Denali Calls Out Drag Race Bias

RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 10 just had its fiercest off-screen moment yet, and it didn’t even happen in front of the judges. Fan-favorite Denali, known for her high-energy performances and figure-skating finesse, isn’t holding back after a highly contested lipsync loss—and sis, she’s naming names.

The queen, repping Season 13 and now back for her All Stars redemption, lost a lipsync battle to Ginger Minj during a country-themed girl group challenge. But according to Denali, the loss wasn’t just disappointing—it was a symptom of something deeper.

“This is RuPaul’s Drag Race; it is a formatted, biased competition show with a lot of subjective judging,” she said to a packed crowd at Roscoe’s Tavern in Chicago, a staple for Drag Race viewing parties. Her tone was icy but composed, the signature chill of the queen who skated her way into fans’ hearts back in her original season. “At the end of the day, it is literally woven into the fabric of Drag Race for it to favour certain individuals.”

And she didn’t stop there. Denali pointed out how Ginger—who she repeatedly praised as “extremely good at Drag Race”—benefited from challenges that perfectly aligned with her talents. “If all the challenges were geared toward me, I would assume I had an advantage, too,” Denali quipped, noting the comedy and improv-heavy lineup that clearly favored Ginger’s strengths.

That Walk-Off Moment Was Real

Denali also confirmed the fan rumor that she walked off stage at the end of episode 8, rather than joining the others in a post-performance dance party. The moment was conveniently edited out, but sharp-eyed viewers caught a glimpse of her exiting stage left while the music kept playing.

“I was extremely upset. I was really mad and really disappointed,” she confessed, explaining that she needed space. “Immediately, in my mind, I needed a little bit of space, so I walked off stage. I did my processing in about five seconds…”

Still, even in that moment of emotional whiplash, Denali proved she’s a professional. “You’ll see that I’ve done my processing almost immediately, and I go, ‘Ginger, congratulations. You did amazing, that’s awesome,’ because you have to manage your emotions on TV.”

And then came the mic drop: “And I know I ate that lipsync.” Period.

Why This Moment Matters

Beyond the glitz, the shade, and the drama, Denali’s comments highlight a long-standing conversation in the drag community about fairness and favoritism on reality TV. For LGBTQ audiences—especially queer artists and performers—her words resonate.

Drag Race, while a cultural juggernaut that has brought drag into the mainstream, has also faced criticism for its opaque judging and selective storytelling. Denali’s blunt honesty brings that issue into sharp focus, serving as a reminder that representation without transparency can feel hollow.

In a time when LGBTQ performers are still fighting for equal visibility and fair treatment, even in queer spaces, Denali’s refusal to stay silent matters. Her voice—alongside countless others calling out systemic bias—pushes for a Drag Race that’s not just fabulous, but also fair.

And let’s face it: she did eat that lipsync.