RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series 2 Review: Episode Five

You may have thought that Ginny Lemon quitting mid lip-sync would’ve been the most dramatic and unexpected thing to happen in this series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. Then along came something we know quite well called Coronavirus. And just like that it was overshadowed within a few minutes. Literally.

Oh No Coronavirus Better Don’t…but She Did

The episode begins with the queens reeling over Ginny walking off stage. Attention soon turns to Veronica Green who’s at the centre of most other queens’ metaphorical oars. The tension abruptly comes to a halt once RuPaul announces that production must stop filming due to the pandemic. The queens are informed to go home until it’s safe to resume.

It’s a surreal moment, confused and disappointed faces say it all. But what’s seven months in real-time only ends up being a couple of seconds for the viewer, as we’re met with the queens returning equipped with catchphrases and (for some, ahem, Sister Sister) new teeth and botox. The queens squeal at being reunited, but soon figure out that one person is missing. Where’s Veronica?!

Welcome Back, Joe Black

RuPaul announces that Veronica will sadly not be rejoining the cast due to testing positive for Coronavirus. However, she will be back for series three…so don’t f*cking under-estimate her in the meantime.

Veronica’s absence brings into question how the eliminations will be proceed. They’re a queen down, so what does this mean? A potential non-elimination? Sending them back home and delaying filming for another week? Our answer is in the form of three individuals dressed up in budget-like Masked Signer costumes. Take it off! Take it off! Take it off! Anyway, they’re revealed to be the eliminated queens, sans Ginny – who’s probably at home eating custard creams and living her best life. At this point, it’s revealed the queens will be voting one of the eliminated queens back into the competition. Ooh the drama! In the end, the queens decide that, as the first queen to sashay away, Joe black has a lot more to show.

Clap for the Ding Dang Dong

I’m ecstatic to hear that this week’s challenge revolves around RuPaul’s own version of Eurovision (RuRuvision)! Like any fabulous gay, when I’m not ranting and raving about Drag Race, Eurovision is my life. Literally. It’s basically the gay Christmas! Adding British drag queens to the mix is just the cherry on top. And let’s be real, we deserve it! There was no bloody contest last year. This camp maxi challenge better make up for it.

The queens split into two different groups: The United Kingdolls (Lawrence, Bimini, Tayce & A’Whora) and Bananadrama (Joe, Sister, Ellie & Tia), and must perform the aptly named ‘U K Hun?’. I have to say, there’s an obvious stand out. And, as of today, the charts suggest the same. The United Kingdolls are currently #25 in the charts! Their performance was crazy good, sleek and humorous, and the group played to their strengths. Bananadrama, on the other hand, well…let’s just say they didn’t make it through the Eurovision semi-finals.

RuPaul vs. H&M

With an obvious group of bottoms and tops, RuPaul announces The United Kingdolls as the winners of the main challenge. They each receive a RuPeter badge, which makes sense because they were all fantastic – though, I do think A’Whora has deserved a solo win for a couple of weeks now.

On the runway, all hell breaks loose. RuPaul and Michelle take no prisoners, which leads me to believe that someone at airport security must have laid into on their return to the country. Tia Kofi and Joe Black bear the brunt of RuPaul’s wrath for their lacklustre looks. Though, Joe is criticised for what she wore in the challenge…while looking amazing on the runway. Make it make sense, Ru. Tia Kofi, though one of my favourites, is rightfully criticised for her fancy dress shop-bought ice cream outfit…which doesn’t actually look like ice cream.

All in all, we say goodbye to Joe Black once more as Tia proves herself once again as a fantastic entertainer in the lip-sync performance. Next week: Snatch Game, featuring The GC. I can’t wait!

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series 2 Review: Episode Four

It’s all about daytime television, making up, and unorthodox runways in episode 4 of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series 2. Episode 4?! I’m shocked we’re that far into the series, honestly. It feels only yesterday I was watching the Meet the Queens videos, for goodness sake. I’m already starting to think about a life without it (cue Memory by Elaine Paige). Anyway, let’s not get ahead of time and depress ourselves. Let’s focus on the now. And the ‘now’ is pretty exciting, as the atmosphere is fraught with tension in the workroom. Ginny’s fed up with Lawrence speaking out of turn, Tayce and A’Whora are bored with Tia not proving her worth, and Veronica’s not feeling Tayce’s ‘too cool for school’ attitude. It may be a good episode as far as drama’s concerned. 

