RuPaul's Drag Race (season 7)
RuPaul's Drag Race | |
---|---|
Season 7 | |
Broadcast from | March 2 – June 1, 2015 |
Judges | |
Host(s) | RuPaul |
Broadcaster | Logo TV |
Competitors | 14 |
Winner | |
Violet Chachki | |
Origin | Atlanta, GA |
Runner-up | |
Ginger Minj Pearl |
The seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race began airing on March 2, 2015.[1] Returning judges include RuPaul and Michelle Visage, while the space previously occupied by Santino Rice has been filled by new additions Ross Mathews and Carson Kressley.[1] Matthews and Kressley are only both present for the season premiere and will take turns sharing judging responsibilities. Shawn Morales, a member of the Pit Crew since the third season and Simon Sherry-Wood, a member in the sixth season, do not appear this season and were replaced by Bryce Eilenberg. Like the previous two seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race, the season featured 14 contestants competing for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar", a one-year supply of Anastasia Beverly Hills cosmetics and a cash prize of $100,000. The premiere of season, the show debuted with a live and same-day viewership of 350,000, a 20% increase from the previous season. On March 20, 2015, it was announced that LogoTV had given the series an early renewal for an eighth season.[2] The winner of this season was Violet Chachki.
Contestants
The drag queens who competed to be "America's Next Drag Superstar" for season seven of RuPaul's Drag Race are:
(Ages and names stated are at time of contest)
Contestant | Name | Age | Hometown | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Violet Chachki | Jason Dardo | 22 | Atlanta, GA | WIN | HIGH | SAFE | SAFE | LOW | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | LOW | WIN | WIN | SAFE | Winner |
Ginger Minj | Joshua Eads Brown | 29 | Orlando, FL | SAFE | WIN | HIGH | SAFE | SAFE | HIGH | WIN | BTM2 | WIN | BTM2 | HIGH | SAFE | Runner-Up |
Pearl | Matthew James | 23 | Brooklyn, NY | SAFE | SAFE | LOW | BTM2 | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | BTM2 | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | Runner-Up |
Kennedy Davenport | Reuben Asberry Jr. | 33 | Dallas, TX | HIGH | SAFE | BTM2 | WIN | HIGH | HIGH | WIN | SAFE | HIGH | SAFE | BTM2 | ELIM | Guest |
Katya[lower-alpha 3] | Brian McCook | 32 | Boston, MA | SAFE | BTM2 | SAFE | HIGH | SAFE | WIN | HIGH | HIGH | HIGH | WIN | ELIM | Miss C | |
Trixie Mattel | Brian Firkus | 24 | Milwaukee, WI | SAFE | SAFE | HIGH | ELIM | WIN | SAFE | ELIM | Guest | |||||
Miss Fame | Kurtis Dam-Mikkelsen | 29 | New York, NY | HIGH | LOW | HIGH | SAFE | SAFE | LOW | LOW | LOW | ELIM | Guest | |||
Jaidynn Diore Fierce | Christopher Williams | 25 | Nashville, TN | SAFE | SAFE | HIGH | HIGH | HIGH | BTM2 | BTM2 | ELIM | Guest | ||||
Max | Max Malanaphy | 22 | Hudson, WI | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | ELIM | OUT | Guest | ||||
Kandy Ho | Frank Diaz | 28 | Cayey, PR | BTM2 | SAFE | SAFE | LOW | BTM2 | ELIM | OUT | Guest | |||||
Mrs. Kasha Davis | Ed Popil | 43 | Rochester, NY | SAFE | HIGH | HIGH | SAFE | ELIM | OUT | Guest | ||||||
Jasmine Masters | Martell Robinson | 37 | Los Angeles, CA | LOW | SAFE | ELIM | OUT | Guest | ||||||||
Sasha Belle | Jared Breakenridge | 28 | Iowa City, IA | LOW | ELIM | OUT | Guest | |||||||||
Tempest DuJour | Patrick Holt | 46 | Tucson, AZ | ELIM | OUT | Guest |
- The contestant won RuPaul's Drag Race.
- The contestants were the runners-up.
- The contestant was voted Miss Congeniality by viewers.
- The contestant won a challenge.
- The contestant won entry back into the competition.
- The contestant came back for a chance to win re-entry into the competition, lost, and was sent home again.
- The contestant was one of the best but did not win the challenge.
- The contestant was one of the worst but was not in the bottom two.
- The contestant was in the bottom two.
- The contestant was eliminated.
- The contestant did not participate in this episode.
- The contestant returned as a guest for the finale episode, but was not in the running for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar".
Notes
- Episode 8 features the return of all seven previously eliminated queens who competed in the episode's main challenge for a chance to return to the main competition. Pearl won the challenge, which allowed Trixie Mattel to return to the race. Episode eight also marks the first time in Drag Race history that all contestants of a season have appeared in an episode that is not the first episode in the season, or the reunion special.
- Violet Chachki is the sixth contestant in the show's history to reach the finale and the third to win the overall season without being in the bottom two.
- Episode 13 featured highlights and unseen footage from the previous 13 episodes.
