Hello, hello, hello and welcome to our wrap-up of all things drag. In our latest edition of The Week in Drag, the Down Under queens endured a mini-challenge that transformed he into Baywatch babes and brought their best Bogan prom looks to the runway (basically, Bogan is to Australia as Jersey Shore is to the US and The Only Way is Essex is to the UK).
Our favorite fashion Ru-cappers are here to weigh n on the fun frocks and we’ve also got great content from Trixie and Katya, Jaymes Mansfield and a devilish makeup video from Manila Luzon. There’s so much to see this week, so let’s bring it to the runway!
Raja and Raven “toot” “boot” and even “tooth” the Drag Race Down Under prom runway fashions (and take part in a great debate over fanny pack vs waist bag) on the latest “Fashion Photo Ruview.” Seeing Raven without her front tooth (in honor of this week’s looks) is really something to see, trust me.
Season 2 stunner Sonique (who we really need to see more of) joins Yuhua Hamasaki to discuss the queens’ girl group challenge and (of course) share their thoughts on the prom fashions on “Bootleg Opinions”
Drag Race UK season one’s Sum Ting Wong has a special message for her third eliminated Aussie counterpart on “Losing is the New Winning.”
I don’t know about you, but I was very sad to see the lovely Coco Jumbo sashay away from the Down Under stage. In the latest edition of “Drag Race Yearbook” this lovely Sheila talks about her time on the show, addresses the mysterious letter left in the werk room and doles out the superlatives to her fellow queens.
Drag Race España is on the horizon, and Socialite Life fave Laganja Estranja and Yuhua Hamasaki review the reinas’ promo looks on another episode of “Bootleg Opinions”
Speaking of Drag Race España, the show, which premieres on May 30th on WOW Presents Plus, dropped another sneak peek this week. I am really looking forward to meeting this new batch of queens and I am confident that Supremme de Luxe has got what it takes to fill Ru’s stilettos.
Nina West is joining the biggest names in culture and entertainment including Bebe Rexha, Brothers Osborne, Busy Phillips, Demi Lovato, Gus Kenworthy, Hayley Kiyoko, Jennifer Hudson, JoJo Siwa, Lil Nas X, Marshmello, MJ Rodriguez, P!NK, Ricky Martin, Regard, Troye Sivan, Tate McRae and more for “Can’t Cancel Pride,” a virtual relief benefit for the LGBTQ+ community. The event will stream on iHeartRadio’s TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram TV pages, PrideRadio.com and Revry. It will also be broadcast across iHeartMedia’s radio stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio app on June 5.
“Can’t Cancel Pride” will once again partner with Greater Cincinnati Foundation to administer and distribute financial support raised by the event to LGBTQ+ organizations with a track record of positive impact and support of the LGBTQ+ community including GLAAD, SAGE, The Trevor Project, the National Black Justice Coalition, CenterLink, and OutRight Action International. In 2020, “Can’t Cancel Pride” raised over $4 million to benefit the LGBTQ+ communities most impacted by COVID-19. This year’s event has a goal to raise even more in 2021, as the pandemic continues to have a damaging effect on the fundraising efforts that LGBTQ+ organizations rely on to survive. The event will kick off a month-long Pride celebration throughout June. iHeartMedia radio stations will air spots encouraging listeners to watch the event on demand, share their special Pride moments on social media using the hashtag #CantCancelPride, and support the participating nonprofits by visiting cantcancelpride.com or texting “RAINBOW” to 56512.
Nina is also partnering with retailer Lane Bryant for the second year in a row to help you celebrate Pride in style. The retailer will celebrate positivity, inclusivity, and love with the help of Nina with a six-video series that will drop throughout Pride month. In the videos, Lane Bryant and West will empower everyone to create their lane in their own way, while encouraging all to love out loud and “Say it with Pride.” West will also take part in an IGTV live Q&A, viewable on Lane Bryant’s Instagram channel on National Say Something Nice Day (June 1, 2021, at Noon ET). West will share tips on how she promotes kindness, allyship, and more during Pride and beyond.
“Partnering with Lane Bryant is a big deal,” said West. “I am honored to be working with a brand that allows people like me to feel comfortable, confident, and sexy in their own skin. Standing in your truth and power is what I am all about, and it is what Lane Bryant stands for, too. Together, we have the chance to help share this message of positivity and love with so many.”
