RuPaul's Drag Race Season 10 Episode 1 - Power Rankings

10's, 10's, 10's Across The Board!

Last night, the tenth season of RuPau's Drag Race definitely helped us wipe our memories from All Stars 3. In a gag-worthy mini-challenge, RuPaul announced that the queens would have to vogue the house down in front an audience of some of the most legendary queens to ever grace the mainstage. The queens were then challenged to create a couture look using materials from the ninety-nine cent store, a throwback to the first ever challenge, honoring a decade of drag race. If that wasn't enough for you, Farrah-I mean-Christina Aguilera blessed all the gays with her presence. I'll be covering the competition every week, power ranking each queen based on how positive their edit was, how well they did in the challenge, and if they had storyline formation. Each of those criteria will be ranked from a score from 1-10.

1) Mayhem Miller

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Miss Mayhem came and crashed the damn party. Just like Nina Bonina last year, this first episode was all about the L.A legend. Her presence was undeniable from the second she entered the workroom, with queen's like Monet even commenting "that's Miss Mayhem Miller ya'll". It's been a long time coming for Mayhem, having auditioned year after year and never getting on. Well, I think the wait was worth it. Mayhem constructed what is easily one of the best first episode unconventional material looks in the herstory of drag race, gagging us all with a couture look made completely out of gloves. She also slayed the mini-challenge, BITCH SHE DID A CARTWHEEL IN A FLOOR LENGTH GOWN.

Edit: 10

Challenge: 10

Storyline: 10

The edit wants us to love and sympathize with Mayhem. She was a dominating presence throughout the entire episode. The only red flags I'm seeing are the judges commenting "hopefully she keeps the momentum going", which often indicates some sort of downfall. However, the show has given us a character to root for, Mayhem's story has probably turned a lot of people into full time stans.

2) Miz Cracker

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Aquaria - I mean - Miz Cracker, slayed this premiere, proving why she's been such a fan fave pre-season. Her storyline with Aquaria is evidence enough that she's in it for the long haul, and I foresee a lipsync between the two of them later on in the season. Personally, I don't really see the similarities between the two, they're both such distinct characters, but hey, if it brings about some drama I'm all for it.

Edit: 10

Challenge: 9

Storyline: 10

Her drag on the dime look rightfully earned her a spot in the top this episode, coming in neck and neck with Mayhem. This white and salty girl is one to look out for. Also kudos to Cracker for being the first ever queen to make a fisting joke on the main stage.

3) Eureka

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Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Eureka is back and better than ever. Of course, Eureka making her ru-turn was going to be a focal point of the episode no matter how well she did challenge-wise. Even though she faded into the background when it came to the runway, she was still a presence throughout the entire premiere. She came across as much less "in your face", as many fans hated about her in season 9. She even had a tender moment with Vanessa in untucked, consoling her about being in the bottom.

Edit: 9

Challenge: 6

Storyline: 10

I don't see Eureka going anywhere soon, her storyline will be all about proving herself post season 9, and I don't see her fizzling out like Cynthia did last season.

4) Blair St.Clair

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A broadway ingenue that certainly impressed this episode, and the producers are trying to get us to eat her up. Being the first queen from her hometown and having something to prove immediately gave us a reason to root for her. She's harmless and cute enough, but her lack of confessionals makes me believe that her personality might be kinda blah.

Edit: 7

Challenge: 7

Storyline: 9

Lots might disagree, but I actually thought her runway look was deserving of her top spot. That material is hard to work with, and Blair created a garment with tremendous attention to detail and great shape. It's a toot from me, bitch.

5) Monet X Change

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Let's start with that challenge look cause girl... choices. Monet had such an interesting concept going, with the makeup and soap bubbles in her hair, and the sponges being such a unique material, but the entire outfit sort of fell flat. That bottom half was completely cringey. BUT, she absolutely SLAYED the mini-challenge, pulling out a win there, so she gets some extra points for that.

Edit: 10

Challenge: 6

Storyline: 6

Monet was dominant throughout the entire episode. She had a lot of confessionals, meaning she's got the personality to be the narrator of the season. Her personality shone bright so she's definitely one to keep an eye out for.

6) Aquaria

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For a girl who prides herself on being a fashion queen, her look tonight seemed unfinished. The pasties on her chest sort of seemed like a cop-out in what was a great concept for a look. The headpiece and skirt were stunning, and I'd bet if she created a better top half for her look, she would've been in the top.

Edit: 6

Challenge: 6

Storyline: 10

Aquaria's storyline with Cracker will push her far, and she's also being set-up as the popular queen outside drag race needing to prove herself. In the Aquaria vs. Cracker feud, untucked definitely made Aquaria seem like the bitter and delusional one, so she's getting a slightly more villainous edit than our salty friend. Either way, I'm hooked on their story.

