RuPaul’s Drag Race Recap: Sew Over It

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It appears that for the second consecutive year, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” is delving back into its original roots. In the past, especially during the show’s iconic third season with two balls, they had numerous design challenges. However, in more recent seasons, this has been scaled down to just one sewing challenge and one ball, as seen in season 13. Last season, the girls faced three distinct sewing challenges – a single ball, a peculiar “branding” based challenge where they needed to create a doll outfit, and a challenge inspired by goths. It was thought that this was due to the exceptional sewing skills of the contestants in season 16, particularly Nymphia, Dawn, and Q. However, it now seems that this is a direction that “Drag Race” is choosing to pursue moving forward.

In essence, I’m in favor of incorporating advanced sewing tasks into the competition. This ensures that participants can’t simply buy their way to success by hiring designers or learning one pattern. Instead, it allows us to evaluate the girls based on both their design skills and personal taste. Previous instances of these challenges have demonstrated their ability to act as a “weed-out” factor (eliminator), while this week’s challenge showcased its potential for storytelling, highlighting the top performers.

Last year during the Goth Challenge, I was thrilled to see Q emerge victorious, with Nymphia and Dawn following closely behind as runners-up. However, the unexpected elimination of Plasma left many of us stunned, given her previous successes. Looking back, it seems that her departure was a shrewd move by the show, as there was still an abundance of top-tier talent to carry us through the finale. It’s fascinating to consider that a powerhouse like Plasma, who could afford to create extravagant looks thanks to her resources, might not have been in danger had it not been for the sewing challenge. In hindsight, this contest served as an effective tool to remove someone who, under normal circumstances, would have been safe from elimination.

In this current season of Drag Race, it seems that the top five contestants – Onya, Jewels, Suzie, Sam, and Lexi – are already solidified. There’s a significant gap between their proficiency in Drag Race and that of the other competitors. Consequently, the sewing challenge this week doesn’t serve as an exciting eliminator but rather acts as a means to encourage those who haven’t yet reached the top to excel. This week, Jewels and Lexi earned their first top placements for design, contrasting last year where Nymphia, Dawn, and Q were widely recognized as the queens with exceptional design skills, but whose abilities didn’t seem to evolve much further. By consistently presenting challenging design tasks to the contestants, the show provides Jewels and Lexi an opportunity to develop a smaller narrative arc by tracking their performance in similar challenges throughout the season.

As a die-hard fan, I’ve always felt that Jewels and Lexi have been shining stars in this season. They’ve consistently impressed me, but somehow, they haven’t received as much recognition from the judges compared to Suzie, Onya, and Sam. However, with none of my favorites making it to the top this week while everyone’s raving about Jewels and Lexi’s performances, it seems like we’ve reached a turning point in the competition. It feels like they’re really picking up speed and heading towards the finish line!

As a devoted fan of drag, I firmly believe that Jewels has earned her spot as a strong contender for the season’s crown. Her performances in Snatch Game, the Rusical, and her recent victory in the sewing challenge set her apart from the rest. She possesses a unique blend of talent and charm that’s been missing in the Werk Room for quite some time now.

Remind you of some past champions like Luxx, Aquaria, or Adore? If not Jewels, then who else this season can claim such versatility? With her consistent performances and charisma, she’s truly a Drag Prodigy.

If they don’t give it to Onya, I’m throwing my support behind Jewels. She’s got my vote!

This week’s episode begins with the reading challenge following a short tribute to Acacia. Over the years, the reading challenge seems to have lost its appeal for me compared to other segments like Snatch Game. I believe that most of the reads are pre-prepared and the queens’ names are simply inserted, and it’s possible that many queens save their best jokes for potential roasts, such as next week’s episode. In my opinion, Jewels might have won this challenge because her jokes were so specific they must have been thought up on set. To be clear, her jokes aren’t particularly amusing, but neither are anyone else’s. Additionally, she delivers a witty comeback to Arrietty, which stands out. The best individual joke was Lexi’s read directed at Kori: “When Marsha P. Johnson threw you, how bad did it hurt?” Despite Suzie winning, I refuse to be convinced that her performance was funny. It was not amusing in the slightest; it was actually unfunny. I did not laugh, giggle, or even snort. Poorly executed!

