RuPaul's Drag Race Season 9 Episode 2 - Power Rankings

Sexy, Cute, I'm Popular to Boot!

This episode had everything. Lisa Kudrow, The B52's, a cheer-off, a white party, and an extra large CUCU. Let's take a look at how each queen fared coming out of the latest episode of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 9!

1) Valentina

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This episode was all about our favourite Latina bombshell, Valentina. Although she didn't particularly perform any jaw dropping stunts during the cheerleading segment, she stuck to a character and showed us her comedic chops. The way Valentina holds herself like a true superstar is hypnotizing. If that wasn't enough, her bridal inspired runway would even leave Tyra Sanchez shook to her core. I would've called RIGGA MORRIS if Valentina didn't come out with the win this episode.

Edit: 10

Challenge: 10

Storyline: 10

Valentina's storyline progressed quite a bit this episode. We had her moment with "La Vrigin de Guadelupe", familiarizing us with important aspects of Valentina's culture and religion. This episode also established the "underestimated underdog" edit that she seems to be getting. The other queens don't take her seriously because she's only been doing drag for ten months, meanwhile, she's looking more polished and put together than half of these girls. It might still be too early in the season to tell, but Valentina is looking to be a lock for the top three.

2) Shea Couleé

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Shea has had a consistent edit across the last two episodes. She has come across as smart, funny and confident. This week, she came very close to winning the challenge, standing out as a true stunt queen. Her backflips and splits had us all gagging and her cone bra white party look was giving us all Madonna realness.

Edit: 9

Challenge: 9

Storyline: 7

Shea didn't get much storyline formation this week, however, we did get to see her bond with Peppermint over growing up gay in an all black school. She also gave us some confessionals regarding Cynthia and her fight against cancer, which shows that Shea will continue to be a story narrator throughout the season. However, I am still waiting for a truly breakout moment from Shea, both story and challenge wise.

3) Cynthia Lee Fontaine

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Drag Race's worst kept secret, Cynthia Lee Fontaine has been the predicted ru-turning queen for quite some time now. Many argue that she isn't "deserving" of a second chance quite like Shangela was, however, i'm open to see how she's upped her runway and how she'll really let herself go now that she doesn't have the stresses of cancer preoccupying her mind. Although she wasn't a standout challenge wise, I think she brought a strong Audrey Hepburn inspired runway, and had some fun tricks in the main cheerleading challenge.

Edit: 8

Challenge: 6

Storyline: 10

Cynthia probably got the strongest storyline this episode. Her cancer survival struck many a heartstring, a story almost anyone who watches the show could relate to. There seems to be a new energy in Cynthia, one that seems more focused and determined to do well. Although, the "Cucu" phrase was already old last season and hasn't really kept up today. The public will start getting annoyed with her if she doesn't tone it down a bit with the "Cucu" being brought up every five seconds.

4) Peppermint

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Peppermint didn't really standout this week challenge-wise, she didn't have a glowing moment and her runway, although beautiful, didn't wow like the other girls outfits did. However, I think her cheerleading look with the big afro gives her some extra points here.

Edit: 8

Challenge: 6

Storyline: 9

Peppermint has been a consistent narrator over the last two episodes. Her confessionals are funny and help push the story forward. On top of it, we got some extremely emotional character development from our candy queen this week. Her story about being beat up for "being different" in high school definitely struck a chord with many a queer person watching the show. Curiously, her trans identity has yet to be brought up yet, I'm eager to see how the producers will navigate it.

5) Trinity Taylor

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Trinity ended up in the top three of the challenge this week, giving us lots of face and personality. Even though Michelle didn't care for her "space-age" white runway, I'd say that it was still extremely polished and well put together.

Edit: 6

Challenge: 9

Storyline: 6

Her storyline was established in the first episode. Her rivalry with Eureka wasn't referenced again here, however, as long as both Trinity and Eureka are still in the competition, that storyline needs to play out. So until there is some sort of conclusion to that, both Trinity and Eureka will standout from the rest of the girls.

6) Nina Bonina Brown

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Nina is maintaining her positive edit from the last episode, and although she didn't really standout during this main challenge, she switched up her makeup for something a little more feminine. Showing the judges versatility at the start of the competition shows that Nina is smart and is willing to diversify her runway.

Edit: 8

Challenge: 7

Storyline: 6

As a viewer, you continue to want to root for Nina. During Untucked, she shows herself willing to accept criticism and grow from it by asking the other queens how she fared as a group leader. Though her shining moment was last week, Nina will continue to steal many a heart in the weeks to come.

