RECAP: “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK 6” Episode 4 (Girl Groups)
“RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” Series 6, Episode 4 gave us the annual girl-group challenge, with a twist. This year’s song is specifically themed to Halloween, so they were “ghoul” groups. Clever concept! I found the execution to be middling, however.
“Drag Race UK” has given us some of the greatest earworms in the history of the RuPaul Cinematic Universe. “Break-Up Bye-Bye” by the Frock Destroyers was instantly iconic. That was topped in UK2 by the insanely catchy “UK Hun?” by the United Kingdolls. I will state my brave opinion that the M-52’s “Don’t Ick My Yum” is the superior version from UK5. I’ve even come to appreciate the Triple Threats’ “Come Alive” from UK4. (Sorry, no love for “B.D.E.” from UK3.)
I’m not sure either version of “Dead or Alive” will ultimately stack up well to the previous editions. I think the Halloween song concept is smart, and I think there were some decent verses in the mix — but neither one of the songs on the whole really gelled. But I do think one group was easily better than the other, even if my feelings directly contradict the judges’ placements this episode.
Read on for my takes on “Drag Race UK” Season 6, Episode 4, “Ghoul Groups.” SPOILERS AHEAD!
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Almost the entire episode was spent on the girl-group challenge, as it involved the 10 queens being split into two, seemingly at random. Each queen had to write and record their own verse with guidance from the wonderful Alexandra Burke; then the groups created their own choreography; and finally they presented their versions live on the mainstage. It is a big challenge, and I do think all the queens made a serious effort. Even RuPaul said that they all did great (a bit of an overstatement, I think), but some were more successful than others.
In my opinion, Dracula’s Child was the obviously superior group. From the jump, they looked much more cohesive as a group. I’m sure they all brought Halloween-inspired dance costumes from home for this, but I could believe they were an actual group (not so for the other team), and these queens worked together better as a unit. Zahirah Zapanta started things out poorly with a botched lift, and a fairly dull verse. Chanel O’ Conor stood apart from the group in her mummy look, but I enjoyed her verse (in fairness, I like just about everything Chanel does, so I may be in the minority there). Kyran Thrax absolutely smashed it, again, making it abundantly clear that she is THE queen to beat this season — she’s literally good at pretty much everything. Marmalade had some smart, silly lyrics, but the delivery felt timid. And once again Actavia impressed the hell out of me; she’s so young but SO talented, and just a delight to watch. I did not see her coming at all.
Over on the competing team, The Things (total whiff on the name, girlies), there were lower lows, but also higher highs. Charra Tea once again seemed like she belonged in a totally different challenge in her costume, and her verse lacked punch; she is the queen I keep forgetting about this season, which is a shame, because she’s perfectly lovely. La Voix knows how to work a mic, and her verse was bright and brassy, even if the lyrics weren’t particularly inspiring. Lill had one of the best verses in terms of lyrics and rhyming structure, but was low energy in her recording and looked visibly uncomfortable on stage (which is a shame, because I thought she had one of the best challenge costumes). Kiki Snatch was a breath of fresh air in this group, delivering an assured, energetic verse and stage presence that blew every other girl on that stage away. Finally Rileasa Slaves gave a laid-back verse that the judges and other queens lost their shit over, and I…just don’t see it. I’m sorry. A good 25 percent of it was in a Caribbean Patois that did not register with me at all. I also found that Rileasa had the problem in this song that she has had on this season overall: when she is not the focus of the action, she has a tendency to completely disappear into the background. I don’t understand it, because she has obvious star power. I just don’t think she’s fully connecting, or maybe she’s holding back.
