After the unexpected elimination of Magnetica, we begin a new week. The girls gather around the mirror message while declaring that Ruby on the Nail serves dance faces, something that many cannot achieve in a lipsync. If anything, it proves that drag race truly is a rollercoaster that no one can predict what course it will veer off to next, having had Magnetica in the top last week to leave last week. But as a viewer, it’s fun watching the chaos unfold onscreen and how fans love to declare contestants ‘robbed.’
As we all know, Paris will be hosting the Olympics this year, and the mini-challenge titled Olymp-queens requires the queens to pair up. Leading to quick drag time in their best athlete drag, and some of the looks are well… interesting. The first event is the wig toss, to throw their wig as far as possible, followed by the glamarathon, and lastly, the water polite. Knee deep in an inflatable pool, standing opposite one another and throwing water in each other’s faces whilst trying not to laugh. I’m sure this is exactly the drag race experience they had envisioned for themselves once they got that magical call. The time comes to announce the winners, and the bronze medal goes to Edeha and Perseo, the silver to Leona and Norma, and the grand golden duo Ruby and Lula.
And the maxi challenge is one that tests the skills of their creativity and couture imagination, and for some, a struggle bus as it’s a ball challenge. This year, the ball challenge will have two runway categories: Olympic Flame, and the second, the queens are to create an outfit out of athletic gear and accessories for their Opening Ceremony. The gold medalist perks are in full swing, with Lula and Ruby allocated a ten-second head start to grab the materials to create their best outfit couture. With designs beginning, Leona admits her struggles having taken four hours of sewing classes, yet her ambition is strong, deciding to create pants. Be bold and brave in these situations. Nicky does a walkthrough to hear and see the visions that hopefully come to life and that will be well constructed and designed. Misty Phoenix is the most confident person with a fashion degree, and on the same table, Leona explains her pants idea to the surprise of Nicky.
What’s interesting is that we aren’t shown anyone struggling, nor do we see anyone constructing their outfit. Normally, we get a glimpse or an idea of who’s excelling and creating something exciting and who is barely getting through the day. So in a way, it’s a clever tactic to get the viewer engaged. Joining the judges this week are special guest judges Loic Prigent and Clara Luciani. The first category is ‘runway Olympic torch’ and Misty Phoenix kickstarts the ball, dressed as, you guessed it, an Olympic torch. Norma Bell comes out dressed ready for the Harry Potter quidditch world cup, and they’ve managed to do it without looking too cosplayed. The first category is a little underwhelming considering we’ve seen some incredible outfits, so the bar is higher than usual.
On to the second category of the opening ceremony, and considering what they had to work with, some of them turned it out. What’s great about the judges is that a look says a thousand words, and an eye roll here and there has you knowing just what they’re thinking. When a queen is giving her description of her dress, it cuts to the judges whispering amongst themselves their disdain and its great TV. Lula Strega kept it basic, but it worked, and the colour worked in her favour; not everyone can pull off pink. Without a doubt, hers is the best out of the bunch.
This week, the hard challenge for the judges will be who isn’t at the bottom, as many of the sewing challenge outfits were rough. Before deliberation begins, a sparkly pink phone rings, much to the shock of the contestants. Some Oscar-worthy acting on the judges panel keeps the suspense for a few more seconds, revealing that the maxi-challenge isn’t over. The first twist of the season has arrived. The queens are sent back to the werkroom…. To finish the rest of their outfit. Not very often does a twist feel well pulled off, but this is a good one. They must create head accessories, and for those who have one, they must create a brand new one. With 60 minutes on the clock, they’re sent to frantically come up with something new.
The third category of showcasing the headwear enhanced some of the outfits, allowing the judging to become a bit easier. Le Filip and Norma Bell are declared safe with the remaining tops and bottoms. The top three are Lula, Misty, and Leona, with the winner being Lula Strega, and rightfully so. The two up for elimination are Edeha and Ruby, which I would agree is the correct decision this week. Battling it out to Clara Luciana C’est L’amour, and safe for another week is Ruby on the Nail, and Edeha delivers an emotional goodbye.
What did we think of this week’s episode?Tune-In: Drag Race France S3 will premiere Friday, May 31st on WOWPresents Plus in the US and select territories worldwide, day-and-date with its local airing on France TV’s SLASH.