Drag

“They devoured!”: Drag Race fans praise the latest Canada vs the World episode

By Jordan Robledo

10th August 2024

This week’s lip-sync showdown on Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs the World has left fans gagged.

Spoilers ahead

Following Tynomi Banks’ elimination, the six remaining queens returned to the workroom to kiki about last week’s events and the former’s lip-sync against Cheryl Hole.

“I sort of blacked out that stage. I don’t really know what just happened. I gave everything in that,” the Drag Race UK star exclaimed.

The vibe took a shady turn after Eureka praised Cheryl for her dancing skill, which prompted Kennedy to whisper that she was doing more pointing than dancing.

“Yeah, she was pointing. She wasn’t dancing. But it was good,” the Southern queen reiterated, resulting in the rest of the queens laughing.

The conversation then transitioned to Lemon and Miss Fiercalicious, who got into a little tift last week over their respective ball looks.

“I hope you know that was a friendly read,” Lemon said.

In response, her Canadian sister apologised, adding that she spiralled after hearing the judges’ critiques.

“Honestly, I’m sorry for even coming for you. I feel like I’m just letting this competition get to my head,” she explained.

“To hear those critiques when I’ve been trying to push myself, especially after the critique last week, I thought I was doing the best that I could and then to hear them again, it just made me spiral and go down a dark place, and I shouldn’t have taken it out on anyone here, and I apologise for that.”

The next day, the queens returned to the workroom refreshed and ready to tackle their next maxi-challenge of the week.

“Now we’ve had a few laughs, but it’s time to get real funny, honey. [This week]… the library is open. In pairs, you will face off in the first-ever Reading Battles,” staple judge Brad Goereski informed the ladies.

“Bring your best burns to the main stage and roast your partner down the house boots. The winner of each battle will earn themselves a top placement. While the loser will be in the bottom and possibly up for elimination.”

Because Fierce won the money maker mini-challenge, she was granted the privilege of choosing her rival first, which ended up being Lemon.

The remaining Reading Battle teams were as follows: Cheryl and Eureka, and Kennedy and Alexis Mateo.

After Goreski left the workroom, the ladies got down to work on their roasts. When Lemon asked Fierce about her decision to choose her, the latter revealed her ulterior motive.

“Okay, so I know it kinda looks shady, but I was actually being strategic with it. I know you the best, so I felt like I could come up with more material with you,” she explained.

Fierce went on to say that if she were to lose against the Lemon, she wouldn’t have to lip-sync against her.

On the other side of the room, Eureka expressed her excitement for the Reading Battle, adding that she won a similar challenge during her run on season 10.

With their rough drafts written, the group made their way to the stage to test their material in front of Goreski and special guest judge comedian Samantha Bee.

While Cheryl and Alexis thrived during their trial run, Eureka, Kennedy, Fierce, and Lemon were told to tighten their material.

On elimination day, the queens returned refreshed and confident for their respective roasts. During their makeup process, the ladies opened up about where their thick skin stemmed from.

Fierce revealed that she used to be extremely sensitive due to her being bullied when she was younger.

“Growing up, I kind of shut down and stopped being so outgoing because I was nervous I would get made fun of,” she added. “It wasn’t until I started drag that I realised I can be myself, and people will love me for that.”

Eureka echoed similar sentiments, explaining that her turbulent past relationships with family and friends made it hard for her to have a thick skin.

“When people that are supposed to love and care about you tear you down every single day of your life… I’m not always read by in a fun, loving way. You know what I’m saying? And it’s still hard for me,” she said.

Toward the end of her emotional statement, Eureka revealed that she’s learning to live without the numbing agents, crediting her recovery and sobriety for helping her get through the constant critiques and hate.

After their heartwarming conversation, the queens headed to the main stage for the Reading Battle challenge.

Throughout the shadefest, most of the queens delivered an array of hilarious and cheeky reads, which left the judges’ panel and live studio audience in stitches.

However, in an exciting turn of events, Kennedy and her revamped material were named the winner of the maxi-challenge, resulting in Fierce, Alexis and Eureka landing in the bottom.

While untucking backstage, the ladies praised Kennedy for her performance, with Alexis adding that it was a close race between the former and Lemon.

“Well, f**k my drag,” Cheryl, who also landed in the top three, jokingly exclaimed.

The conversation then turned to the bottom three queens and how they felt about their placement in the challenge.

Unlike last week, Fierce had a more positive outlook on the situation, revealing that she was proud of her performance and didn’t want to be saved by the Golden Beaver.

“I’ve had the beaver once and I think if I’m to continue this competition. I need to prove myself in the lip sync tonight,” she explained.

Things took an emotional turn when Eureka broke down about wanting to receive the golden beaver.

“I think I would love to get some sort of break in this competition. I just know that I don’t feel like myself, and the truth is I have so much pressure on myself,” she tearfully explained.

“Being sober is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It’s harder than the trans thing, and I keep trying to be like, ‘Oh, it’s the hormones,’ but the truth is I went through the hardest time of my life becoming sober, and its so hard every day during this pressure cooker to not want a weed gummy or drink or something.”

Ultimately, Kennedy decided to save Alexis, resulting in Fierce and Eureka lip-syncing to ‘Hush Hush’ by The Pussycat Dolls.

Of course, the duo turned the stage out with drama, sensuality, stunts and shows. Unfortunately, one queen had to go sashay away, and that person was Eureka.

“The weight of the world is off my shoulders in this moment because I’m realising today that winning isn’t everything,” Eureka said in her exit confessional.

“I’m tired of searching for validation from someone else to believe that I am enough, and I’m tired of competing. I want to live and I want to live healthy. I am proud to be sober, and I don’t care who knows it because you should ask for help if you need it.”

Following its release, fans flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to praise the episode and final lip-sync.

One person wrote: “That episode of #CanadaVsTheWorld gave me something I thought I would never have from the franchise.”

Another fan added: “Thoughts on #CanadaVsTheWorld. Eureka talking about her sobriety was such a powerful moment. Here’s to more reading battles in future seasons because this was fun. #CanadasDragRace.”

On next week’s episode of Canda vs the World season two, the queens will be participating in Snatch Game, the Musical.

Check out more fan reactions below.