Lip-syncs
Episode | Contestants | Song | Eliminated | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kandy Ho | vs. | Tempest DuJour | "Geronimo" (RuPaul) |
Tempest DuJour |
2 | Katya | vs. | Sasha Belle | "Twist of Fate" (Olivia Newton-John) |
Sasha Belle |
3 | Jasmine Masters | vs. | Kennedy Davenport | "I Was Gonna Cancel" (Kylie Minogue) |
Jasmine Masters |
4 | Pearl | vs. | Trixie Mattel | "Dreaming" (Blondie) |
Trixie Mattel |
5 | Kandy Ho | vs. | Mrs. Kasha Davis | "Lovergirl" (Teena Marie) |
Mrs. Kasha Davis |
6 | Jaidynn Diore Fierce | vs. | Kandy Ho | "Break Free" (Ariana Grande) |
Kandy Ho |
7 | Jaidynn Diore Fierce | vs. | Max | "No More Lies" (Michel'le) |
Max |
8 | Ginger Minj (with Sasha Belle) |
vs. | Jaidynn Diore Fierce (with Tempest DuJour) |
"I Think We're Alone Now" (Tiffany) |
Jaidynn Diore Fierce |
9 | Miss Fame | vs. | Pearl | "Really Don't Care" (Demi Lovato) |
Miss Fame |
10 | Ginger Minj | vs. | Trixie Mattel | "Show Me Love" (Robin S.) |
Trixie Mattel |
11 | Katya | vs. | Kennedy Davenport | "Roar" (Katy Perry) |
Katya |
12 | All remaining contestants: Ginger Minj, Kennedy Davenport, Pearl, Violet Chachki |
"Born Naked" (RuPaul) |
Kennedy Davenport |
- The contestant was eliminated after their first time in the bottom two.
- The contestant was eliminated after their second time in the bottom two.
- The contestant was eliminated after their third time in the bottom two.
- The contestant was eliminated after the final lip-sync of the season, involving all remaining competitors.
Notes
- Trixie Mattel re-entered the competition in Episode 8, and was re-eliminated in Episode 10.
- In Episode 12 all four remaining contestants competed in a lip-sync to determine the top three, with Kennedy Davenport being eliminated, leaving the other three contestants to advance.
Guest judges
(In alphabetical order by stage name and/or last name)[3]
- Jessica Alba (actress)
- Mel B (singer)
- Tamar Braxton (singer and television personality)
- Kat Dennings (actress)
- Nelsan Ellis (actor)
- Ariana Grande (singer and actress)
- Merle Ginsberg (journalist)
- Kathy Griffin (comedian)
- Rachael Harris (actress and comedian)
- Demi Lovato (singer and actress)
- Alyssa Milano (actress)
- Isaac Mizrahi (fashion designer)
- Olivia Newton-John (actress and singer)
- Santino Rice (fashion designer)
- LeAnn Rimes (singer)
- Rebecca Romijn (actress)
- Jordin Sparks (singer and actress)
- Michael Urie (actor)
- John Waters (director)
Special guests
Guests who appeared in episodes, but did not judge on the main stage. (In order of appearance)
- Episode 1:
- Alaska 5000 (drag queen, runner-up of season 5)
- Mathu Andersen (RuPaul's Makeup artist)
- Magnus Hastings (photographer)
- Episode 2:
- Moby (musician)
- Jamal Sims (choreographer)
- Episode 7:
- Bianca Del Rio (via video message) (drag queen, winner of season 6)
- Episode 8:
- Latrice Royale (drag queen, "Miss Congeniality" of season 4)
- Episode 10:
- Kym Johnson (professional dancer)
- Alyssa Edwards (drag queen, contestant on season 5) (Untucked)
- Episode 12:
- Candis Cayne (choreographer)
Episodes
Episode One: Born Naked
Airdate: March 2, 2015
The fourteen queens of season seven arrive in the workroom and meet for the first time. Unlike season six, all of the queens are introduced in the opening episode. This week's mini-challenge saw the queens walk the runway, each showing an outfit from their spring collection and an outfit from their autumn collection. There was no mini-challenge winner this week, as the looks would be taken into consideration on the main stage for the weeks main judging. The main challenge was to create a resort-wear look that tears away to reveal a nude illusion.
During the runway critique, Ginger Minj, Jaidynn Diore Fierce, Katya, Max, Mrs. Kasha Davis, Pearl and Trixie Mattel were all declared safe. Miss Fame and Kennedy Davenport received universal praise for their looks. Sasha Belle was criticized for her overwhelming fall runway look, and came under fire for having visible black undergarments in her nude illusion look, though she claimed to have misunderstood the assignment. Tempest DuJour was criticized for a lack of detail in her nude illusion look, with her bodysuit being branded "wrinkly and droopy". Jasmine was criticized for her dated looks and for not showing enough body in her nude illusion look, but was declared safe because of her vibrant personality. Violet Chachki was praised for her runway looks and for being the only queen to actually walk the main stage nude, but came under fire from Michelle who accused her of looking like a boy. Kandy Ho was advised to improve her makeup skills and was asked to lipsync for her life against Tempest. Despite mixed feedback from Michelle, Violet was named as the winner of the challenge. Kandy Ho and Tempest Dujour lip-synced, with Kandy being declared the victor and Tempest becoming the first queen to leave the competition.
- Guest Judge: Kathy Griffin
- Alternating Judge(s): Ross Matthews & Carson Kressley
- Mini-Challenge: Walk the runway showing off two looks; one from their spring collection, the other from their fall collection.
- Main Challenge: Create a resort-wear tearaway to reveal a nude illusion.
- Challenge Winner: Violet Chachki
- Main Challenge Prize: A gag-worthy supply of D-Koye, the product, hair care.
- Bottom Two: Kandy Ho and Tempest DuJour
- Lip-sync Song: "Geronimo" by RuPaul
- Eliminated: Tempest DuJour
- Farewell message: "Love yourself. Live your truth. You're never too old to dream. xoxo, Tempest"
Episode Two: Glamazonian Airways
Airdate: March 9, 2015
Team | Contestant |
---|---|
Team Ginger Minj | Ginger Minj |
Sasha Belle | |
Jasmine Masters | |
Mrs. Kasha Davis | |
Jaidynn Diore Fierce | |
Kennedy Davenport | |
Kandy Ho | |
Team Trixie Mattel | Trixie Mattel |
Pearl | |
Miss Fame | |
Katya | |
Max | |
Violet Chachki |
This week's mini-challenge saw the girls being photographed while being blown in the face by a leaf blower, with special guest Moby helping to judge the winners. Ginger Minj and Trixie Mattel delivered the best shots, and were made team leaders for this week's maxi-challenge: a lip-synch performance to a pre-flight safety video for "Glamazonian Airways". Trixie selects Pearl, Miss Fame, Katya, Max and Violet to join her team, whilst Ginger selects Sasha, Jasmine, Kasha, Jaidynn, Kennedy and is left with Kandy.
