RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 has been full of delightful surprises, hilarious sketches, catchy music, and shocking eliminations. What more could fans ask for? This week’s first lewk starts off with the queens coming back into the Werk Room after Kenya Pleaser’s exit, courtesy of Juicy Love Dion and her amazing lip sync. As Juicy heads to the mirror to wipe away Kenya’s mirror message, she takes a moment to speak about their eliminated sister. “I really loved Kenya. Having Kenya’s energy in the room was something special”. Nini Coco chimes in. “She is charisma to the core.”
Having just won the third lip sync of her life, Juicy gets teased by the queens as she cleans away the lipstick from the mirror. “You’re good at this,” says Jane Don’t with a smile. “You had sort of a talent at the beginning, but now we’ve really honed it.” In her confessional, Juicy reflects. “The judges are still not getting who I am…breaks my heart. I’m someone who is very resilient, and I’m going to keep fighting for myself.”
Over on the pink couches, the queens celebrate Darlene Mitchell’s win, but Myki Meeks turns her focus to Nini. “Nini, where was your head at when the judges were talking to you?” I was in the bottom three and in the moment, I was really internalizing what it would mean to go home, and it felt so scary,” replies Nini. “I don’t want to lose this.” The remaining queens nod in agreement. Nobody wants to leave this competition.
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The next day in the Werk Room, the queens are met by RuPaul sporting a cowboy hat and a huge belt buckle. “Yee-haw,” says Jane. “Howdy, lady kins. We’re just four weeks away from the grand finale, but this horse race ain’t over yet. For today’s mini challenge, you’re going to compete in a hot to trot race, and you’ll be riding on of these.” On cue, one of the hot members of the Pit Crew—wearing a speedo, cowboy hat and a lasso—enters the room carrying an inflatable bouncy horse meant for children.
“Sorry, ladies. You won’t be riding Chris, but you will be riding on the horse he rode in on,” says RuPaul with a laugh. “But first, you need to giddy up and titty up in quick Lady cowboy drag. Then, we’re off the races!” The queens dash over to grab their best cowboy drag, apply their fake breasts, and smear makeup on their faces before heading to the starting line for the mini-challenge. “We are all looking like the nastiest county fair you have ever seen, and I feel right at home,” says Darlene in her confessional.
Before they know it, the queens are bouncing on their horses to the finish line in a hilarious slo-motion sequence. Discord narrowly beats out Nini for the win and secures the $2,500 prize money. “Now, that you’ve rode ‘em hard and put ‘em up wet, it’s time to pay tribute to some mighty fine men that carry on a great American tradition,” says RuPaul.
“Straight from the rodeo, please give a warm Drag Race welcome to a posse of queer cowboys,” continues RuPaul. As the queens squeal in delight, 6 rough and tough cowboys enter the Werk Room. “Oh, the facial hair, the cowboy hats, the big old belt buckles…I feel like I’m back in Texas,” coos Nini in her confessional.
After the cowboys introduce themselves, RuPaul gets down to business. “My queens, for this week’s maxi-challenge, you need to turn these dashing desperados into dazzling dolls,” says RuPaul as the queens murmur about the makeovers. “Discord, since you won the mini-challenge, you get to pick your partner first,” continues RuPaul. Discord immediately picks Colton, the cowboy with the ear gauges.
“Discord, you also get to pair up the rest of our cowboys and queens,” says RuPaul. “That’s fan,” replies Discord, rubbing her hands together. The rest of the queens groan, knowing that each and every one of them said Discord should go home on the Main Stage two weeks ago.
So how will Discord wield her power? Tune in to this week’s all-new episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race on Friday at 8PM on MTV.