RuPaul and selection of songs for LaLaPaRuZa smackdown. Screenshot: RuPaul’s Drag Race
After a frustrating snatch game, all eight queens return to the workroom after being told that everyone except DeJa must participate in LaLaPaRuZa’s lip-sync crushing blow. It’s timely for those of us who aren’t interested in traditional March madness. The queens wonder what will happen next. The mood of confusion and chaos is the perfect pressure cooker for producers to ignite the queens’ fears and anxieties. Also, after two false eliminations, one medical disqualification, a double shantai, two consecutive no-elimination episodes, and a still-missing golden streak, the queen and the audience are itching for a real elimination.
I have to admit that personally I’m not exactly a fan of the lip sync episodes. It seems to be an ever-growing part of the franchise’s DNA since the addition of the final lip sync, starting with the ninth season, All Stars 4 and 6 with the eliminated queens vying for re-entry in the competition, and the start of the Stanford Prison Experiment. The 13th season, in which the cast was divided into winners and losers. However, it was a compelling episode.
Since the queens have no idea what structure LaLaPaRuZa will take on, most of them are on their toes. Jorgeus and Jasmine (and DeJa, of course) seem to be the most relaxed. DeJa, the only non-participant, amuses himself by throwing out conspiracy theories, including occasional lip-synching and the possibility of the queens returning. Of the remaining queens, Lady Camden expresses a healthy mixture of anticipation and dread, while Angeria and Willow seem content with their position. Daiya and Bosco, on the other hand, seem very nervous about what might happen next.
“Additional Special Episode”
B+
B+
“Additional Special Episode”
After the Snatch Game, Daiya is most annoyed and feels like there were two clear bottom two last week – Jasmine and Jorgeus who could lip sync in their lifetime. Although she meant “no offense”, Daiya calmly voiced that thought in front of the group. Daiya’s competitive spirit and lack of a filter is to be commended as it makes reality TV amazing. You almost have to wonder if using a possible “villain edit” isn’t a sneaky way to differentiate yourself from the Crystal Methyd comparisons that plagued her earlier in the season. It is also difficult to argue with Daiya’s opinion in most cases, as she is often accurate. At the same time, most of the things Daiya says could easily be left unsaid. Jasmine confronts Dia about the “no offense” tactic, which Jasmine astutely thinks is Dia’s way of preventing any rebuttal. It’s rather comical that Dia thinks this is Jasmine’s attempt to get inside her head, after Dia has spent most of the season picking on Jasmine at every turn. Again, they both make for a great reality show and should be celebrated.
Daiya even tries to draw Bosco into a fight a couple of times. Unwilling to do so, Bosco confesses that her frustration has more to do with her own acting than with the work of others. Bosco also reveals that she’s the most nervous about lip-syncing with Jorgeus and Willow, almost confirming that this is likely to happen. Everyone seems to agree that everyone is afraid to go up against Jorgeus, which fits in with Jorgeus’ growing sense of confidence in this week’s challenge. This episode really focuses on what exactly goes into lip-syncing as the queens discuss their preferred performance styles. LaLaPaRuZa really confuses the queens as they end up being victims of chance. Lady Camden sums it up nicely when she says that in the Snatch Game everyone played too carefully and that lip-syncing allows them to just let go and start playing.
The eight members take to the main stage to perform for RuPaul, Michelle, Carson and Ross. DeJu is sent back to the workshop to watch through the monitor as a reward for winning the dash game. The other seven queens, dressed in dance costumes, finally learn the structure of LaLaPaRuZa and prepare for battle.
The first stage of LaLaPaRuZa. Screenshot: RuPaul’s Drag Race
Jasmine vs Dia
The first randomly selected queen is Jasmine, who in turn chooses her rival. As if fulfilling a prophecy, Jasmine is giving us the match we’ve been waiting for all season with Daiya. The bottom line is that the chosen queen chooses the song. In an attempt to prioritize content over spectacle and reduce Jasmine’s dancing tricks, Dia chooses Aretha Franklin’s Respect. While both queens put on a good performance, Daiya wins by dominating the stage. Many of Jasmine’s jumps and splits were blocked by Daiya’s frame, softening their impact. Despite her defeat, Jasmine plays well, admitting that she may have talked too much.
Willow vs. Bosco
The second match is Willow vs. Bosco. Willow is disappointed that she was chosen by chance, as she believes the real advantage lies in the choice of song. An ever-sly competitor, Willow chooses Bosco, having a premonition that she will choose Willow’s favorite song. The calculation pays off when Bosco chooses “Never Too Much” by Luther Vandross. This is a battle in black, where Willow is dressed in the best image of this episode. It’s probably not because Bosco looks like she’s wearing the same outfit she wore on the Holy Couture runway last episode. They are equal. Although Bosco gives more movement in his performance, Willow manages to connect with RuPaul by simply using his eyes and earns the win.