During their preparation for the challenge, Sasha is irritated by Ginger not giving her the part she wanted. Trixie began to reconsider her team selection due to her groups collective lack of acting experience. During a rehearsal session with Jamal Sims, Ginger panics about being the front of her group while Jaidynn stumbles because of a previous injury. Miss Fame notably struggles the most with the dancing, and in the work room comes under fire from some of the other queens for not coming from a performance background. The queens perform their routines on the main stage and then walk the runway dressed in their best jet-set glamor looks. Jaidynn Diore Fierce, Jasmine Masters, Kandy Ho, Kenndy Davenport, Max, Pearl and Trixie Mattel are all declared safe, leaving the other girls as the top and bottom of the week.
During the judges critiques, Violet Chachki is complimented on her performance and look but is questioned on taking herself too seriously. Ginger Minj and Mrs. Kasha Davis are both highly praised for their challenge performances, but both receive criticism from Michelle for their runway looks. Sasha Belle receives a poor response from the judges, who accuse her of fading into the background of her group and for bringing a boring outfit to the runway. Miss Fame also gets a poor response from the judges, who advised her to loosen up in the challenges. After forgetting her words in the opening monologue of the routine, Katya falls into the bottom two, despite a commended runway look. Ginger Minj is named as the winner of the challenge, while Katya and Sasha Belle are selected to lipsync. Katya is spared, and Sasha Belle is asked to sashay away.
- Guest Judges: Olivia Newton-John and Jordin Sparks
- Alternating Judge(s): Carson Kressley
- Mini-Challenge: Give face while the pit-crew blows them with a leaf blower with special guest Moby.
- Mini-Challenge Winners: Ginger Minj and Trixie Mattel
- Main Challenge: Perform a mash-up of spoken word and song for a pre-flight safety video for Glamazonian Airways.
- Runway Theme: Jet Set Eleganza
- Challenge Winner: Ginger Minj
- Main Challenge Prize: Five-night luxury hotel accommodations courtesy of "My Gay Getaway".
- Bottom Two: Katya and Sasha Belle
- Lip-sync Song: "Twist of Fate" by Olivia Newton-John
- Eliminated: Sasha Belle
- Farewell message: "Love you, MEAN it! Ging for the win :)"
Episode Three: ShakesQueer
Airdate: March 16, 2015
Following the elimination, the girls return to the work room and Jasmine Masters and Kennedy Davenport bond over their shared frustration with some of the younger queens. For this week's mini challenge, the queens dress up in their best granny drag, and have a dance-off to RuPaul and La Toya Jackson's song "Feel Like Dancin'". Kennedy Davenport and Max are declared the winners, and become team captains for the main challenge, earning the ability to select their team and assign all the roles within it. For this week's maxi challenge, the queens are asked to deliver modern adaptations of Shakespeare plays. Max is assigned "Romy and Juliet" (Romeo and Juliet) and chooses Ginger, Jaidynn, Kasha, Miss Fame and Trixie, while Kennedy's team is assigned "MacBitch" (Macbeth) and consists of Jasmine, Kandy, Katya, Pearl and Violet.
Team Max in "Romy and Juliet" |
Team Kennedy in "MacBitch" | ||
---|---|---|---|
Contestant | Role | Contestant | Role |
Max | Juliet Capulet | Violet Chachki | Lady MacBitch |
Mrs. Kasha Davis | Lady Capulet | Jasmine Masters | LaQuisha Kiana MacBitch |
Miss Fame | Paris | Kennedy Davenport | Hecate |
Jaidynn Diore Fierce | Mercutia Montague | Kandy Ho | Witch |
Ginger Minj | Romy Montague | Katya | Mary MacBitch |
Trixie Mattel | Narrator | Pearl | Cheer Coach |
Jasmine complained to Kennedy about being assigned the ghetto role of "LaQuisha Kiana MacBitch", leading to Jasmine being reassigned Violet's role of "Lady MacBitch". Later however, Kennedy changed her mind again and switched the roles back, leaving Violet frustrated at having wasted her time on rehearsing for a role that she wouldn't play. Kennedy also decided that everybody should learn their lines separately, again frustrating Violet who wanted to go over the play as a group. The queens were invited to rehearse their plays, watched by RuPaul and Michelle. Max's team went first, with Jaidynn breaking down in tears, feeling under pressure to deliver a strong performance, though she composed herself after a pep-talk from Max. Team Kennedy performed next, and after a disastrous rehearsal, Ru told them that he had never seen a bigger car crash in all 7 seasons of Drag Race, and that he expected a vast improvement in the final performance.
On the Main Stage, the queens were asked to be "Bearded and Beautiful", walking the runway with beards. After the performances of their Shakespeare plays, Max's team was deemed better, with the team all being declared safe from elimination. In addition, Max was declared as the outright winner of the challenge, being commended for a strong performance both in the challenge and as team leader. Despite being on the losing team, Kandy Ho and Katya were both complimented for their performances in the challenge. Despite wearing a well received gown, Jasmine came under fire for frequently forgetting her words and for putting in a poor performance in the challenge. In addition, her decision to paint on a beard as opposed to wearing a prosthetic was widely panned. Kennedy was told that her team was a disaster, and guest judge Mel B criticized her dress, saying it was her least favorite of all the queens. Violet and Pearl both were complimented on their runway looks, but Violet was told that her role fell flat, while Pearl's performance in the challenge was deemed "lifeless and borderline dead" by Michelle. After numerous queens attempted to justify their poor performances, a frustrated Ru demanded that the queens improved going forward and told them to stop making excuses. After deliberation, Kennedy and Jasmine were both asked to lip-sync for their lives. Despite earlier implying that she would refuse to lip-sync against Kennedy, Jasmine completed the performance, but was still asked to sashay away.
