Another week goes by and so another episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16 goes by, and we say bye-bye to another awesome drag queen! This week, the queens dove into a design challenge under the watchful eye of guest judge Law Roach.
In the main challenge, the queens embarked on the task of designing dolls that reflected their heritage and culture, emphasizing design, branding, and storytelling. Q, showcasing her exceptional seamstressing abilities once again, emerged victorious in the challenge, leaving the other queens in awe of her skills. The way the queens reacted to this win marked a stark contrast to the unexpected elimination of Mirage a couple of episodes ago, adding more proof of the sisterhood of Drag Race.
The flamenco-inspired mini-challenge, sponsored by the Tourism Board of Spain, added a spicy twist to the beginning of the episode, with Charo gracing the werk room with her charm at 73—a welcome sight to see her return to the show again, cuchi-cuchi. Xunami Muse shimmied her way to victory, earning a trip to Spain and proving her prowess in the art of flamenco.
As the queens faced critiques from the judges, Dawn emerged as a standout performer, impressing with her intergalactic theme and strong storytelling. However, it was Q who claimed the top spot, showcasing her impeccable design abilities. Despite the success, the episode raised questions about Q’s drag character, as the focus remained on her remarkable skill set rather than a distinct persona.
However, not all queens basked in success. Geneva Karr, despite previous top performances, found herself in the bottom two for the third time this season, lip-syncing against Mhi’ya Iman Le’Paige. The lip-sync battle unfolded to the beats of Janet Jackson’s “Control”, with Mhi’ya delivering a jaw-dropping performance, securing her place in the competition. Unfortunately, it was the end of the road for Geneva Karr, marking the fourth elimination of the season.
The episode also witnessed the strategic use of Sapphira’s immunity potion, adding an unexpected twist. Sapphira’s decision raised eyebrows and hinted at potential cracks in her confidence, setting the stage for future drama in the competition. The smirk from Plane Jane was undeniable, especially after she planted seeds of doubt in Sapphira in the werk room when she discussed how she thought certain queens—specifically Sapphira—should be worried. This now means that Plane is the only queen with an immunity potion left, although we still think that Nymphia Wind deserved an immunity potion during episode three, also, since the rate-a-queen rules were still in place.
RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16 Episode 6 delivered a mix of highs and lows, with Q securing a well-deserved win, and Geneva Karr bidding farewell to the competition. The stage is set for the remaining queens to continue dazzling us with their charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent in the episodes to come.
We’re excited to see the return of the Rusical challenge for episode 7 with extra special guest judge and choreographer and creator of this Rusical, Adam Shankman—best known for being the director and choreographer for Hairspray. This forthcoming Rusical episode will see the queens dancing and lip-syncing to The Sound of Rusic, a Rusical based on The Sound of Music. On top of that, the episode sees Melissa McCarthy make an extra special appearance.
As Season 16 unfolds, viewers can anticipate a rollercoaster of emotions, with range, shade, and unforeseen twists shaping the narrative. Armed with talent and determination, the queens are set to deliver a fierce competition, both on and off the stage. Buckle up for another thrilling lap of Drag Race as surprises and challenges await in the episodes to come.
RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16 airs every Friday at 8 p.m. on MTV in the US and Latin America, while the rest of the world are able to watch on WOW Presents Plus.
Airing straight after the main show is RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked—make sure you watch this show as well, otherwise, you’re only getting half the story.
You can easily and quickly follow all your favourite queens from this new season of RuPaul’s Drag Race across all social media by checking out our article here.
