RuPaul's Drag Race Season 14 Episode 6 Review
If y’all wanted drama, this episode was the one for you! Finally, after weeks of waiting for some heat within the workroom, Ru gave us what we so controversially crave. Episode 6 was such a great episode for me, it had the emotional moments, the heated moments and the fashionable moments. Iconic! Before we begin, let’s all remember that this is TV, the drama whilst fun to watch should not be taken seriously and it by no means justifies any hate that the queens receive...so don’t be a negative Nancy and spread nothing but love to the contestants.
The episode started with Jorgeous wiping away Orion’s lip-stick message and expressing her newly found determination to never touch the bottom again. It was incredible to see Jorgeous showcase her performing abilities so I wouldn’t complain if I saw lip-sync a few more times...I’m just kidding. I think Jorgeous realised that she was in danger and did everything she could to remain in the competition, which she certainly deserved to.
When the girls are kiki-ing, Daya appeared to be quite disheartened by her safe placement, which sets the tone for the rest of the episode. Ms betty felt as though her look should have placed her high and we can definitely see frustration building in this drag queen’s mind.
When RuPaul enters the workroom he reveals that this week the main-challenge was going to be a design challenge. This surprised me as we’ve just had a humongous Ball and now the queens have been tasked to create a look from glamazon prime packages. I love an unconventional design challenge, it forces the contestants to be creative and literally think outside the box, separating the girls who can sew, and the girls who think they can!
As the contestants start ravaging through the glamazon parcels, Willow explains how she can’t open the boxes due to her chronic illness and the effect it has on her fingers. I found it incredibly strange that none of the other contestants or the production team offered her a pair of scissors, but perhaps this was all part of the edit! Nevertheless, it puts accessibility and awareness front and centre, highlighting how chronic conditions can affect even the most miniscule of tasks.
One of the highlights of the episode was Jasmine Kennedy’s story about her father and his journey to acceptance. I think we haven’t seen a vulnerable or emotional side to jasmine yet, and having this personal moment between her and her sisters was really endearing. I definitely want to see this side of Jasmine more.
Before we get into the runway rankings for this week, I wanted to address the fiery untucked that we had. Wow, this was quality TV drama. The stand-off between Maddie and Jasmine had me on the edge of my couch (or bed) and the back-and-fourth was simply legendary. From Maddie’s iconic ‘I hope you serve the second best lip-sync of the night’ to Jasmine’s ‘What I’m selling is not what you’re selling’. This exchange definitely increased my engagement, considering that this week’s untucked was the only one I’ve seen so far! All in all, I think this was just some heavy-hearted banter and the girls truly did play it up for the camera. I appreciate both Jasmine and Maddy’s drag aesthetics and, well, girl this is a competition!
Now it’s time for everyone’s favourite part about my reviews, the runway rankings!
Tied for first place are Lady Camden and Angeria. I really tried to pick a favourite but these two looks equally gagged me. Starting with Lady Camden, she just created something so intricately beautiful and captivating. The garment flowed down the runway and all the finishings were clean. I cannot believe she managed to make this outfit in the same time that Kerri hot glued a bunch of materials together #noshade. Then Angeria walked out, and my jaw hit the floor. Wow. This look was fully conceptualised and styled accordingly. It was simple but immensely effective. There was no over-accessorising and the materials looked cut to perfection. The hair choice was also spot on, allowing us to really appreciate the construction of the shoulder fans.
The two honourable mentions for this week are Willow Pill and Bosco. The edit had us thinking that Willow was going to flop this week, but she actually had my fabvourite concept on the runway. The look was overall clean, with minimal messy areas, sure the garment itself could have been constructed better but beggars cant be choosers. I think Willow could have easily placed high this week and she’s truly capturing the essence of what it means to be a contestant on Rupaul’s Drag Race #myfrontrunner. Bosco, oh Bosco, the way I was obsessed with the silhouette of her look. I honestly couldn’t believe she constructed the breastplate all by herself, it was so mugler-esque! The look was clean and very well executed!
Daya Betty had a very strong concept but the look itself offered no innovative aspects other than the bulging eyes. I didn’t necessarily live for it, but I wasn’t disappointed either. I was very neutral about her look, and I definitely think she deserved her safe spot this week. I think the problem with Daya’s track record is that she’s not necessarily doing anything that merits her of a top spot, each week she is consistent and plays it totally safe.
Now the looks start to get a bit, well...odd.
I was not a fan of Jorgeous look. Yes, she was absolutely beautiful. There’s no denying that. However, the look was so uninspired and simple. It was too simple. Angeria took a simplistic design and elevated it, Jorgeous took a simplistic design and wore it. I think that Jorgeous’ runways are becoming somewhat of a hit or miss, with slight favouritism from Mama Ru this week.
Now, I love Deja Skye, I really do. Her runways on the other hand, they are becoming totally predictable. It’s a real shame because I loved her lacy body-con look that she has previously showcased, but ever since then it’s been flowy garments after flowy garments. Give us some variation girl, aren’t you versatile? I know that Deja, being an amazingly talented seamstress, could have come out wearing something much more elevated and inspired.
From this point onwards, the looks just didn’t snap. At all. Kerri really disappointed tonight, and I fully understand that she isn’t a seamstress. I really just felt like she stayed away from the bottom using her pretty privilege, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing #flauntit. I just really want to start being wowed by her runways, so I’m hoping and prayer for a better week for her next episode.
Jasmine’s look was a tough one to decide on. At first, I couldn’t understand why that look landed her in the bottom over Kerri’s. However, upon closer and closer inspection, the elements just weren’t cohesive enough and she was totally overdressed. When working with sheer fabric, simple is always the way to go!
It’s crazy how Maddy had my favourite look last week and fell all the way down to the bottom this week. There’s nothing much to be said about this look, it happened and I hope it was disposed of straight after. The fabric choice along with the silhouette just cheapened the entire concept. I was not a fan.
The overall judging this week felt a bit off and honestly I wouldn’t have necessarily given the win to Jorgoeus, but I am extremely happy for her nonetheless. Personally, I think Lady Camden and Angeria both out-dressed Jorgeous. However, I more or less agree with the bottom two, although Kerri could have been substituted for Jasmine.
Jasmine and Maddy lip-synced to ‘Suga Mama’ by Beyonce and, it was seriously Jasmine’s song. Honestly, Maddy put up a valient fight but at the end Jasmien totally encapsulated the Queen B #sorrynotsorry. Unfortunately, Maddy didn’t have the elusive golden chocolate bar and had to sashay away. Girl, you’ve made history, good for you! I wish you all the best!
Catch RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 14 exclusively in the UK via the streamer of all things drag, WOW Presents Plus every Saturday, subscribe now here!
