It’s the start of the 10th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race and while there has been drama outside the set with complaints about possible show fixing, the drama inside the set is coming back at ya. The show starts off with a surprise — Eureka is back baby! The 27-year-old from Johnson City, Tennessee, who was originally on Season 9, but had to leave for surgery is back for redemption.
The idea of the show is simple: think of it as American’s Next Top Model, but for drag queens. Each week the contestants are given a series of competitions they must complete. Judges decide who is progressing and can move on to the next week.
Also competing on this season is:
Asia O’Hara, 35, from Dallas, Texas — known for pageants, but calls herself a “versatile performer.”
Miz Cracker, 33, from New York, New York — comes in screaming “Time for Dinner!” in a Lady Gaga-esque costume. I’m “cracking” up. She says “come for the face, stay for the crazy.” Eureka asks Miz where she is from and she says “Harlem.” Eureka doesn’t know where Harlem is.
Yuhua Hamasaki, 27, from New York, New York: Calms herself blond, ambitious and fierce.
Blair St. Clair, 22, from Indianapolis, Indiana: Coming in singing as if she just landed a role on Broadway, Blair calls herself the “Broadway Diva” extraordinaire. Loves to sing, act and dance.
Monet X Change, 27, The Bronx, New York: Pushing a broom, throwing it away and saying that she just wants to “sweep up” the competition, Monet comes in telling everyone to get their curtsy in check.
Kameron Michaels, 31, from Nashville, Tennessee: Comes in announcing, “I auditioned for Pit Crew, but this is going to be way more fun!” Calls herself the muscle queen and a ‘little bit of grunge and glamour.’
Mayhem Miller, 35, from Riverside, California: “Guess who just crashed the party!” she announces.
Kalorie Kardashian Williams, 27, from Albuquerque, New Mexico: Known for “shaking her ass.”
Monique Heart, 31, from Kansas City, Missouri: “Razzle dazzle queen.” Walks in all dressed in gold.
Dusty Ray Bottoms, 29, from New York, New York: With actually amazing makeup, Dusty has a Rocky Horror-type and punk vibe to her. So far Dusty is a front runner for me.
The Vixen, 26, from Chicago, Illinois: The glamazon woman enters “wanting to fight.” Does political art and protest performances.
Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, 25, from Tampa, Florida
Aquaria, 21, from Brooklyn, New York: With a belt wrapped around as a top, Aquaria says that everyone should know who she is. Cracker and Aquaria apparently have a feud in the drag world and Monet is tired of it. “It’s about to go down, trust me.”
Entering now is RuPaul who tells them they need to go above and Bianca.
The winner receives a one-year supply of Anastasia cosmetics, a cash prize of $100K and an extra special guest judge — Christina Aguilera.
Now it’s time to slay the runway and stand out from the other queens that RuPaul has brought back. Eureka is up first, followed by Mayhem, who does a cartwheel in a gown. The other contestants walk that runway with some extra vibe and excitement. I love the fact that they don’t recognize each other outside of drag. The one who scored a perfect 10 was Monet X Change.
First competition is Drag on a Dime: competitors must create million dollar looks using a bunch of junk from the .99 store. Own hair, heels and undergarments can be used, but the rest must be from the stuff they were given. The claws are out! Now I’m thinking it’s America’s Next Top Model and Dollar Store Runway. LOL
Once the competitors are done, they must dress up and present their creation to the judges — Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, Ross Mathews.
Aquaria comes out first with a Mary Had a Little Lamb look about her. Asia O’Hara debuts her look with a basket of dollar store goodies on her head — the dress is filled with ribbons and bows — literally — and pops with color. The look is quite amusing. Kalorie Kardashian presents her ‘million dollar’ dress with fake money made into a full gala dress. I think it’s quite creative. “Cash me outside.” she said. Blair St. Clair presents a black and silver high fashion look that is actually quite beautiful. Wow, maybe I need to shop for clothes in the dollar store? Haha. Dusty Ray Bottoms has a Space Odyssey look about her with a metal dress. Kameron Michaels uses face grass and flours for a dress made to be used outdoors. Monet X Change cut down a million little green and yellow sponges for a unique looking dress and ping pong balls that make soap suds. The Vixen cut down noodles for her peek-a-boo artistic dress. Mayhem Miller creates a faux leather look to a dress with garbage bags. Eureka created a donut top and Sweet 16 Valley Girl look. Monique Heart took a deck of cards and made a skirt/top combination. Vanessa Mateo used flowers to make a flower power dress with a Barbie stuck to the side of her head. Yuhua Hamasaki created a dress out of caution tape. Miz Cracker serves up sad widow with a dress made of placemats.
I’ll never look at the shit in my house the same way again.
RuPaul calls Kameron, Aquaria, Asia, Eureka, Monet, Monique, The Vixen — are all safe.
But wait, RuPaul has an announcement! There’s one more queen she wants to add to the competition.
Of course, it’s Christina Aguilera pretending to be Pheromone who pretends to be her.
Kalorie Kardashian Williams — Christina loves her confidence but Michelle Visage wasn’t crazy out of it. Carson wanted more impact. The judges point out it’s been done before. Blair St. Claire is getting great comments. Carson likes Dusty Ray Bottoms look while Michelle says she’s looking for a dot-free face. Mayhem Miller creativity is ‘off the charts. Ross says that Vanessa has a lot of flavor and Christina agrees. Yuhua gets great comments and Miz Cracker gets ‘masterpiece’ comments on the peplum jacket look.
This week’s winner is: Mayhem Miller.
The final two Kalorie and Vanessa must lip sync for their lives to one of Christina’s songs.
Does anyone else cringe when a drag queen does a split? Ouch! LOL
Going home: Kalorie is safe. Unfortunately, Vanessa is going home. Sachet away.
Why I like this show: great subtexts and play on words when RuPaul critiques the competition.
My favorites in order:
Blair St. Clair, 22, from Indianapolis, Indiana
Dusty Ray Bottoms, 29, from New York, New York
Monet X Change, 27, from The Bronx, New York
Asia O’Hara, 35, from Dallas, Texas
Miz Cracker, 33, from New York, New York
Yuhua Hamasaki, 27, from New York, New York
Kameron Michaels, 31, from Nashville, Tennessee
Mayhem Miller, 35, from Riverside, California
Monique Heart, 31, from Kansas City, Missouri
Kalorie Kardashian Williams, 27, from Albuquerque, New Mexico
The Vixen, 26, from Chicago, Illinois
Aquaria, 21, from Brooklyn, New York
