Athena Dion’s reputation preceded her on the Season 18 premiere of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
RuPaul’s Drag Race/MTV photo
From the first queen’s entrance to a final lip sync to Cardi B’s “Enough (Miami),” the 18th season premiere of RuPaul’s Drag Race was South Florida-focused from start to finish. The debuts of Athena Dion, Mia Starr, and Juicy Love Dion were bright lights to contrast the “shady times” forecasted by RuPaul in the show’s commercial teasers.
Three South Florida contestants are competing this season, but the first episode belonged to Athena. She was the first queen in the werkroom, and her reputation preceded her: Many of the queens recognized her immediately. She set the tone for the peculiar mini-challenge and prepared for the design challenges ahead by enrolling in sewing lessons before filming began. Although she did not win the episode, Athena made an impact, showcasing a high level of professionalism and polish.
West Palm’s Mia Starr entered next, with a more subdued presence throughout the episode. Still, she showed consistency during her limited screen time. From her all-denim entrance look to her Cardi B-inspired runway, Starr proved to be the hip-hop queen she’s promised to be. In her 30s with an impressive dance resume, she also prompted an interesting discussion about age and experience in drag.
Ironically, the celebration of veteran drag performers was immediately followed by the introduction of the season’s youngest contestant, Miami’s own Juicy Love Dion. Her inexperience showed: She was unprepared for the design challenge and relied on assistance from others. But her charisma was her calling card — competitors were eager to help her with the sewing machine, and judges Cardi B and Michelle Visage peppered their negative critiques with praise for her stage presence and beauty. Despite her charms, she placed in the bottom three this week.
Miami, make your New Year’s Resolution Count!
We’re $14,000 away from reaching our $30,000 year-end fundraising goal. Your support could be what pushes us over the top. If our work has kept you informed, helped you understand a complex issue, or better connected you to your community, please consider making a contribution today.
Family Feud?
The South Florida contingent appeared to intimidate the other contestants — it could prove to be an entertaining source of drama for the season. “No more Florida, please,” lamented one queen. Another worried that their geographical location would prove a strategic advantage. When Starr called out another queen for talking behind Athena’s back, it led to the season’s first confrontation.
Athena called the episode a “family affair,” and Season 16’s Morphine Love Dion — part of the House of Dion, which also includes Athena and Juicy Love — got two mentions. But all families have tension. Athena recoiled when Juicy Love used the term “drag grandmother” to explain their relationship, and she seemed content to let her drag granddaughter struggle through the design challenge. Any veteran viewer can see the eventual Lip Sync for Your Life between those two coming from a mile away. It will be fascinating to see how family dynamics impact the competition when group challenges begin next week.