RPDR 18: Episode 5 Rucap

Last week’s episode was lit, and honestly? Talent show episodes will always have my heart. Yes, I know — most Drag Race “talents” involve high kicks, splits, dips, and death drops. But if a queen does it well and sells it like her life depends on it, who am I to complain?

So let’s get into RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 – Rate-A-Queen Talent Show Part 1.

---

Mid-Season Talent Show = Maximum Mess

Ru announced that this week’s maxi challenge would be Rate-A-Queen: Talent Show Part 1, where half the queens perform while the other half rate them. And placing a talent show mid-season instead of at the premiere? Genius.

By now, the queens have formed bonds… and more importantly, alliances.

As expected, House of Dion kept things very much in the family. Athena openly promised Juicy and Mia higher rankings regardless of performance — and honestly, I respect the honesty 😭.

Meanwhile, Ciara Myst saw an opportunity and wasted no time forming an alliance with her Q-Pop girl group sisters — notably the only group that still has all members in the competition:

• Myki Meeks

• Kenya Pleaser

• Mia Starr

• Nini Coco

• Ciara Myst

Between strategic voting, whispered promises, and side-eye confessionals, it was giving Survivor: Drag Edition. And as always, watching alliances form is fun — but watching them eventually crumble is even better.

---

Talent Show Performers (Part 1)

The queens decided that six would perform in Part 1. Here’s what they brought to the stage:

• Ciara Myst — Poem

• Juicy Love Dion — Dance to an original track

• Nini Coco — Mother Mantis

• Vita VonTesse Star — Aerobics

• Darlene Mitchell — Original track

• Mia Starr — Dance to an original track

Honestly? No one truly bombed. Everyone delivered something polished and intentional, which made judging (and voting) extra spicy.

If I had full control, my Top 2 would’ve been Juicy Love Dion and Nini Coco, while Vita and Darlene would’ve landed at the bottom.

But Drag Race isn’t judged by me — it’s judged by strategy.

---

The Results (According to the Queens)

After the votes were cast:

Top 2 of the week:

✨ Juicy Love Dion

✨ Mia Starr

Bottom queen:

⚠️ Ciara Myst, who will have to lip sync for her life in Part 2 of the talent show.

Was it shocking? A little.

Was it strategic? Absolutely.

---

Guest Judge: Zara Larsson

This week’s guest judge was Zara Larsson, and BABY — she came in full drag. Face beat, outfit right, presence immaculate.

More importantly, she was a fantastic judge. She gave real, actionable feedback instead of the usual “I liked it” energy. Honestly? She deserves to come back — maybe even judge another franchise.

---

Lip Sync for the Win: Pretty Ugly

The Top 2 lip synced to “Pretty Ugly” by Zara Larsson, and as expected, Juicy and Mia tore the stage up. Two dancing divas doing what they do best.

It was so evenly matched that Ru declared a double win — and I’m not mad at it. Both earned it.

---

Upadted Top 4

Next week, we’re getting Rate-A-Queen Talent Show Part 2, and the stakes are even higher. With Ciara already in danger, anything can happen — and I’m ready for the chaos.

As for my Top 4, there’s only one change this week. I’m officially swapping Vita out for Mia.

My Top 4 After Episode 5

• Juicy Love Dion

• Nini Coco

• Jane Don’t

• Mia Starr

Let’s see how Part 2 shakes things up — because if this is only half the talent show, we’re in for a ride.

💬 What did you think of the Rate-A-Queen twist?

👑 Who are you rooting for now?