Drag Race France All Stars

One of the best seasons of the whole franchise, clearly up there with the fan favorites American ones like Season 5 or All Stars 2.

This is mostly due to a very charismatic cast with a high level of talent; every challenge was entertaining and impressive, and the fashion was breathtaking. There is also a big lack of drama here between the contestants. Usually, a good season has good drama, but as all the contestants joyfully tease each other. They do get annoyed with each other a few times, but they all brush it off with jokes.

Serious talk while putting on makeup became inevitable in the franchise to a ridiculous level sometimes, but here, each talk feels genuine and well-developed. At one point, they talk about how Drag Race fans can't be the meanest bullies online, and I was glad that the franchise finally addressed it.

I liked the judges, even if sometimes I wasn't sure they were honest in their criticism (but at least it was not as flagrant as the American seasons). Shy'm is a good addition, but only in the second half of the show; at first, she seemed a little out of place.

Honestly, I would not recommend watching Drag Race France: All Stars because it turned out to be the weakest and most exhausting franchise to sit through. From start to finish, it felt like the show was dragging itself along with no real spark or energy to keep the audience invested. The challenges were repetitive and lacked the creativity that fans usually look forward to, making each episode feel more like a chore than a celebration of drag. On top of that, the judging came across as inconsistent, sometimes even biased, which only added to the frustration of watching queens who clearly deserved better treatment get overlooked. The editing didn't help either-it felt messy, rushed, and at times even disorganized, leaving viewers confused rather than entertained. Instead of delivering glamour, talent, and fun, the season ended up being a draining experience that left fans disappointed rather than excited for the next episode. Overall, if you want to enjoy Drag Race, there are far better seasons and franchises to spend your time on than this one.

You might want to skip watching Drag Race All Stars France because, despite the hype, the season feels more exhausting than exciting. The pacing is uneven, with episodes dragging on without delivering enough fresh drama or creativity to keep you hooked. Some challenges feel recycled, and the judging can be inconsistent, leaving you questioning the fairness of eliminations. While the cast has talent, the editing often focuses too much on petty arguments rather than showcasing artistry, making it harder to connect with the queens. If you're looking for a show with high-energy competition and satisfying payoffs, there are other seasons-both local and international-that deliver stronger storytelling and entertainment without leaving you feeling underwhelmed.

This is easily one of the best All Stars type seasons to come from any country - possibly even THE best. It's not quite perfect, but it's very close.

So many other comeback seasons (All Stars, VS. The World, etc.) have been sunk by various pitfalls. Most of the US All Stars seasons are undone by a painfully obvious winner, and often worsened by drama that feels contrived. Global All-Stars and the VS. The World seasons are unfairly hard on the queens who speak English as a second language. All of the above are also dragged down by RuPaul, who was perhaps easier to enjoy as a host when there weren't other, better examples around, but who comes off as rather shallow and unapproachable when compared to many of the international hosts and judges. I mean, how often does Ru let another person touch her?

"Drag Race France: All Stars" has scrupulously avoided virtually every mistake that other similar seasons have made. Nicky has already shown herself to be a much warmer and more humble host than RuPaul, but it's lovely to see that in action again as she's so reassuring and sincere in her interactions with the queens. The cast is an intriguing and well-balanced mix of past contestants that doesn't reveal any instant frontrunners or fillers, probably helped by the fact that nearly all of the queens were mid-season eliminations, placing somewhere between 5th and 7th on their original seasons. The judging also feels a lot fairer, with no lingering sense that the producers of the show have already decided on an outcome and have to skew the proceedings to achieve it. Some of the eliminations were pretty heartbreaking for me, but they generally felt like fair choices. Based on the final lip sync, the choice of winner was maybe a little questionable, but it was probably the correct top two and a likeable outcome regardless.

The rest of the judging panel aside from Nicky and Daphne has been improved as well. Former judge Kiddy Smile often came across as a bit aloof, so it's nice to see him replaced by two former guest judges in Shy'm and Loïc Prigent, both of whom are much more engaging while still offering thoughtful critiques

The challenges and runways are excellent - mostly falling back on the classic challenges such as Snatch Game, makeovers, the talent show and a ball, with just a couple of curveballs thrown in there to keep things interesting. There are plenty of memorable and funny performances and some wonderful runway looks showcasing an impressive variety of drag styles, many of which would probably have been dismissed by the US judging panel. Seriously, though, the fashion this season is no joke, and Drag Race France has truly stepped up to rival Drag Race España for the most impressive fashions.

