The most hilarious things transpire on fashion-centric reality shows when the word “couture” enters the competitive mix. The main challenge on night’s edition of RuPaul’s Drag Race is the perfect example of the craziness the word inspires: The queens were solicited to create a couture, one-of-a-kind runway look based on one of eight different cakes, including pineapple upside down cake, chocolate lava cake, princess cake, and so on. Truly, it’s a genius test, seeing as how ridiculously over-the-top pastries should provide the ample inspiration for just as over-the-top — and thus couture — fashions on the runway.
Alas, the queens confused the concept of couture with building a dress (or in the case of Stacy Layne Matthews, an ill-fitting pantsuit concoction?) that featured oversize shoulder flair. Just look at the screen grabs above for the evidence, with Stacy Layne Matthews, Carmen Carrera, and Shangela all adorning their shoulders with something big and ridiculous. Have you ever seen such divine couture in your life? Not.
The shoulder move contributed to Stacy Layne Matthew’s eventual ouster from the competition — leaving us with Delta Work as the lone big girl (out of an original three) this season. “F— these other bitches,” Stacy said at the top of the episode, after winning last week’s challenge with her inspired Precious impersonation. “I feel like I’m gonna win this s—.” Sadly, that statement couldn’t have been less prophetic on her part. The thing that kills me about the whole situation is that Stacey went home instead of the Bed, Bath, & Beyond-happy Alexis Mateo. Yes, Alexis served it more with her lip-syncing rendition of “Knock on Wood,” but I don’t think anyone would disagree that Stacy — despite her issues with being bad at nearly all aspects of the competition — should have been kept around for sheer fascination factor. Where does the humor of the season lie now? At least we can all look forward to her coming back for the reunion.
The big winner of the evening? Shocker: Raja, yet again. But she deserved it! Despite her knickers showing intermittently, the gangly gal looked flawless, something like a tall, delicious, bubbling-hot glass of chocolate milk — which was smart, considering her cake was chocolate lava. A couple weeks back, I posed the question: Does Raja have this season locked up already? With this being her second main-challenge win of the season, that seems likely. But then again, I think this may all actually be pointing to her imminent, and likely controversial, demise down the road. Reality competition producers often like to lead we viewers down one road, only to switch things back at the very end for a surprise. So Manila or Carmen seem likely to eventually prevail, in my opinion. The thought of Shangela actually winning has crossed my mind, but that scenario would seem rather canned, considering Ru brought her back from season two, right? And Raja probably wouldn’t have it: “You should be on season five or six,” Raja told Shangela on the main stage, punctuating the queen’s lack of drag experience.
Of course, on Drag Race all roads end at Ru. Paul, that is. In the judging at the end of the episode, our delightful host described couture very smartly in one of her always-entertaining sound bites: “Loving something and then hating something is very couture.” I thought about the quote a bit more and decided it probably very much applies to the things that Ru decides to wear on the runway, including last night’s ferocious look, which I just died over repeatedly. The bedazzling of the hair alone makes this look werq for me. Actually, it’s when Ru looks like this that I question whether there can really be another Drag Superstar. I mean, who can top her? She’s a vision and a total inspiration.
Do you love Ru’s look as much as me? Are you outraged to see Stacy Layne head home? What are your current thoughts on Shangela? Are you sick of Raja yet? Sound off in the comments below, please!
Tanner on Twitter: @EWTanStransky
More from EW.com:
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’: How ‘Precious’ was Stacy Layne Matthews last night?
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’: Does Raja have this season locked up already?
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’: It’s all about the big girls this season
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’: Is any show on TV more cracked out than this?
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ season premiere: Can you believe RuPaul brought [spoiler] back?!?
‘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
Manila annoys the living firetruck out of me. I want to shove her head in a bucket of tar just to get rid of that damned skunk patch! I started out liking Raja, but now realize she is just an arrogant bully. I love Delta and Carmen!
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Really?! you don’t like Manila because he has a white patch in his hair? But you love Delta who is just Raja’s lap dog without any of his talent. The only memorable thing Carmen has done is when he passed gas in the “Untucked” show. Manila is the funniest of all the queens and the only one who actually could pass for a woman.
One last thing, Delta thinks that Stacie and it’s self are plus sized girls. Well it has one thing right they are definitely plus. In the medical field it’s called super obese—-delta and the other “plus” sized could not even qualify for gastric bypass surgery without loosing multiple pounds of weight. It’s sad but true. I do not hope to see an obese person representing themselves as ok or the norm in drag. I mean really loose the obesity come back as a true plus size and try again! Like smoking obesity is not cool and only you can change that for yourself!! Likewise to skinny is also unhealthy and should not be promoted!!
Kelly4ya–
You have no idea how hateful your words are.
Hurtful? Yeah. Hateful? No. The truth can hurt, but it doesn’t hate. Being too heavy is unhealthy. Being too skinny is equally unhealthy. Unfortunately we’ve elevated being super skinny into a cult, but trying to make being obese cool too does not right the wrong. It’s just another wrong. Being a healthy weight is what’s really cool.
FYI – Carmen and Delta are the next two to go – sorry!
