"Rate-A-Queen" is the first episode of the sixteenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.[1][2][3][4] It originally aired on January 5, 2024. Charlize Theron is a guest judge. Former contestant Derrick Barry also makes a guest appearance, hosting the episode's main challenge, which is a talent show.
| "Rate-A-Queen" | |
|---|---|
| RuPaul's Drag Race episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 16 Episode 1 |
Episode
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The season's first seven contestants enter the Werk Room. The episode's mini-challenge is a photo shoot in which contestants pose for the Ring camera on RuPaul's porch as he watches.[5][6]
For the main challenge, contestants are tasked with performing in the "MTV's Spring Break" talent show, hosted by former contestant Derrick Barry. Following are the contestants and their acts:
- Amanda Tori Meating – original song lip-sync
- Dawn – original song lip-sync
- Mirage – original song lip-sync
- Morphine Love Dion – lip-sync / Baile Folklorico
- Q – puppet ballet show
- Sapphira Cristál – opera singing
- Xunami Muse – original song lip-sync
On the runway, the category is "RuVeal Yourself". In addition to RuPaul and Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley is a judge and Charlize Theron is a guest judge. Dawn, Mirage, Q and Sapphira Cristál receive positive critiques. Amanda Tori Meating, Morphine Love Dion and Xunami Muse receive negative critiques. The queens rank each other using the Rate-A-Queen system. Q and Sapphira Cristál receive the highest placements, making them the top two contestants of the week who will face off in a lip-sync to "Break My Soul" by Beyoncé for the win. Sapphira Cristál is declared the winner, earning her immunity.[6] No contestants are eliminated from the competition.
Reception
editReviews noted the Rate-A-Queen ranking format as a triangle-shaped parody of The Circle.[6][7]
Kevin O'Keeffe of Xtra Magazine opined, "I don’t mind the more languid start to the season, but I do wonder why they didn’t just keep the incredibly successful premiere format from Season 15."[6] Gay Times included Mirage in a 2024 list of the seventeen best talent show performances on Drag Race to date.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ DeLellis, Trae. "RuPaul's Drag Race Season 16 Episode One: Meet Half the Queens". Miami New Times. Archived from the original on 2024-01-07. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
- ^ "'Drag Race' queens react to shady Rate-a-Queen twist votes". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2024-01-30. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
- ^ Frank, Jason P. (2024-01-05). "RuPaul's Drag Race Season-Premiere Recap: You Just Got Me Started". Vulture. Archived from the original on 2024-01-20. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
- ^ Spilde, Coleman (2024-01-06). "'Drag Race' Returns With New Twists, Fake Boobs, and Beyoncé". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on 2024-03-04. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
- ^ Guzzo, Bianca (2024-01-06). "RuPaul's Drag Race Season 16 Episode 1 RECAP: Rate-A-Queen". IN Magazine. Archived from the original on 2024-01-08. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
- ^ a b c d O'Keeffe, Kevin (2024-01-07). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 16 premiere recap: Spring breakers". Xtra Magazine. Archived from the original on 2024-01-17.
- ^ Mier, Tomás (2024-01-06). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Turns Into 'The Circle' in Charlize Theron-Judged Premiere". Rolling Stone.
- ^ Damshenas, Sam (2024-02-12). "Drag Race: The 17 best talent show performances in herstory". GAY TIMES. Archived from the original on 2023-01-21. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
