It was a foregone conclusion that RuPaul would eventually bring back a sashayed, old queen from a past season to be a contestant again on RuPaul’s Drag Race. In the reality competition world, that move is nearly older than RuPaul herself. But the gal that was chosen for this extremely illustrious distinction was completely out of left field: It was none other than last season’s polarizing first-episode cast-off, the delightfully named Shangela! “And it’s Shangela!” said fellow contestant Mariah, in reaction. “Halle-lou!” she added, referencing Shangela’s “famous” sound bite. Halle-lou, indeed!
Truthfully, I was hoping for the glorious return of EW fave Pandora Boxx! But, then I reconsidered: Everyone would have loved that—well, at least I would have—and such a move probably wouldn’t have gotten any tongues wagging. Instead, pick one of the most loved/hated contestants from last season, bring her back, shake it up, and stir! Instant drama. Those sluts producing Drag Race are smart. It was genius, too, when right after Shangela emerged from that huge gift box (see: the ridiculousness above), footage from last season popped on the screen showing the young queen getting booted in last year’s premiere, after she lip-synced atrociously against Sahara Davenport. “I have a feeling,” RuPaul intoned at the time, “we haven’t seen the last of you, yet.” What ominous foreshadowing that none of us could have seen! Did RuPaul know something then that she wasn’t sharing a year ago—or was it just coincidence that she said such a thing? I can’t wait to ask next time I chat with Ru. I’ll keep you all posted, of course.
The rest of the episode was your typical episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race—but super-sized into 90 full minutes of ridculata instead of the usual 60! Here are my quick, recappy thoughts about last night’s premiere:
• Celeb photographer Mike Ruiz is so damn hot. That’s all.
• But so are the all the boy’s in Ru’s pit crew. I love how they seem so simply gleeful to be a part of the show. (See a casting video here! Drool.)
• Loving that there are three plus-size queens this season! That’s a record for Drag Race! If one of them doesn’t win, it will be a travesty.
• What is the deal with Stacy Layne Matthews? I’m sort of confused about what’s going on there in general. I’m putting in an official request now for a full-blown delving-into-Stacy’s-backstory episode. (Hence the quote from Raja: “Stacy looks like a girl outta drag. I was like, ‘Is that somebody’s mama?’”) And yes: Her alleged hometown of Back Swamp, N.C., is a real place. Must go there.
• Mariah = Kim Kardashian? That should be more of a statement than a question, actually.
• Did you know that Raja is a good pal of Adam Lambert’s? Interesting, right? No wonder why ex-American Idol contestant was spotted at the Drag Race premiere party in West Hollywood last week. (And no, he’s not in drag himself, despite his appearance indicating otherwise.) Also: Raja proved herself to be a fierce competitor, considering she won the show’s opening holiday card photo shoot challenge and the main challenge. And: She’s funny! Or nasty, depending on your humor: “To win the very first challenge feels good,” Raja said of the . “Feels like I staked my claim and put my little mark on this competition. I kind of lifted my leg and pissed on it a little bit.”
• Shocker! Shangela still kinda sucks, as evidenced by her having to lip-sync for her life again. And that huge snow(wo)man Frostgela? No. Like, no. But I do, however, appreciate her sense of humor.
• Delta Work. Isn’t that an awesome drag name?
• Mimi Imfurst, why did you sew your outfit? Especially if you don’t know how to sew. Regardless, I still loved her outfit the best—a Virgin Mary. Is she this season’s Pandora Boxx? And, that breakdown? Loves.
• Venus D-Lite has had lots of plastic surgery, in her cheeks and chin. Why doesn’t she look better?
• RuPaul could have served more on the main stage. But maybe she’s just holding back for later in the season. At least I hope so!
• Where is Merle Ginsburg?! Miss you! Mean it! Not that I’m complaining about Michelle Visage, but I mean! I loved Merle!
• I’ve said it before, but I want to die and reincarnate as RuPaul’s Drag Race guest judge Vanessa Williams. Did you see her hooters? “Got some gifts for Santa!” she told Ru, referring to her out-of-control boobs. Gurl was having FUN!
• That the Interior Illusions Lounge still exists. Thank goodness.
• The fact that the winning prize of last night was a $2,000 gift certificate to SequinQueen.com. I die that such a website/enterprise even exists.
• Raja wins! I already said as much, but she deserves another shout-out. Werq!
• Shangela and Venus D-Lite for lip-syncing for their lives. Or, cat-fight for their lives or whatever. Wasn’t that one of the most bizarre things you’d seen in a while?
What’d you think Drag Race fans? Loving Raja? Wondering what’s up with Stacy? Living for Mimi Imfurst like me? Sound off below!
Tanner on Twitter: @EWTanStransky
More from EW.com:
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’: Q&A with America’s Next Drag Superstar Tyra Sanchez
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ sashays into third season
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ on PopWatch
I honestly have fallen in love with each and every queen this season, they all bring something so unique to the table. I definitely have my eyes on Raja, Manila, and the Puerto Ricans… If Raja doesn’t make top 3, I’ll be majorly dissapointed!
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I can’t believe it annoys me this much, but Raja looks so familiar. He looks like the make up artist from ANTM who was always so nice to the girls. If it is, wow… somebody got some good tips on how to strut their stuff from miss J.
