Before the start of every Drag Race series I watch each of the 'Meet the Queens' videos and choose my instant favourites. Sometimes my picks do well and sometimes I get them horribly wrong. In S8 my pick was Thorgy Thor (good choice), in S9 it was Charlie Hides (how was I to know?), in S10 it was Monet X Change (she did me proud), and in S11 it was Shuga Cain. Although these picks are based merely on first impressions, I always stand by them and defend them even when things go horribly wrong (hey Charlie). I’ve also stood by Shuga, waiting to see if my early faith in her would pay off. Seven episodes came and went and I was still waiting.

Shuga for the Orange Runway

I am not sure that it’s Shuga fault. No where else In the history of Drag Race has any queen gotten such little air time. The closest example I can think of is Kandy Ho, who in S7 was almost invisible, but at least we got to see her lipsync a few times, and do it damn well too. With Shuga you have squint hard and really bloody concentrate to know that she’s there at all. But when you do examine her, you see that she’s been doing a solid job. Remember her Trump-themed orange runway look? Genius! So why haven't we been seeing her? Did she piss off a producer? Does Ru just not like her for some reason?

When this years long-awaited Snatch Game episode aired, Shuga was as usual invisible, at least for the first half of the episode. The at last, after eight episodes, once the Snatch Game began we finally saw the emergence of Shuga Cain. As a performance, her Charo was the best full transformation of anyone up there (the winner Silky was really just being Silky, and so was the other top Nina West), and her runway was absolutely the most stunning (I’m so glad Ru singled her out for a bit of direct praise). Perhaps the problem though, what kept her from winning the challenge, was that it was all a bit too studied, too perfect,and not quite enough fun. Shuga could do with loosening up a bit, with being a little less corporate, to succeed. I’m absolutely sure she can do it, but someone needs to tell her first. I'm not sure that's going to happen.

Shuga's Snatch Game episode runway look

I hope this week's Snatch Game episode performance will be the start of a spotlight for Shuga, but I’m afraid the producers will send her back to the background. And maybe straight out the door. S11 has been one of the most predictable (boring) seasons ever and everyone is talking about an end to Drag Race looming. The best thing the show can do is to go back to its roots when the programme was a competition more than just a reality TV show. We’d definitely be seeing more of Shuga if the focus was on talent and versatility. But instead the show just wants to focus on fighting and fucking (that's Yvie and Silky, and Vanjie and Brooke, respectively). Are they our top 4?

So come on Shuga, start shouting at everyone, get your claws out, have a torrid and camera-ready tryst, tell your sob story and get Ru to call her your new mommy. Then perhaps you can last another week. Or at least take that All Stars slot from Ra'jah O'Hara. Or just do you. We'll see you down the club and forget all about this god-damn TV show.

Liam Campbell is editor and chief photographer of Elska Magazine, a publication devoted to travelling around the world, meeting loads of local gay dudes, and introducing them and their cities to readers through honest photography and personal stories. If an NYC issue is ever made, there's an open invitation to Shuga to take part.