The design challenge requires contestants to create outfits inspired by three different collections by Betsey Johnson: Punk Grunge Flapper, Prom, and Prenup. First up is Suzie, who selects Punk Grunge Flapper without surprising anyone. Following Suzie, Lydia chooses Lexi instead of her showmance partner Kori for the next category pick. This episode seems to have a focus on couples, but it appears that Kori might be more invested in the relationship storyline compared to Lydia. It’s unclear whether Lydia overlooked her connection with Kori or if she realized they may face each other during lip sync battles at some point.

Regarding this particular task, I find myself appreciating it quite a bit. Similar to the Goth challenge, it’s distinct from challenges like Monopoly earlier in the season not due to the difficulty of materials, but because it necessitates a true design aptitude. It’s one thing to be proficient in sewing, but it’s an entirely different skill set to tackle a design-oriented challenge. This task demands both the necessary skills and the aesthetic discernment to reinterpret another designer’s work through your unique perspective (which could potentially explain why Sam Star didn’t secure a top position in this one…).

Betsey joins RuPaul during the walk-throughs, demonstrating kindness and elegance, although she doesn’t offer much in terms of practical guidance. RuPaul makes it plain to Kori that she needs something other than a cocktail dress to present. Kori listens and subsequently reverts to what she’s accustomed to. At this stage, it seems fitting that Kori, who has limited drag abilities, is eliminated due to her lack of versatility in the competition. While she managed to charade her way through challenges like Snatch Game, it was long overdue for a queen with such limitations to leave the competition.

This week in the Workroom, there’s been less drama than usual for this season’s sewing competitions. However, Lexi had a small emotional breakdown that Sam managed to guide her through. I find their friendship fascinating – it’s allowed both girls to reveal more about themselves, but particularly Sam. It’s obvious where Sam gets her drive from her mother. She’s fiercely competitive and seems determined to outdo others who are giving their best effort. Yet, her bond with Lexi appears genuine. They’re two individuals who seem to have each other’s support. It’s endearing.

Jewel faces some challenges while sewing, as she lacks sufficient fur of one type to achieve her desired result, ultimately resorting to the daring choice of blending them. On the other hand, Arrietty simply enjoys a pleasant greeting. It’s gracious of them to let that girl pass unbothered for another week, considering she has been struggling with these issues for weeks now (she should be returning home next week).

But let’s get to the runways, since that what we all came here to chat about.

As a seasoned movie critic, I must say that Punk Grunge Flappers’ opening act, Jewels, left me utterly impressed and intrigued. The fusion of punk, grunge, and flapper elements in her ensemble was not only visually striking but also uniquely her own. Her makeup, a departure from her usual style, added an alluring edge to her overall look on the runway.

This week, Jewels dared to deviate from the judges’ expectations, opting out of the prom theme. This audacious move proved to be a wise decision, as it allowed her collection to truly shine and resonate with the audience. The night’s highest praise came from Betsey, who expressed that when Jewels closed her eyes, this was the collection she envisioned. A compliment like that is hard to top, and I wholeheartedly agree – kudos to Jewels for her bold and successful effort!

Next up is her turn, and it’s undeniably her unique style. I’d recognize it in a crowd. However, unfortunately, it’s also quite unflattering and ill-fitting. I suspect she might find herself in the bottom two this week due to the Kori connection, but she does have some personal aesthetic challenges. She has a clear creative vision, which is a significant advantage, though hers seems to be still developing or perhaps she lacks the necessary skills to bring it to life completely. The fringe hanging from the bottom is particularly bothersome to me.

Suzie’s look is ugly and could have been in the bottom. Hate the wig!

At Betsey’s Prom, Kori stepped onto the stage first, and immediately it was clear she was heading home. The details were a mess – an uneven hemline, a breastplate peeking out on one side, a crooked bow – but what really stood out was that she seemed to be wearing the same dress repeatedly. It had a very ordinary, everyday drag quality. It managed to keep her from the bottom two when Joella was still in the competition, but now it wasn’t enough.

Afterwards comes Onya, earning her initial position at the bottom this week, which is perfectly justified. The arrangement of the bows seems incorrect, and the length is appalling. However, she manages to pull it off on the runway and styles it effectively. The wig is fantastic!

In sequence is Onya, finding herself in the bottom position for the first time this week, deservedly so. There’s something amiss with the bow arrangement, and the length is abysmal. Yet, she manages to carry it off on the runway and styles it impressively. The wig looks great!

