The Week in Drag – The Rusical was a triumph, Tennessee’s anti-drag laws, RPDR comedy challenge recaps and more
Hello, hello, hello! Welcome once again to our weekly wrap-up of all things drag! This week the queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 15 gave us the razzle-dazzle and showcased their talents in the eagerly awaited Rusical episode.
We also have recaps and reviews of last week’s comedy challenge and distressed fashions and we check in with the eliminated queen. And as always, we have videos and updates from some of your favorite Drag Racers. There’s lots to get to, so let’s bring it to the runway!
On this week’s episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race, our remaining six queens take to the stage for the Rusical challenge. As the episode opens, Salina expresses concern that she’s had no wins while Anetra is riding high as a result of last week’s epic lip sync. Salina states she’s entering her “angelic era” while Mistress proclaims she’s now in her “chaotic era.” Sasha, who placed in the bottom for the first (and probably last) time says that anyone can fall (except we know she probably will be in the top 4.)
Ru enters the werk room and announces that we’re going back to the 80s with this week’s maxi challenge. The queens are singing lip-syncing and dancing up a storm in “Wigloose: The Rusical”. The dolls are responsible for the casting, and in true Drag Race fashion, there’s a fierce debate over who takes the lead role between (you probably guessed it) Loosey and Luxx. The former is accused of not being real and just admitting that she wants the role of “Heaven Bacon” because it’s the lead. In the end, Luxx relents and lets Loosey take the part.
Mama Ru checks in after the casting is complete and tells Sasha he was surprised that she picked the goofy and unexpected character of Carl, the husband of Mistress’ villainous Teacher Preacher. He also has a heart-to-heart with Anetra, who chose the role of Mama Bacon. Anetra told Ru that drag saved her life after her Olympic dreams were shattered. Loosey confides in Salina that she’s still upset that Luxx and Mistress perceive her as fake and says she feels like she’s in high school all over again.
The queens work on their choreography with Miguel Zarate. Loosey comes in confident, saying she can pick up steps quickly while Anetra, who can freestyle like no one else, has a hard time with the choreo. Salina is surprised her character has to learn some country moves and Mistress, who admitted she’s not a dancer, understandably struggles.
After a werk room discussion about the recent developments affecting the drag and LGBTQ+ communities*, the queens take to the stage for “Wigloose”. This is definitely the challenge we have been waiting for, with everyone bringing their all to their roles. Mistress made an amazing villain and Anetra nailed her 11 o’clock number. Sasha, Salina and Loosey also put the “T” in “talent” with their performances. I’m glad I don’t have to judge this one (side note: guest judge Orville Peck is hot…and has an incredibly sexy voice.)
The runway theme this week is “Everybody Say Glove.” Loosey pays homage to the Creature from the Black Lagoon in a 1950s inspired green latex swimsuit. Anetra serves rave realness with lasers coming from her gloves. Mistress is a sight to behold in a gorgeous yellow gown with enormous puffed sleeves. Luxx uses casts for gloves and works her bondage pants and platform shoes. Salina dons ridiculously large red latex gloves and a chaotic bodysuit and Sasha hits a homerun in an outfit made from baseball gloves.
We have come to the part of the season where Ru asks the queens who they think should go home. Loosey and Anetra both select Salina based on her track record. Mistress says Sasha, because she views her as her biggest competition. Luxx gives a lengthy dissertation and ultimately selects Loosey because she feels her drag isn’t unique enough. Salina also picks Loosey and Sasha picks Luxx and Looseey because of their winning track records.
In the end, Anetra is declared this week’s winner and Salina takes on Loosey in this week’s lip sync to Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill.” Sadly, we have to say adios to Salina, who put up quite a fight. Next week, the makeover challenge!
*In response to these threats and censorship against drag performers, World of Wonder created the first-ever Drag Defense Fund with a donation from MTV and RuPaul’s Drag Race. The newly created fund supports the ACLU’s work to defend and ensure LGBTQ+ rights.
Bianca Del Rio, who knows a thing or two about comedy, discusses last week’s comedy challenge with the stunning Plastique Tiara on “The Pit Stop”
Bob and Monét take a look back at the comedy (and drama) from the episode on “Sibling Watchery.”
Raja and Raven, serving some fierce 80s hair, toot and boot the distressed runway looks on “Fashion Photo Ruview.”
Milk (who we need more of in our lives) talks all things fashion with Yuhua Hamasaki on “Bootleg Opinions.”
Marcia Marcia Marcia, who would have engaged in a battle royale with Loosey over the lead role in the Rusical, sits down and chats with Michelle Visage about her experience on the show on “Whatcha Packin’?”
Last week’s lip sync between Marcia and Anetra should really have resulted in a double shantay. DeJa Skye takes an in-depth look at this epic performance on “DeJa-Nalysis.”
Rock M Sakura and Cash Monet also weigh in on the comedy challenge and runway looks.
The enchanting Jinkx Monsoon talks Tennessee’s anti-drag laws, her Broadway triumph in Chicago, and her upcoming tour (and nearly slides out of her chair) with ABC News.
I am so far behind in watching the Netflix series You. Fortunately, Trixie and Katya are here to get me up to speed as they react to season four of the thrilling show.
Let’s tan with Trixie! Summer is not too far away, so why not achieve a golden glow? Watch as Trixie serves Malibu Barbie realness with self-tanner and her Trixie Cosmetic bronzers (which are awesome, by the way.)
The Queerties were handed out earlier this month in a ceremony hosted by Bianca Del Rio. Jinkx Monsoon won the “Badass” award and season 14 queens Jasmine Kennedie, Willow Pill, Kornbread and Bosco received the “Closet Door Bustdown” prize. Raja and Alaska were named “Drag Royalty”, Kornbread won “Future All-Star” and Bob and Monét’s “Sibling Rivalry” was named Best Podcast. “Drag: The Musical”, Trixie Motel and Access All Areas: The AAA Girls Tour were also big winners. Watch the full ceremony right now.
I live in Atlanta and have the privilege of seeing Nicole Paige Brooks quite often. For those of you not so lucky, get reunited with this season two queen as she chats with the fabulous Delta Work on the latest “Very Delta”.
I can’t believe the first (and hopefully not last) season of Joseph Shepherd’s Sissy That Talk is already over. Watch as Joseph chats with his MOM boss, Alaska, on the season finale.
It’s a double dose of Joseph as he chats with the electric Acid Betty in the latest in his “Exposed” interview series.
The hilarious Matteo Lane joins Bob and Monét for a hair-raising discussion about toupees, transplants and more on “Sibling Rivalry.”
Jaymes Mansfield found a $38 “drag queen” wig on Amazon and worked her magic on it.
Jaymes pays tribute to Zsa Zsa and Eva Gabor on “Iconic Blondes”
And…on “Iconic Brunettes”, Jaymes salutes Maria Felix, also known as “Mexico’s Elizabeth Taylor.”
Drag Race UK’s Veronica Green has launched her own Patreon channel with gaming content and a drag tutorial series called “Sew, You Want To Be A Drag Queen?”
Catch up with the always in motion Laganja Estranja in her latest video update.
Maddie Morphosis chats with her season 14 sister June Jambalaya on the latest “Give it to Me Straight.”
That’s all for this week. Until next week and more from the world of Drag Race, remember to stay healthy, stay safe, support the queens and say LOVE!
