DragRaceUK [SEASON 2]

[Kieran_Frost]

DRAG RACE UK
[Season 2]

https://www.instagram.com/gwcb/

A brand new season, with brand new queens!!! Let us discuss, post reviews, fan art! OH MY GOD FAN ART! I love the fan art! Anything and everything. Obviously this will be a post-COVID season (I believe it was filmed in September-October between the UK lockdowns). How it will pan out, what will be effected, whether werk-room Ru will interact with the queens, or will it all be done via zoom... who knows? HA! All I know is Raven was there doing her make-up (thank gawd). Obviously this is very focused on season 2 of UK Drag Race (there is a separate thread for Drag Race Season 13), but post any drag race love you want (queens coming to your local clubs, new songs out, etc). But... please let's none of us attack the queens. EVER! Criticize them, yes, but let's remember it's drag! It's silly. It's fun. And while a queen can come off as "talentless" ON THE SHOW, that doesn't mean they aren't a fierrrrrrce queen in "the other real world" (as my teacher once said). 2020 has been a rough old year, so be kind. Please. To quote Alaska "for f*ck sake... it's just drag."

REGARDING SPOILERS!
Please, please use spoiler tags! I think if we all wait till Sunday to stop using them, that should be fine
[as any die hard drag race fan would have seen the show by Sunday, or avoided all on-line media, so they won't see it regardless]

THE QUEENS
Bimini Bon Boulash. Bttm2. WON LIPSYNC. WORE IT BEST. [mini ep#4]. High. WINNING TEAM. W. SNATCH GAME. High. W. [PUPPETS]. W.
Lawrence Chaney. PHOTOSHOOT. Top3. [LEADER OF LORDING IT UP]. Low. WORE IT BEST. W. ["Top Toot" ep#3]. W. WINNING TEAM. W. Bttm2. WON LIPSYNC. Low. High. High.
Ellie Diamond. High. High. UP FOR ELIMINATION. LOSING TEAM. High. [mini ep#8]. Low. Bttm2.
Tayce. ["Top Toot" ep#1]. [TRADE MINISTER]. Bttm2. WON LIPSYNC. [mini ep#3]. UP FOR ELIMINATION. WINNING TEAM. W. High. Bttm2. WON LIPSYNC. Bttm2. WON LIPSYNC.

A'Whora. [SECRETARY OF SHADE]. ["Top Toot" ep#2]. WORE IT BEST. High. WINNING TEAM. W. Low. W. ELIMINATED
Sister Sister. Low. WORE IT BEST. Bttm2. LOSING TEAM. [READING]. ELIMINATED
Tia Kofi. [BARONESS BASIC]. High. Bttm2. WON LIPSYNC. LOSING TEAM. Bttm2. WON LIPSYNC. ELIMINATED
Joe Black. ELIMINATED. VOTED BACK IN. LOSING TEAM. ELIMINATED. ["Top Toot" ep#5]
Veronica Green. W. [mini ep#3]. WORE IT BEST. Low. ["Top Toot" ep#4] [REMOVED DUE TO TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID]
Ginny Lemon. UP FOR ELIMINATION. Low. DISQUALIFIED
Asttina Mandella. W. UP FOR ELIMINATION. ELIMINATED
Cherry Valentine. ELIMINATED

[Kieran_Frost]

Kieran Frost's "TROPHY HALL OF FAME"

Every season, as well as keeping a tally of the queens who win, lose, high, low, mini-challenge, lipsync, etc... I also give out my own little awards: for the performance, runway, and (if it's great) the lipsync. I also give out a Glittered Raspberry if one queen, really is delivering some grade A BULLLLLLLLLSH*T!

TROPHIES
7. Bimini Bon Boulash. RUsical Trophy. Performance Trophy. Snatch Game Trophy. Runway Trophy. Stand-up Trophy. Runway Trophy. Puppet Trophy.
5. A'Whora. Runway Trophy. Runway Trophy. Performance Trophy. Runway Trophy. Runway Trophy. Runway Trophy.
4. Tayce. Lipsync Trophy. Lipsync Trophy. Lipsync Trophy. Performance Trophy.
2. Tia Kofi. Runway Trophy. Lipsync Trophy
2. Joe Black. Entrance Trophy. Runway Trophy
1. Lawrence Chaney. Runway Trophy.
1. Ellie Diamond. Runway Trophy.
1. Sister Sister. Lipsync Trophy.
1. Veronica Green. Runway Trophy.
1. Asttina Mandella. Promo Trophy.