To conclude, it’s Lana who assembles an outfit reminiscent of ’80s prom dresses with ruffles. Some might suggest she should leave, but let’s face it: She manages to pull off the intended style effectively. However, she should consider using padding for a more convincing look. Her drag style often veers towards the feminine and cute, which requires embracing the female fantasy. This ensemble would be greatly enhanced, as the musical A Chorus Line puts it, with some “curves.

At the Prenup event: Arrietty takes the first spot on the runway leading the crew, donning a sleek, black body-hugging dress with an eye-catching bowtie accent. As usual, she carries herself with elegance and precision. However, I believe she ranks third among the contestants in terms of overall appeal.

Following Sam Star, we see him don an outfit reminiscent of Madonna, yet distinctly Betsey Johnson in style. However, his appearance doesn’t showcase much of Sam Star’s individuality. Instead, it portrays a professional demeanor that lacks excitement.

In the end, Lexi is the one who stole the show in that episode with her stunning outfit. Her wedding dress featured an enormous, see-through veil that enveloped her entirely, while the rest of her attire was lingerie. As expected from the fashion-forward member of the group, Lexi came up with this idea. However, after seeing her wear what resembled a tarp, I had doubts about her sewing skills. This left me speechless. The dress was beautiful, dramatic, and extravagant, but the rainbow wig gave me pause. Nevertheless, it was an impressive ensemble overall.

After considering Jewels and Lexi, my personal pick for this week’s victory is Jewels. While Lexi’s outfit has a certain charm, its slightly sluggish appearance tips the scale for me. However, both looks are so remarkable that they both belong in the timeless collection of Werk Room-created outfits. This week’s challenge performances were particularly thrilling!

Lydia and Kori landed in the lower ranks, which Lydia found surprising. Whether she actually was or not is debatable, but if she’s truthful about her surprise, then she seems quite unaware. Her unique perspective on fashion might help her avoid the bottom, but it’s also crucial that the producers effectively develop their storyline this season and ensure that it has a significant impact.

Not only does this turn of events surprise me, but I find it astonishing that a storyline I’ve often found myself dismissing with eye rolls has led to what appears to be the most captivating lip sync performance of the season! For quite some time, we’ve known Lydia to be an exceptional performer, and Kori follows suit by delivering her best lip sync performance yet for “Kiss Me Deadly” by Lita Ford. Both artists deliver a commendable interpretation of the song, but it’s their passionate kiss that truly sets this performance apart. It’s fantastic! It’s gay! It’s outrageous, fun, and Kori gets to bid farewell in high spirits. Lydia remains in the competition, a scorned lover now compelled to fight harder to stay in the game.

And also on Untucked…

I’ve grown quite fond of Sam Star lately. Her off-the-cuff creation of signs advocating for Kori and Lydia being in trouble together is downright funny, and she excels during the prank fight with Lana. She’s lively, entertaining, and fun! She’s tight with Lexi! She’s won me over!

frankly astonished myself at the audacity of Kori donning those shoes on the runway once more. Completely taken aback, my jaw dropped open.

There’s nothing quite like the cancellation of Lana Ja’Rae’s high school prom due to COVID that makes me feel as if I’ve aged.

• My mom’s recollections of that TV show: Growing up, I would have my mother watch certain episodes of this series with me. She became quite knowledgeable about it. Nowadays, she doesn’t watch it anymore, but during her recent visit, I made her watch an episode. I thought it would be interesting to see who she could remember from the show, who she didn’t recall, and get her opinions on it.

She recalled a “stunning queen I often spoke of,” which turned out to be Arrietty. “Do I have any recollection of Arrietty’s skills?” she inquired. “No, I don’t.” She also brought up “the monkey couple.” In her opinion, “The smaller one was terrific. The taller one just couldn’t get down low enough.” Then, she mentioned “the Broadway queen, the snobbish Broadway queen,” who, as you guessed, was Suzie Toot. “My honest impression of her is that she believes herself to be far more skilled than she truly is. I thought she did alright. I admire all the New York queens—” At this point, I clarified that she was actually from Florida, to which she replied, “That makes perfect sense.” She couldn’t recall anything about Sam Star, Lana Ja’Rae, Lexi Love, or Jewels Sparkles.

As for my prediction, it looks like Suzie, Jewels, Onya, and Sam will be the top four contestants. However, Arrietty and Lana might be the ones to exit next, pushing Lydia into sixth place. It’s quite late in the competition for Lydia, but her strong lip syncing skills could keep her going. And guess what? They haven’t even introduced girl groups yet!

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2025-03-01 06:55