That’s because he IS that make up artist from ANTM…
Yeah, that is him. I thought it was weird he didn’t mention it. Maybe he’s not allowed?
Raja was the make up artist on America’s next top model and toured the world with Adam Lambert as his make up artist on the Glam Nation tour. Raja’s been a busy one.
Plus Adam Lambert was in his audition video. Sutan / Raja is really sweet in real life, and loves a smart cocktail !
Holy Snap a toodles. I knew that was him!!!! but I was in denial. I even remember when he was in drag in ANTM being Tyra. Not the other Tyra lol. Wow talk about having an advantage.
Hey they all have certain advantages. Raja is not the only make up artist in the pack and believe me, they all have sought out the best of the best help for their run…
I agree with JLM. You don’t get that far without having some type of background or experience to draw on.
I’m picking one of the big girls to be in the top 3…so far my favorite would be Delta Work….Raj came off as Raven-Lite…..not feeling the love when they are out of drag like I did w/the racers from last year…I miss Pandora, Jessica & JuJuBee….
Raja is RAVEN-LITE? Raven is everything-she-thinks-she-is-lite. Not intelligent enough to pull it off.
Raja’s got brains.
I am so totally on #TeamRaja!!! LOVE HER. I’ve been watching Drag Race since season 1, and I feel like she’s bringing something fresh and new to the table this season. And she’s polished, knows who she is, and just bangs it out!
If Pandora Boxx can’t be my new best friend, I want Mimi Imfurst.
If you told me that one guy was Morgan McMichaels I wouldn’t have given it a second thought (until he took off his makeup of course)
I want to know why the only Latino contestants they seem to have are all from Puerto Rico and their English is all borderline crap? Can you not find one from the states who’s accent isn’t so damn annoying???
Obviously those are the contestants who made the cut. McRude!!!
You’r from Virginia, are you pulling for India Ferrah?
Carmen is latino, and his english is fine.
Alexis Mateo is actually from St. Pete/Tampa, Florida even though her nationality is Puerto Rico. Alexis hasn’t had much light on the show yet and her English is fine. She’s a star for sure!
Alexis is from Florida, Puerto Rico (the city in PR named Florida) and lives in the tampa bay area now. Lets not forget about the lovely YaraSofia from San Juan!! yarasofia.com
Hey Mc Prophet: Look for the term xenophobia in the dictionary. You fit the profile.
I love their accents, it’s so sexy!! The most annoying voice is Mimi’s!!
GREAT RECAP!
Venus D-lite was actually more edgier than the other contestant. They actually preferred Delta Work and Stacy’s outfits? Seemed Venus put more effort into her outfit.
Venus should still be on the show! Shangela had her chance last year, blew it and then came back and ended up in the bottom two in the first episode? Either she should have been chopped then and there or the whole thing was set up! think about it!
I think most of these men are better looking as women – except for Carmen. She’s hotter out of drag as a boy than as a girl. Mimi is one of those people who seems nice – and could be – but needs to be kept at arm’s length. Like Mariah’s initial generosity. Raja does seem to bring something fresh and unexpected to the competition.
Yes, Mike Ruiz is awesomely sexy… even if he really doesn’t come off as the brightest possible bulb in the lamp. And who knew the makeup artist for ANTM (Sutan/Raja) had it goin’ on like alla this?
Yes! he went by Sutan in ANTM. That’s why I was thrown off at first. Duh his drag name is Raja.
In general, not loving the girls this season. Raja is my favorite so far, and I’m glad Venus is gone. But I definitely am longing for season 2′s Pandora, Juju, Jessica…heck even Raven.
I think the alien from the Slick It Up commercials was the fiercest queen in the whole 90 minutes!
Thank you! I agree!
Raja is Sutan – the hair/makeup guy from America’s Next Top Model and rumor has it he won it all. Shangela HAD to be brought back because after she was booted first from last season, she went on to be named Drag Entertainer of the Year.
Didn’t know that re: Shangela (although I know she’s made other TV appearances of late, i.e. an episode of “Terriers” on FX that I caught by accident late one night)
Umm Sorry… Shangela was NOT named Drag Entertainer of the year. I assume that reference is to the Miss Entertainer of the Year Pageant where she placed first runner up. Her pageant drag comes off much better than her drag on the show. I’ll attribute this to the people that do her hair and make up for her on the pageant circuit. #NoTea.
Clearly, she hasn’t developed those skills are her own yet. Her paint and hair are still mediocre. All that hair she’s got and she can’t pin a wig to her head properly? Also, she’s still not learned to sew and is over all rough around the edges.
They got it right last year when she went first and she should have gone first this year. But for Ru to send her packing, clearly, would be admitting the error in judgement. I would have much rather seen someone come back that was TRULY gone too soon last season. HEY PANDORA!
<3
That casting video for the pit crew is great! “WE ARE…FROM RUSSIA!”
Those Russian guys were HILARIOUS! Love Sutan/Raja and recognized him in a second as I watch ANTM religiously (and RuPaul’s Drag Race too). Looks to be a good group–did not like Venus D-Lite’s lip synch behavior but Shangela honey, sorry, you’re still low rent. Did you really win Drag Entertainer of the Year? Well, she is kind of funny. Settling in for another set of fun Monday nights–thanks Ru. Where IS Merle?