RuPaul's Drag Race UK (series 1)
The first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK began airing on 3 October 2019 on the BBC Three section of BBC iPlayer and World of Wonder's WOW Presents Plus streaming service.[1]
| RuPaul's Drag Race UK | |
|---|---|
| Series 1 | |
 Promotional poster for series one | |
| Hosted by | RuPaul |
| Judges | |
| No. of contestants | 10 |
| Winner | The Vivienne |
| Runner-up | Divina de Campo |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC Three (UK) WOW Presents Plus (International) |
| Original release | October 3 – November 29, 2019 |
| Series chronology | |
The song "Break Up (Bye Bye)", which was featured in the fifth episode, was released as a single and reached number 35 in the UK Singles Chart.[2] It also peaked at number 44 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart in America.[3]
The winner of this series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK was The Vivienne, with Divina de Campo as the runner-up. Contestant Scaredy Kat is both the youngest to vie for the title, at nineteen years old, but also the franchise’s first bedroom queen, so-called because she mainly confines her drag to the bedroom at home, as opposed to nightclubs and other public venues.[4][5]
Contestants
The cast was announced on 21 August 2019 via YouTube and Instagram.[6]
Ages, names, and cities stated are at time of filming.
| Contestant | Age | Hometown | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Vivienne | 26 | Liverpool, England | Winner |
| Divina de Campo | 35 | West Yorkshire, England | Runner-up |
| Baga Chipz | 29 | London, England | 3rd Place |
| Cheryl Hole | 25 | Essex, England | 4th Place |
| Blu Hydrangea | 23 | Belfast, Northern Ireland | 5th Place |
| Crystal | 34 | East London, England | 6th Place |
| Sum Ting Wong | 30 | Birmingham, England | 7th Place |
| Vinegar Strokes | 34 | London, England | 8th Place |
| Scaredy Kat | 19 | Wiltshire, England | 9th Place |
| Gothy Kendoll | 21 | Leicester, England | 10th Place |
Contestant progress
| Contestant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Vivienne | WIN | HIGH | HIGH | WIN | BTM2 | WIN | HIGH | Winner |
| Divina de Campo | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | LOW | WIN | HIGH | WIN | Runner-up |
| Baga Chipz | HIGH | WIN | SAFE | WIN | WIN | LOW | BTM2 | Eliminated |
| Cheryl Hole | LOW | LOW | LOW | SAFE | SAFE | BTM2 | ELIM | Guest |
| Blu Hydrangea | SAFE | BTM2 | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | ELIM | Guest | |
| Crystal | SAFE | SAFE | HIGH | BTM2 | ELIM | Guest | ||
| Sum Ting Wong | HIGH | HIGH | BTM2 | ELIM | Guest | |||
| Vinegar Strokes | BTM2 | HIGH | ELIM | Guest | ||||
| Scaredy Kat | SAFE | ELIM | Guest | |||||
| Gothy Kendoll | ELIM | Guest | ||||||
- The contestant won RuPaul's Drag Race UK.
- The contestant was a runner-up.
- The contestant did not lip-sync for the crown and was eliminated.
- The contestant won the challenge.
- The contestant received positive critiques and was ultimately declared safe.
- The contestant received critiques but was ultimately declared safe.
- The contestant received negative critiques but was ultimately declared safe.
- The contestant was in the bottom.
- The contestant was eliminated.
- The contestant returned as a guest.
Lip-syncs
| Episode | Contestants | Song | Eliminated | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gothy Kendoll | vs. | Vinegar Strokes | "New Rules" (Dua Lipa) |
Gothy Kendoll |
| 2 | Blu Hydrangea | vs. | Scaredy Kat | "Venus" (Bananarama) |
Scaredy Kat |
| 3 | Sum Ting Wong | vs. | Vinegar Strokes | "Would I Lie to You?" (Eurythmics) |
Vinegar Strokes |
| 4 | Crystal | vs. | Sum Ting Wong | "Spice Up Your Life" (Spice Girls) |
Sum Ting Wong |
| 5 | vs. | The Vivienne | "Power" (Little Mix) |
Crystal | |
| 6 | Blu Hydrangea | vs. | Cheryl Hole | "Call My Name” (Wideboys Remix) (Cheryl) |
Blu Hydrangea |
| 7 | Baga Chipz | vs. | "Tears Dry on Their Own” (Amy Winehouse) |
Cheryl Hole | |
| 8 | Divina de Campo | vs | The Vivienne | "I'm Your Man" (Wham!) |
Divina de Campo |
- The contestant was eliminated after their first time in the bottom two.
- The contestant was eliminated after their second time in the bottom two.
- The contestant was eliminated after the final lip sync of the season.
Guest judges
Listed in chronological order:
- Andrew Garfield, actor
- Maisie Williams, actress, internet entrepreneur
- Twiggy, model, actress, and singer
- Geri Halliwell, singer, songwriter, author, actress, fashion designer, model and television personality
- Jade Thirlwall, singer, songwriter
- Cheryl, singer, television personality, dancer, and author[7]
- Michaela Coel, actress, singer[8]
Special guests
Guests who appeared in episodes, but did not judge on the main stage.
