Drag

“Are you serious?”: Here’s how Drag Race UK fans reacted to Pop of the Tops: The Rusical

By Jordan Robledo

10th November 2024

The cast of Drag Race UK season six has delivered one of the best Rusicals in Drag Race history, and fans (including us) can’t get enough. 

Spoilers ahead.

For this week’s maxi-challenge, the seven remaining contestants were tasked with singing (live!) in Pop of the Tops: The Rusical – a one-night-only spectacular celebrating the most iconic pop divas in British music herstory.

“We’ll be honouring Cilla Black, Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Elton John, George Michael, Kylie Minogue, Adele, and Geri Halliwell,” Ru explained.

“Now, La Voix and Kyran, as the winners of last week’s challenge, you’re in charge of assigning the roles.”

After listening to the music, La Voix and Kyran began to allocate parts. Unlike past seasons, there was little to no drama during the casting process – aside from Actavia and Charra Tea undergoing a last-minute audition for the role of Geri.

With their roles selected, the queens met with Drag Race staple and Seduction songstress Michelle Visage and Jono McNeil to brush up on their vocals.

Fortunately, the majority of the queens dazzled during rehearsal, with Michelle praising them for being in the right place they needed to be for their characters.

Following their vocal training session, the queens hooked up with Claudimar and his assistant Abz to learn the choreography, which was filled with chaotic and comedic moments. 

The next day, the queens returned to the workroom to get ready for the challenge. While putting on their makeup, Charra and Actavia chatted about Kyran and her confident attitude, specifically during the rehearsal process. 

“It’s never bothered me until this challenge,” the Northern Irish queen said.

Actavia echoed similar sentiments, stating: “Yeah, we know it’s confident, but now it’s kind of being a bit cocky.”

With their wigs laid, boots laced and pop diva attitude shining, the queens headed to the mainstage to perform in the Pop of the Tops: The Rusical before showing off their Night of 1000 Princess Diana’s ensembles.

Unsurprisingly, the maxi-challenge went off without a hitch, with all seven queens receiving praise from Mama Ru.

“I have to say, you are one of the most charming casts of queens we ever had, and each of you proved that tonight, which makes our job all that much more difficult,” Ru said.

During the judges’ critiques, Marmalade, Rileasa Slaves and La Voix were lauded for their dynamic performances, whilst Actavia, Kyran, and Charra were singled out for their Princess Diana wigs.

Ultimately, La Voix emerged as the MVP of Pop of the Tops: The Rusical, while Actavia and Lill faced off in the lip-sync showdown to ‘Time Warp’ from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

After delivering a high-energy, comedic and utterly campy performance, Lill was asked to stay while Actavia sashayed away.

“Right now, I feel just really proud. I’ve put on an amazing show on my way out. I mean, it was my third time in the bottom. I really can’t complain,” she exclaimed in her exit confessional.

“I mean, how can I be upset when RuPaul said that [she] really loved me? I hope I made my hometown proud and mostly my family proud.”

Since the episode’s release, fans have flocked to social media to share their reactions to the Rusical and the queens’ dynamic performances.

One fan wrote: “Every elimination hurts with this amazing cast.”

Another viewer tweeted: “Two queens dressed as Princess Diana lip-syncing to Time Warp is EXACTLY what the world needs right now.”

A third fan added: “I think that was one of my favourite episodes of Drag Race ever. I’m actually quite emotional. Like all these queens are amazing.”

On next week’s Drag Race UK, the queens will be tasked with glamming their family members.

Check out more fan reactions to this week’s episode below.

Read our full interview with Actavia here.