'RuPaul's Drag Race' moves into Nina West's wheelhouse with episode 3 comedy challenge
After fashion and sewing challenges in last week's two-episode premiere, RuPaul's all stars play on Nina West's territory this week.
The Columbus drag queen, one of eight contestants in the now-airing ninth season of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars," gets to flex her comedy muscles Friday when the third episode is released on Paramount+. It's a "Snatch Game of Love" variation on the show's usual celebrity-impersonation challenge.
Good thing. If this were a normal season of "All Stars," Nina might have had to lip-synch for her life last week. Her design skills have improved since her first RPDR run in 2019 — remember that orange number with the big gold polka dots and even bigger shoulder bow? — but they've not improved that much.
This isn't a normal season, though. The queens are competing for charity with no weekly eliminations, and winners of the mini-challenges and runway challenges earn contributions to their favorite organizations. (Nina's is the Trevor Project, which serves LGBTQ+ youth.)
Ru's top two queens each week receive what's called a "Benefactress Badge," and the three contestants who collect the most badges go on to the finale to compete for another $200,000 charity donation.
Another twist: The weekly winner picks one rival to receive an oversized pair of sequined red scissors, the "Ruby Snippers," which makes her ineligible for next week's win.
With no eliminations to narrow the field, we'll rank them here each week as we recap each episode. Like Ru, who listens to her judges but then ignores everything they say, weekly power rankings are my decision alone.
Episode One
Runway challenge: Queens had to write and perform verses for the season's theme song, "Drag Queens Save the World." Jorgeous, the lip-synch assassin of "RPDR" season 14, choreographed for the group. The runway theme, "Signature Look, Signature Fragrance," was a comedy and fashion mashup that required queens to pitch an imaginary perfume while dressing up to match the bottle.
Mini-challenge: The library opened early this season for the reading challenge. Roxxxy Andrews was the winner of $2,500 for the Miracle of Love.
Winner: Angeria Paris VanMichaels won the lip-synch showdown of top finishers over Jorgeous. She received $10,000 for the National Black Justice Coalition.
Who got the Ruby Snippers? Roxxxy Andrews.
How did Nina do? She held her own in the singing and dancing portion of the challenge. She didn't stick out like Shannel, who wore a 1980s Vegas getup, but she didn't stand out, either, against dancers and fashion queens such as Gottmik and Jorgeous.
Columbus mentions: The queens were working and talking about the current political and social climate. Roxxxy, who lives in Florida, talked about Pride events that LGBTQ+ organizers canceled in her state last year after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed four anti-LGBTQ+ bills into law.
Nina talked about a May 2023 incident in Franklinton when armed neo-Nazi protesters demonstrated outside a drag show at Land-Grant Brewing Co.
"My drag mother hosted a show, raising money for an LGBTQIA+ youth shelter," she said, referring to fellow Columbus performer Virginia West. "All the sudden, all of these Nazis started marching behind her... with guns. The s*** they were chanting was horrific."
"The gun is OK," Roxxxy responded, "but me dressing like a woman isn't?"
Nina mentions: "Nina's the one to watch out for," Jorgeous told Angeria during a work-room conversation. Angeria responded: "I'm watching out for Nina, because I know a lot of these challenges will be comedy-based. I know that's like her strong suit."
On the shady side, part of what won Roxxxy the reading challenge was this knock at Nina: "Nina is a former Miss Congeniality, but with a face like that, you have to be nice."
Shade of the week: In the reading challenge, Gottmik joked about Vanessa Vanjie Mateo's drinking habits and said, "Your liver is so black and shriveled, it's 15 face tapes away from hosting 'RuPaul's Drag Race.'" RuPaul laughed and also got the last laugh. She didn't reward Gottmik with the mini-challenge or runway win.
Money leaders: Angeria, $10,000; Roxxxy, $2,500
Benefactress Badges: Angeria, 1; Jorgeous, 1
Episode Two
Runway challenge: A "Paint Ball" runway theme required three looks from the queens: "Monochromatica" was an outfit in just one color; "Drag Imitates Art" was each queen's interpretation of a famous work of art; and "Paint Ball Eleganza" was a sewing challenge.
Mini-challenge: None
Winner: Gottmik was Ru's choice for the win over Plastique Tiara and received $10,000 for Trans Lifeline.
Who go the Ruby Snippers? Angeria Paris VanMichaels
How did Nina do? She was self-deprecating enough about her design and sewing skills that you ended up thinking her look wasn't so bad. Then you remembered what Plastique, Gottmik, Roxxxy and others created. But her other looks were great: an entirely pink gown and hat that included a shade to pull down or lift over her face.
Columbus mentions: Nina skipped into the workroom wearing a shirt with an outline of Ohio and the words Columbus and 614.
Nina mentions: Jorgeous told other contestants she would have given the Ruby Snippers to Nina had she been chosen as the lip-synch winner over Angeria. "I feel like you're the one to watch out for," she said. "Except for sewing challenges, Mama," she quickly added.
Shade of the week: Nina served it on herself when talking about her design skills. "I love to go to an art museum. I would like to say that I'm an art fan... but can (she) paint? She sure can't. You've seen my makeup."
Money leaders: Angeria Paris VanMichaels, $10,000; Gottmik, $10,000; Roxxxy Andrews, $2,500
Benefactress Badges: Angeria, 1; Gottmik, 1; Jorgeous, 1; Plastique Tiara, 1
Power rankings after Week One
1. Gottmik: She wore a purple Versace-inspired pantsuit and a sequined take on Edvard Munch's "The Scream" that were probably the best two looks in the show's 15 years. She also can dance, and she's a lot funnier than some fashion-focused queens.
2. Jorgeous: She's quickly becoming the darling of season nine. Her workroom and confessional comments are endearing, and her dancing skills and fashion sense are top-notch.
3. Angeria Paris VanMichaels: She's probably the most complete package of the season, with fashion, design, dance and comedy chops. She's not likely to rise or fall as quickly as other queens.
4. Plastique Tiara: She looks amazing, and she's a lot more personable than she seemed in 2019 when competing on RPDR season 11 with Nina. We'll see how she handles comedy this week.
5. Vanessa Vanjie Mateo: She's either loved or disliked by fans. The only middle ground comes in competition, when she always seems stuck in the middle of the pack.
6. Roxxxy Andrews: She's a lot more likeable than she was during her first RPDR appearance in 2013.
7. Nina West: She's the opposite of Plastique in that she's a comedy queen who has stepped up her fashion game. She's ranked lower, though, because comedy challenges have yet to come.
8. Shannel: She's just too old-school for 2024.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' season 9 rankings after episode 3