As far as the mini-challenge is concerned. Well, it’s a bit of a bummer. And that’s me being kind. The queen’s take turns to sell cakes in the aptly named Great British Fake-Off. There’s a heavy reliance on sexual innuendo, and fake laugh’s from RuPaul to round up the utter awkwardness of it all. If this mini-challenge proved anything, it’s that British queens aren’t exactly renowned for their improv skills. So it’s just as well that the main challenge is all about improv, as the queens will be co-hosting new daytime television show: Morning Glory. Live. God, I wish them every ounce of luck. 

Morning Glory, as RuPaul states, appeals to a wide range of audiences. Camden goths, Brighton hippies, and Essex girls, to name a few. If the mini-challenge wasn’t an indicator of how much of a potential trainwreck the main challenge could be, then the random as fuck characterisation of these apparent daytime television personas certainly is. We’ve got Gen-Z presenters, gothic party-planners, you know, all the types you’re used to seeing on daytime television. Some of the casting choices make this even better. Veronica Green as a goth? Tia Kofi combining stereotypical Essex-girl and money-saving expert? I can’t wait to see it. 

Keeping with the awkward theme this episode, Ellie decides to call RuPaul out during the walkthrough for not saying her name ‘Ellie Diamond’ in a Scottish accent as she does with her Scottish sister Lawrence Chaney. It’s deliciously cringe-inducing and has shades of Pearl and RuPaul’s confrontation from season 7 to it, but thankfully not as hostile. RuPaul responds to her complaint by telling her that he’s still working out her ‘storyline’, and adds to the embarrassment by telling her she needs to make the viewer interested in what she’s doing. I can’t say I disagree. Ellie usually fades into the background, and although she’s talented, she’s young, and I don’t think her drag persona has evolved to its full potential. 

Lorraine Kelly joins the queens on set for the live launch of Morning Glory. Equipped with her delightful signature smile, she pre-warns the queens that they needn’t worry if things go wrong. A very poetic and necessary piece of advice to suit this challenge. 3-2-1 and they’re on! Bimini and Tayce do a fabulous job maintaining the pace of the show as the Gen-Z hosts. There are slut-drops, pink and purple ombré wigs, and shots downed. They hand over to Veronica and Sister, Sister, as the goth party-planners. Veronica, who does at least look like a goth, sounds more like an unengaged millennial who’s ready to punch you in the face if you say the wrong thing. Is that goth? I’m not sure. Sister, Sister, is just far too low-key even for this goth character, but high-key blames Veronica for throwing her off. Hmm. 

Another queen whose character doesn’t land is Ginny as the hippie weather-reporter. It’s a pity because she explicitly stated that improv is something she’s used to outside Drag Race. However, it’s more flailing, less weather-reporting, but god love her — I’m at the point where she can do anything, and I’ll still adore her. Lawrence and Ellie give mixed signals as the so-called ‘Dragony Nieces’. If I had a niece that looked like Laurence, I’d be worried. She looked like Margaret Thatcher compared to Ellie in her cutesy kawaii-girl look. They performed alright, but not as well as A’Whora and Tia as the Essex money-saving experts. They make use of the bimbo-like, sex-obsessed, Essex stereotype, and take it to its max. Despite both questioning each other’s abilities and integrity throughout the competition, they work well together. The climax in their turnaround moment comes just before the runway. A’Whora opens up to Tia about how the Drag Race sisterhood has allowed her to embrace her vulnerable side. It’s a genuinely sweet moment, as we’ve only seen A’Whora as this shady Drag Race caricature thus far. More of these moments A’Whora, please! But feel free to drop a bitchy quip now and again.

On the runway, the queens don their monster mash-up looks. Genuinely, it isn’t my favourite theme. I’m all about kooky, but there’s something about watching these queens walk down the runway wearing pig snouts, witch noses, and skinned faces that makes me slightly uncomfortable. The looks are quite costume-like, and there’s a lack of polish to most of them, Except Lawrence’s, who also wins this week’s challenge. I thought this was A’Whora’s week, and I would’ve liked to see her win if only for the RuPeter badges spreading among the competitors. It feels too early for Lawrence to win another one.

Ginny and Sister, Sister land in the bottom two, and although both queens feel deflated after the critiques, it’s Ginny who decides she’s had enough. It’s an epic moment. The lip-sync starts and moments into the performance she saunters off with a cackle. It takes courage to sign-off without pre-warning RuPaul, but Ginny did it in style. I understand why she had enough, and unfortunately, I think Ginny didn’t fit the mould of what RuPaul and co want and expect a Drag Race contestant to be.  Well, you get the last laugh Ginny, cause we fell in love with ya!