Glittered Raspberry
ep1. A'Whora... for being a 'lewk' queen thinking an ASOS jacket can't win a runway
ep2. Asttina Mandella... she is not an actress, but thinks she's good at it.
ep3. NOT GIVEN
ep4. Ginny Lemon... for giving up
ep5. Sister Sister... I'm sorry, but I think you stole that look
ep6. NOT GIVEN

[Kieran_Frost]

MEET THE QUEENS

This is where we get our first look at the 12 new queens from Season 2 of #DragRaceUK. We get 3 minutes of an interview and a chance to enjoy their first look. This isn't as important as your entrance look (because the majority don't watch the online videos) but it's still an example of what's to come. The queens who 'get it' are the ones who get far, so let's see who 'gets it'. Of course I could be completely wrong...

MY FRONT RUNNER
BIMINI BON BOULASH
"I invented Veganism about 7 years ago."
I loved this pink Tudor absurdity, it was so fun and detailed. The headpiece, the ruffles, the specific accessories; all done so well. If Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous went the route of Anna Nicole Smith... but in Elizabethan times; THAT is this look. HA! On top of that her personality is a little bit chavy (in a good way); so fun and real. It's absurd, it's silly, she doesn't take herself too seriously (even seems a little bit drunk - I'm sure she wasn't - which adds to the charm). It was all so Patsy and I loved it. My favourite.

LOVED
ASTTINA MANDELLA
[so sorry, forgot to write down a quote, too busy being obsessed with that ass]
Ummmmm... so... I have a huge crush. THOSE THIGHS! That ass! I have such a thing for dancers, with tight ballet asses. I'd 100% f*ck him out of drag, ha! Add in that this stunning beauty is also a huge nerd; name checking anime, wizards, superheroes, Star Wars... oh my days. So much fun, so honest and believable! I'm rooting for her. It was so good I'll even ignore that wonky eyelash (to quote Alaska: "What was with that eyelash... gurrrrrrrl?"). Not sure if she could win, but he can get in my bed.

GINNY LEMON
"I'm 17 and I'm from Worcester... just like the sauuuuuce."
Oh my god, it's Sue Pollard! BWAHAHAHAHA! Oh what absurdist goodness is this? Now Krystal last season never did it for me, it wasn't that I think Drag Queens can't have body hair, but it never seemed to go with what she was selling. But with Ginny... I GET IT! This white face, blue eye brows, HA-UGE yellow feathered sack of Big Bird's remains with her hairy man hands sticking out the bottom, each finger tattooed with K A T E / B U S H. BWAHAHAHAHA! It was all ridiculous and I got who she was in seconds. This queen is gonna make me laughhhhhhh! Do I see her winning though, not really.

JOE BLACK
"Nanas love me. I go out there, play my George Formby and they think 'what a strange young man'."
This, to me, is quintessential UK drag: it's comedic, in-your-face, harmless and self-deprecating as hell. Dressed as a fashionable Sharon Needles (#shade), I loved the huge pointy shoulders, clawed hands and I have no idea what was on that wig, but I loved it. She looks like an evil queen from a panto, and acts like it too (a genuinely loveable b*tch). YAS, EVIL KWEEEEEN! I could see a queen this rooted in herself and polished getting to the top, or even winning.

LAWRENCE CHANEY
"I'm almost the Fat B*stard of Drag."
Another Tudor inspired look, this time serving Mary Queen of Scots via a purple rhinestone glue machine, haha! No, I actually really enjoyed it. The ruffles, that wig, that RICH velvet. Rich. Expensive. Expensive rich. And the body was on-point! I wasn't sure about the make-up though. Regardless, this is a fiery Scottish Bonnie and he knows it! Utter silliness and not trying to be anything but her own ridiculous self. He made me laugh the most; the entire time he was on screen I was smiling from ear-to-ear. That personality alone will see him get far in the competition.

LIKED
CHERRY VALENTINE
I loved this look, LOVED! IT! I loved it even more when the Boulet Brothers wore it. HA! I don't mean to be shady, but from the red eyes, to the Spider Queen headpiece, the dagger nails, shoulders out and the tightness of the body... it was 100% Boulet Brother realness (avec moi, ce soir). Regardless, it was beautifully put together and that laugh... gives me hope. She seems very real, which I like a lot. Honest... but still a queen. And when she said she grew up on a gypsy camp I knew I'd like her. The jury is still out on her originality though.

ELLIE DIAMOND
If Joe Black is the evil queen from a panto, then Ellie Diamond is the dame (with a bit of Glinda the Good thrown in). There was so much pink, so many curls and swirls and I loved it. That gnome hat was everything! If Little Bo Peep became a Fairy Godmother this would be the result. That said... she's 21 years old, looks 45 and is 6 foot 4 inches? DAMN!!! A Scottish giant. She was fun and I liked her; but I think Lawrence is stealing my love of Scotland harder.