On the runway, the girls walked to the theme Mother Nature. This was a real mixed bag, with more of the looks falling over into costume than fashion. La Voix’s volcano was an interesting concept but clumsily executed. I thought Kiki looked the best she ever had in a flowery, flowing look with a too-small afro (RuPaul was dead on with her critique — if that wig had been 2x or 3x the size, t would have been a knockout). Rileasa gave us a beautiful hurricane-inspired gown, although the “illusion” corset and netting didn’t match her skin tone, which was a real bummer. Zahirah’s orchid look was beautiful from the neck up, and poorly proportioned and sloppy from the neck down. Lill’s shedding snake was a cool idea that, again, didn’t live up to the promise in execution. Marmalade gave us a different interpretation of the butterfly dress, and while I thought elements were unresolved/ungainly, on the whole it was a showstopping piece. Kyran got herself into trouble by teasing the judges with a Midsommer-inspired May Queen look, but severely underwhelming them with the catsuit reveal (Ru’s, “Ohhh…a catsuit…” reaction was the moment of the night, for me). I adore Chanel, but I don’t understand what she was thinking with that look. I don’t get how it fit the theme, and I don’t think it was successful period. Chanel could also benefit from the advice Ru gave to Kiki: larger wigs will help with proportions and give her beautiful (usually) looks more visual impact.
The tops were Kiki, Rileasa, and Kyran. I don’t necessarily disagree with those three, but I did not agree with the win going to Rileasa. I think Kiki outperformed her significantly in the challenge, and while Kiki could have used bigger hair, Rileasa’s not-at-all-an-illusion illusion netting also brought down an otherwise Category 5 look. Maybe I’m just not appreciating Rileasa’s challenge performance at the same level everyone else is, and that’s a Me problem. But on the whole, I think it was Kiki’s week. That said, I’m happy for Rileasa, and I hope this is the start of her pushing through, because she’s getting lost in this crowd. She has been since Episode 1.
I’m also glad they didn’t give Kyran a THIRD win in FOUR episodes — even though it could have been justified. Kyran was the star of her group, and aside from that underwhelming reveal, has been largely flawless thus far. But they’re already building up the edit that Kyran is quite full of herself and not afraid to crow about it. I’m of the opinion that if you’re talented in the 21st Century, you HAVE to be loud about it. I can see how that would rub the other girls the wrong way, as well as some viewers, but I can’t dislike someone who is this outrageously talented and simply reveling in getting amazing critiques. Good on you, Kyran!
The Bottom 3 was Zahirah, Lill, and Marmalade. Of the three, I think Lill did objectively the worst, both in the challenge and on the runway, while Marmalade at least had good lyrics and a bold runway. I was pleased when she was safe, leaving Zahirah and Lill to lipsynch to a song by guest judge Mabel. I don’t know why I assume that Lill would be a poor lipsyncher — I guess I just think of her as a more cerebral, off-kilter queen — but this is the second time she has lipsynched on this show (the first was a top placement), and has been strong in both numbers. Zahirah made the rookie mistake of throwing unnecessary and distracting stunts and tricks into a mid-tempo song, while Lill just sold the vibe and the lyrics. (Zahirah didn’t seem to fully know the lyrics, either.)
And so it was justified when Zahirah was eliminated, and Lill was told to stay. I’ll miss Zahirah. She is beautiful and I loved her talking heads — oodles of personality. I do think she’s quite talented, and she seems lovely. But she had been struggling since Episode 1, so I’m not surprised to see her go so early. Upon her exit, she opined, “Who is going to the pretty one now?”
Rileasa. The answer is Rileasa. She’s fucking gorgeous. It’s no contest.
NEXT: It’s a talk-show challenge, with Graham Norton welcoming the queens on as guests of his show.
ALSO: I will be in London next week! The podcast has its own panel at MCM Con London on Saturday, October 26, so if you’re attending MCM Con, please come and participate as we debate the Best Comic-Book Super-Villain. While I’m in London, I would LOVE to see some of the “Drag Race UK” queens live — but I’m having a heck of a time finding where they perform. If you know where the gals can be found between October 20 and October 27, please drop a comment! And if you want to suggest other gay-ass shit to do while I’m in London, I’ll gladly take tips! And more than just the tips, if you’re cute.
What do you think of this season overall? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
