After a rough Snatch Game last week, we needed a redemption episode, that’s for sure! RuPaul said I saw you all struggle in the last challenge and now I present you with another extremely difficult run, the Rusical!
The queens returned to the work room following the shocking elimination of Crystal Envy. After that, they got straight into the drama. Onya Nurve celebrated her much-deserved win, while Suzie Toot shared again that she thought she should have had a higher placement. I just adore Suzie, but that Snatch Game character just didn’t hit!
Before the contestants could get into the next challenge, they had to address the elephant in the room – the love between Lydia B Collins and Kori King. Yes, they are in love with each other. OK, now that’s cleared up, we can talk about the Rusical, The Wicket Wiz of Oz!
They chose their own characters, which meant the girls were fighting. Suzie, Acacia Forgot, and Sam Star had their eyes set on Kansas Dorothy, but after Lexi Love pointed out that Sam should focus on letting loose this challenge, she wanted to switch to the Wicked Witch, which was inspired by Cher. As for Kansas Dorothy, Acacia got the role she wanted while Suzie was assigned the Green Witch.
Lydia took a Flying Monkey role, Arrietty was Scarecrow, Lexi the lioness, Lana J’Rae as the Tin Woman, and Onya as Bronx Dorothy – perfect, no fighting! Then came the assignment for the Good Witch. Both Kori and Jewels Sparkles wanted the role and they went at it! However, Jewels got what she wanted, and Kori and her love interest, Lydia, were paired as Flying Monkeys.
Next, it was time to record their verses with Michelle Visage. Lydia and Lana killed their vocals, while when asked if she sang, Kori said, “absolutely not,” and that tracked when she took the mic. Suzie was another queen who nailed their vocals, but can we talk about Onya? She is such a powerhouse. I just love her. For someone who only knows Cher from Burlesque, she did a great job channeling her! Acacia struggled pretty intensely with her vocals after picking the lead. It did not look good for her.
Then came the choreograph lesson, our favorite dumpster fire to watch unfold. Jamal Sims came to teach them the moves and no pressure, but he has Wizard of Oz tattoos! I think my favorite part of this process is always the queens laughing and poking fun at one another while they learn their choreo. The girls were really having a good time laughing at each other during this episode.
While the queens were getting ready for the Rusical, Arriety shared that she struggled with eating disorders before she started doing drag. Acacia shared that she was born with Cystic Fibrosis, and wasn’t expected to live past high school! However, these moments of sincerity were interrupted when Sam asked if Kori called her boyfriend “sister,” to which Lydia replied, “yeah, and I’ve been calling her mother.” Only on RuPaul’s Drag Race!
On the main stage, Ru was joined by Michelle, Jamal, and Adam Lambert! The performance was really cute. It was fun to see Jewels letting loose on stage, same with Lana and Sam! However, Sam and Jewels were the standouts. They both did a wonderful job with their roles. I know Acacia’s role was more mellow, but she just didn’t bring the energy I hoped someone portraying Judy Garland would. However, this Rusical was super solid!
On the runway, the category was Parasol: Shady Ladies. I fear the second Suzie said her outfit was Busby Berkeley inspired, I knew I would love it, and I did. And, would it be an episode of season 17 if I didn’t rave about Lexi’s runway looks? She is just so beautiful. Other looks that I loved were Jewels, Sam, Onya, and Lana, who stepped outside of her comfort zone with that vampire-inspired look!
Arrietty, Lana, Lexi, and Lydia were safe. Suzie, Jewels, Onya, and Sam were the tops, while Kori and Acacia fell into the bottom. Sam got the win, while Kori and Acacia landed in the bottom two.
The lip sync song was Wet Dreams by Adam Lambert. To quote Suzie, Acacia did her best, but Kori really showed out, even if her wig did fall off when she jumped into a split. Acacia sashayed away while Kori lived to slay another day.