- Guest Judges: Mel B and Kat Dennings
- Alternating Judge(s): Carson Kressley
- Mini-Challenge: The queens dress up in their finest "granny drag" and dance with walkers and canes.
- Mini-Challenge Winners: Max and Kennedy Davenport
- Main Challenge: The queens "Hamlet it up" in two twisted Shakespeare classics: "MacBitch" and "Romy and Juliet"
- Runway Theme: Bearded and Beautiful
- Challenge Winner: Max
- Main Challenge Prize: Two couture latex creations, courtesy of Syren Latex
- Bottom Two: Jasmine Masters and Kennedy Davenport
- Lip-sync Song: "I Was Gonna Cancel" by Kylie Minogue
- Eliminated: Jasmine Masters
- Farewell message: "Best of Luck Ladies, Luv J. Masters"
Episode Four: Spoof! (There It Is)
Airdate: March 23, 2015
For the main challenge, the queens were tasked with creating parody music videos for a song in RuPaul's discography. With two other teams formed without them, Jaidynn, Max and Violet were forced to work together, concerning Max who felt that Violet was difficult to work with. After being assigned "Sissy That Walk", the group agreed to spoof the top three of Season 6 in a parody named "Get Ready to Clock", but Max and Violet clashed over Max's belief that the video shouldn't be overly sexualized. Despite being eager to work together, the team of Katya, Miss Fame, Pearl and Trixie struggled to come up with a concept for their spoof of "Dance with U", and after bickering amongst each other, decided to go with Trixie's idea of "Tan with U". The final group consisted of Ginger, Kandy, Kennedy and Kasha, and they decided to spoof "Let The Music Play" into "I Got Paid", based around Ru's merchandise.
The queens met with Lucian Piane to record the vocals for their videos. Team "Tan with U" was first, with all four of the queens experiencing difficulty. In team "Get Ready to Clock", Jaidynn initially struggled, but improved when Lucian pointed out that her role of Bianca Del Rio meant that she could focus on being funny, rather than trying to deliver a strong vocal performance. Violet's abrupt attitude resulted in her clashing with Lucian during their rehearsal. The queens next shot their videos, with team "Tan with U" being criticized for being disorganized. Despite a solid performance, team "I Got Paid" came under fire for an unflattering comment in their video about RuPaul's Drag U. In team "Get Ready to Clock", Jaidynn received positive feedback for her role as Bianca, but Max struggled to impersonate Courtney Act, while Violet was instructed to go further with her portrayal of Adore Delano.
Song | Contestant |
---|---|
"Get Ready to Clock" (Spoof of "Sissy That Walk") | Jaidynn Diore Fierce |
Max | |
Violet Chachki | |
"I Got Paid" (Spoof of "Let the Music Play") | Ginger Minj |
Kandy Ho | |
Kennedy Davenport | |
Mrs. Kasha Davis | |
"Tan with U" (Spoof of "Dance with U") | Katya |
Miss Fame | |
Pearl | |
Trixie Mattel | |
Listed in alphabetical order. |
The week's runway theme was "green". After the parody videos were played, Jaidynn Diore Fierce, Katya and Kennedy Davenport were named as the standouts of their groups, with Ginger Minj and Miss Fame also being declared safe. Kennedy was named as the best performer overall, taking her first challenge win. During the critiques, Pearl was told that she needed to show more energy and come out of her shell more, but she responded that she felt picked on. Trixie was accused of not standing out in her group, with the judges feeling that she could have gone further with her comedy. Despite the judges generally liking Max's runway look, she was criticized for mostly ignoring the brief and including a minimum amount of green. Kandy Ho was told that she had faded into the background and needed to stand out more. After deliberation, Pearl and Trixie Mattel were asked to lip sync for their lives. Pearl won the battle and remained in the competition, while Trixie became the fourth queen to sashay away.
- Guest Judges: Jessica Alba and Lucian Piane
- Alternating Judge(s): Ross Matthews
- Main Challenge: Create a music video parody by writing lyrics, doing vocals, and shoot a music video to one of RuPauls' songs.
- Runway Theme: Green
- Challenge Winner: Kennedy Davenport
- Main Challenge Prize: 3 year supply of essential family products from The Honest Company
- Bottom Two: Pearl and Trixie Mattel
- Lip-sync Song: "Dreaming" by Blondie
- Eliminated: Trixie Mattel
- Farewell Message: "Wear clown noses! Make fun of each other! Stay Plastic ♥ Trixie Mattel. P.S. Fame - I used your lipstick, sorry :)"
Episode Five: The DESPY Awards
Airdate: March 30, 2015
This week's mini challenge saw the queens recreate famous red-carpet looks using only paper, inspired by Instagram user "paperdragrace". The queens were paired up based on how they lined up, with one queen modeling the look and the other presenting it. The team of Katya and Mrs. Kasha Davis won the mini challenge for their interpretation of Björk's infamous Swan dress, with Kasha choosing to present under the alias of Joan Rivers.
Celebrity look | Contestants |
---|---|
Lil' Kim | Ginger Minj Kandy Ho' |
Lady Gaga | Jaidynn Diore Fierce Kennedy Davenport |
Cher | Max Pearl |
Björk | Katya Mrs. Kasha Davis |
Jennifer Lopez | Miss Fame Violet Chachki |
For the week's Maxi Challenge, the queens would take part in the first edition of the DESPY Awards. The queens each voted in privacy for who amongst them they thought was most worthy queen in each category, and then in the same pairs from the mini challenge, presented an award to whichever queen had polled the highest in their assigned category. As the winners of the mini challenge, Katya and Mrs. Kasha Davis did not present an award, and instead acted as co-hosts for the ceremony. If a queen won an award, they were additionally tasked to deliver a memorable acceptance speech.