7) Yuhua Hamasaki

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Ankh Ankh! Okay, the caution tape look is cliche and been done a million times before, but Yuhua looked absolutely stunning on the mainstage and showed heaps of personality during the mini challenge. For a first episode sewing challenge, where there's usually just one or two clear standout looks, there were at least 4-5 queens who could've rotated through the top. The only thing with Yuhua is, other than being a part of the NYC girls, there wasn't much to her storyline or background given here. Hopefully she becomes a more fully fledged character as the episodes go on.

Edit: 9

Challenge: 8

Storyline: 5

Yuhua is going to be the star and fan favorite of the season. From the second she walked in screaming "hi gay people!", she won my damn heart. She gave good one-liners all episode, and seemed to work well-under pressure. If she doesn't win the whole damn thing, I'm already pushing her for Miss Congeniality.

8) Monique Heart

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Imma say it, ROBBED. How Monique didn't get a top spot for this playing card look has me screaming rigga morris. Not only is it expertly crafted and original, it was completely on brand for Monique "Heart" to have a playing card look with hearts all over her. I'm getting PTSD flashbacks to Jessica Wild not being in the top in the first episode of season 2.

Edit: 8

Challenge: 8

Storyline: 5

Otherwise, Monique came off extremely likeable, giving us hilarious talking heads and reaction shots in untucked. We don't know much about her yet, and I hope shafting her this episode doesn't indicate them ignoring her in the future too.

9) The Vixen

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The Vixen faded into the background this week, but she shined in Untucked. She's the type of queen we need, someone who is willing to get messy and call some shit out, and that she did.

Edit: 6

Challenge: 6

Storyline: 7

I think she's getting a slight villain edit, never being afraid to instigate. After all, she did say in her entrance that she's just here to fight. I think she had slight storyline formation about being a Chicago girl who's here to prove that her city is the best drag city in the world. She does have big boots to fill though. Shea, Kim and Pearl all hailed from the windy city and all made top three.

10) Asia O'Hara

Considering her legendary status outside of the show, Asia disappointed this week. I wouldn't have been surprised to see her in the bottom for that awful look. She turned it OUT during the mini challenge though, so I'll give her points for that.

Edit: 7

Challenge: 6

Storyline: 5

Her edit was sort of invisible, however she got slight glimmer's of a storyline forming of needing to live up to her legendary pageant queen status.

11) Kameron Michaels

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Alright, I'm already sort of over the entire "I'm so masculine out of drag" shtick. Her runway look probably should've landed her in the bottom as well, and I hope to the good lord Alyssa Edwards that she doesn't get pushed to the top for being hot.

Edit: 6

Challenge: 5

Storyline: 6

Kameron came across likeable enough, but other than everyone commenting on how hot she is, she had no presence this week. She barely said a word in untucked. She needs to step her pussy up if she wants to last longer.

12) Dusty Ray Bottoms

They REALLY don't want us to like Dusty Ray Bottoms. I think her look was fine, but I do agree with Michelle, she took it too far and it looked like a cheap halloween costume. I think the critiques were kind of harsh regarding her makeup, especially considering that's her brand and what she's known for.

Edit: 5

Challenge: 5

Storyline: 5

I'd feel worse for her if she didn't come across as so... bland? Nothing about her personality really stuck out to me as memorable. I don't see her getting very far.

13) Kalorie Karbdashian Williams

I'm a big fan of carbs, but this is one I just couldn't stomach. Everything about Kalorie just screams "first out", but she managed to break the expectations the fans had of her and somewhat slayed a lipsync. She gets all her points for that, throwing the dollars out of her titties and landing in a split was iconic, and she surprised me given how mediocre she was in every other aspect of the episode.

Edit: 5

Challenge: 3

Storyline: 3

Girl, we get it, you like the Kardashians, what else can you bring though?

Eliminated - Vanessa Vanjie Mateo

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Without a doubt, Miss Vanjie is the hardest first elimination in the show's herstory. If they don't bring her back in a box Shangela style for season 11, I'll riot. She showed more personality than most girls do in an entire season of the show. Unfortunately, she was deservedly placed in the bottom for that awful bodice she constructed, and she just didn't bring the same energy in the lipsync that Kalorie did. Damn, do I ever want to see more of Vanessa though. Her elimination had me in tears. No matter what, you did the house of Mateo proud girl.

Bonus - Farrah Moan

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Nah, not actually, but I love that they played with the Farrah Moan/Christina Aguilera similarities. Christina Aguilera release new music challenge.

The season premiere was a breath of fresh air, and delivered on all fronts. What do you think kitty girls? Who are your faves so far and who do you think has what it takes to snatch the crown?