SISTER SISTER
I would not want to be a Liverpool queen going into DragRaceUK Season 2, knowing the last winner was from Liverpool. That's some BIG shoes to fill. I liked what she was wearing, and didn't at the same time. This giant ruffled pillow case, looking like Veruca Salt's AFTER the blueberry; with such huge, shiny lips on the stomach. It was a choice, it was a concept. So I respect it. Like Crystal Methy'd entering as a shiny green clown in S12... not sure I love the end result, but I appreciate a big swing. She seems soft, maybe shy, but confident too. Potential to be a smiling assassin...

FILLER
A'WHORA
The make-up is cool, love that Mr Whippy quaff of a wig, not sure about the curl on the face but I love that it's glittered. That aqua-blue is a great colour on her, but I wasn't sure about the huge pillow on her shoulders. It seemed... odd. And speaking of odd... her personality was non-existent. It was all the same recycled drag catchphrases, attitude and drag lingo that (basically) any fan of drag race uses. She felt utterly unoriginal (and from a self proclaimed look queen... I question this look). Then again I thought the same thing about Cheryl Hole and look how far she got... so what do I know?

TAYCE
I used to live near Newport, Wales! Sidebar. Anyway I liked the look, the pearl white looked beautiful on her skin, though I wasn't sure about some of the feathered placement, especially on her chest and knees. While expensive, it did seem a little 'hodge podge'. I liked that she speaks Welsh, and brought a lot of sass. I'm not sure I saw the "real" her yet; she had confidence and attitude (which I liked) but nothing to root for. Yet. This made me chuckle though: "I'm like a sexy owl, here to peck your face away with my claws. Peck, peck, peck." HA!

TIA KOFI
The look is very Cleopatra, which I liked. LOVED those braids, they looked expensive and the giant 'TIA' earrings were fun (it was a great colour on her). She was giving me a little Cheryl Hole vibes (Essex, girl group), which isn't necessarily a compliment. She can't sow, and I appreciate the honesty but... that lack of commitment worries me. She seems truthful, seems to know herself and I love a young queen who has reverence for old school drag. You don't always have to be talking about reinventing the wheel, sometimes the wheel is just fine.

VERONICA GREEN
I love the dress, the ruffles are great, the make-up is good but... all a little boring. Lippy, eye shadow, done. And she's a little masculine in the jawline (but not intentionally so, based on the rest of the presentation). She... she seems unsure. She seems to have zero faith in herself... and truthfully I got vibes of "I failed as an actor, so let's try this to get that fame I crave so much another way." Gotta be honest, she gave me 'first out' vibes.

PROMO TROPHY: Asttina Mandella. This... chocolate ruffled crop-top hoodie! It's so original and fun; showing off her muscled thighs, solid abs abs abs for days, and that ass. Her long wig coming out just on one side, down her front, highlighting the big hoop earring on the other. It was evvvvvverything! She says "hip-hop Jedi" and she would be right. LOVED THIS!!!

[Kieran_Frost]

DRAGRACE UK
S2 EP1

'Allo Kweens. Can you Adam and Eve it? It's a brand new season of Drag Race UK; and these queens are here to make our Covid lives MUCH BETTA'. Interestingly, unlike in America, the judges panel is not isolated from each other behind glass. Though this may change as -- SPOILERS -- the first four episodes were shot early 2020, but they weren't able to resume filming the rest of the series till Oct 2020. There is no twist this season, it's just good ol' fashion Drag Race. Ladies... start your engines... and may the best red wig and a silver dress... win!