Lane Bryant’s 2021 Pride collection offering includes dedicated accessories, LIVI activewear, tees and limited-edition denim apparel in addition to Pride-perfect Cacique Intimates and swimwear. Lane Bryant also will continue their support of GLSEN, a national education organization working to create safe and inclusive K-12 schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, by donating $30K to the organization. The Lane Bryant Pride collection is available in sizes 10-40 on LaneBryant.com now.
One last bit of Nina news, our congenial queen is going to talk love and dating with the hilarious Nicole Byer on a live episode of her podcast “Why Won’t You Date Me?” this Tuesday night. Get your tickets at http://Live.NicoleByerWasTaken.com.
Nina isn’t the only queen helping you celebrate this year’s Pride. Alaska has released a new track, called “ROY G BIV BBT”. The song’s title refers to the colors of the Pride flag and, of the song, Alaska says, “I love colors. I love rainbows. And I love speaking assertively over a pounding techno beat. This is a Pride anthem dedicated to the updated version of the Pride flag which includes Black, Brown, and Trans rainbow stripes. I look forward to a post-quarantine Pride season where we can dance, dance, dance, with our hands above our heads, heads, heads” states Alaska. You can download and stream the song HERE.
Trixie and Katya fans rejoice, as “UNHhhh” is back! (Of course, if you have WOW Presents Plus, you’ve already been enjoying the chaos and comedy for a few weeks already.) On this episode Trixie and Katya talk all about quitting. I can’t quit these two.
If you’re looking for something to stream, Netflix recently debuted the Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Julianne Moore and Jennifer Jason Leigh mystery The Woman in the Window. Trixie and Katya review and react to this star-studded thriller on the latest episode of “I Like to Watch.”
When I saw that Colourpop released a Malibu Barbie collection, I was hoping that Trixie would do a video showing how to create a look with the new lipsticks, lashes, highlighter, and eye shadows and my prayers have been answered. Oh, how I wish I could rock blue eyeshadow as well as she does. Sigh.
The always fashionable Gigi Goode comes “Out of the Closet” and takes us on a tour of her drag room and discusses her looks, her penchant for helmets, her inspirations, the close relationship with her amazing designing Mom, and her fashion aspirations for the future. In addition, she shows us some of her iconic season 12 fashions and shares how she styled some of the incredible wigs for her House of Avalon sister, Symone.
If you want to get to know more about a queen, there’s no one better to dig the dirt than Joseph Shepherd. This week, he puts the multi-talented and beautiful Peppermint in the hot seat for his latest “Exposed” interview.
If you like the FX series Pose, you’ll love the HBO Max series Legendary. Bob the Drag Queen and Monét X Change have been watching and share their thoughts on the series on “Sibling Watchery.” Watch episode one below and make sure to check out episode two and episode three for even more ballroom eleganza.
With the upcoming release of the movie Cruella, Disney asked some Drag Race alums to serve their own Cruella-inspired looks. Here, Manila Luzon creates a beautiful, black-and-white fantasy. She’s just so devilishly stunning.
Gigi Goode also gave us a Cruella makeover. Check out her interpretation, which she describes as a “villainous mod fantasy.”
Nicky Doll shows us what her signature face looks like on her season 12 sister, Jan. With the fierce mug and dark hair, the resulting look is vaguely reminiscent of a popular Drag Race meme.
On her latest “Get Ready with Me” video, the wonderful Rock M Sakura addresses her fans’ first assumptions about her.
Jaymes Mansfield makes over DS from the series “Ring the Belle.” He wants a look that screams, “K-Pop girl group center position.” Is Jaymes up for the challenge? Watch and find out!
Jaymes works her transformative magic on another human hair wig. This time, she turns a full lacefront brunette hairpiece into a 1940s inspired “Rosie the Riveter/glam housekeeper” look.
The Vivienne and Tia Kofi watch the Netflix movie Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga and discuss their memories of the famed song contest on “I Like to Watch.” Side note: if you haven’t seen this movie, you really need to. It’s glorious.
Canada’s reigning queen, Priyanka, reacts to her Snatch Game performance as Miss Cleo (and recreates the look) on “Chaos and Confused.”
That’s all for this week. Before we say goodbye, if you haven’t gotten to check out our interview with Lagoona Bloo, give it a read – and see how she answered the Socialite Seven. We talked at length about her new EP, Aqua and the video for “Hands”. There’s no better way to end this week’s wrap up than with this fabulous song. Enjoy and until next week, stay healthy, stay safe and say LOVE!
