Hello, hello, hello, and welcome to The Week in Drag, our weekly wrap-up of the best in drag!
Last week on RuPaul’s Drag Race, the queens pulled out their best (and, in some cases, not-so-great) celebrity impersonations for the always eagerly awaited Snatch Game.
On the runway, the theme was “Fascinating Fascinators,” and the queens brought some stunning fashions topped with imaginative headpieces. Gottmik again took the win and we had to say goodbye to our Vegas showgirl, Elliott with Two Ts. (If you haven’t already, check out our recap.) As always, the Drag Race family had a lot to say about the challenge and the fashion.
Trixie Mattel, having a houndstooth moment, and Bob the Drag Queen discuss the episode on “The Pit Stop.”
Mayhem Miller, who always brings the party, is back to host another “Extra Lap Recap.”
Raja and Raven “toot” and “boot” the fascinating fashions from the runway on “Fashion Photo Ruview.”
Canada’s Drag Race champion Priyanka (whose Miss Cleo was not a success on her Snatch Game challenge) and Yuhua Hamasaki rate the runway looks on “Bootleg Opinions.”
We haven’t checked in with one of our favorite Drag Race podcasts in a while, but, if you’re going to talk about Snatch Game, why not get the queen who served one of the most iconic performances of all time? Mano Agapion welcomed season two’s Miss Congeniality and Carol Channing impersonator extraordinaire, Pandora Boxx to discuss the season 13 take on the game on the latest episode of “Drag Her.”
As we mentioned, due to her lackluster take on Golden Girl Rue McLanahan and flamingo look that needed a lot of explanation, we had to say goodbye to Elliott. He talks about his experience on the show with Michelle Visage on “What’cha Packin’?”
Throughout her time on the show Elliott served up some beautiful looks and, in this makeup tutorial, she recreates her face from the beaded runway in “Ruvealing the Look.”
Season 12’s fifth eliminated queen, the fabulous Brita Filter, shares an inspirational message to her season 13 counterpart on “Losing is the New Winning.”
Symone’s elegant and powerful fascinator runway look made an important statement and in this video, she elaborates on the outfit while taking us along on a stunning photo shoot.
Gottmik’s Snatch Game transformation into Paris Hilton will go down in the show’s her-story and here, she once again demonstrates her artistry and shows how she became Paris Hilton through the magic of makeup. Along the way, she spills some behind-the-scenes tea about the episode and has a chat with her real-life inspiration.
What happens when Rosé brings her Mary, Queen of Scots from Snatch Game into New York City? Hilarity ensues as Mary attempts to become a modern-day internet celebrity with the help of a choreographer and “female vocal coach” Janice (who looks very familiar) in this hilarious video.
Over on Drag Race UK, the queens shed their wigs and showcased their macho side in the “Masc 4 Masc Singer” mini-challenge. One by one, they sang RuPaul’s iconic “Kitty Girl” in their best butch character and RuPaul announced Ellie Diamond as the winner of the competition. In the maxi-challenge, the queens were tasked with writing and performing their own comedy stand-up routines based on their interpretation of love, dating, relationships, and more.
Each Queen had to perform their gag-worthy set and present a stunning stoned runway look in front of Ru, Michelle, Alan Carr, and guest judge Dawn French. Bimini Bon Boulash brought the jokes and the looks, earning a RuPeter Badge as the challenge winner.
A’Whora and Tayce went head-to-head in this week’s lip-sync battle to “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me” by Dusty Springfield and ultimately A’Whora was asked to sashay away. The queens had lots to say about this one, so let’s get into it.
Bob the Drag Queen and Laila McQueen discuss the challenge and the looks on “Purse First Impressions.”
Jackie Cox is your host for the always delightful “Extra Lap Recap.”
Our reigning UK queen, The Vivienne, joins Raja to toot and boot the glittery beaded and rhinestoned runway looks on “Fashion Photo Ruview.”
Yuhua Hamasaki and reigning Miss Congeniality Heidi N Closet review the “Stoned on the Runway” looks on “Bootleg Opinions.”
The season’s standout fashion queen, A’Whora, talks about her raunchy performance in the comedy challenge and hands out some shady superlatives to her competition on “Drag Race Yearbook.
Famed British DJ (and recent guest on Drag Race UK) Jodie Harsh chats with A’Whora about her experience on the show and tries to get to the bottom of what she said on stage that made the judges gasp.
I just love listening to Lawrence Chaney talk, and her makeup is always on-point. This week, she shows you how to achieve her pink-hued, crystal embedded “Stoned on the Runway” look
Are you excited to meet the queens of Drag Race Down Under? Get to know three of the down under lovelies competing to be the next member of the royal Drag Race family as Anita Wigl’it, Elektra Shock, and Kita Mean talk about the new series on New Zealand’s TVNZ.