Perhaps most importantly, this season has shown that the Drag Race franchise doesn't need manufactured drama in order to be watchable. The queens are all clearly quite close to each other, and there's very little conflict. The season does adopt the "top queen chooses one of the bottom queens to eliminate" format used by the majority of the US All Stars seasons, but in this case the queens seem to genuinely struggle with the idea of eliminating someone they clearly admire, and nobody is resorting to anything so tedious as discussions on "strategy" that ultimately play out a similar way every time anyway.

Probably the only real issue, and the only thing that really holds this show back from a perfect score, is the subtitling. I'm not sure who at WOW is in charge of this but if they really need to get an actual human to handle the subtitles. I'm assuming that a lot of it is handled by some form of AI, which would explain things like "Moon" appearing in the English subtitles as "Mouine" or "Nicky" appearing as "Maniki". Seriously, how hard is it to get the host's name correct? The lack of subtitles on the musical numbers and lip syncs stings, too, and it shouldn't fall to the French fans to offer translations on Reddit.

That one issue doesn't stop the show from being immensely watchable, though. If you're looking for a good season of Drag Race to sink your teeth into, this is an excellent example of how "All Stars" should be done, as well as a sort of "greatest hits" package of French drag. For added enjoyment, though, go and watch the three original seasons of Drag Race France first; they're all excellent and you'll appreciate the evolution of the queens between then and now, as well as being able to enjoy the many other queens who are worthy of their own All Stars appearance at some point. #JusticeForLulaStrega

EDIT: This review was originally written to cover the first three episodes. It's now been updated to cover the entire first season.

YOU BETTER FRWI WIN RHAT CROWN MAMA WA.

Review: Mami Watta Shines Bright in a Stellar Season of Drag Race France All Stars

From the moment the queens entered the werkroom in Drag Race France All Stars, it was clear this season would be a showcase of polished talent, second chances, and drag evolution at its finest. With returning favorites, fresh rivalries, and high-stakes lip-syncs, the season has offered a thrilling mix of spectacle and substance. But no queen has captured the heart of this reviewer more than Mami Watta, who has emerged as the radiant, complex, and deserving frontrunner of the competition.

Mami Watta, a fan-favorite from Season 2, returned to the All Stars stage with something to prove-and from the first episode, it was clear she wasn't here to play. While her initial run left many wanting more from her in terms of consistency, what she's brought this time around is a powerful blend of confidence, artistry, and a deeply rooted cultural identity that's felt in every step she takes.

The premiere's Talent Show set the tone for her All Stars campaign. While other queens delivered flashy numbers, Mami opted for a comedic lip-sync with a sharp edge, followed by a triumphant win in the lip-sync to "I'm Good (Blue)," where her command of the stage was undeniable. It wasn't just about tricks or flips-it was about presence. Her poise, wit, and unapologetic delivery stood out as much as her outfit choices, which remain a stunning homage to both Afro-futurism and French fashion flair.

What makes Mami Watta's journey especially compelling is how she combines fierce drag aesthetics with vulnerability and intention. She's not afraid to be political, funny, or tender-and often within the same performance. Her confessional moments are refreshingly honest, filled with charm and sincerity that recall the best of reality TV without feeling performative. It's no wonder fans have rallied behind her with fervor, flooding social media with calls to "Crown Mami Watta or we riot."

While competition from other queens like Elips, Piche, and Misty Phoenix is stiff, none seem to consistently balance fashion, emotion, and performance the way Mami does. Her runways have evolved from the more subdued choices of her original season into bold, sculptural statements. From afro-centric haute couture to dramatic silhouettes that evoke myth and modernity, her visual storytelling feels both intentional and fresh.

There's also a strategic intelligence to her game this season. She knows when to hold back and when to strike. Her lip-syncs feel calculated-not in a cold way, but in a way that respects the stage as sacred. Every movement is earned. Every reveal makes sense. She doesn't throw everything out at once-she builds a narrative, and the audience is along for the ride.

Technically, the show continues to shine with strong production design, inventive challenges, and just the right balance of camp and sincerity. But the emotional core this season is undeniably shaped by Mami Watta's arc. Her presence elevates the show beyond just competition-it becomes a story of growth, visibility, and self-love.

In a season packed with talent, Mami Watta stands out not because she's the loudest or flashiest-but because she's the most complete. She's a queen with something to say, a look to serve, and a legacy to build. If this season is about redemption and excellence, then Mami Watta isn't just a contender-she's the story.

Final Verdict: 9.5/10 A compelling, emotional, and electric season of Drag Race France All Stars, made unforgettable by the brilliance of Mami Watta. If there's any justice in the dragverse, the crown belongs to her.