The challenge on Friday’s episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race may have been inspired by Freaky Friday, but with all the buses that the queens are throwing at each other, it feels more like we’re watching Mean girls.
But first … The eight remaining contestants sat down for a group session with Char Margolis, easily my favorite reality TV medium since Allison DuBois on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. And what did she do, you ask? Why, only the most! In a single session, this woman made peace between Tina Burner and her late father, brought Utica Queen into contact with her granddaughter (Clara says ‘Moo!’ By the way) and even exposed Rosé and Denali while crushing each other’s study.
Per Char’s intuition about which queens can learn the most from each other, Ru put together some unexpected pairs for the season 13 makeover challenge. ‘
UTICA QUEEN & SYMOON | We can just as well start with the best, right? Believe me, I was just as surprised as you to see Utica turn into an “ivory magician” on the runway, especially after she told Symone that it was based on the 1987 film BAPS “Maybe too inappropriate.” Fortunately, Utica has learned an important lesson about appropriation versus appreciation (“Do not worry about the skin, worry about what is inside!”), While shaking the main stage and making her partner proud. It was also a journey to see how Symone fully embraced her inner Utica and was an “uncomfortable” and “not sexual” movement, yet fun – and that Utica is not in a nutshell. The word ‘brilliant’ was mentioned during Symone’s critique, and I do not agree. Well done, ladies!
GOTTMIK & KANDY MUSE | Kandy made it clear in a confession as well as on the main stage that she and Gottmik had the most work to do because they prevented many different body shapes from buying each other’s shelves just like the other couples. Therefore, Kandy became particularly incensed when Denali noticed that Gottmik looked more like Tina than Kandy. (In addition to confirming that Tina does not possess the colors red and yellow, Kandy added, “You never see Tina Burner come down like a ho on the track, and look flawless!” Oh, ouch?) With all that said, the judges were impressed by the transformations of both partners, especially the unmistakable Gottmik brand in Kandy. (Side note: Was there always so much talk during the runways? Some of the girls did service dialogue during their hikes.)
TINA & ROSE | These New York queens, who did not know each other very well before filming this season, provided a perfect service. Rosé nailed Tina’s mannerisms, even though her exaggerated movements made her look like she was in the lead role Tina Burner: The Musical, and Tina … you know … learned to embrace the color pink. The judges were not too impressed by this duo, but the bottom two were clearly of the leap.
DENALI & OLIVIA LUX | With that long ponytail and light blue tulle, I actually thought Olivia was a dead diaper for Denali. Unfortunately, the reverse was not true either. As Michelle Visage put it, Denali could have been ‘anyone’ on the runway. Where was the big hair? Where was the bubbling personality? As Denali would say in her confession: ‘I’m in the bottom for mistakes my partner has made. It’s struggling. ‘I swear, if there were more bus throws this week, we would have to install a traffic light in the study.
As if the episode wasn’t shady enough, Ru asks the queens which of their rivals to send home this week. Rosé, Tina, Symone, Utica and Gottmik all chose Olivia, while Kandy chose to target both Olivia and Denali because of the above comments about Gottmik’s appearance. (Hell did not despise anger like a dragon queen!) As for Olivia, she was the only one who singled out Utica, who she said was ‘based on the whole competition’.
But the lipstick writing was already on the wall. After Olivia and Denali were announced as the bottom two this week, they have the centerpiece of a ridiculous performance of Mary Mary’s “Shackles (Praise You).” I ridiculously do not mention it for the actual performances, but because of the song choice, which even Symone referred to as ‘some comedy about gold’. (As someone who once watched this song in a church in my younger days, I have to agree.)
Despite her reputation as a lip killer, Denali did not contribute much to this fight, mostly because her Olivia outfit was not exactly built for kicks. She could do more as soon as she pulled up her dress, but Olivia already had it in her pocket. And just like that, Denali was sent to skate.
What is your opinion on this week’s challenge? Elimination? Group psychiatric therapy lesson? Then vote for the queen you would pack below leave a comment with more of your thoughts.