I have been meaning to watch The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix and the series has moved up in my queue after getting Trixie and Kayta’s review of the chess-based drama on the latest episode of “I Like to Watch.”
A makeup collab between e.l.f. and Chipotle? Umm…okay. A video with Trixie and Kim Chi with a mukbang? Sure! Watch as these two makeup mavens try out the new eye shadow palette and eat delicious bowls.
This week’s episode of “Sibling Rivalry” finds Bob and Monét talking all things fashion.
Who’s getting the “Beatdown” this week? Willam sets her sights on a pro-mask rap, a music video from Kim Kardashian (you have been warned), and Paula Deen adding a special (and gross) ingredient to her creamed corn.
Last week, Alaska’s “Drag Queen of the Year Pageant Competition Awards Contest Competition” crowned its second-ever winner. In the online event, celebrity judges Nicole Byer, Peppermint, Jiggly Caliente, Vinegar Strokes, Shea Couleé, Willam and 2019 contestant Aurora Sexton named Chicago’s own Tenderoni the winner. Tenderoni is now $10,000 (via PayPal) richer and will proudly wear the 2021 crown and sash throughout the next 363 grueling days & nights until they take it away from her and name a new Queen in 2022.
Speaking of Alaska, she is showcasing her comic chops in a new special. “The Alaska Thunderf**k Extra Special Comedy Special” features some of her greatest musical hits, exciting special guests, and lots of jokes. Join Alaska for a one-night-only engagement filmed in pre-pandemic Hollywood, California.
Alaska says, “Doing a comedy special is highly outside of my comfort zone, as I have always been a queen who delivers strictly glamour at all times. However, I have taken the plunge and finally attempted to be humorous in an exciting and new extra-special comedy special. Please enjoy this foray into the land of setups, punchlines, stingers and zingers, and let us be united for one brief moment, in laughter and love.”
But in a rapidly changing world, does the comedy go too far? Are the jokes too risqué? Is the glamour too glamourous? Find out by watching “Alaska's Extra Special Comedy Special” when it debuts Wednesday, April 15 exclusively on OUTtv USA’sApple TV Channel, Canada’s OUTtv Broadcast and streaming on OUTtvGo and the OUTtv Prime and Apple TV channels. UK and Ireland viewers can catch the special on Froot (froot.tv)
If you love comedy queens like Alaska, head over to The Pandora Boxx’s YouTube channel, where she’s been posting some flashback videos from her pre-Drag Race days. In the latest posted videos, she brings you her now iconic impersonation of stage and screen legend Carol Channing with the fabulous Darienne Lake serving Anna Nicole Smith and Lindsay Lohan realness.
Rock M. Sakura (who we had the pleasure of interviewing this past week) reviews her season 12 sister Gigi Goode’s new makeup collab with Christian Audette.
Laganja Estranja is this week’s guest on “Hey Qween!”
Heidi N Closet digs into pet peeves on the latest episode of “Gap Chat.”
Jaymes Mansfield is back with another celebrity-inspired wig recreation. This time around, she brings us Ariana Grande’s mod flip from her “34 + 35” video.
If you want to feel like you aren’t as big of a drag fan as you think you are (reluctantly raises hand), play along with Jonny McGovern, Lady Red Couture, and this week’s contestants on “Drag Fan.”
I know you are ready for a vacation and have I got one for you! Drag royalty Jackie Beat, Lady Bunny, Varla Jean Merman, and Miss Coco Peru will join forces to headline the “Legends of Drag” Inaugural Cruise with Master of Ceremonies Frank DeCaro.
Lovers of Drag will take over Holland America’s 5-Star luxury liner, The Koningsdam, as they set sail on a 7 Night Mexican Riviera Cruise visiting the ports of Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico from January 9 thru 16, 2022 for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation experience HERE
Each of the 4 drag legends will bring their unique talents to the cruise by headlining their own show. Throughout the cruise, guests will have no shortage of onboard activities including dance parties with guest DJ’s, Piano Bar & Karaoke, pop culture trivia with fabulous prizes and free trips, meet-n-greets, drag panels, book signings, dress up theme nights, and Surprise Guests!
Pricing starts at $1,949.00 for double occupancy. To reserve your cabin please visit http://www.legendsofdragcruise.com/ or dial toll free 855 207-2050. And feel free to invite me along.
And that’s all for this week…well, almost all. I leave you this week with a video that defies description from our favorite out-there queens. If you follow her on social media, this might not be as surprising, but check out Katya’s immersive, 3D video titled “Be Your Own Dentist.” As always, until we meet again, stay safe, stay healthy, wear a mask and say LOVE!