ENTRANCE LOOKS
For most viewers, this is the first moment to meet the queens. It matters. It's the first impression, a chance to instantly show who you are... and it's a look you have a) complete free range of, b) the most time to prepare. It's right up there with 'finale runway' and 'crowning look' in importance. So don't f*ck it up...
Lawrence Chaney. I LOVE this print, it's so vibrant and unusual, like gold oil dipped in purple water. I'm not sure about the white bejazzled gloves or the shape of the hair, but overall it was very beautiful and this is a thicker queen who knows how to pad. Very funny, very self-deprecating. Here for it!
Cherry Valentine. Oh my god, that do-over after she knocks her headpiece off in the doorway... hilarious. HAHAHA! Anyway: the look... I love this look. It's horror vampire meets Mariachi Flamenco lady. The padding seems a little odd on the hips, but the huge sleeves with the red glitter trim, the make-up, and the placement of the cuts on her body (to accent her figure perfectly) were all top notch. The blood splatter on the nails was SO, SO COOL The make-up is still very Boulet Brothers but I think I need to just get over that (it's not like the Boulet Brothers invented that look, they just did it the most iconic). Interesting out of drag he looks like Alan Cummings.
Tia Kofi. That... wig... is... AWFUL!. The fake reveal was funny and I loved the leopard print, all-in-one gloved look. Though the stockings clashed badly, and that lion mane thirsty hair... so, so thirsty. Soju looking at the others de-draging thirsty.
Bimini Bon Boulash. Oh. I liked this, to a degree, LOVE the boots and the colour combo and hair is great. I even like the vagazzled vagina, but overall it seems a little... odd, not quite warrioress, not quite a stripper, yet an odd mix of the two. And I dont want her saying she's vegan all the time. Breastplate was well disguised, Tamisha Iman could take notes.
Ginny Lemon. I really liked this, it's a lot more tailored version of her "Meet the Queens" look. Love the shaping of the dress and the peek-a-boo around the armpits. That orange purse and the lemon earrings! SO GOOD! It was silly but very well tailored. "Fancy a Sliiiiiiiice" necklace was super fun too. She told us who she was and it worked. Bravo.
Ellie Diamond. If Trixie Mattel's aesthetic met Kim Chi's make-up... I feel we'd get Ellie Diamond. I liked this, it was very polished, glad to see a mermaid skirt done right. Love the heart cut outs, the hair. It was all so well put-together and detailed. I just... didn't find it 'exciting'. The idea is very done. Beautifully excecuted, true; credit to her skills as a seamstress, but still a bit meh.
Sister Sister. On the one hand I don't love it. The patterns, colour pallet were jarring... it all seemed a little TOO long, spacious and hanging for that silouette. On the other hand the intentional nod to period, THEN twisting it in her own style, add in the beautiful wig and the boldness of covering the entire area around her mouth in blue... I like that originality. It excited me.
Tayse. I LOVE THIS JACKET! Crazy for it! Banksy meets pop-art; punk and playful all in one. It was fantastically shaped, with those hard edges, paired perfectly with the black latex thigh-high boots. The clips in the hair were a fantastic touch many would ignore. And that lonnnnnng Naomi Small's hair. This was very very very very cool, powerful and fierce. Tayse gives me a lot of fierce! Also out of drag he's super hot and sounds sooooo sexy.
Veronica Green. This was Milk's 'glamour' dress from season 6 (done right) with Courtney Act's face painted on. I saw ZERO originality. It was pretty and the colour is great on her. The end.
Asttina Mandella. THOSE. F*CKING. THIGHS! I mean this is stellar. It was beautifully cut, I loved the black tights and arms against this grey floor length high-waisted Jedi jacket with one button holding it together. Tayse had long hair, but Asstina has THE hair. The one and only. So shiny and perfect. The face is beat, the thighs... the thighs... woof, the thighs. GAWD, he's gorgeous. And so polished, this reminded me of the Vivienne: entered knowing "I'm gonna f*cking win!" This would be the entrance trophy, were it not for Joe Black.
A'Whora. I got the reference one she said "there really is no place like home". But if you have to tell us... I think as a reimagined Dorothy Gale look it's clever, but I admire the idea more than the overall effect. There is something about the crotch and tights that didn't work. And again she mentioned fashion... this wil be an ongoing issue this episode, but let's kick it off by saying this: when's the fashion part going to start?
ENTRANCE TROPHY: Joe Black. I just loved this, it was all... so immaculate. The black 1920's Norman Desmond styling with the cape and the turban, the dark green of the feather, the green lining of the cape. The barcoded tights to extender the illusion, the solid bronze curl. That jewel!!! It was just GORGEOUS! This was stunning, make-up perfect. The Gloria Swanson of drag!

MINI-CHALLENGE WIMBLED'HUN
This was very silly. I'm pleased they didn't try and bring back the "recorded" photos from season 1, and Kevin McDaid... is a HOTTIE photographer (go look up his naked pics, you won't be disappointed). I always love a photoshoot, though I feel this one... produced few good photos. I wasn't sure about a lot of these outfit changes. Lawrence was funny, yes; but that photo was stupid. I don't think he should have won. I loved Veronica Green's idea for a photo, very 1960s BUT she herself is forgettable in the shot, it's the Brit Crew who sold it. I applaud Asttina and Cherry for actually looking like tennis players, and I think Asttina had the best photo (personally).

