Winning Drag Race isn't just about having the best gowns or the sharpest wit. It's about stamina. By the time the finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 9 rolled around in late 2024, the air was thick with expectation, and frankly, a bit of exhaustion. We’d sat through weeks of a "non-elimination" format—a controversial twist that meant every queen stayed until the very end. But when the glitter settled, Angeria Paris VanMicheals stood as the definitive winner of RuPaul All Stars 9.
She didn't just win; she conquered a room full of heavy hitters like Roxxxy Andrews and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo. It was a victory for the "southern belle from ATL" that felt like a long time coming after her near-miss in Season 14.
How Angeria Paris VanMicheals Became the Winner of RuPaul All Stars
The road to the Hall of Fame was different this time. Since nobody was going home, the competition relied on "Beautiful Benefactress Badges." You'd think a season where no one gets "the boot" would be less stressful, but the psychological warfare of the "Ruby Snippers"—where queens could block each other from earning badges—was arguably more cutthroat.
Angeria was the most blocked queen of the season. Let that sink in. Her sisters saw her as such a massive threat that they snipped her three times. Most people would crumble under that kind of target on their back. Instead, Angeria kept her "Check!" energy high. She managed to rack up six badges by the end, largely thanks to her "Park and Bark" variety show performance that left the judges howling.
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Her win wasn't just a personal milestone. Because this was a charity season, her victory secured a massive $200,000 donation for the National Black Justice Coalition. That's a life-changing amount of money for an organization fighting for Black LGBTQ+ rights.
The Hall of Fame: A Legacy of Winners
When Angeria was crowned, she joined an elite roster. To understand the gravity of being the winner of RuPaul All Stars, you have to look at who she’s sharing that wall with. The Hall of Fame isn't just a list; it’s a timeline of how drag has evolved from a niche subculture to a global powerhouse.
- Chad Michaels (AS1): The professional. She literally "wanted it more" and proved that age is just a number in drag.
- Alaska (AS2): The strategist. Her run was so dominant it almost felt unfair.
- Trixie Mattel (AS3): The mogul. Despite a rocky start, she snatched the crown in a jury twist that still keeps fans arguing on Reddit.
- Monét X Change & Trinity The Tuck (AS4): The historic tie. The first and only time RuPaul couldn't—or wouldn't—choose just one.
- Shea Couleé (AS5): The redemption. After the "rose petal" incident of Season 9, this win felt like destiny.
- Kylie Sonique Love (AS6): The trailblazer. The first trans winner of an American season, proving that talent knows no gender.
- Jinkx Monsoon (AS7): The "Queen of All Queens." She won the only all-winners season, cementing her status as perhaps the greatest to ever do it.
- Jimbo (AS8): The clown. She brought a bizarre, high-fashion absurdity that the Hall of Fame was sorely missing.
What Most People Missed About the All Stars 9 Finale
The finale was weirdly political, and I don’t just mean the "Ruby Snippers" drama. Having Vice President Kamala Harris pop up in the Werk Room was a "gag" in every sense of the word. It signaled that Drag Race has moved far beyond a reality show; it’s now a platform for national mobilization.
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But back to the stage. The final lip-sync to Janet Jackson’s "Rhythm Nation" was a three-way battle between Angeria, Roxxxy, and Vanjie. Roxxxy is a legendary lip-sync assassin. Vanjie is pure charisma. Yet, Angeria stayed focused. She didn't try to out-stunt them with flips she couldn't land. She gave face, she gave precision, and she gave a level of polished professionalism that RuPaul clearly found undeniable.
The Controversies of the "Charity" Format
Honestly, not everyone loved this season. The lack of eliminations meant some episodes felt like they lacked "stakes." Without the fear of going home, some fans felt the "fire" was missing. However, the expert takeaway is that this format allowed queens like Plastique Tiara and Gottmik to showcase an incredible wardrobe that would have cost tens of thousands of dollars—outfits we might have never seen if they’d been eliminated in episode three.
Angeria’s win is nuanced because she wasn't just the "best" in a vacuum. She was the best at navigating a new, kinder, yet somehow more frustrating version of the game. She survived the snips, she won the talent show, and she maintained her "southern belle" kindness even when her sisters were literally blocking her path to the crown.
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What Happens Now?
If you're a fan of the franchise, the crowning of a new winner of RuPaul All Stars is just the beginning of the cycle. Usually, the winner goes on a global tour, lands a few major brand deals, and becomes a permanent fixture at DragCon. For Angeria, her goal is Hollywood. She’s been vocal about wanting to do more television and movies, following in the footsteps of queens like Shangela and Trixie Mattel.
If you're looking to keep up with the ever-expanding Drag Race universe, here’s how to stay ahead:
- Watch the International All Stars: If you think the US version is wild, Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs. The World or UK vs. The World offers a completely different vibe with even more ruthless eliminations.
- Track the "Hall of Fame" stats: Fans often use "Dusta" (Drag Universe Statistics) to compare winners. Angeria currently holds a high ranking for "survival" given how many times she was blocked.
- Support the Charities: Since All Stars 9 was for a cause, many fans have started donating small amounts to the National Black Justice Coalition or the ASPCA in honor of their favorite queens.
The crown is heavy, but Angeria seems more than ready to carry it. She proved that you can be the "nice girl" and the "winner" at the same time—provided you've got the talent to back up the smile.