7) Sasha Velour

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Sasha didn't really blow me away on the runway this week, but it was nice seeing her veer away from her "bald" look. Just like Nina, smart queens that go far in the competition will show versatility without being prompted from the judges. Cheer-wise, I actually think that Sasha deserves a bit more credit for what she did. She played a "wacky" character, showing us that she could be a little messy and funny.

Edit: 9

Challenge: 7

Storyline: 5

Sasha has extremely positive confessionals, she's narrating stories, specifically commenting on Cucu's cancer storyline. However, there hasn't been much development for Sasha over the last two episodes. I still don't really know who Sasha is other than "artsy" (whatever that means).

8) Eureka

Eureka continues to impress me challenge wise. Pre-season, I would've pegged her as an early out, however, she's showing us that she's adaptable and multi-talented. Although she was named "SAFE" this week, her jump into the split made me gay gasp. Her runway was nothing to hoot about though, and I'm getting quite tired of her re-using that same exact hairdo.

Edit: 6

Challenge: 7

Storyline: 6

Eureka is definitely being painted as a villain edit-wise, which doesn't look good for her in the long-run. In Untucked, it was oh so satisfying to see Charlie completely shut her down. Just like Trinity, Eureka will continue to be important to the overall story as long as they are both there.

9) Alexis Michelle

Now we're getting into the queens who have really been fading into the background, not particularly excelling or failing at any challenge or runway. I really want to like Alexis, but she seems to be not be a major character in the story the producers are trying to formulate. Challenge wise, I don't remember anything she did, and her runway sort of looked like an updated Laganja black and white runway.

Edit: 7

Challenge: 6

Storyline: 6

Although Alexis got a little bit of development in Untucked, where some of the queens claimed that she comes across as better than everyone else, I still don't really feel like I know Alexis. She hasn't been painted negatively at all, she's just sort of there.

10) Farrah Moan

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Another queen who didn't get much screen time this week. Farrah didn't particularly WOW at anything. I don't remember her from the main challenge and although her runway was gorgeous, it was sort of predictable for a Vegas girl.

Edit: 7

Challenge: 6

Storyline: 6

Her edit has been very interesting. She's coming across as likeable but possibly unprepared for the long run of the show. Even though she's cute and sweet, she didn't really have any storyline begin to form. We only really have her "airhead" persona that will probably continue throughout the season.

11) Aja

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I'm surprised Aja is getting no real screen time considering she was such a fan favourite going into the competition! She's not coming across as negative at all, however, there have been little to no Aja moments. I don't remember even seeing her in the challenge. I did however, very much enjoy her Hannibal Lecter inspired white runway this week (and I'm sure Shannel would too).

Edit: 8

Challenge: 6

Storyline: 4

At this point, I know nothing at all about Aja. If she continues to get shafted like this, I'm not sure she's going to make it very far.

12) Charlie Hides

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Oh Charlie. I didn't even find her that bad at the challenge this week! Her runway definitely gave her a couple of extra points from me. She was giving me Elsa at 52.

Edit: 6

Challenge: 5

Storyline: 7

Her edit remains positive, and I found myself rooting for her in Untucked when she was getting insecure about her age. Charlie is in her head, and this might continue to play out through the season. Charlie overcoming the insecurities she has with her age will make for extremely interesting and relatable television.

13) Kimora Blac

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LORD. Poor Kimora. I sort of feel bad for her, but part of me is also wondering why she's worn a cop hat for every single runway look she's shown so far. She was easily one of the most hyped queens coming into this competition, and now it's as if she isn't there. Her runway look was a disaster, especially next to all the other gorgeous outfits we got. She winded up in the bottom two this week, and her lipsync wasn't anything to gag over either. In her defence, her ignorance has given us loads of hilarious and cringey confessionals, which always makes for good TV.

Edit: 3

Challenge: 3

Storyline: 4

She's being painted as an air-headed bitch. She clearly came into this competition expecting to slay, but she's falling short. I still think she's a talented and fierce queen, she just doesn't translate well into the format of drag race. Sorry girl, I expect you to be the next one to go.

Eliminated - Jaymes Mansfield

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Ah, our first eliminated queen. Joining the ranks of some extremely notorious names such as Tempest DuJour, Venus D'Lite, and Shangela herself. Jaymes' elimination was by far the hardest first elimination I've ever had to watch. Jaymes is an extremely talented queen who, just like Kimora, didn't seem to be translating well to the format of the show. She got way too into her head, and seemed intimidated by the larger than life personalities in the competition. At least she went out in a stunning white outfit. I'm expecting a lot from Jaymes post-show. Check her out on YouTube if you can! She does amazing drag history lessons every so often that are really informative and fun!

Alright squirrel friends! That's it for this week. As of now, it's too early to tell who's completely top three material, hopefully in a few weeks we'll have a better idea. Who do you think is going home next? Let me know in the comments!