Who Was Strong and Who Was Set Free in the True North? It's Canada's Drag Race Premiere!!
That's right! The premiere episode of Canada's Drag Race has arrived, fresh as an Alberta Wild Rose from our 'homo and native land!' It's the first English-language Drag Race franchise without Ru at the helm.
Hosting and judging duties were shared between Brooke Lynn Hytes, Jeffrey Bowyer Chapman, and Stacy McKenzie, a veritable CanCon trio who let the puns pour out like maple syrup!
So, what were the Rocky Mountain Highlights?
Mini Challenge: Queens climbed a Rocky Mountain set for a photo shoot with photographer Matt Barnes
Mini Challenge Winner: [Spoiler (click to open)]Kyne
Maxi Challenge: Queens had to create an original high fashion look using the contents of various Canadian-themed boxes, including Man of Green Gay-bles, Québec-Froid, and Much Ru-sic Video Prance. The queens were judged based on their outfit and runway performance.
Guest Host (That's right! Guests get hosting privileges in the True North!): Elisha Cuthbert of Happy Endings fame
Top Queens: [Spoiler (click to open)]Jimbo, BOA, and Rita Baga
Bottom Queens: [Spoiler (click to open)]Kyne, Juice Boxx, and Lemon
The Strong (aka The Winner of the First-Ever Episode of Canada's Drag Race): [Spoiler (click to open)]Rita Baga
Lip-Syncing Queens: [Spoiler (click to open)]Juice Boxx and Lemon
Song: [Spoiler (click to open)]"I Really Like You" by Canadian Pop Queen/Icon/Deity Carly Rae Jepsen!
The Set-Free (aka The Queen Sent Home on the First-Ever Episode of Canada's Drag Race): [Spoiler (click to open)]Juice Boxx
Source: Watching the episode on Crave.ca
Image Source
So, what did my fellow Canadiens think? They need a bit of time to grow into it and the judging was a little harsh overall, but it's a solid start. Appreciate that the references aren't just surface level Mounties and maple syrup, but things that are super Canadian that only Canadians would know, like MuchMusic Dance Parties and next week's Canadian Her-itage Minute challenge! Interesting that CDR burst out the gate with a stronger lip sync than any of the ones in the entirety of DRUK S1. Little surprised that Tynomi was so in the background for such a legendary Toronto queen and Kyne shocked me with that attitude. Love the Two-Spirit representation Ilona is bringing! And who else adores Jimbo?