RuPaul’s Drag Race season 11 episode 3: Well, that was awkward
Ross Matthews expresses what we’re all thinking…awkward. (Netflix)
The queens of Drag Race Season 11 brushed off their “Like A Prayer” mats for some disorderly diva devotion. Find out below which team worshipped their woman, and which just straight up sacrificed their star.
Drag Race Season 11 Episode 3: Diva Worship, the verdict
How much Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent was episode three packing?
Overall: C.U.N.
O.K. So don’t come for me, but I really wasn’t that triggered by nobody knowing who Mariah Carey is.
It may have made Angels—and twinks—cry but, Aretha Frankly, I was “Obsessed” with the T.V. it produced.
Challenge: C.U.
Were VH1 trying to entice the millions that left Tumblr after the porn ban with some domination drama?
Because I haven’t seen one side take such a pounding since Theresa May v. any vote, Parkfield School v. human decency, or my happiness v. 2016.
Lewks: C.U.N.
We got sweet treats from Honey Davenport and Shuga Cain, but “Raise Your Glass” to Yvie Oddly’s Pink-inspired Jellyfish. A fringe first!
Drag Race season 11 episode 3 gets awkward: Greatest Hits
10. Scarlet Envy’s power stance
Scarlet Envy brings Conservative politician realness to Drag Race. (Netflix)
Scarlet serving Conservative Party Conference couture during critiques is the energy I didn’t know I needed.
Where are they taught this? pic.twitter.com/SgQBHcPr1E
— Adam Bienkov (@AdamBienkov) April 30, 2018
9. Silky Nutmeg Ganache overcooks
No, but really, what was that argument on Untucked even about? Can anyone explain why Silky went all Bill O’Reiley f**k-it-do-it-live on us?
8. Silky picks up Troye Sivan
Was Silky protesting the way this challenge—and wider society—idolises and worships celebrity culture?
Is she the proletariat resistance leader we all need, pushing back against the shaky foundations of the pedestal on which we put our heroes?
No. Please stop picking up the famous people, it’s excruciating.
7. Ra’Jah O’ Hara’s wig
Michelle Visage says Ra’Jah would “wear that to a bar” not to Drag Race. (Netflix)
Everything about this was not right and not OK.
6. Yvie Oddly’s Tentacle
Yvie p***ed all over that runway—which was lucky as the other queens were still stung by that fierce jellyfish look.
But before her tentacle was tucked we got a slightly bizarre chat about the pink animal’s pink eye.
It’s still a bit confusing how this is fine, but reference to a period is taboo. But that’s life in the #RuPatriarchy.
Yvie Oddly serves tentacle jellyfish on Drag Race. (Netflix)
5. Put in a music box?
Yvie telling Mercedes Imam Diamond that her character should be all, “Where I come from we do not have a Britney Spears,” was probably the smartest choice for that character.
Last week, Brook Lynn Heights’ suggestion that Plastique Tiara should play a similar role—playing off her Vietnamese heritage—was also the best move for the team.
But it is starting to get a bit awkward.
Maybe I’m being too snowflakey, but it would sit a lot easier if the queens made their own decisions to sell themselves in that way.
4. When you believe
Drag Race queen Mercedes wants to change the subject from religion. (Netflix)
Ooft, girl, that was properly uncomfortable.
Yes, Drag Race might well have been trying to promote difference and start an important debate on religious attitudes to drag.
But you can’t force someone to relive that experience, it has to be given.
So seeing Silky chase after the only Muslim contestant ever to compete, or watching the producers leave her teary-eyed and longing to change the subject left a bitter taste.
3. Not all that sparkles
Even Ross Matthews—the lovely, supportive, human comfort blanket—couldn’t hide his confused “Emotions” at Plastique and A’keria Chanel Davenport calling Mariah’s 2001 film ‘Sparkle.’
It is currently unknown when and how the star of Glitter will exact her revenge.
2. Mariah was not cared for
Just wow. This was obviously one of the most poorly executed challenges in Drag Race herstory.
I AM SO SORRY @MariahCarey #DragRace
— Scarlet Envy (@ScarletEnvyNYC) March 15, 2019
But it was gripping because they knew they’d blown it from the start. Ru came, shook, and left them feeling as awkward and clueless as Mike Pence between a gay couple.
Dr Matt Barrett with US Vice President Mike Pence and Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (L-R)
Me trying to keep up with everyone in this lip sync #DragRace pic.twitter.com/jUGhvGhfwW
— Robert (@robjimz) March 15, 2019
1. Aunt RuPaul vs. The Handmaids
For a moment this show got genuinely exciting.
The queens banded together in a rare moment of sisterhood, made more special because RuPaul—quite clearly—wasn’t giving a tuck.
It didn’t look like they were staging a stunt or playing to a script. Ru looked genuinely pissed, and that made their actions all the cuter.
But Aunt RuPaul had a punishment in store for the Spartacus sisters, forcing them all into the gallows of a six-way lip sync. And forcing us to hear “for the first time in Drag Race history” while she’s at it.
It was good TV because it was different, but not because it was good TV. Messy is an understatement.
Honey Davenport—channelling Vivacious—gets eliminated out of a 6 way lip sync. (Netflix)
In the end, Ru eliminated the only queen who gave a performance worthy of remembering: Honey Davenport.
Punishing someone for going to the floor when there are five other queens on stage? It was a weird choice. But very apt for this episode.