Here’s my contestant breakdown, in no particular order:
ALEXIS- Strong contender for the Top 3 who just had a misstep with her dress tonight.
CARMEN- The Rebecca/Tatianna of this season who mainly rides on pretty to advance far in the competition, but this will catch up with her.
DELTA- I originally loved her but now her bitterness has made me slowly hate her.
MANILA- Another strong Top 3 contender that takes risks that usually pay off.
RAJA- The most experienced and the ugliest personality. As much as I’d hate it, she’ll easily place second due to her determination and couture (which personally isn’t my cup of tea).
SHANGELA- Clearly has big strengths and big weaknesses. Shined in the past few challenges because they relied on personality but falters on sewing challenges. The underdog I love to root for.
YARA- At first she went under my radar but lately has been coming into her own.
Go Team Shangela!! Love you Gurl!!
At least Tatianna was entertaining in the Snatch Game and the rocker challenge. Carmen is always boring.
I am soooo happy carmen is gone she thinks she all that but she aint she should of been gone long time ago
Andrew Iove you! If Yara can get through the language barrier she’s got it hands down. Yara and Alexis are tied in first place for the cutiest, and most scincere smile,! Makes me want to move to PR. Carmen comes in a close second in smile wish I could just see more personality rather than beautiful princess. I hope Carmen will wake up and not play into the grossly obese tactics of delta, and the manipulative psyche of raja!! I think it’s ironic mannilla has been caught up in raja and deltas schematics! I thought from the first manilla took a neutral, cooperative, and understanding position with each of the others. However, based on her stupid decision to join ego inspired spare tire tribal gothic nutt’in but opinionatted obese dumb and dumber team raja the all-knowing-dahli-lamma and not to forget the overly abundant cougar grandmother wanna be delta needs-workout-now team!
Is your tv broken? Nobody thought Shadegela’s Tina was even decent. Her psychopathic delusions of starting fights every single week then blaming others are psychiatrist worthy. Especially going for Raja relentlessly. And Raja was the target of shade from the first time she walked into the workroom. Specifically Alexis & Mariah, who both were ugly all during the entire Untucked Episode 1 and thereafter. You better call your cable company, something’s jacked up.
I agree good breakdown. It would only highten the end if it came to Raja vs. Shangela!!! I would just die right here on my couch with my friend watching!!!
I think Raya is greatI olso like Alexis mateo is beautiful she need more confidence.
Team Raja!
I haven’t really found a queen to root for this season. Last season, I had hoped that Pandora Box would have made it to the finals, and in season one I wanted Ongina to take the crown. Unfortunately, I think that the show is too much “Project Runway” as a queen that can’t sew but is a fabulous performer doesn’t have chance.
Totally agree. Nobody to root for this season; they’re all either majorly unlikeable or entirely forgettable.
Hopefully this season is a fluke and next season will get back to the fun of Seasons One and Two.
I completely agree with Richard! Their personalities really make them unattractive! Raja acts like she has already won, she needs a major attitude adjustment! And OMG what did Stacy ever do to her.
Raja is very talented but if he wants to be the next drag superstar hes gonna have to work on his attitude, that voice and where hip pads and make better clevage, Ru is just as skinny out of drag but as you see he wears the pads and the corsets and they give him a great shape….get it together Raja or consider becoming the next drag stylist…becauase just like Pandora said in season 2, fashion sense shouldnt stop you from winning because if you do become the next drag superstar you can always hire a stylist..Manilla and Shangela need to work on their makeup skills..blend and match your foundation better… Manila has some personality but she is only the token asian… Shangela has talent but she needs much more experience before she can be a superstar…I like delta she could be the next Divine however she needs to keep some of her oppinions to herself to avoid alienating her potential fans, and after the show she needs to go beat down John Waters door, because he would love her..carmen is cute but this isnt Americas next real girl look alike contest… Stacy is cool but her drag isnt larger then life but she is def Miss congeniality…Yara is pretty but very forgettable…despite her bad dress Alexis seems to be the most C.U.N.T all around at the moment.
I love Yara but you are completely correct. I was watching UNTUCKED and could not remember her name.
The token asian? Racist much?
Manila has served it on the runway and is more funny than Raja.
raja is indonesian…therefore making her asian alongside manila luzon.
Raja is Indian.
INDONESIAN, NOT INDIAN. SHE’S SAID IT MANY TIMES AND EVEN TWEETED IT. A S I A N
Everyone is stating that Raja is ugly in spirit. It is very clear that Raja is not psycho or even mean. She just says what she feels is important. I watch the main show and the following Untucked! and each time I watch, I hear the phrase, “Be Real”. Raja has been consistently real and very much a model of intelligence and artistry. She has offered help to each of the queens who have asked and is kind to each. The maturity level of many of the queens can be very low and I feel that they all lose sight of the ultimate goal… To be a role model and spokesperson for Drag Queens and the gay community in general. A queen doesn’t always need to be rude to make a point. If each of them showed the others the respect they feel that they deserve, then the competition could truly maintain it’s mission statement. Instead there is cattiness and cruelty all around. Raja was right when she said, ” I don’t always feel the need to say what I am thinking because sometimes it is really negative and I just want to be a nice guy”. I am rooting for all of the queens because I think it takes a great deal of courage and integrity to be an entertainer. This is a beautiful art form and may the best WOman win! I have a great deal of hope for the day that we all put aside the cattiness and truly portray a healthy competition. I love reading everyone’s comments and watching the show. GO TEAM RuPaul!!! (Raja-you are gorgeous and extremely artistically talented. Alexis-you are passionate and sickening:). Yara-keep up the positive attitude and I enjoy watching you perform. Manila-you are absolutely adorable and your smile is infectious. Delta (even though you were eliminated)-you are as cool as Raja and as talented. I love your style and I truly hope that one day soon you will see the beauty in yourself that we all were privileged to witness on the show!
