For the finale of Drag Race Thailand, each finalist had to direct and produce a stage show, choosing the song, the looks, the choreo, the set, and the visuals, which allowed them to truly showcase the entire range of their talent and their unique voices and style.

We got so much closer to this during the Season 12 finale and it was so much better to see the type of art that these drag performers could create outside the confines of a scripted reality show. But it wasn’t an intentional shift because here we are right back to the old format.

I don’t feel that lip sync battles reveal anyone’s talent or potential. I don’t think ~reveals~ are always additive to a performance. I don’t even really think they’re achieving the goal of being entertaining at this point.

I think back to all of the incredible digital drag that was born out of necessity during the pandemic and think of how much of a disservice it would be to take those performances and say actually you’re just gonna be lip syncing to a surprise song you aren’t passionate about