In the workroom, Kennedy felt confident and began interfering with her partner Jaidynn's material, while Miss Fame and Violet struggled to come up with a funny routine to their mutual lack of comedy experience. RuPaul and Pearl have a brief confrontation when Ru suggests that Pearl doesn't have as big of a personality as her partner Max, with Pearl accusing Ru of denting her confidence. Following the confrontation, Pearl left the workroom, resulting in Max having to come up with their routine alone. Kathy Griffin returned and watched the queens rehearse their routines, giving them advice on how to improve their comedy. Miss Fame amused the other queens by revealing her lifelong love for chickens.
Award | Presenters | Nominees | Winner |
---|---|---|---|
Sexy, Sexy Drag Queen | Jaidynn Diore Fierce & Kennedy Davenport | Kandy Ho | Miss Fame |
Miss Fame | |||
Max | |||
Most Busted Queen | Max & Pearl | Ginger Minj | Jaidynn Diore Fierce |
Jaidynn Diore Fierce | |||
Katya | |||
Mrs. Kasha Davis | |||
Shadiest Queen | Ginger Minj & Kandy Ho | Ginger Minj | Violet Chachki |
Kennedy Davenport | |||
Violet Chachki | |||
Meatiest Tuck | Miss Fame & Violet Chachki | Katya | Katya |
Jaidynn Diore Fierce | |||
Pearl | |||
Listed in the order announced. |
After the awards show, Max and Pearl were declared as joint-winners, winning custom jewelery, courtesy of Fierce Drag Jewels, while Jaidynn and Kennedy were also declared safe. Katya and Ginger were praised for strong routines in the challenge, but were criticized for aspects of their runway look. Conversely, Violet and Miss Fame were complimented on their runway looks, but received mixed feedback on their performance in the challenge. Mrs. Kasha Davis was criticized for not being over-the-top enough for her role as co-host, and was asked to lip-sync against Kandy Ho, who came under fire for her runway look and for a lack of comedy in the challenge. After an energetic performance from both queens, Kandy Ho was saved, leaving Mrs. Kasha Davis to sashay away.
- Guest Judges: Isaac Mizrahi
- Alternating Judge(s): Ross Matthews
- Mini-Challenge: Make their own paper versions of classic celebrity red carpet outfits, working in pairs assigned by Ru.
- Mini-Challenge Winners: Katya and Mrs. Kasha Davis
- Main Challenge: Come up with funny banter and take jabs at the other queens while presenting awards for different categories at the first ever DESPY Awards.
- Challenge Winners: Max & Pearl
- Main Challenge Prize: Custom jewel packages, courtesy of Fierce Drag Jewels
- Bottom Two: Kandy Ho and Mrs. Kasha Davis
- Lip-sync Song: "Lovergirl" by Teena Marie
- Eliminated: Mrs. Kasha Davis
- Farewell message: "Be good to yourself. Be good to one another. Love to the moon & back! xo MKD. (Go Ginger)"
Episode Six: Ru Hollywood Stories
Airdate: April 6, 2015 For this week's mini-challenge, the Queens were asked, one by one, to pick numbers hidden inside the underwear of an expanded pit-crew, whilst avoiding those with cartoon "monsters" in their pants, which Ginger wins. The queens are then told about this week's maxi-challenge - to act in the Ru Hollywood Story "Whatever Happened to Merle Ginsberg?", working in three teams telling the story from Merle's, Michelle's and Ru's perspectives. As the winner of the mini-challenge, Ginger is allowed to assign the teams and picks Kennedy and Katya to accompany her, whilst selecting Fame, Pearl and Jaidynn for one team, and Max, Violet and Kandy for the other team.
Episode | Contestant | Role |
---|---|---|
Merle's Story | Ginger Minj | Michelle |
Katya | Merle | |
Kennedy Davenport | RuPaul | |
Michelle's Story | Kandy Ho | RuPaul |
Max | Merle | |
Violet Chachki | Michelle | |
Ru's Story | Jaidynn Diore Fierce | RuPaul |
Miss Fame | Merle | |
Pearl | Michelle |
The queens then perform their Ru Hollywood Stories under direction from Ross Mathews. During the performances, Fame has a breakdown during the scene, citing her frustration with not being able to fully deliver, whilst Jaidynn becomes emotional and tense, leading her to forget her lines. Kennedy and Kandy also struggle with their lines and Max is questioned for his characterization of Merle. For their main stage presentation, the queens show their best "Death Becomes Her" looks. Ginger's team are named the best, with Katya being declared the overall winner. During the critiques, Kandy and Jaidynn are criticized for both their looks and performance, with Kandy's being described as forgettable and Jaidynn's as subpar and not up to her potential. Fame is called out for not listening enough and her breakdown during the performance. Max is also criticized for her performance, whilst Michelle challenges him again to not wear grey hair. On the other hand, Violet and Pearl both receive praise for their looks.
In the end, Jaidynn and Kandy are named as the bottom two and lip synch to Break Free by Ariana Grande. Both queens give an energetic and lively performance, but Ru saves Jaidynn and Kandy sashays away.
- Guest Judges: Merle Ginsberg and Ariana Grande
- Alternating Judge(s): Ross Matthews
- Mini-Challenge: Gain points by selecting pit crew members while avoiding the one with a monster in his pants.
- Mini-Challenge Winners: Ginger Minj
- Main Challenge: Reenact "Whatever Happened to Merle Ginsberg" from the point of view of Merle, RuPaul and Michelle Visage.