BACK IN THE WERK ROOM...
2020 was 50th anniversary of the Gay Liberation Front; and to celebrate the queens have to do two runways (similar to the first episode of DragRaceUK Season 1). It was odd the queens acted like doing two looks in the first episode was a shock... did they not see Season 1??? Lawrence not taking off his makeup because he feels vulnerable out of drag was completely understandable. I get it, and his shyness really touched me. I am rooting for this him! Then we came to a fascinating discussion between Asttina and Tayse (who are both doing Naomi Campbell for the 'icon of drag') because they didn't have any black LGBT+ UK icons to choose. I'm so pleased this was talked about, and I hope this conversation helps others watching the show. And it was kind of the show not to put them one-after-another on the runway. THAT SAID... I would have loved if one of them had done Justin Fashanu (the first ever prominent out footballer, who sadly saw his promising career destroyed when he revealed he was gay in 1990).

[TO BE CONTINUED]

[Kieran_Frost]

[PART II]

CATEGORY IS... UK GAY ICONS
TOOT
Asttina Mandella as Naomi Campbell. Beautiful look, and of course I loved his rocking muscular body just visible beneath that sheer fabric. It's a great replica of now she looked... I don't think it was quintessential Naomi. I question "why this one?" of ALL Naomi's looks; but it was meticulously remade and I did enjoy it a lot (she SOLD IT on the runway).
Ginny Lemonas Kate Bush. YASSS! See you go for the iconic: Kate Bush. Wuthering Heights video. SOLD! The replication was okay, she sold it on the runway with the iconic movements, but it's just a red dress, not patterned like Kate Bush's in the video. Still, I got it. Job done.
Bimini Bon Boulash as Princess Julia. I didn't know this person, didn't hate the idea. I think it was a good look, but I have no reference for this. So it left me numb.
Lawrence Chaney as Dame Dianna Rigg. LOVED!!! I didn't need them to tell me who he was, I instantly got it. THAT is how you do it! And it wasn't just in the costume, he painted his face to match her style. Oh and this outfit, the detailing! The fit was stunning, the colour perfect. THE HAIR WAS IDENTICAL!!! It was a slam dunk. He looked like her, even if not petite, it is possible to replicate an icon. The reveal was fantastic too. Best damn catsuit ever.
Cherry Valentine as Freddie Mercury. Again, I got it INSTANTLY! This was such a brilliant idea of how to do a male gay icon while still being a drag queen. I thought the replication in the face was great, using the hoover was a fun touch (I just wish he'd cut the wire, we didn't need it). That said the outfit did look a little cheap...
Sister Sister as Dusty Springfield. I totally got this, to me it was iconic Dusty. I 100% know this outfit, and I saw it in the presentation. The makeup was Dusty, the hair was Dusty, this was really good. Simple but pretty.
Tayse as Naomi Campbell. This actually gave more Naomi (in face and look) than Asttina, it felt more of an iconic Naomi, it just... looked a little cheaper.

BOOT
Joe Black as David Bowie. I... hmmmm... I don't know why you'd do THIS look for David Bowie? The lightning bolt is the iconic look. Or the Goblin King. Even putting that aside, the hair and make-up didn't give me Bowie. It wasn't a replication I could root for. I obviously can see the connection, but I don't think it was detailed enough in other areas (hair/make-up) to complete the transformation into a drag replica while still maintaining the effect. I didn't hate it, but didn't love it.
Veronica Green as Boy George. I do think this replication was the most detailed and intricut, it was very impressive. BUT... it was 100% man. There was nothing feminine about it, and think of the Vivienne being Pete Burns in Season 1. It was a FEMALE Pete Burns. With this look there was no clever feminising, it was a literal replication of a man. YES, Boy George is 'gender bent', I understand... but this is a show about drag queens. Not kings. Controversial, I know...
A'Whora as Vivienne Westwood. This was... interesting. I don't think the colours worked, and the mismatching tartan didn't go with the ruffles or the make-up. It was an idea. It didn't work for me. 'Fashion kween'. Hmmmm...
b]Ellie Diamond as Lily Savage[/b]. This didn't give me Lily Savage, AT ALL, and it was the easiest of the icons for a drag queen to pay homage to. That make-up was Ellie's NOT Lily's. Think of Lawrence, she did Emma Peel's hair, Emma Peel's make-up. This was Ellie in a fabric that maybe Lily would wear, but not at that length, and not padded like that. It was a miss.
RUNWAY TROPHY: Tia Kofi as Alan Turing. I LOVED THIS!!! I think it was such a fashion forward way of conveying such a masculine icon. The green computer board pattern lining on the sleeves, the colour and pocket; the 100101011100 patterns all over his suit (in rainbow colours, no less) was so sophisticated. The pink colouring in the grey hair, freeing the chains at the start. Just marvelous. I actually loved everything about it and felt it was such an intelligent way of doing this concept.