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series 2 Review: Episode Three

Another week, another episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. And let me tell you, this one was a corker. It had everything from tears to tantrums to Tia Kofi being iconic — no surprises there. As usual, we meet the queens just after the recent elimination, and after winning the lip-sync, Tayce claims she never wants to be in the bottom again. Tayce wipes away the farewell message, as our queen’s cry out their love for the beloved Cherry Valentine. However, Veronica’s sprightly and says she’s thankful for speaking up and seizing the part of Evita, which ultimately resulted in her main-challenge win. I think Veronica Green’s one to watch, as Ellie Diamond claims in her confessional. There’s no denying her talent, and although she can come across somewhat vacant, she certainly has a distinct yap waiting for those who undermine her.

Just before the queens don their festival-gear for a Notting Hill Carnival-inspired mini-challenge, a pre-recorded RuPaul asks them ‘are you a fashion spoiler or a frock destroyer?’ Prompting A’Whora to squeal in joy at the prospect of a fashion design challenge. But first, we have the mini-challenge to attend. It’s easy to overlook the often ridiculousness of mini-challenges on Drag Race, but this one was super-fun. Watching the queens perform the limbo in their wild and wacky costumes was the dose of serotonin I needed during another week of lockdown. Tayce and Veronica impressively managed to limbo their arseholes down to the floor and were declared joint-winners of the mini-challenge.

When RuPaul asks the queens to buddy up with their best Judy, she reveals that their best friend will become their ‘fashion frenemy’ and compete against them in this week’s main challenge. The task is to create a look that outshines their fashion frenemy, and as winners of the mini-challenge, Tayce and Veronica must assign specific colours to the pairs. As usual with design challenges in Drag Race, there’s a selection of queens who can hardly sew a button onto a jacket. So, the prospect of creating a full-on garment rightfully scares them shitless — mainly Tayce, who has the honour of being paired with a literal fashion designer in A’Whora, and Tia Kofi (who wouldn’t know what appliqué meant if her life depended on it). On the other hand, some queens can sew but face different kinds of challenges. RuPaul dares Ginny Lemon to flaunt her sexy-side, Ellie aspires to step out of Lawrence Chaney’s shadow, and Bimini Bon Boulash wants the judges to forget all about last week’s balloon disaster. Boom! The pressure’s on.

The great thing about this episode was the much-needed conversations that took place on various topics. During the walkthrough, Ellie and Lawrence explain there aren’t many financial opportunities in Scotland regarding drag. A fact that did and didn’t surprise me at the same time. Scotland isn’t renowned in establishing and commodifying well-known drag queens, but it’s a well-developed nation that should afford to pay and respect their drag queen’s time and craft much better. Ginny also spoke about her experience living as a non-binary individual, first confiding in this year’s de facto drag queen therapist Sister Sister. It was plausibly the most heartfelt moment of the series so far, as she explained her struggle with loving herself and how it impacted her upbringing. The beauty of the moment culminates when she discusses the subject with fellow non-binary Drag queen Bimini. Bimini quite rightly emphasises that life is a discovery, and hardship is inevitable for those who don’t match the norm.

On the runway, model Jourdan Dunn joins RuPaul, Michelle Visage and Graham Norton to judge this week’s fashion-themed maxi challenge. Another fun guest judge who genuinely looks excited to be there. Fun! Tayce is the first to strut down the runway in a sexy Maleficent-like number, but A’Whora’s chic disco look and blatant eye for fashion overshadow it. Ginny commits to a sexier appeal but looks boring in contrast to Sister Sister’s club-kid aesthetic. Veronica oozes sensuality wearing something I could see Jennifer Lopez in, and confidently outshines Tia who still hilariously manages to sell her poorly constructed design. Asttina Mandella, unfortunately, looks drab despite accentuating her gorgeous legs. Bimini, however, proves her worth in a brilliantly designed fashion-forward dress. Lastly, Ellie and Lawrence are arguably the strong pair of all. Ellie showcases a unique take on Marie Antoinette, while Lawrence combines both style and character in a mature yet sophisticated look.

