Ariel: I thought it was interesting that she got almost no screen time. I've been a huge fan of hers since the beginning, and was honestly hoping she'd make Top 3. She has a clear aesthetic and point of view, and I find her specialized nature more compelling than the producers do, apparently.

Chad: I adore her approach to fashion, to her conceptualizing of the runway challenges. But I wonder about her strategy on the show. It seemed like her character only served to distance the other queens from her, as well as a lot of fans. There are times when she comes across as eloquent and lovely (like when she was recounting boosting Jaidynn's morale) and then others when she seems like an awkward teenager who's over-compensating for something. Which could probably be summed up as... being a young artist.

Ariel: Yeah, that's my take, too. She's kind-hearted but ultimately kind of weird. I have known so many Maxes in my day. Sometimes I'm a Max myself. I think in a parallel universe she could have been given a whole arc about learning to interact with the other queens even though they initially found her tough to deal with. Like, she could have been a less villainous Violet if the editors felt like it.

Chad: Right. If you had been on a reality TV show at 21, 22, whatever age Max is, what would YOU have done?

Ariel: Oof, I shudder to think. I already spend too much time anticipating the many ways I would spectacularly fuck up if I were on the show NOW.

Chad: So, you'd be a Katya?

Ariel: I'd never make it that far.

Chad: I do have to say that my very most favoritest moment of the whole night was Katya talking with Ru. That was RIDICULOUS!

Ariel: Katya brings me infinite amounts of joy. I wish I understood what was going on in her brain. It literally does not matter what question you ask her, she will just respond with hilarious nonsense. It's like if Miss Fame were possessed by Robin Williams.

Chad: Hearing Katya so crudely and creatively and candidly describe her feelings about Ru? Sheer gold.

Ariel: And Ru is equipped to roll with the joke, which is why she is the supreme leader.

Chad: Granted, Katya wants everyone and everything to pee on her. Still.

Ariel: Hey, everyone has a wheelhouse. Dumpster comedy works for Katya.