I definitely think Katya was a big contender for the crown and the Katya/Ginger/Violet Top 3 would have been not only one of the strongest but the closest we would have ever had. The problem I had with Violet winning was the fact that she was so SAFE/LOW throughout the season except at the very beginning and end. That's why I was Team Ginger, she was in the BTTM2 twice but she was always putting herself out there for mostly the good reasons!

Katya and Kennedy had amazing track records and I think Katya's popularity would have helped her but I don't know if she would have won, I don't think producers and Ru care about the HIGH/LOW that much, every winner had the most wins so far. While Kim and Nina had the most fan support and the best track record mathematically, they didn't win because Bob and Bebe won more challenges.

I think it was better for Katya not to win, being a fan favorite is a huge blessing and that way she can slay in AS2. Winning a season puts the queens in a different situation than the runner-ups for example, it really is something else I think. Katya has benefited from not winning, I mean, when a queen is loved but didn't win, people are gonna talk about it and it's amazing for their careers. Raven wouldn't be that popular if it wasn't for the fact that she lost to Tyra and people were mad about it (FPR helps as well).