The time has come and the very first RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK Versus the World is here. The excitement for me is that we have no idea how it’ll play out amongst the queens, and what the format will be. So buckle up I have a lot of thoughts, feelings, and will attempt to reign in the fangirl this season. So let’s begin the world domination.
A different approach to entrances this time around, each queen arrives on the main stage slowly revealing each queen as suspense for the cast and the audience. First out is the most famous woman in Britain it’s Baga Chipz dressed as Princess Diana, she’s here to prove her style has evolved from season one.
Next up to be revealed behind the curtain is Blu Hydrangea, followed by my favorite Essex diva Cheryl Hole. Now, this outfit is a true reflection of the Cheryl Hole brand, it’s pink, flamboyant, and pure Essex. We have team UK sorted, and ready to compete.
Out next is Janey Jacke representing Holland, followed by Lemon. Besides Cheryl, I’m so excited to see Lemon back in the drag race game. For me apart from Priyanka, she was the one to watch on her season and I cant wait to see what she brings to the show, I’m not the only one Cheryl also has excitement plastered across her face. Next up is Jimbo, everyone’s favorite clown I can’t wait to see interactions with RuPaul, to think half the cast are as of yet to actually be judged or meet RuPaul is a wild thing.
Time for team USA to arrive and Mo Heart struts out back with the heart and charm, with fighting words she begins her shade towards the other queens. Next, to represent the USA is a queen you might be familiar with Jujubee, we all know she’s an icon and legend, should she be back once again, I think so she’s so lovable and honed in her skills.
Finally representing Thailand we have the stunning Panigna Heels, the first co-host to compete. Arriving to a barrel of questions she’s ready to face the competition and show just how good Thailand’s Drag Race was.
What I’m most excited about this season besides seeing Cheryl Hole back on my screen, is I finally get to talk about the Canadian queens. Canada’s Drag Race has been my favorite out of the international seasons, Jimbo and Lemon in particular were two I was rooting for.
The queens get acquainted with one another in the werkrook, cut to Baga doing what they do best and that’s chatting! Giving the international ladies a taste of the great British etiquette… consisting of filthy slang words we love to say. But it came complete with afternoon tea and hearing Jujubee trying to guess what a slapper was, only in the UK….
The challenge this week is to showcase themselves in a talent show, coming fresh from Drag Race season 14 we get another opening episode with a talent show, I’m not mad at it. I think having a talent show is a great way to remind us what the queens are capable of and a way to introduce new fans to the franchise. Out first is Lemon and she killed it…. She really jumped from there! Mo Heart sang a number looking like Tina Turner, Janey Jacke shimmied about with some outfits….as Baga said “Was a just a striptease” Then after this, the talent show went a bit flat. Baga Chipz is of course a fantastic queen, we know she’s ‘Much Betta’ and the catchphrase was iconic. However, there is nothing worse than having a phrase shoved down your throat, decked out in the maid outfit from the OG episode in a much betta slogan, and of course, singing about being much betta. I fear this is what she’ll be relying on, will the audience tire of it… perhaps.
Jimbo arrived and the fear crept over everyone, not quite sure what the talent was, is throwing meat at RuPaul a skill… I think so. Not to mention Jimbo sat watching in that get-up is so funny, social media is abuzz with memes aplenty. Blu stood out with her cheer routine, as did Cheryl with her song/number. Pangina was definitely the dark horse, with a multi-talented number. Overall there were a lot of original songs performed tonight, and whilst we do get that a lot, I don’t mind seeing them. Blu’s was the most original I hadn’t seen anything like that and it was fun to watch.
The runway theme ‘I’m A Winner Baby‘ everyone did a great job there was no real dud although with everyone stepping up, Baga did fall short I did like her concept in going a different direction with being the award instead, but it was poorly executed. The rules for the competition have been put in place and the queens are back in charge with the all-star format voting who goes home.
So with that said Cheryl, Jujubee, and Mo Heart are safe… Cheryl safe once again we love consistency! RuPaul has definitely fallen for Jimbo, who receives fantastic critiques. I agreed with most of the deliberation comments…. and I say most as Lemon’s I just couldn’t understand. Baga’s outfit should have landed her in the bottom, past seasons if a judge didn’t understand a concept that would result in a bottom placement. But team UK is all safe, landing Janey Jacke and Lemon in the bottom (boo), with Jimbo and Pangina in the top two of the week.
This lipsync was interesting, getting to lipsync ‘Say You’ll be there” in front of a Spice Girl must be nerve-wracking alone, never mind the added pressure of sending a friend home. Jimbo tripped, Panigna did some tricks and it was a great way to kick off the first lipsync battle. Pangina wins and the time comes to send a queen home, declaring it’s not favoritism she sends home my queen Lemon. All I’m going to say in the words of Tatianna…choices.
The first episode was a success, I think we’re all in for a very interesting season. What did YOU all think? Who are you rooting for?
Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Versus The World Premieres every Tuesday on WowPresentsPlus (worldwide ex. UK and Canada) Crave Canada (Canada)and BBC three (UK) on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer.
