Welcome to RuPaul’s Drag Race Power Rankings! Every Tuesday, we’ll debrief the week’s new episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 14 to determine which queens are riding high, and which need she-mergency care. We’re back in action with a split premiere for the new season. What do we make of our first seven queens?
7. Orion Story — ELIMINATED
Orion’s choice to do a comedy sketch for the talent show was an interesting one, but the sketch itself was so misguided. The judges noted that she needed to workshop it, but I think she needed a whole different idea. This kind of humour just isn’t going to be what lands with Ru. It’s notable that comedy almost always fails in the talent show challenges: Jasmine Masters, Derrick Barry and now Orion have all gone home after trying for humour, while Trinity K. Bonet could’ve seen her All Stars 6 journey end very soon had Yara Sofia won that premiere lip sync. Regardless, Orion seems lovely—it’s always tough that someone does have to go home first.
6. June Jambalaya
There’s a seriousness to June that feels like it might be a mismatch for this competition. Compared to her L.A. sisters Kerri Colby and Kornbread “The Snack” Jeté, she’s a quiet queen, and got emotional upon getting critiqued this week. (Guest judge Lizzo did a nice job of bucking her up.) The problem with doing something like an African dance, which by all accounts she did well, is that it’s just a bit too earnest for Drag Race. Gia Gunn merely scored safe for an impressive kabuki performance in All Stars 4, while Elektra Shock actually went home for her contemporary dance in Down Under’s first season. Drag Race has focused more and more on finding fun, funny queens over the years, and June may need to break out of her shell a bit to stand a chance of sticking around.
5. Alyssa Hunter
I personally would’ve put Alyssa in the bottom over June this week, partially for promising guitar-playing and not delivering. It’s okay if it’s just a prop—Silky Nutmeg Ganache won a lip sync using a prop guitar!—just don’t lie about it! I take issue with the judges’ remarks that her My Fair Lady-inspired runway look and talent show performance were too different, though. Isn’t range good to show on Drag Race? The fact that she’s getting this kind of critique makes me think she may not be in production’s long-term plans for the season. She’ll have to really step up and show what she can do if so—she’s a stunning queen, but looks aren’t going to be enough.
4. Bosco
She scored high for her burlesque routine, but I’d personally have slotted Bosco into that middle safe spot that Kerri got instead. It was a cute performance, with Bosco removing fake flower petals from her hips only to reveal a rose on her backside at the end. I thought it was completely solid, but not particularly surprising. Of note: in Untucked, Bosco said she got no negative critiques, which isn’t quite true. It was a Scarlet Envy-esque bit of reframing what happened, although unlike in Scarlet’s case, there wasn’t really a strategic purpose to it. I do think self-awareness is a key quality to doing well on Drag Race: you have to be able to hear the judges’ notes and take them into account. (Ru himself noted that in this episode.) Will Bosco be able to do that? We’ll find out soon, I bet.
3. Kerri Colby
I do agree with Ross Mathews’ take that Kerri should’ve come out with the jump rope. But I ultimately get why she didn’t: it allowed her to build momentum throughout the performance. First she was without the rope, then she was doing simple tricks, then she got complicated (and fast!). My issue with Kerri this week was more about her runway outfit—I loved the coat, but the K-coated dress underneath didn’t flatter her. Kerri’s probably my favourite of this group, so I hope to see her stick around; she’s got to really listen to what the judges are telling her and let herself go a bit.
2. Willow Pill
It took two watches of the premiere, but I found myself coming out of it most impressed and intrigued by Willow. Her “self-care” performance art piece was bold, risky and utterly hilarious. Her runway look, though rendered in Michelle Visage’s least-favourite colour, made a great impression in terms of introducing us to her drag. And I liked the concept of her entrance look, though I do think the execution left something to be desired. I am very confident in Willow’s chances this season, considering Ru’s reaction to her throughout the episode. I’d be shocked not to see her make it very far this season. And with more time comes more chances to show us what she can do. I just hope—perhaps fruitlessly—that more time does not also mean more of Ru’s baby voice for Willow.
1. Kornbread “The Snack” Jeté
Congratulations to Kornbread, who wins the season’s first maxi-challenge! As I noted in the recap, I’m of two minds on this: I love Kornbread, and this can only be great for her momentum in the competition. But I ultimately would’ve gone with Willow, and I do think giving the win to the only queen to perform a lip sync to an original song sets a bad precedent. Ultimately, I do think my love of Kornbread wins out, though. Willow not winning gives her a chance to up her game even more, and Kornbread’s win was a delightful surprise considering the tone and tenor of the critiques. A great Drag Race season should keep us on our toes, and this is a nice start. Let’s hope it’s the first of many wins for Kornbread—she’s a star on the rise.
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