A tournament of stars that divided the fans

Cultures · Published 11 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: When RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 10 premiered, it introduced a radical new bracket format. While viewership hit its highest levels since season seven, the experimental structure sparked intense debate, leaving critics and fans split between excitement for the competition and frustration with its execution.

Premiering on May 9, 2025, on Paramount+, the tenth season of the All Stars spin-off departed from tradition by adopting a bracket tournament format. To increase competitive tension, this season utilised a 'Tournament of All Stars' involving eighteen participants. However, this structural shift proved polarizing. While some critics, such as those from Xtra Magazine, praised the first two brackets as potentially the best in the series, others felt the later stages and semifinals failed to maintain that momentum.

The season's conclusion was marked by a historic victory for Ginger Minj, who became the first contestant in the franchise's history to win on their fourth attempt. The runner-up was Jorgeous, notable for being the first performer to compete in back-to-back All Stars seasons. The competition also featured a high-stakes 'LaLaPaRUza Lipsync Smackdown for the Crown,' where Kerri Colby, a winner of a random lottery to return, was eliminated in the first round by the eventual winner.

Despite achieving high viewership ratings, the season faced significant critical backlash. Vulture rated the finale a 2 out of 5 stars, describing it as lacking personality, while the final episode, 'Tournament of All::Stars Smackdown for the Crown,' earned a 2.3 out of 10 on IMDb—the lowest rating in the spin-off's history. Much of this criticism centered on the new bracket format and perceived favoritism toward Ginger Minj. The celebrity judging panel was equally diverse, featuring figures such as singer Chappell Roan, actor Colman Domingo, and actress Ariana Grande.

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