With the negative vibrations from last week’s explosive Out of the pants still imminent in the werkroom, the apparent 13th season rivals went from wig to wig for the second time on Friday’s episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race – only this time, one of the queens was knocked out. From the competition, I mean.
The sixth episode of the season (“Disco-Mentary”) started with Tamisha Iman and Elliott With 2 Ts teaming up for a mini wallpaper-inspired challenge. Like the only two queens who were not chosen to partner with anyone, Tamisha and Elliott had something to prove – and proved that they did, posing and exchanging puns until victory. Relive this madness below:
The pairs of the mini-challenge moved on to this week’s maxi-challenge, a series of disc-mentories about one of the greatest eras in music. Ironically, the first thing we learned was that some of these queens need a serious lesson in disco history. Look, I love the Pussycat Dolls as much as any other gay, but when Kandy Muse said she knew “I Will Survive” because it was sampled in “Hush Hush”, I almost died. Being 25 is no excuse for such ignorance.
It is also important to note that this week’s episode witnessed the birth of a new Drag Race click: Gottmik, Tina Burner and Kandy – also known as “The Mean Girls”. As Tina explained: “Some people think we are sluts. But guess what? Drag queens are very loud and outspoken. We push buttons. If you want to call it means, call it means. ”(Kandy’s irony agreeing with the word” means “while blowing up with the word “arrogant” is just surprising.)
Olivia Lux as this week’s winner was no big surprise. Not only did the camera remain properly attached to it during most of her disco-mentored performance with Utica Queen, but the cut and fit of her little black dress on the catwalk was * chef’s kiss * perfection. She had good reason to show that megawatt smile while absorbing the judges’ praise.
While we are giving our compliments, I have to offer congratulations to Gottmik. Not only was that tiny merkin-style dress a work of art, but Gottmik’s confidence walking down the runway almost completely naked made the whole thing work on another level. “A year ago, I never would have done that,” she said. “I couldn’t be happier with how I looked.”
At the other end of the spectrum, a musical rematch between Kandy and Tamisha was inevitable. The judges read Kandy’s passion-free performance and the catwalk distraction looking for dirt, while Tamisha was similarly criticized for containing her number and not giving enough on the catwalk. Utica, although he was also severely tried, narrowly escaped safely.
Round 2 by Kandy and Tamisha was set to the sound of “Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!)” By Blu Cantrell, and the fight looked beautiful even at the beginning. Both queens were pointing many fingers and showing off dramatically, but neither was doing anything to outdo the other. As the music progressed, however, it became clear that [1] Tamisha’s dominance over the lyrics was questionable and [2] Kandy was no about to lose this thing.
I will admit that I support Tamisha – especially after learning that the cancer survivor did not want her fellow queens to know that she had an ostomy pouch stuck to her stomach – but I also will not deny that Kandy gave it to her all. At least the rivals’ post-show embrace suggested that there may be peace in the kingdom, after all. (Goodbye, Tamisha.)
Did the right queen run away this week? Vote for the competitor you would send for packaging below, then leave a comment with your thoughts on season 13 so far.