The hashtag documenting the Season 9 controversy when contestant Valentina refused to remove her rhinestone mask during a lip sync, aired May 12, 2017. The moment became infamous when RuPaul directly ordered “I’d like you to take that thing off of your face,” revealing Valentina didn’t know the lyrics to Ariana Grande’s “Greedy.”
The Mask Malfunction
James Andrew Leyva’s drag persona Valentina entered Season 9 as a rising star who had only been doing drag for 10 months. Her vintage Hollywood glamour aesthetic and telenovela charm made her a fan favorite and challenge winner. When she landed in the bottom two against Nina Bo’nina Brown, Valentina chose to wear an elaborate rhinestone face mask as part of her performance outfit.
Midway through the lip sync, it became obvious Valentina was struggling. RuPaul stopped the music—a rare intervention—and demanded she remove the mask. Underneath, Valentina’s mouth barely moved; she clearly didn’t know the words. The reveal was devastating: she had hidden behind the mask rather than admitting unpreparedness. Nina demolished her in the remaining performance, and Valentina was eliminated to gasps from other contestants.
”I’d Like To Keep It On Please”
Valentina’s polite resistance—“I’d like to keep it on please”—before RuPaul’s firm command became an instant meme. The moment spawned countless parodies, with “take that thing off of your face” entering Drag Race lexicon as a phrase for exposure and accountability. Fans debated whether Valentina intentionally tried to hide her lack of preparation or genuinely thought the mask elevated the performance.
The elimination shocked viewers who expected Valentina to reach the finale. Her graceful exit—blowing a kiss while saying “I love you all”—only heightened her legend. She returned for All Stars 4 (2018), where she made the finals. The MaskGate moment remains one of Drag Race’s most dramatic reveals, teaching contestants that no amount of charisma can substitute for preparation. It also cemented the importance of knowing every word to lip sync songs—a lesson reinforced by multiple subsequent eliminations.
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