Jorgeus vs Angeria vs Lady Camden
RuPaul announces that the “flickering finger of fate” has brought the three finalists together as threesome jokes abound. While it would seem that Jorgeus would be the clear winner, as highlighted by her winning song choice, it’s amazingly accurate lip-syncing. Everyone was expecting Jorgeus to choose J.Lo, but she made a small mistake by choosing Beyoncé’s “Radio”. Despite the chaos of the three people lip-synching on stage, they are impressively matched and varied in their approaches. Jorgeus is the overall winner, although it seemed like Angeria or Lady Camden could have won as well.
The second stage of LaLaPaRuZa. Screenshot: RuPaul’s Drag Race
Lady Camden vs. Bosco
After making numerous comments about Bosco being in her head, Lady Camden senses a weakness and makes a choice accordingly. Like Daiya before her, Bosco chooses songs in hopes of neutralizing her rival’s dance training. They perform the seductive En Vogue ballad “Don’t Let Go”. Again, Bosco puts in a decent performance, but Lady Camden skillfully tailors her dexterity to a particular song, earning the win. After the second defeat, Bosco appears slightly defeated.
Jasmine vs Angeria
As soon as Jasmine finds out that she will sing along to Angeria, she becomes emotional. Later, when they take the stage, it is revealed that Angeria also doesn’t want to compete with Jasmine, not because of Jasmine’s dancing skills, but rather because of their friendship. This is interesting because the friendship between Angeria and Jasmine was virtually non-existent in the final version of the season. The second time the “flying finger of fate” touches Angeria, as the song is predetermined as “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” by J.Lo. Jasmine, singing along to the soundtrack for the first time, is nervous. Anger, on the other hand, appears to be contained and controlled. It’s another close match, but Angeria’s presence and composure won her the win.
The final stage of LaLaPaRuZa. Screenshot: RuPaul’s Drag Race
Bosco vs. Jasmine
The final lip sync between Jasmine and Bosco features Diana Ross’ pre-selected song “Swept Away” (and do yourself a favor and watch this music video). Since both competitors are probably tired, having already performed twice in the evening, both show determination and energy. Jasmine, lip-synching for the sixth time, deftly changes her approach, adding campy flourishes that are associated with RuPaul, who laughs back. Bosco, after two slower performances, amplifies this lip-sync by retaining a number of impressive tricks for the final song. Seemingly, another draw of who could be the winner, confirmed by the queens watching in the work room, Bosco is declared the winner. Looking back at the last episode, it seems like Jasmine sealed her fate when she said, “If you’re not doing well at the Snatch Game, you better know your lyrics.”
Bosco leaves the stage to join the other queens. Jasmine is alone on stage, unwrapping a bar of chocolate and uttering the disappointing line, “It’s chocolate.” Jasmine ends her turn at the entrance with “it’s just a look at the exit” and shows real grace in her loss. Although her departure seemed a little discounted due to the absence of other queens. The producers really should have brought back all the queens before announcing the lip sync winner Jasmine-Bosco. Leaving Jasmine all alone seemed like a disservice to the Queen, who seemed annoying at first and really showed perseverance with a great attitude and a desire to grow and learn. At least we deserved to see the hugs between her and Dia Betty.
Random observations:
- LaLaPaRuZa has to be one of the worst RuPaulizations of the English language. This is not RuPologize or Rusical.
- Favorite Moment: Jasmine reflects on how they will share a lip sync with the seven contestants. Daiya jumps on her, saying that DeJa won’t sing along. Jasmine calmly states that she has already taken this into account and that Daiya miscalculated.
- Willow jokes about killing DeJa to avoid lip-synching, combined with Dia’s constant threats to smash Jasmine on the pavement, making for one of the most oddly violent seasons yet.
- “Punching the Ghost” is a great name for a dance move.
- It was really impressive that everyone seemed to really know the lyrics. I guess everyone should have memorized all six songs. In addition, these texts seemed particularly difficult to memorize.
- Has anyone else noticed that Jorgeus was wearing her lucky earrings from the Glamazon Prime challenge she won?
- Daiya was so outraged that Jasmine was crying because of Angeria’s lip sync, but so resigned when Lady Camden was crying after defeating Bosco.
- Dia and Jasmine’s storyline is so reminiscent of Brita and Aiden in season 12, even though deep down it seems that Dia and Jasmine really like each other.
- My last four remain: Angeria, Bosco, Daya and Willow (although I can easily see Lady Camden making it to the final).