We’re back! Can you believe we are here for the 16th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race? Don’t worry, there are already twists, and this is a split premiere, so buckle your seatbelts!
First and foremost, we got entry looks which is always the best part of the opening episode, right? The first set of queens were Q, Xunami Muse, Kandy Muse’s drag daughter, Amanda Tori Meating (incredible name), Morphine Love Dion, Sapphira Cristal, Mirage, and Dawn. These queens absolutely brought it. Everyone looked stunning and the personalities were on point. However, it was Sapphira who won my favorite entrance in episode one. Saying the workroom was haunted? She’s so real for that.
The opening challenge was a photo shoot, of course. This time, the queens had to pose in front of RuPaul’s front porch, through a doorbell camera. You know, just another regular day. Until Love Connie appears out of nowhere threatening to call the cops on the queens.
The winner of the first mini-challenge was Sapphira! For the first challenge of the season, the queens would be paying tribute to MTV Spring Break with a talent show. But wait, there’s more. The winner of this week’s challenge would get not only a cash prize but they would also get immunity! You heard it here, immunity is back for the first time since season 5! Oh yeah, and this week Ru wasn’t the judge, the queens were judging each other with a peer evaluation process called rate-a-queen. This is a lot, no? One more thing, Charlize Theron was there and she brought the queens little cakes. No big deal!
As the queens were getting in drag, Morphine opened up about how she lives with her parents but they have no idea that she does drag, and have no idea that she is on the show. However, she is ready to live her life openly now, so hopefully the show can bring some acceptance from her family members.
It was time for the talent show! Although they would not be doing any real judging this episode, Ru was joined by Charlize, Michelle Visage, and Carson Kressley. The host of the talent show was Derrick Barry for some reason.
In a world full of original songs, Q decided to do the most absurd thing we’ve ever seen on this runway for her talent show. Q’s puppet playhouse was absolutely unhinged and I absolutely loved it. Everyone’s performances were amazing, of course, but that was the most unique performance in Drag Race herstory? Also, can we talk about Sapphira’s performance/ Those subtitles with that performance? Incredible in so many ways. I have no words for some of these performances – in a good way.
Then came the runway. The category was Ruveal yourself. Dawn’s look was so much fun. Amanda instantly lost her wig when hitting the stage, but it made her look even more fun, honestly. Xunami may not have brought creativity to the talent show, but she looked absolutely stunning on the runway. Q’s look was gorgeous, AND she made it! Great runway, queens!
The queens were into rate-a-queen. It was so fun to watch how the queens chose to rate each other.
In the end, the top two queens were to lip sync for the win and immunity. Sapphira and Q were the top two of the week. This would be the only performance as no one was going home this week!
The top two faced off to Break My Soul by Beyoncé. Sapphira’s performance was truly incredible. Not only was her talent next level, her breastplate was falling off and hitting the stage floor mid-performance. It was perfect. Love it. She took the win and immunity!
What a wonderful opening episode. Let’s see if the next group can compete!