Episode 3
- Raven, runner-up of US Drag Race season two & All Stars season one
Episode 4
- Stacey Dooley, investigative journalist
- Lorraine Kelly, TV presenter
Episode 5
- MNEK, singer
Episode 6
- Katya, contestant on US Drag Race season seven & runner-up on All Stars season two
Episode 8
- AJ & Curtis Pritchard, ballroom dancers
Episodes
| No. | Title | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Royal Queens" | 3 October 2019 | |
|
The first ten queens from around the UK entered the workroom. RuPaul introduced the queens to the first ever mini-challenge, a headless photoshoot with the Brit Crew. Scaredy Kat won the challenge. For the main challenge, each queen prepared two runway looks for the judges: one based on their hometown, and the other being adaptations of looks by Queen Elizabeth II throughout her life. During the judges' critiques, Baga Chipz, Sum Ting Wong, and The Vivienne were praised for their looks and runway presentations, with the latter queen winning. Cheryl Hole, Gothy Kendoll, and Vinegar Strokes were criticized for their looks, all missing the mark with their Queen Elizabeth looks, while Cheryl was commended for her hometown look. Cheryl was declared safe from the bottom two, whilst Gothy and Vinegar lipsynced against each other to Dua Lipa's "New Rules"; Vinegar won the lip-sync, while Gothy became the first queen to sashay away.
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| 2 | "Downton Draggy" | 10 October 2019 | |
|
At the start of the episode, previous challenge winner The Vivienne was asked to rank the queens from top to bottom. The Vivienne placed herself first and placed Scaredy Kat last. They were both then declared the team leaders for the challenge. They chose their teams from the remaining queens and each team performed a costume drama sketch for the judges based loosely on Downton Abbey. The theme for the runway was 'Bond girl Glama-o-rama'. Team The Vivienne were declared the winning team, and Baga Chipz was declared the challenge winner. On the losing team, Scaredy, Blu, and Cheryl were critiqued for lacklustre performances, while Divina and Crystal received mostly positive feedback. Blu and Scaredy were placed in the bottom two. The pair then lip-synced to "Venus" by Bananarama; Blu won the lip sync and Scaredy was eliminated from the competition.
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| 3 | "Posh on a Penny" | 17 October 2019 | |
|
The mini challenge at the start of the episode was a country fair where the queens showed off their dance moves around a maypole - Cheryl was the mini challenge winner. For the main challenge, the queens had to create outfits from car-boot sale items sold by Raven from second season of RuPaul's Drag Race and the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. Crystal, The Vivienne and Divina were praised for their runway creations, while Sum Ting, Vinegar and Cheryl were criticised. Divina was declared the winner of the challenge, while Sum Ting and Vinegar were placed in the bottom two. The pair lip-synced to "Would I Lie To You?" by Eurythmics. Sum Ting was declared the winner and Vinegar, having landed in the bottom for the second time, was eliminated from the competition.
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| 4 | "Snatch Game" | 24 October 2019 | |
|
Ru announces that the main challenge will be Snatch Game where the queens have to impersonate different celebrities. Judge Alan Carr joins Ru for his walk through and gives advice to the queens. In the Snatch Game, Lorraine Kelly and Stacey Dooley star as guest judges. Baga plays Margaret Thatcher, Blu impersonates Mary Berry, Cheryl plays Gemma Collins, Crystal impersonates Rue McClanahan, Divina plays Julia Child, Sum Ting impersonates Sir David Attenborough, and The Vivienne plays Donald Trump. On the main stage, the runway theme is genetically-modified drag queens. After the runway, Blu and Cheryl are declared safe and Blu is commended by Ru for her performance in the challenge. Baga and The Vivienne are both praised for their performances in the challenge. However, Crystal, Divina, and Sum Ting are criticized for their performances. Ru then declares both Baga and The Vivienne the challenge winners, and Crystal and Sum Ting are placed in the bottom two. After they lipsync to "Spice Up Your Life" by the Spice Girls, Crystal was declared the winner, and Sum Ting, having landed in the bottom for the second time, was eliminated from the competition.
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| 5 | "Girl Group Battle Royale" | 31 October 2019 | |
|
The mini challenge at the start of the episode was a trip to library as Reading is FUNDAMENTAL! Crystal won the mini challenge and chose Cheryl and The Vivienne as part of Filth Harmony while the remaining queens formed The Frock Destroyers. With the help of Grammy-nominated singer and producer MNEK, the two newly formed girl groups record vocals and perform their own versions of the song "Break Up (Bye Bye)". On the main stage, the runway theme is "Day at the Races". After the runway, The Frock Destroyers were the winners of the challenge, with all three members winning the maxi-challenge for the first time in Drag Race history. Cheryl is commended by Ru for her performance in the challenge but is critiqued by Michelle for her runway look. Cheryl is ultimately declared safe, leaving The Vivienne and Crystal in the bottom two. After they lipsync to "Power" by Little Mix, The Vivienne was declared the winner, and Crystal, having landed in the bottom two for the second time, was eliminated from the competition.