- Runway Theme: Death becomes her
- Challenge Winner: Katya
- Main Challenge Prize: $2000 giftcard to FABRICplanet
- Bottom Two: Jaidynn Diore Fierce and Kandy Ho
- Lip-sync Song: "Break Free" by Ariana Grande
- Eliminated: Kandy Ho
- Farewell message: "Everything happens 4 a reason, pero la vida continua! Big things will come! Kandy Ho xoxo"
Episode Seven: Snatch Game
Airdate: April 13, 2015
Queen | Celebrity Impersonation |
---|---|
Ginger Minj | Adele |
Jaidynn Diore Fierce | Raven-Symone |
Katya | Suze Orman |
Kennedy Davenport | Little Richard |
Max | Sharon Needles |
Miss Fame | Donatella Versace |
Pearl | Big Ang |
Violet Chachki | Alyssa Edwards |
This week saw the return of the fan-favorite "Snatch Game" challenge. During the challenge preparation, Violet and Fame discover that they both planned Donatella Versace as their character. Fame initially gives the character to Violet, but after talking with Ru, decides to take it back. Ru then compliments Violet on her Alyssa Edwards impression and suggests that she changes. Ru also questions Kennedy's choice to play Little Richard in "male drag" and wonders why Katya has not brought out her Russian character yet.
The queens then perform in the Snatch Game and walk the runway in their "Leather and Lace" looks, where Pearl and Violet are both called safe by Ru. During the judges critiques, Ginger, Katya and Kennedy all receive praise for both their looks and their performances. The judges also love Fame's look but her impersonation is described as half-baked and not fully present. Max's look also receives praise as well as her visual of Sharon Needles, but her performance is harshly criticized. Lastly, Jaidynn's look is described as basic and she is told her impersonation got old fast.
In the end, Ru initially names Kennedy as the winner of the challenge, before also naming Ginger as joint winner and calling Katya as safe. Ru also saves Fame, leaving Max and Jaidynn to lip-sync. Jaidynn gives another high-energy performance, which causes Ru to save her again and Max sashays away. Ru then reveals that he is planning to bring one eliminated queen back to the competition.
- Guest Judge: Tamar Braxton and Michael Urie[4]
- Alternating Judge(s): Ross Matthews
- Main Challenge: Snatch Game
- Runway Theme: Leather & Lace
- Challenge Winner: Kennedy Davenport & Ginger Minj
- Main Challenge Prize: Feather accessories from Mother Plucker
- Bottom Two: Jaidynn Diore Fierce and Max
- Lip-sync Song: "No More Lies" by Michel'le
- Eliminated: Max
- Farewell message: "Stay kind. Stay gracious. Stay humble. I love you, darlings. Xx Max"
Episode Eight: Conjoined Queens
Airdate: April 20, 2015
This week's mini-challenge was creating an Orange Is the New Black-inspired look, using only prison uniforms and personal items the queens have, under the supervision of season four contestant Latrice Royale. The queens walk a make-shift runway in the workroom, and Kennedy Davenport is declared the winner. RuPaul gathers the queens to address his previous announcement of intending to bring one of the eliminated queens back into the competition. The entrance doors to the workroom open, and fan-favorite Trixie Mattel walks in, seemingly returning to the competition. The doors suddenly swing open again, and the first queen of the season to be eliminated, Tempest DuJour, enters the workroom. She is followed by Kandy Ho, Sasha Belle, Jasmine Masters, Mrs. Kasha Davis, and finally, the most recently eliminated, Max. Once all fourteen queens have been assembled in the workroom, it is announced that each queen still in the competition will be paired up with an eliminated queen, and create a conjoined twins-inspired drag look. The eliminated queen from the winning pair will then return to the competition, and once again be in the running for the title of America's next drag superstar. Because she won the mini-challenge, Kennedy gets to pair the queens up.
Queen | Partner |
---|---|
Ginger Minj | Sasha Belle |
Jaidynn Diore Fierce | Tempest DuJour |
Katya | Mrs. Kasha Davis |
Kennedy Davenport | Jasmine Masters |
Miss Fame | Kandy Ho |
Pearl | Trixie Mattel |
Violet Chachki | Max |
After being paired up, the queens are dismissed, and get to work creating their conjoined looks. Initial discussion between the pairs is what theme to present, and where to be conjoined. The team of Ginger and Sasha decide to be joined at the breast, while Pearl and Trixie decide to go with a beautiful twin / ugly twin combination. After working on their looks for some time, Ginger becomes frustrated with Sasha, who seems more interested in talking to the other queens about how they have been since she left, than working on her look. Ginger pulls Katya aside for a talk, who reassures her that she'll be fine. The queens then present their looks on the main stage. During the judges critiques, Miss Fame and Kandy Ho's look is critiqued for not being original, while Jaidynn and Tempest's looks is referred to as "basic" by Michelle. Pearl and Trixie's look is praised by all of the judges, and complimented for being diverse and funny, while still sticking to a twin theme. Ginger and Sasha are told that their uni-boob looks unrealistic, and tacky. After the critiques, Pearl and Trixie are declared winners, meaning Trixie officially rejoins the running for America's next drag superstar. Katya, Kennedy Davenport, Violet Chachki and Miss Fame are declared safe, leaving Jaidynn and Ginger to lip-sync with their partners. This is the first time ever on RuPaul's Drag Race that more than two queens have been present on stage during a "lip sync for your life," that hasn't been during a finale episode. During the lip-sync, Ginger and Sasha give a camp, humorous performance, which ultimately saves Ginger, leaving Jaidynn to sashay away.
- Guest Judge: LeAnn Rimes and Nelsan Ellis[5]
- Alternating Judge(s): Ross Matthews
- Mini-Challenge: Recreate prison uniforms as "Orange is the new Drag" fashion looks with special guest Latrice Royale.
- Mini-Challenge Winner(s): Kennedy Davenport
- Main Challenge: Create a conjoined twin makeover with a previously eliminated queen.