CATEGORY IS... QUEEN OF YOUR HOME TOWN
TOOT
Asttina Mandella (East London). LOVED that wig, braided with gold clips. I know that girl! The jacket was fantastic (who cares if it's from ASOS, it looked great). The thighs were everything, and the chicken shop addition was inspired. This was a great look. Five for five. Lewk queen!
Tia Kofi (Nottingham). This was Robin Hood BUT it was taken that extra mile, it was almost Elven archer goddess; an avant-garde way of doing Robin Hood. I applaud the creativity, and LOVED the colour combo in the outfit. The hair matching the inner lining of the cloak was beautiful. She was FIERCE (and I think she should have been Top 3).
Lawrence Chaney (Glasgow). What a creative idea for Glasgow, I echo Michelle that NOT going tartan was an applause worthy choice. And a fantastic shape on her, she really knows how to pad and worker herself. Loved the print, the quaffed hair with the same colour at the base of the mermaid skirt. Creative, well done, make-up is great, that hat was wonderful, period but modern, love it. A fantastic statement.
Cherry Valentine (Darlington). I loved this steampunk Victoria chmney sweep, it as fantasyic, loved hair and make-up, the grey for ash, but it was giving me poodle. Don't know why. Just such a polished look, no Boulet Brother in sight, YASSS!
Veronica Green (Lancashire). Once I realised she was doing the rose from the flag I thought it was kinda cool and captured the colours beautifully. Ultimately it was just a pretty dress. Needed a little more white, love the roses in the hair, but not my favourite.
Sister Sister (Liverpool). I liked it, a Scouse woman in PJs and rollers, make-up was good, liked the curlers matching the pocket and side-slit. But it was... hardly original. Let's just say that.
Tayse (Newport). I LOVED THIS!!! This is possibly the best version of a Welsh flag as an outfit I've ever seen, using the face of the dragon as the corset, with the white and green fur. Great shape, great concept, not intractable in presenting dragon (as you don't see it face head-on, normally) and that SOLD black horned hair was an extra brilliant touch. This was an excellent look, and can't wait to see the fan art of it. But this is Wales, not Newport. Not hometown. Which is why it didn't get the trophy.

BOOT
Joe Black (Brighton). Was it beautiful, yes. Did it give me the pavilion, no. It was gorgeous and detailed and gave me panto dame (which is very Brighton), but I see why it was a misfire. If you asked me what city this was, I wouldn't have guess. And YASSS Elizabeth Hurley saying it's more Elizabethan than Regency, spot on the money and shady af.
Ginny Lemon (Worcester). LOVED that she was paying homage to a Drag King Bester Tilly. It as very well put together and detailed. But looked very masculine. I get it, king, but still. QUEEN of your Hometown. Don't do not you, and a king. Completely missed the category.
Bimini Bon Boulash (Norwich). I hated this, I saw that tape too. So tacky, didn't fit, I respect the idea but it wasn't polished. Hair didn't work, too manly. Just... horrible.
A'Whora (Nottingham). This looked like a rented Robin Hood costume from a costume shop. And she's fashion??? This idea was done vastly better by Tia. Next.
RUNWAY TROPHY: Ellie Diamond (Dundee). This Dennis the Menace mermaid latex skirt was SO GOOD! So clever, such a brilliant creation. THIS is how you do a masculine idea feminine, and I applaud it. Such a clever, stellar, beautifully done look, body on point, peek-a-boo of crotch was great. Just a home run. The fact she made this too is an extra brilliance, just a fantastic job.

LIPSYNC
"Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Considering how bad hte lipsyncs were last season, this was actually pretty good and not terrible for the first lipsync of any season (where the lipsyncs are often kinda poor). Last year we had Gothy KenDoll's weak ass performance; so this was a step up. The first half was really great and playful and different, I just feel Joe ran out of steam, and what was that elevator moment??? I really didn't understand it. NOT lipsyncing for a 'gag' that isn't funny is just such a mistake. Bimi's stunts were good during the verse break, and overall was more effortless. Not one for the books but still enjoyable. Just very sad Joe got eliminated, I was SOOOOOOOOO excited for him, but based on this lipsync it was a fair elimination.

OVERALL
A wonderful season opener, with a huge bunch of personality. These are POLISHED queens, no Hodge-podge here. I laughed a lot, and loved the runways (though could have had a little more excitement in the "Gay icon" category... NO SIR IAN??? RUDE!!!). And Elizabeth Hurley was a FABULOUS intelligent, insightful judge and I want more of her (and the b*tch has not aged a day). So many fun queens, and served in such a British way. Very excited for ep2.
~ rating: 4 out of 5 [grade: B+]

NEXT WEEKS...
RATS, the Musical. YYASSSSSS!!! Shady af, and I love it. Also it seems they do a Elf mini-challenge????

