mama Ru and stay focused on that.’” Despite her efforts, the outcome was unavoidable.

The elimination is particularly notable given Starr’s earlier success in the competition. She had previously triumphed in two design challenges, establishing herself as a strong contender. Her departure before several queens who hadn’t secured a single win underscores the unpredictable nature of the competition and the weight placed on performance consistency.

Beyond the competition itself, Starr’s exit interview revealed a surprising connection with fellow queen Discord Addams. Starr emphasized the importance of standing up for Addams during the “Rate-A-Queen” twist, explaining that she saw a kindred spirit in Addams’ unique drag aesthetic. “I see a lot of similarities in Discord, as a queen who I feel like’s drag may not be perceived by others,” Starr said. “I wanted to give her that leeway and that light…We’re one and the same.”

Starr also expressed regret over not fighting harder to secure a specific concept for her political ad – a commentary on the debate surrounding breast augmentation in drag. “If I could go back and change, I would have fought harder to get the political ad about the Double Ds, the breasts versus no breasts in drag,” she stated. “That’s something that I truly believe in. It’s something I advocate for.” She felt the topic would have allowed her to more authentically convey her message and potentially avoid the bottom two.

Looking back on the experience, Starr acknowledged that early success can create a target. “Absolutely not,” she responded when asked if her previous wins gave her a sense of security. “If anything, it did the opposite. Because it was so early on, I knew I had to keep that momentum because eyes were on me already.”

Starr also praised Darlene Mitchell’s creativity, specifically highlighting her gold tinsel look from a previous runway. “If I could have put that in my suitcase and brought it home, I definitely would have,” Starr said. She argued that the look, which received mixed reactions online, would be celebrated if presented by a high-fashion designer. “I thought it was very iconic and one of the best looks of the runway.”

Starr’s elimination serves as a reminder that success on RuPaul’s Drag Race is not solely determined by design skills or previous wins. The ability to adapt, deliver consistently across all challenges – including comedy and lip-syncing – and navigate the complex dynamics of the competition are equally crucial. Starr’s departure leaves a void in the competition, and her reflections offer a candid glimpse into the pressures and strategic considerations faced by the queens vying for the crown.