- Challenge Winner: Pearl
- Main Challenge Prize: A custom website by Square Space
- Returned: Trixie Mattel
- Bottom Two: Ginger Minj (with Sasha Belle) and Jaidynn Diore Fierce (with Tempest DuJour)
- Lip-sync Song: "I Think We're Alone Now" by Tiffany
- Eliminated: Jaidynn Diore Fierce
- Farewell message:"Stay Fierce! Werq that puss! I love you all xoxo Jaidynn Diore Fierce ♥"
Episode Nine: Divine Inspiration
Airdate: April 27, 2015
Song | Contestant |
---|---|
Eggs (Parody of Pink Flamingos) | Ginger Minj |
Trixie Mattel | |
Cha Cha Heels (Parody of Female Trouble) | Katya |
Kennedy Davenport | |
Poo (Parody of Pink Flamingos) | Miss Fame |
Pearl | |
Violet Chachki |
- Guest Judge: Demi Lovato and John Waters
- Alternating Judge(s): Carson Kressley
- Mini Challenge: Reading other queens
- Mini Challenge Winner: Trixie Mattel
- Main Challenge: Musical versions of John Waters' most iconic films.
- Challenge Winner: Ginger Minj
- Main Challenge Prize: A hair collection by Weavin' Steven
- Bottom Two: Miss Fame and Pearl
- Lip-sync Song: "Really Don't Care" by Demi Lovato featuring Cher Lloyd
- Eliminated: Miss Fame
- Farewell message: "Continue to inspire. You are incredible! I love you. FAME."
Episode Ten: Prancing Queens
Airdate: May 4, 2015
Partners | Dance |
---|---|
Kennedy Davenport & Pearl | Charleston / Twerk |
Ginger Minj & Trixie Mattel | Hoedown / Robot |
Katya & Violet Chachki | Tango / Vogue |
- Guest Judge: Alyssa Milano and Rachael Harris
- Alternating Judge(s): Carson Kressley
- Mini Challenge: Create a "Fake Housewives of Drag Race" look using tape.
- Mini Challenge Winner: Violet Chachki
- Main Challenge: Dancing in a live drag dance spectacular.[6]
- Challenge Winner: Katya & Violet Chachki
- Main Challenge Prize: An original gown from Mountbatten Concepts and a gift card from Klein Epstein & Parker
- Bottom Two: Ginger Minj & Trixie Mattel
- Lip-sync Song: "Show Me Love" by Robin S.
- Eliminated: Trixie Mattel
- Farewell message: "WTF Just Happened?!? #GirlBye, Thx Pearl. Stay Plastic ♥ Spoiler Alert Trixie Mattel Doesn't Win LOL'"
Episode Eleven: Hello, Kitty Girls!
Airdate: May 11, 2015
- Guest Judge: Santino Rice and Rebecca Romijn
- Alternating Judge(s): Carson Kressley
- Mini Challenge: Make a caricature of their own peers with a puppet
- Mini Challenge Winner: Ginger Minj
- Main Challenge: Create looks inspired by Hello Kitty and a new best friend for Hello Kitty
- Challenge Winner: Violet Chachki
- Main Challenge Prize: Hello Kitty Extravaganza Package
- Bottom Two: Kennedy Davenport and Katya
- Lip-sync Song: "Roar" by Katy Perry
- Eliminated: Katya
- Farewell message: "Девочки! Я вас люблю! If you need me, you know where to find me. (The dumpster out back) XOXO Katya AKA The Brooke Hogan of drag AKA Diarrhea Perlman ♥♥♥"
Episode Twelve: And The Rest Is Drag
Airdate: May 18, 2015
The final challenge finds the contestants appearing in a music video for RuPaul's "Born Naked."
- Alternating Judge(s): Ross Mathews and Carson Kressley
- Main Challenge: Star in the music video for RuPaul's single "Born Naked"
- Lip-sync Song: "Born Naked" by RuPaul
- Eliminated: Kennedy Davenport
Episode Thirteen: Countdown to the Crown
Airdate: May 25, 2015
This episode took a look back on the highlights, low-lights, and previously unseen footage from the season using various countdowns. The show included commentary from past contestants including Adore Delano, Alaska, Alyssa Edwards, Bianca Del Rio, Jujubee, Latrice Royale, Raja, Raven and Sharon Needles.
Episode Fourteen: Grand Finale
Airdate: June 1, 2015
Wigs fly as the queens discuss the drama of the season. Plus, both "America's Next Drag Superstar" and "Miss Congeniality" are crowned.
- Miss Congeniality: Katya
- Runners Up: Ginger Minj, Pearl
- Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season Seven: Violet Chachki
Soundtrack
The trailers for this season featured clips the songs "Geronimo" and "Modern Love", both off the album Born Naked.
RuPaul Presents: CoverGurlz2
RuPaul Presents: CoverGurlz2 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Compilation album by RuPaul | ||||
Released | February 3, 2015 | |||
Recorded | 2014 | |||
Genre | Dance | |||
Length | 54:32 | |||
Label | World of Wonder | |||
RuPaul chronology | ||||
|
RuPaul Presents: CoverGurlz2 is a 2015 compilation album by entertainer RuPaul, featuring the season 7 cast of his show RuPaul's Drag Race. The album was released digitally on February 3, 2015.[7]
Background
Similar to last season, the compilation consists of 14 covers of songs previously released by RuPaul, performed by all of the RuPaul's Drag Race season seven contestants. It features tracks originally from RuPaul's albums Born Naked, Glamazon, Red Hot, Starrbooty: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, SuperGlam DQ.
Track listing
All songs written by RuPaul Charles and Lucian Piane, with the except of tracks fifteen and sixteen, which were written solely by Charles himself.
