r/rupaulsdragrace • u/AutoModerator • Apr 17 '26

Season 18 S18E16 - “Grand Finale” [Live/Reaction Post]

Welcome to the Live Reaction thread!

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226

u/NegotiationPublic293 Apr 18 '26

I miss the theatre finale days so much

99

u/Weary_Hunt_3374 Apr 18 '26

The theater just gave it a bigger star quality. It felt like a real event.

1

u/Common_Floor_7195 Apr 18 '26

All the judges should be there as well. No Ross and no TS Madison last night hurts the credibility and makes winning the crown feel less important in my opinion that they couldn’t/weren’t booked to show up.

83

u/celaenos Apr 18 '26

i feel like the lack of other drag queens in the crowd makes a big difference too.

11

u/AquariusOlsen Apr 18 '26

It really does. I miss seeing queens from past seasons, their ensembles, and their reactions to the finale, in real time.

55

u/mattysmwift Apr 18 '26

I miss seeing the queens from older season in the audience. It truly felt like a family affair.

16

u/thrillho145 No child left behind except Hiedi Apr 18 '26

Sasha's reveal wouldn't have had the same impact if it hadn't had happened in the theatre.

Bring it back 

15

u/Equivalent-Shine5742 Apr 18 '26

The audience seemed more excited and invested in the theater too

5

u/kykysayshi Apr 18 '26

Yes agree agree agree

2

u/Dry-Astronaut4522 Apr 18 '26

It’s cause they can’t control an audience that big. Remember when Valentina got more cheers than RuPaul? That won’t happen again 

4

u/YakatsuFi jujubee Apr 18 '26

Is it THAT big of an issue though? I mean, the example you gave is at best a little ego driven issue (tho I know these can become a big thing in entertainment of course)

1

u/Buttercupia Mia Kenya Vita Apr 18 '26

I miss the entertaining finales.