A’Whora, Sister Sister, Veronica, Bimini and Lawrence are declared winners of the ‘who wore it best’ aspect of the challenge. However, it’s Lawrence Chaney who ironically takes gold while wearing gold by winning the challenge overall. On the main stage, the judges applaud Ellie and Tayce’s looks compared to the other bottoms. Rightfully, the judges commend Ginny for stepping out of her comfort zone and displaying a different side to her persona. Tia hilariously charms the judges to avoid criticism for what is objectively the worst look, but Asttina receives a frosty reception after being told she looks like an ice-skater.

After the judges deliberate, Asttina Mandella and Tia Kofi land in the bottom two. Asttina makes the kiss of death by asserting that the other queens aren’t ready for her lip-syncing skills. Girl! Do you ever watch reality tv? TV producers love to make reality show contestants eat their words. So it’s no surprise that despite offering a good lip-sync, the judges choose to keep Tia. It’s genuinely upsetting to a see a queen like Asttina go so early. However, it was clear the judges wanted to see more from Tia, and I think it’s fair to say the audience do too.

RuPaul’s Drag Race US Season 13: First Recap

Okay, I have to admit. This season of Drag Race just isn’t captivating my attention enough to justify weekly reviews. It’s definitely suffering from being in the shadow of its British cousin, and what can I say, I’m British. They’re my type of queens! Not that the Americans aren’t my cup of tea. They paved the way for RuPaul’s Drag Race to become the international phenomenon it is today. Alyssa Edwards, Bianca Del Rio, Jujubee, to name a few — I love them all (or most of them). However, it’s kind of like the noughties when Pop Idol was at its peak. Like, Pop Idol was great, and I sometimes enjoyed American Idol, too. But one resonated with me more on a cultural level, and I think that’s what’s happening with Drag Race as well. Farrah Moan tweeted earlier this month about how it was unfair that both series 2 of Drag Race UK and season 13 of Drag Race US were airing at the same time. At first, I didn’t think much of it, but now I think her points are valid. Maybe it would have been beneficial for each season to have their own slot and undivided fanbase support?

Perhaps, the unorthodox opening of the season was a little too bizarre for my liking? I didn’t mind it initially, as I was happy to have Drag Race back on my TV screen. In hindsight, however, the Porkchop twist was cruel. It’s got to the point where the show has become a launchpad for queens to potentially propel themselves to international stardom. That’s intense! So watching just over half the cast believe their journey was over before it begun sucked. It’s acceptable from a viewers perspective, as common sense would suggest something isn’t quite right. But those poor queens! Not to mention the fact it sets a precedent for those who won to act a little superior. And let’s be real, some of those queens (ahem! Kandy Muse and Tina Burner) don’t need their egos stroked. That’s not to say some of the lip-syncs weren’t fun to watch. It showcased the talent and determination of most of the queens and established depth to their backgrounds. For example, we learn that powerhouse Tamisha Iman was initially meant to be on season 12 but dropped out due to a cancer diagnosis. Despite losing the lip-sync, I can’t help but root for her.

To further enhance the cruelness, Tamisha and the rest of queens who lose their lip-syncs, while knowing they could be leaving, learn that they must vote to eliminate one of their competitors. Ouch. The majority decide Elliott with 2 Ts, but it’s okay, she comes right back the next episode to join the winning queens. Random or what? The sequence really takes you out of the show, as it’s evident from a viewers perspective that this has been orchestrated to create tension and drama. And yes, we obviously love that on Drag Race. However, it falls flat, mainly because it takes four episodes for Elliott and the queens to reunite. Essentially, we’re given three episodes where not one queen goes home. While I appreciate boasting each girl’s potential as much as possible, the format isn’t exactly the best due to the dynamic created in the first episode. 

Nevertheless, like every other season, there are queens who you need to keep your eye on. These are the upcoming superstars. 25-year-old Symone is absolutely stunning! Her fashion knowledge shows through her aesthetic, but don’t worry, the girl has a personality too! She wins both episode 2 and 4 in funny and creative performance-lead challenges. Another queen to watch is Olivia Lux. I’m already enchanted by this cutesy underdog in the first episode, as she wins the lip-sync against seasoned queen Rosé despite only performing in drag for a year. We also have Denali, who after winning episode 3, falls into the bottom two in episode 4, but she turns the curse into a blessing with a fantastic lip-sync performance. Two more of my personal favourites include Gottmik, a trans trailblazer with brilliant make-up skills, and LaLa Ri who is genuinely hilarious in and out of drag. 

So that’s that for now. Personally, I don’t think this will be one of my favourite seasons, but there’s more than enough talent to invest in. At the moment, I just can’t help but fall in love with my British queens just that little bit more. 

