Drag

Here’s how fans reacted to Drag Race UK vs the World’s hybrid Rusical episode

By Jordan Robledo

9th March 2024

BBC Three

The queens tapped into their inner West End star on the latest episode of Drag Race UK vs the World season two. 

Spoilers ahead

For this week’s maxi-challenge, Ru tasked the seven remaining contestants – Choriza May, Hannah Conda, La Grande Dame, Marina Summers, Scarlet Envy, Tia Kofi, and Gothy Kendoll – to tap into their inner showgirl for Six Musical-inspired Rusical, “Seven: Confessions of Drag Queen.” 

However, unlike previous Rusicals, the queens were handed a girl group challenge twist to make their performance more difficult.  

“Now each of you will star as your royal self. You’re in charge of writing your own lyrics about the ups and downs of your personal Drag Race journey,” Ru explained. “Oh, and I almost forgot… you’ll be singing live.” 

While most of the queens expressed excitement over the challenge’s unique rules, Gothy was less than thrilled. 

“The idea of singing and dancing live, well, that us a lot,” she said in a confessional. “I don’t know how I’m going to do.” 

Before leaving the workroom, Ru revealed that each of the verses would tackle a different musical style before granting last week’s challenge winner, Tia, the ability to assign the parts.

“Now, later you’ll be meeting with your vocal coach and extra special guest judge, singer-songwriter Self Esteem,” Ru added. 

With the rules officially announced, Tia assigned the queens their unique parts – resulting in the former getting the fourth verse, Hannah getting the sixth, Chorizo snagging the first, Scarlet taking on verse two, Marina landing verse three, La Grande getting the fifth verse and Gothyrecieving verse seven, much to her disappointment.

After crafting their lyrics, the contestants headed to the main stage to meet Self Esteem for vocal coaching before collaborating on the show’s choreography – which proved quite challenging. 

The next day, the queens returned to the workroom to prepare for their Seven Rusical debut. 

Before heading to the main stage, Tia shared a heartwarming moment with Hannah after she opened up about the tragic loss of her mother.

“Losing my mom is literally the worst thing that’s ever happened to me. Like categorically, hands down,” she said in between tears. 

“The only thing that proved to me was how strong I really am. Like literally the worst things that can happen have happened.” 

Towards the end of her statement, Tia expressed her gratitude for the Drag Race franchise and being able to return and showcase her talent. 

With their verses written, choreography memorized, and faces beat, the queens headed to the main stage to showcase their charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent.  

Throughout the “global premiere” of “Seven: Confessions of Drag Queen,” the queens delivered comedic verses, sickening live vocals and a variety of stunning purple ensembles. 

After letting it all hang out on stage, the ladies headed down the runway in their jaw-dropping “When I Grow Up” looks. 

During the critiques, the judges praised Tia, Scarlet, and Marina for their performances and runway looks. At the same time, Gothy and Choriza received mixed reviews, resulting in their placement in the bottom two. 

Following Tia and Marina’s jaw-dropping lip-sync to Self Esteem’s ‘F*****g Wizardry,’ Ru named the latter the winner, who then sent Gothy home. 

“I feel like I’ve done the House of Kendoll proud. I beat my own track record, and I’ve beat Sminty’s by one episode, so ha,” she said in her exit confessional. 

“RuPaul has said, you know, people are rooting for me. And anyone that is rooting for me at home, thank you so much. I just never thought I’d get this opportunity again, and I wouldn’t change a thing.” 

Following the episode’s release, fans took to social media to express their excitement over the Rusical.

“Was that the best Ruscial we’ve ever had? I think yes,” one fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Another added: “Gothy Ken Doll was the best thing to happen to that rusical and idc what yall say.” 

On next week’s episode of Drag Race UK vs the World, the queens will be tasked with “dancing their padded asses off” in the BBC’s newest hit “Strictly Come Prancing.” 

Here’s how other Drag Race viewers reacted to the episode:

Drag Race UK vs the World is streaming in the UK on BBC iPlayer.

You can watch our interview with Gothy Kendoll here or below.