[Kieran_Frost]

DRAG RACE UK
EPISODE II
"Welcome to RuPaul's Rat Race. It's a dog eat dog world, and you're gonna need more than nine lives to survive. So get ready to chew up that scenery. OFFICIALLY!" ~ Mama Ru

The queens come back in the werk room after Joe Black's elimination (still sad about it). And everyone is shocked. The queens congratulate Asttina on her win, but then it comes up A'whora thought Asttina should be in the bottom... because of that ASOS jacket. It's so rude. WHO CARES it's from ASOS? It's such snobbery, Drag Race isn't about who spends the most, but who delivers what is asked best. It's clear who the villain of the season is...


IT'S A NEW DAY IN THE YOU BETTA WERK ROOM...
Asttina has her badge on it, Ellie is wearing elf ears (for some reason???) and Tayse looks sooooo sexy in this Resident Evil Chris Redfield black combat armour. He flooded my basement. For the mini-challenge the queens must enter a hung parliament, grab that poll and vote! Because voting is what? FUN-DE-MENTAL!
Secretary of Shade (shadiest queen)... A'Whora
Trade Minister (hottest out of drag)... Tayse
Leader of the House Lording It Up (cockiest queen)... Lawrence Chaney
Baroness Basic (need I say more)... Tia Kofi

RATS! THE RUSICAL! LIVE!
Unknown to the queens, whoever they vote 'Baroness Basic' will assign roles, and Tia does a very fair job, it was so well cast. The queens have to sing LIVE to the off-off-off-off West End production of "Rats! The Rusical". When I saw the trailer last week I said all I want is shade about the human hands, and I got that moment, so I was happy. As musicals go I thought it was good, but sometimes hard to understand/pick up all the lyrics; and that's probably because they were singing live. I understand why they are doing it live, since a lot more UK queens sing live over lipsync BUT... they haven't done a live singing challenge since Season 10 because Asia O'Hara messed up the words and therefore made it impossible to sell on iTunes. So... interesting risk...


THE RAT PACK aka THE EXTRAS
A Jazz number, and for the most part I enjoyed them. Lawrence was a bit all over the place with the dancing BUT compensated by making every line he delivered GOLD with bag(pipes) of energy. Where as Cherry was so focused on Lawrence missing the beat, it all just faded into the background. Sister Sister did a good job, and overall it was fun, silly, shady number. I really liked it.

EVITA
I can't believe I discounted Veronica Green? She said she had 10 years experience in musical theatre and it showed. She was so confident, controlling every movement and look. So perfectly slutty and the reveal of those terrifying mice sucking on her teets... BWAHAHAHA! She did a fantastic job, and felt the most musical theatre (to me).

JANE
Asttina said she was a great actress... she lied. This was TERRIBLE. She did the Kameron Michaels/Scaredy Kat "ohhhhhhh, whyyyy, boo hoo, poor meeeeeee". It was so terrible, annoying and she should have been in the bottom. And in rehearsal she was missing cues, not on the ball... and she does this professionally? I will say the ingenue is a hard role; I see so many actresses deliver such boring performances in that role, but you can make them scene stealing. Make them super dumb, super horny, fake innocent (but secretly a b*tch). Do something! Asttina did NOTHING. I actually found Kameron Michaels better in Breastworld.

DAME DOODIE STENCH & SPECIMEN ONE
Basically Ian McKellan and Judi Dench, and both did such a good job. I think Ginny Lemon was very funny, nailed all her interludes and made me smile every-time she performed. It wasn't layered, but it was very well done. And Tia Kofi... she had that one moment and she SMASHED IT! She had the best verse, it was a great song fully of clever humour and it was the show-stopping number. The Sha-blam, dragging herself off stage... I howled.

SCAT RAT & SCABBIES
To me this was the weakest group. Tayse had better energy, but the moment she said DRAG Race not RAT Race it threw her and she crashed. I was so sad that fun "rewind rewind rewind" spin didn't make it in. She spent so much time watching Ellie and lost it... BUT then did recover once it got to her verse, and did so well in that moment. I applaud stumbling and fighting to comeback from it. And Ellie... was just there. I actually thought she was the most forgettable of the whole musical. For me the bottom 3 should have been Ellie, Asttina and Tayce.

MS DYSENTERY & DEPRAVITY.
Arguably the best group; and this is mostly thanks to Bimi. Bimi SLAYYYYED this role. Yes, it was so in-tune to her as an artist, but that is a double-edged sword and she delivered. It was punk, tough, tons of energy, and the Phantom of the Opera beginning made me chuckle. She channeled Sid Vicious and it was gold. That stupid white moustache. BWAHAHAHA! A'Whora was funny in the deep moments, but Bimi stole the show.
RUSICAL TROPHY: Bimini Bon Boulash.