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| 6 | "Thirsty Werk" | 7 November 2019 | |
|
Divina is upset with The Vivienne for not acknowledging her as a true drag queen. Ru brings along six Brit crew for the mini challenge. The queens have to guess what's in the pants; Boxers, Briefs or Commando. Divina won the mini challenge. For the maxi challenge, Ru asked them to create an advert and brand themselves by selling bottled water. Instead of a video call (as promised), Divina receives a surprise visit from Katya of RuPaul's Drag Race season 7 and runner up of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars 2. The queens discussed the club night scene in the UK and how to manage anxiety and turbulent emotions mid-competition. On the main stage, the runway theme is "Rainy Day Eleganza". After the runway, The Vivienne won the maxi challenge and Divina was declared safe. Ultimately, Baga is declared safe, leaving Blu and Cheryl Hole in the bottom two. After they lipsync to "Call My Name (Wideboys Remix)" by Cheryl, Cheryl Hole was declared the winner, and Blu, having landed in the bottom two for the second time, was eliminated from the competition.
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| 7 | "Family That Drags Together" | 14 November 2019 | |
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Ru introduces the mini challenge, a Bitchfest using Puppets - Everybody Loves Puppets! Baga receives The Vivienne, Divina obtains Cheryl, The Vivienne with Divina and Cheryl is left with Baga. Divina wins the mini challenge. For the main challenge, each of the remaining queens has to use her own drag aesthetic to makeover one of their family member as a part of her drag house. Baga and The Vivienne are surprised by their moms while Cheryl and Divina will makeover their sisters. After the runway, Divina wins the maxi challenge and The Vivienne is declared safe. Ultimately, Baga and Cheryl are in the bottom two. After they lipsync to "Tears Dry on Their Own" by Amy Winehouse, Baga is declared the winner, and Cheryl, having landed in the bottom two for the second time, is eliminated from the competition.
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| 8 | "Grand Finale" | 21 November 2019 | |
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Ru came in to inform the final three that their last challenge. They would to record a verse to RuPaul's classic song "Rock It (To The Moon)" and perform a group number with a personalised ballroom routine. Each queen got a sit-down podcast session for "What's the Tee? with Ru and Michelle". Baga discussed with her upbringing and relationship with her mom. After the talk, he got hugs from both Ru and Michelle. Divina discuss about her work ethics both back home and in the competition. The Vivienne opened up about his past struggles with party drug ketamine, revealing a four-year spiral ended in him moving to Spain and getting sober. Strictly Come Dancing's choreographer, AJ Pritchard and his brother Curtis (Love Island) choreograph the final three queens with personalised dance routine; Baga was assigned the Tango, Divina received the Cha-Cha and The Vivienne was given the Samba. None of them adapted easily. After the final three Elaganza Extragavanza runway, each girl have to look back and reflect. In Untucked, all eliminated queens surprised the final three for a short reunion. Divina De Campo and The Vivienne were declared the Top Two. After they lipsync to "I'm Your Man" by Wham!, The Vivienne was crowned as the UK's first drag race superstar!
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Reception
The series received very positive reviews from critics, with The Guardian describing the series as having "saved RuPaul's Drag Race" as the recent seasons have had a less than positive reception.[9] In their review of the series, iNews awarded the series "five stars" and described it as a "roaring success", despite criticising its omission of a stand-up comedy challenge.[10]
In a more critical review, Vulture stated in its review of the finale that although the season "may have hit some true highs... it couldn’t save Drag Race from its worst impulses".[11]
References
- "'Graham Norton and Alan Carr confirmed as celebrity judges for RuPaul's Drag Race UK - series to air on BBC Three in 2019". BBC. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- "CAST OF RUPAUL's DRAG RACE UK | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company".
- "EDM Music & Dance Songs Chart - November 16, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
- "HuffPost is now a part of Verizon Media". consent.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2020-06-04.
- Welsh, Daniel (March 10, 2020). "RuPaul's Drag Race UK: Scaredy Kat Takes On 'Bedroom Queen' Critics". HuffPost UK. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- "RuPaul's Drag Race UK: Meet the queens for the first UK series". BBC News. BBC. 21 August 2019.
- "Episode 6". BBC. Retrieved 2019-10-28.
- "Episode 7". BBC. Retrieved 2019-11-05.
- Bromwich, Kathryn (22 November 2019). "Fierce competition: how a Brit makeover saved RuPaul's Drag Race". The Guardian.
- Baker, Emily (21 November 2019). "RuPaul's Drag Race UK's first series was outstanding — all thanks to the queens". iNews.
- Curto, Justin (21 November 2019). "RuPaul's Drag Race U.K. Finale Recap: The Queen of England". Vulture.