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series 2 Review: Episode Two

Last week we said goodbye to the legendary Joe Black, as she became the first queen to sashay away from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series 2. It was no easy good — oh wait, Bimini’s already asked for ‘the cleaning stuff’, and just like that Joe Black’s lipstick message is all but a smear of victory for Bimini in her thigh-high six-inch boots (how did she lip-sync in those?!). Anyway, what does episode two have in store for us drag-obsessed? Will Asttina remain top-dog? Last week’s winner claimed she deserved her win, but her competitors can’t say the same, especially A’Whora. When asked to explain why she thought Asttina was in the bottom, she grinned and said ‘It was an ASOS jacket’. Oof! Sometimes you can’t blame a queen for being honest. Asttina, clearly a little annoyed, rejoices in her win anyway by death dropping around her sisters. ‘Girls just step your pussies up, just do it’. Well, let’s find out if anybody did.

It’s a new day in the workroom, and after a cryptic rat-related video message from RuPaul, the queens are introduced to a politically-themed mini-challenge. They’re instructed to strut to the ballot box and cast their votes for Secretary of Shade (the shadiest one), Trade Minister (the hottest one), Leader of Lording it Up (the cockiest one), and Baroness Basic (yes, you guessed it, the most basic one). After a fun few quips and controversial decisions revealed (Asttina as the most basic? She just bloody won the first challenge, Veronica) the results are in…and similarly to the UK 2019 General Election, there aren’t many surprises. A’Whora is appointed Secretary of Shade, Tayce wins Trade Minister, Lawrence Chaney becomes Leader of Lording it Up, and poor Tia Kofi is voted Baroness Basic. At this point, between Cherry calling out Tia’s questionable fashion and the majority of queens voting Tia as Baroness Basic, I can’t help but feel the underdog arc is already forming with Tia. It’s exciting! Particularly if you, like myself, tend to be fans of the underdog doesn’t feel sorry for themselves. However, RuPaul must be feeling sorry for her because she lets Tia assign all the roles for the upcoming main challenge Rats: The Rusical. An obvious low-budget adaptation of the famous Cats musical.

As with most musical challenges in Drag Race history, there are several awkward moments and bitchy confessionals of queens complaining throughout the role assignment. Both Cherry and Veronica want Evita’s role, but it’s Veronica’s passionate recital of her 15 years of performance experience that sways Tia’s decision. Of course, another unavoidable aspect of musical challenges are uncomfortable singing and dancing rehearsals. There were a plethora of fuck-ups which prompted criticism from our very own Michelle Visage. Tayce is told to improve her enunciation, A’Whora is hilariously called out for her prissiness, and Lawrence for holding back. This culminates in a nail-biting moment with Lawrence, clearly dreading having to dance and sing in front of the instructor. It’s easy to feel sorry for Lawrence, but I also kinda want to shake the insecurity out him at the same time.

On the main stage, moments before Rats: The Rusical, RuPaul welcomes back Alan Carr (who’s judging was deliciously scathing this episode) and introduces this week’s guest judge Sheridan Smith. Now, as Joe Black (gone but not forgotten) would say: it’s showtime! Most of the queens excel in their roles, and it’s fun to see them commit to the campness and absurdity of it all — particularly Tia and Bimini. Veronica objectively did well, but the character she fought for was boring and out of place in contrast to the others. Unfortunately, Tayce, Cherry and Lawrence all looked visibly nervous at times, and Ginny (though recovered well) fucked up her line at one point. On the Rusical scale, I would say it was better than, say, PharmaRusical, but not as good as Shade: The Rusical or Bitch Perfect. Definitely up there, though.

This week’s runway theme was ‘Surprise, Surprise’, which ended up not having anything to do with Cilla Black. A shame because that theme could’ve brought a bit more fashion and fun to the main stage. It was a definite letdown compared to last week, as the queens dawned the set in their two-in-one looks. Asttina, A’Whora, and Veronica showcase well-constructed and imaginative concepts. Tia Kofi, on the other hand, doesn’t. The red dress and Barbie-like wig is an absolute boot. With both their performances and runway looks considered, Ellie, Tia and Veronica are the top three, and Cherry, Lawrence, and Tay are the bottom three. Tia narrowly loses her win to Veronica, while the judges put Cherry and Tayce up for elimination for both poor performances and underwhelming looks — I actually liked Cherry’s but what do I know?