Raja acts like she has already won. She is so talented but her cruel mean-streak make her soooo UGLY to me!!! And why is every judge picking on Stacy? She has more pizzazz and personality than Carmen does! No one is giving Carmen crap about her personality! if the judges dont like plus size girls than they shouldnt have let Stacy be on the program!
Team Alexis all the way!! She is gorgeous, funny and has either won (or tied for a win) as many times as Raja the bully! Her “Bed, Bath and Beyond” look was (in my best Randy Jackson voice) one hundred bazillion percent better than the red-velvet inspired (valour??) pantsuit from Stacy… just sayin’
Does anyone watch this? And, no, this is not a snarky remark. What is the viewership? Seriously.
@LOL, I actually watch it when it reruns at 3 or 4 in the morning – It’s America’s Next Top Model on crack. It’s sooo fun.
@CleMar, you are so right… I must agree with you..I watch it when reruns aswell…lol..on crack 5.0..Its a mixture of ANTM and project runway on crack and absolut…
Watch it every week. SOOOO funny and yes, it IS like ANTM on crack. The boys (or the girls)are even cattier than the wannabe models and definitely have better quips.
It actually is not a show, Tanner just writes fake recaps.
I watch the show! RuPaul is a doll (btw, how adorable was he in last night’s epi?) and the drama is fierce.
Agreed Ru is a doll I love her and I’ll die for one of her wigs
Sad to see Stacy leave, she seems really sweet. I hope the top 3 are Raja, Manila and Delta, they seem to be the most professional and the best this season. I could see Raja winning, at least she has originality like RuPaul.
Are you kidding me? RuPaul looked like he was some kind of dust bunny from the floors of the Drag Race workroom.
You say that like it’s a bad thing
I love you.
Raja is a fierce competitor, but there’s nothing to like about her outside of that. At least Tyra Sanchez was arrogant but humble.
Ugh. Tyra Sanchez is a void. She won because she’s pretty on the runway, plain and simple. I like that Raja isn’t syrupy sweet; this IS a show about drag queens, after all!
Raja is a mean-spirited, bitter, jaded man dressing up in fashion as opposed to a drag queen. Annoying and hopefully one of the “heathers” will go next week to shake it up a bit. Don’t really have a favourite this season but anyone but Raja, even Delta, at this stage.
Really? In reality you’d wish he’s on your side. That guy is the best. See how he treats Adam Lambert’s fans on youtube.
I totally disagree that Stacy should have beat out Alexis just to provide future entertainment value. This is a competition. Alexis turned on the force during the lip-synch. Stacy didn’t. End of story. Besides, Alexis is one of the only queens competing this season that doesn’t drive me up a wall with petty, catty crap.
Speaking of which…If I hear Shangela say “I keep it real” one more time I will freakin’ SCREAM!!
I agree with you. Alexis was so fierce during the lip synching which is why I love her so much. Stacy annoyed the living f*** out of me especially because she just always did the saaame thing and couldn’t for the life of her wear a flattering outfit. There’s no reason just because you’re big to then wear gold lame and red velvet body suits. There are ways to flatter a bigger shape and she did not know how to do them.
I really enjoy this show, but I completely agree with earlier comments — there are not a lot of redeeming qualities among the contestants, and no one that I really want to root for. At least Raven, Jujubee and Pandora had personality, and you could tell that despite their competitiveness and throwin’ shade, they are nice people at heart. This season? All biatch and no inner beauty. If Raja wins I’ll be very disappointed; she knows fashion, she wears it well, but she is a fairly one note queen. Next week (comedy competition) I think we’ll see her flaws on full display. BTW Eliza Dushku looked fantastic.
One more thing: It’s going to be interesting to watch when either Raja or Delta goes home — the one remaining will be devastated without her nasty-talk partner in crime. Last season they were nasty when they had to be; this season they’re nasty because they CAN be — which makes the Heathers reference all the more appropriate.
As much as I hate their catty ugly personalities I did love the Heathers reference. It will certainly make for some great drama when they start taking each other down.
yes thank you this is exactly the wording i’ve been looking for. and they really are looking for any and every moment when they CAN be.
It is not as if the other queens are saints. Each of them throws shade at the other contestants. They are all human and have flaws. What Raja and Delta say to each other is not any more or less catty than what the others say. It is apparent that people have drawn sides and that an opinion or conversation is considered an attack by one and not the other. Double standard…I think so.