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "New York City Beat" (featuring Michelle Visage) | 3:54 |
2. | "Throw Ya Hands Up" (featuring Kennedy Davenport) | 3:19 |
3. | "Freaky Money" (featuring Jasmine Masters) | 3:22 |
4. | "Can I Get an Amen" (featuring Kasha Davis) | 3:14 |
5. | "Drop That Pimp" (featuring Violet Chachki and Miles Davis Moody) | 2:39 |
6. | "Let the Music Play" (featuring Ginger Minj) | 4:32 |
7. | "Sweet Kandy of Mine" (featuring Kandy Ho) | 2:40 |
8. | "Drag U" (featuring Katya) | 3:05 |
9. | "Hey Booty" (featuring Pearl and Miles Davis Moody) | 2:49 |
10. | "Geronimo" (featuring Trixie Mattel) | 2:58 |
11. | "The Beginning" (featuring Jaidynn Diore Fierce) | 3:58 |
12. | "Call Me Starrbooty" (featuring Sasha Belle) | 3:15 |
13. | "Dance with U" (featuring MAX) | 3:58 |
14. | "Drag Race Theme" (featuring Miss Fame) | 3:07 |
15. | "Sissy That Walk" (featuring Tempest DuJour) | 3:26 |
16. | "Hollywood U.S.A." (featuring The PitCrew) | 4:16 |
Total length: |
54:32 |
Ratings
Episode no. | Title | Airdate | Rating (18–49) |
Total viewers |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Born Naked" | March 2, 2015 | 0.19[8] | 348,000[8] |
2 | "Glamazonian Airways" | March 9, 2015 | 0.21[9] | 374,000[9] |
3 | "ShakesQueer" | March 16, 2015 | 0.15[10] | 265,000[10] |
4 | "Spoof! (There It Is)" | March 23, 2015 | 0.18[11] | 325,000[11] |
5 | "The DESPY Awards" | March 30, 2015 | 0.23[12] | 404,000[12] |
6 | "Ru Hollywood Stories" | April 6, 2015 | 0.16[13] | 285,000[13] |
7 | "Snatch Game" | April 13, 2015 | 0.19[14] | 340,000[14] |
8 | "Conjoined Queens" | April 20, 2015 | 0.19[15] | 367,000[15] |
9 | "Divine Inspiration" | April 27, 2015 | 0.17[16] | 320,000[16] |
10 | "Prancing Queens" | May 4, 2015 | 0.16[17] | 263,000[17] |
11 | "Hello, Kitty Girls!" | May 11, 2015 | 0.16[18] | 266,000[18] |
12 | "And the Rest Is a Drag" | May 18, 2015 | 0.17[19] | 310,000[19] |
13 | "Countdown to the Crown" | May 25, 2015 | 0.09[20] | 229,000[20] |
14 | "Grand Finale" | June 1, 2015 | 0.18[21] | 387,000[21] |
Notes
- ↑ Due to Matthews sharing judging responsibilities with Kressley, he was only present for some of the episodes. Episodes Matthews was present for were: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- ↑ Due to Kressley sharing judging responsibilities with Matthews, he was only present for some of the episodes. Episodes Kressley was present for were: 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 11
- ↑ Yekaterina Petrovna Zamolodchikova is simply known as Katya on the show.
References
- 1 2 "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Adds New Judges, Will Premiere March 2". Huffington Post. January 28, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
- ↑ "‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Renewed for Season 8 at Logo". Variety. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
- ↑ Shumaker, Jason; Kyle Pleva (January 28, 2015). "RUPAUL DECREES CARSON KRESSLEY AND ROSS MATHEWS AS NEW JUDGES FOR UPCOMING SEASON OF "RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE"". Logo Press Room. Logo. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
- ↑ "LOGO TV Schedule". twcc.com.
- ↑ "LOGO TV Schedule". twcc.com.
- ↑ "RuPaul's Drag Race: Episodes - LifeStyle YOU". lifestyle.com.au.
- ↑ "iTunes - Music - RuPaul Presents CoverGurlz2 by RuPaul". iTunes.
- 1 2 Metcalfe, Mitch. "SHOWBUZZDAILY’s Top 25 Monday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 3.2.2015". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- 1 2 Metcalfe, Mitch. "SHOWBUZZDAILY’s Top 25 Monday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 3.9.2015". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- 1 2 Metcalfe, Mitch. "SHOWBUZZDAILY’s Top 25 Monday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 3.16.2015". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- 1 2 Metcalfe, Mitch. "SHOWBUZZDAILY’s Top 25 Monday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 3.23.2015". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- 1 2 Metcalfe, Mitch. "SHOWBUZZDAILY’s Top 25 Monday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 3.30.2015". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
- 1 2 Metcalfe, Mitch. "SHOWBUZZDAILY’s Top 25 Monday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 4.6.2015". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- 1 2 Metcalf, Mitch. "SHOWBUZZDAILY’s Top 25 Monday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 4.13.2015". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
- 1 2 Metcalf, Mitch. "SHOWBUZZDAILY’s Top 40 Monday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 4.20.2015". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
- 1 2 Metcalf, Mitch. "SHOWBUZZDAILY’s Top 1000 Monday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 4.27.2015". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
- 1 2 Metcalf, Mitch. "SHOWBUZZDAILY’s Top 1000 Monday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 5.4.2015". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
- 1 2 Metcalf, Mitch. "SHOWBUZZDAILY’s Top 1000 Monday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 5.11.2015". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
- 1 2 Metcalf, Mitch. "SHOWBUZZDAILY’s Top 1000 Monday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 5.18.2015". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
- 1 2 Metcalf, Mitch. "SHOWBUZZDAILY’s Top 1000 Monday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 5.25.2015". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
- 1 2 Metcalf, Mitch. "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Monday Cable Originals (& Network Update)". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
External links
- Official website (U.S.)
- Official website (Canada)
- Official Facebook page
- Ratings
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