The two queens lip-sync to Memory by Elaine Page. An obviously fitting lip-sync for this episode. Though the song’s energy is nowhere near the levels of a typical lip-sync song, it’s become my favourite of all Drag Race UK lip-sync’s so far. There’s a genuine appeal to queens lip-syncing to slow, heartfelt songs. There’s no reliance on moves and tricks that have become standard on the show, and I felt the emotion from both of them. Ultimately, it was Tayce who came out on top. It’s super-sad to see Cherry go, though expected, as we were given insight into her story tonight.

It’s only episode two, and it’s already hard seeing these queens leave. I don’t know if I can take it anymore!

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series 2 Review: Episode One

What do you get when you put a self-proclaimed Susan Boyle, a mental health practitioner, and a fashion designer among others in a bright-pink workroom? Why, it’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series two, of course. Once more, RuPaul’s travelled across the pond to crown a British drag superstar…and judging by this first episode, it might be a challenging task. Drag Queens have been cast far and wide across the British Isles, from Dundee to Brighton, for the spectacle. If the cast is anything to go by – it’s going to be a bloody good series.

We have kooky queens including Brighton’s own Joe Black, yellow-obsessed Ginny Lemon (fancy a sloiiiiice…already iconic), and Sister Sister with her mesmerising glittery blue circle. There are fierce fashionistas, Asttina Mandella and Tayce, sworn dancers ready to make up for the first series’ lacklustre lip-syncs. Cherry Valentine and Veronica Green are our endearing Northern underdogs. A’Whora and Tia Kofi have already cemented themselves as scrappy yet fun queens, with glimpses of a potentially exciting feud between them both. Two (thank god) Scottish queens in Ellie Diamond and Lawrence Chaney, and East London’s bendiest bitch Bimini Bon Boulash…who I genuinely find gorgeous in and out of drag.

Amid the new cast getting to know each other, fun and frolics pursue as RuPaul enters the workroom. He tells the competitors that Drag Race is not for the faint-hearted. All of a sudden, the first mini challenge is set, conventionally attractive photographer and all. The queens take action in the aptly named tennis-themed photoshoot ‘Wimbled’Hun‘. Green balls are awkwardly flung everywhere, some even end up literally stuck to Tia’s hair. Lawrence Chaney is eventually named the winner of the first mini-challenge and the queen’s cheer in unison. Over a pretty odd picture, I have to say. RuPaul then explains this week’s main challenge. The girls will have to conjure two runway looks – one resembling a UK gay icon, and another ‘hometown’ look.

While the queens are preparing to get ready, there’s a genuinely engaging conversation between Asttina and Tayce regarding gay representation in POC communities. This is a vital discussion, which I’m glad made it onto mainstream television. It culminates in them both doing Naomi Campbell for their gay icon, but I can’t help but wave my fist in the air at the thought of neither of them doing Scary Spice.

Cut scene to the main challenge, RuPaul is joined on the judging panel by Drag Race veteran Michelle Visage and series one returnee (the legendary) Graham Norton. They’re accompanied by the fabulous Elizabeth Hurley who’s this week’s extra-special guest judge. Who happens to be quite funny, too? The music begins, and the queens come out one by one on the runway to showcase their gay icon looks. My personal favourite was Joe Black for her Life on Mars-inspired David Bowie look. Michelle bizarrely took issue with for it not being commercial enough?! Other standouts include Lawrence Chaney as Diana Rigg in The Avengers and a gloriously outlandish Ellie Diamond as Lily Savage.

As for the hometown looks, I genuinely loved Asttina’s East London-chic outfit. Yes, it was essentially a bomber jacket statement piece, but the characterisation was there, and she still looked amazing. Still, I feel like other queens have stomped down the runway in less or similar looks and won (Adore Delano’s Glitter Ball banjee-girl look springs to mind). Tayce’s Welsh dragon outfit was polished and primed, while Ellie Diamond displayed another camp design channelling her inner Dennis the Menace. 

In the end, it was Joe Black and Bimini who had to lip-sync for their lives. They grooved to the fab ‘Relax’ by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Bimini with her oozing sex appeal came out on top over Joe’s somewhat rigid performance. It’s always sad to see someone go home first, especially in a cast this strong. However, it’s genuinely shocking to see a seasoned queen go home early, especially when Joe rocked the runway the way she did. Though her time was short, it was definitely sweet – and I think there’s plenty more to see from Joe Black. Plus, she will always be the first queen to literally levitate on the runway (please tell me someone else noticed this). Nevertheless, the show goes on next week, and I commend the girls for an epic first episode.