CATEGORY IS... SURPRISE, SURPRISE!
To be clear this isn't a "reveal" necessarily, it's a surprise. I wish Ru had got the Vivienne on a video to impersonate Cilla Black and say "Surprise! Surprise!"
TOOT
Lawrence Chaney. I didn't love this huge blue outfit, it didn't seem to fit. Lawrence has such a strong understanding of how to pad his body, and I get it was off due to the fabric underneath. But it still felt 'eh'. BUT the end result is excellent; this huge tartan dress with a stellar shape and a super fun little tartan fascinator hat. Add in the fake pulling off the pants and the second ever 'clap back' during the runway (Bob the Drag Queen was the first)... it was a Toot.
Ginny Lemon. Mrs Overall!!! This was quintessential Ginny Lemon; it was so fun, so stupid and so odd. The yellow crocs on her feet, with the red crocs earrings... I LIVED!!! And for years... FOR YEARS... I have wanted a reveal that was the same outfit underneath. AND I GOT IT! This was stupid wonderful, and shame on the judges for not putting Ginny in the Top3 for this moment alone.
Asttina Mandella. Body is stunning, loved this hot pink Mortal Combat warrioress with the face mask and thigh-high tights. The small bob, the yellow eyes, the sais; it was a great runway. So sexy, so polished. And I loved the monster teeth mouth surprise.
Veronica Green. This Stepford Wives look with the subtle robot eyes, to make her seem dead was so good. MINUS the huge hoop skirt, it would have been much shorter for that period. But flipping off the wig and mechanically revealing THE BEST robot look we've ever seen on the runway, in Metropolis gold. BEAUTIFUL!

BOOT
Tia Kofi. Tofi said she's got her three worst looks out of the way... I liked her first runway looks. This was awful. Everything about it was terrible.
Ellie Diamond. I liked the Scarecrow inspired look. The Tin Man was fine, even though the hair didn't go with the look. The Lion was better. But where was Dorothy? I'd accept the basic effect of the four looks, because she's doing four reveals. But three? You don't reveal three of the four Beatles. NO!
Cherry Valentine. I didn't mind this yellow polka-dot look with the black balloon, didn't love the shape. The confetti balloon was fun, I liked the bows on the back of the shoes. But I hated that second look. As surprises go... meh.
Sister Sister. I hated this first look, the black gloves made no sense, the makeup was BUSTED and chunky. The reveal... I was... no. She reminds me of Priscilla Chambers from Dragula. I did like the bald Frankenstein reveal at the end.
Tayse. Red cloak into a red dress into a red body suit. Okay. The face and hair, splattered in blood was everything. The face was iconic! THE EYES! The eyebrows! YAAS!!! But the outfits were a miss. Soft boot.
RUNWAY TROPHY: A'Whora. Loved this Victorian gentleman, with the top hat and cane revealing an epic bride underneath. It was the best reveal, I didn't see it coming, the largest transformation, and the curl over her eyes was beautiful. This was brilliant.

LIPSYNC
Tayse vs Cherry Valentine to Elaine Paige "Memories". I mean... WOW! This was the best lipsync we've seen on Drag Race UK to date. FACTS! Tayce! Owned! EVERYTHING! I understood why Cherry didn't move, this is a song about emotions and heart... but you're being asked to lipsync not sing "Memories" as you would on a West End stage. And Tayce found the moments. So smart to start kneeling down, so she could deliver a slow rise as the tempo increased. Throwing her arms to the high notes, caressing her face; the walk and turn at the end, YAAAAASSS! I cried, A'Whora cried, Asttina cried, Sheridan Smith cried!!! Tayse gave everything I needed. Cherry did well, but Tayse SLAYYYYYYED!
LIPSYNC TROPHY: Tayce.

OVERALL
A wonderful episode, full of shade, drama, emotions, musical silliness, shade at the original musical AND A LIPSYNC that will be iconic!!! I still can't work out who's a front runner but I'm loving this cast and the ride. A pity the runway was so hit-and-miss, otherwise it would be five stars.
~ rating: 4 out of 5 [grade: A-]

NEXT WEEK...
It's a sowing challenge... ladies, girdle your loins...

[Kieran_Frost]

FRANK
https://www.instagram.com/frank.drawss/


RuDEMPTION
Oh Bimi. The water-based paint dried in the balloons before she could get to the runway. This made me sad, as it would have been iconic. And it was going to be her 'coming out' as non-binary. I loved the wig, the make-up, the corset, the latex gloves and stockings... WE WERE ROBBED!!! And she handled it so well, sweet thing. Here is what she was going for, as it deserves a redo.