RPDR-UK - Series 2 - Episode 1 - Review
DRAG RACE UK IS BACK!!!! I honestly can’t tell you how happy I am to see it back for a new series and to see another group of girls show the world what the UK Drag scene has to offer.
Before we jump into this, there are spoilers below if you haven’t watched the episode yet. All the comments below are just my fun opinion, its a TV show don’t get upset if I didn’t like your favourite Queen!
The first episode of series 1 of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK starts with a tribute to Season 1, showing a quick highlights montage. Who could forget it though! From ‘Much Better’, the Frock Destroyers, Jade Thirwall as a guest judge and Divina in a red wig and a silver dress… I don’t think. All such iconic TV moments and for a first series. I don’t think we could ever forget those first round of girls showing the world a taste of the UK. But with a new series the torch is passed to a new set of FABULOUS Queens!
As all RuPaul’s Drag Race season go the Queens take it in turn to enter the werkroom. We won’t judge each entrance look but instead share our favourite which was…
Although all of the Queens put their own stamp on their entrance looks Tayce and Cherry really stuck out as my favourites for sure.
Once all the Queens have entered they don’t have long before Ru joins the werkroom and attempts to be as British as possible, which is hilarious! Ru then tasks the Queens with taking centre court to strike a pose to see who will be the best Wimbled-hun! Strawberries and cream anyone?
Now TBH all the Queens were hilarious in this part of the challenge and if it really was a photo-challenge I think Tayce or Bimini came out on top. However, Ru picked Lawrence Chaney for the win of the mini challenge. Only thing I will say is, I miss challenges like this on the US version of Drag Race, now its straight into twists and turns. Bring back the good old days where you can get tennis balls thrown at the Queens faces!!!
With the Queens finished with their ball bashing experience, Ru tasks the Queens to bring not one but two looks to the Runway! One to come as their gay icon and the other to show them as Queen of their hometown!
Again we won’t go through every single one of the Queens but will instead just pick some highlights (good or bad).
For the gay icons I must admit I’m glad they said who they were as I was really really lost for who some of them as to who they were.
My first favourite was Tayce! She literally had the look, the walk and the attitude of Naomi and I was living for it! We stan for sure! Some other sure favourites were A’Whora as Vivienne Westwood and Cherry Valentine for the Feddie Mecury take!
Onto the Queens of their hometown. Wow, again these Queens really stepped it up to bring us some killer looks. For me there were some clear stand-outs.
First Joe Black, I actually thought it was interesting how Joe Black was the only one that really looked like a ‘Queen’ as in like royal family Queen. Credit for that but the whole gown was stunning and I loved this take on Brighton.
The next look to blow me away was Tayce, I promise this magazine secretly isn’t set up just to big up Tayce haha.
I mean if this doesn’t scream Queen of their hometown what the hell does! This well and truly was amazing, I loved this the second Tayce came out, talk about FAS-HUN!!!!!!! I really am shocked this wasn’t a top look.
Bimini really stuck out for me as well (her tuck didn’t though, the tape made sure of that). It felt really authentic and true to her and I loved it.
There we so many more I could pick but I will hold off adding anymore into my top looks otherwise I will just end up sharing them all.
Now, Ru and his fellow judges were all a bit over the place with who they thought should be the tops and who should be the bottoms of the week. However, decision made and we have our top two and bottom two.
MAJOR SPOILER BELOW!
Now the clear top 2 were Lawrence Chaney and Asttina with Bimini and Joe Black at the bottom (in the eyes of the judges not me). I was actually really conflicted with both of these results. Lets start with the tops.
Lawrence Chaney clearly had put waaaaaay more effort and thought into the idea and costume where it looked like Asttina had just rocked up for rehearsals. Just saying… no hate but I want more effort than a jacket and a greasy box from the chicken shop. For me Lawrence Chaney had it in the bag and I was truly shocked when she didn’t.
Now onto the bottom two, disagree!! Neither Queen should have been in the bottom. Neither I tell you! I’m not being horrible and love to all the Queens. I know everyone has a different budget but sadly for me Tia Kofi just didn't match up. Even when I looked at Joe and Bimini at the front with the other Queens in the back I was like… HOW! How are these two stood here. But they were sadly and the lip-sync happened and one went home. Do I agree…. Mmmmm thought it could have been a double save but sadly a Queen who I thought would be one of the last remaining has gone home.
Before I leave the review there I just want to say how much of a joy it was to have the show back. Don’t get me wrong I was totally loving the US Season 13 but once the UK one was back, it reminded me of the old US first seasons and the magical / fun element which is missing from the US show today. It is so much funnier and the Queens seem able to take the piss a little bit more and come across as more real than forced. The US seasons have just lost something when you compare and although yes Holland was really good, and Canada… it had some good bits haha, none of them seem to be able to touch on something that the UK version has for me. I mean when have we seen Ru laugh like that on a US season? Its been years!
If any of the Queens are reading this know… YOU DID US PROUD!
Bring on next week.