RuCo's Empire

"RuCo's Empire"
RuPaul's Drag Race episode
Episode no.Season 8
Episode 3
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"RuCo's Empire" is the third episode of the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.[1][2] Faith Evans and Tasha Smith are guest judges.

Episode

Faith Evans (left) and Tasha Smith (right) are guest judges on the episode.

RuPaul invites Naysha Lopez back to the competition. For the mini-challenge, contestants participate in a runway show, with the category being "Supreme Court realness". Naomi Smalls, who wore a look inspired by Sandra Day O'Connor, was declared the winner. Naomi Smalls and Naysha Lopez serve as team captains for the main challenge, which asks contestants to perform in a sketch inspired by the television series Empire.[3]

Cynthia Lee Fontaine (pictured in 2022) is eliminated from the competition.

Naomi Smalls' team includes Bob the Drag Queen, Chi Chi DeVayne, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, and Robbie Turner. Naysha Lopez's team includes Acid Betty, Derrick Barry, Kim Chi, and Thorgy Thor. The scene is co-directed by RuPaul and Faith Evans.[4] Bob the Drag Queen is declared the winner of the main challenge.[5] Cynthia Lee Fontaine and Robbie Turner face off in a lip-sync to Evans' "Mesmerized" (2005). Cynthia Lee Fontaine is eliminated from the competition.[3]

Reception

Oliver Sava of The A.V. Club gave the episode a rating of 'C+'.[6] The sketch was included in Screen Rant's 2022 list of the show's ten best acting challenges.[7]

References

  1. ^ Moylan, Brian (March 22, 2016). "RuPaul's Drag Race Recap: The Empire Strikes Back". Vulture. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  2. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race Ru-cap, Episode 3: 'RuCo's Empire'". Attitude. September 7, 2017. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "'RuPaul's Drag Race' recap: The queens channel Cookie Lyons". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  4. ^ Boulet, Ruth (March 22, 2016). "RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8 episode 3 recap: RuCo's Empire". Channel Guide Magazine. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  5. ^ "The 'Drag Race' GIF-Cap Xtravaganza: 'Shading on Thin Ice'". www.out.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  6. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race stumbles with a misguided Empire-inspired challenge". The A.V. Club. March 22, 2016. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  7. ^ Elauria, Jom (June 26, 2022). "RuPaul's Drag Race: 10 Best Acting Maxi Challenges". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on July 19, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2024.