"Grand Finale" is the fourteenth and final episode of thetwelfth season of the American television seriesRuPaul's Drag Race.[1][2][3][4] It was filmed virtually becaused of theCOVID-19 pandemic and originally aired on May 29, 2020. The episode tasks the final three contestants with performing lip-syncs to songs of their choice. There are also guest appearances by former contestantsNina West andYvie Oddly, as well as American singer-songwriterDolly Parton. After a final lip-sync betweenCrystal Methyd,Gigi Goode, andJaida Essence Hall, the latter is crowned the season's winner.
For the first time a virtual finale is held from remote locations across the country due to theimpact of the COVI-19 pandemic.[5][6] For the first lip-sync contest, the contestants all perform to "Bring Back My Girls" byRuPaul, with only their faces showing. The final three contestants then lip-sync alone to a song of their choice.Crystal Methyd lip-syncs to "I'm Like a Bird" (2000) byNelly Furtado,Gigi Goode lip-syncs to "Take On Me" (1984) byA-ha, andJaida Essence Hall lip-syncs to "Get Up" (2006) byCiara featuringChamillionaire.[7][8] It is announced thatHeidi N Closet is this season's Miss Congeniality. For the final lip-sync contest, Crystal Methyd, Gigi Goode, and Jaida Essence Hall perform to "Survivor" (2001) byDestiny's Child.[9] It is announced that Jaida Essence Hall is the winner, making Crystal Methyd and Gigi Goode the runners-up.[10][11][12]
Crystal Methyd portrays both a mother bird and a baby bird during "I'm Like a Bird".[15][16] In 2021, Miles Griffis of the Americananimal welfare organizationAudobon said the bird species in the video was "not positively identified".[17] Jaida Essence Hall had the "most traditional" performance of the three finalists, according toNylon, which said she delivered a "sexy, fishy rendition" of "Get Up" that used her couch and floor, and highlighted her face and hair.[18]
Kate Kulzick ofThe A.V. Club gave the episode a rating of 'A-'.[20] Paul McCallion ofVulture rated the episode five out of five stars.[21] Kevin O'Keeffe ofXtra Magazine said "staging their own digital drag shows made for one of the best finale challenges we've ever seen".[22] Daniel Reynolds ofThe Advocate called the "I'm Like a Bird" performance "unforgettable".[23] Sam Damshenas ofGay Times said Crystal Methyd "served one of the most batshit crazy performances in the show’s history; reenacting the life cycle of a bird and regurgitating in her mouth".[24][25]
