RuPaul's Drag Race UK | ||||||
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1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
Season 1 of RuPaul's Drag Race UK was officially announced on December 4, 2018, in The Sun.[1] The season began airing on Thursday, October 3, 2019, on the BBC Three iPlayer.
On February 14, 2019, it was revealed that Alan Carr and Graham Norton will join the show as rotating judges.[2]
On July 16, 2019, it was revealed via social media that the cast of this season would be announced at RuPaul's DragCon NYC 2019 with all 10 queens appearing at the convention. It was also confirmed via Instagram that the season will be available on the streaming platform WOW Presents Plus for viewers outside the UK.[3] There was no set promo theme, as the queens were told to just wear what they wanted to.
The winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK Season 1 will be "whisked off to Hollywood to star in her very own digital series, produced by the hit-making team that created RuPaul's Drag Race, World of Wonder."
RuPaul's Drag Race UK airs on the BBC which is a public broadcasting company funded by taxes. Because of this, competitive television shows which air on the BBC may not use commercial sponsorships (like challenge prizes), nor are they allowed to give cash prizes. According to the "Framework for Funding Prizes and Awards" of the BBC, prizes should be original and something money cannot buy, hence the RuPeter Badge that contestants earn when they win a challenge.[4]
The winner of the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK was The Vivienne, with Divina De Campo placing as the runner-up.
A reunion special was commissioned after the finale due to the success of the season.
Contestants[]
(Biographical information stated from during time of contest)
Rank | Contestant | Photo | Age | Location | Ep. 1 | Ep. 2 | Ep. 3 | Ep. 4 | Ep. 5 | Ep. 6 | Ep. 7 | Ep. 8 | Ep. 9 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Runway | Acting | Design | Snatch Game |
Girl Groups |
Advert | Make Over |
Finale | Reunion | |||||
1st (Winner) |
The Vivienne |
27 | Liverpool, England |
WIN | HIGH TEAM Team Captain |
HIGH | WIN | BTM2 | WIN | HIGH | WINNER | GUEST | |
2nd (Runner-Up) |
Divina De Campo |
35 | West Yorkshire, England |
SAFE | SAFE | WIN | LOW | WIN | HIGH Mini Chall. Winner |
WIN Mini Chall. Winner |
RUNNER UP |
GUEST | |
3rd | Baga Chipz |
29 | London, England |
HIGH | WIN | SAFE | WIN | WIN | LOW | BTM2 | ELIM | GUEST | |
4th | Cheryl Hole |
25 | Essex, England |
LOW | LOW | LOW Mini Chall. Winner |
SAFE | SAFE | BTM2 | ELIM | GUEST | GUEST | |
5th | Blu Hydrangea |
23 | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
SAFE | BTM2 | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | ELIM | GUEST | GUEST | ||
6th | Crystal | 35 | London, England |
SAFE | SAFE | HIGH | BTM2 | ELIM Mini Chall. Winner |
GUEST | GUEST | |||
7th | Sum Ting Wong |
30 | Birmingham, England |
HIGH | HIGH TEAM |
BTM2 | ELIM | GUEST | GUEST | ||||
8th | Vinegar Strokes |
35 | London, England |
BTM2 | HIGH TEAM |
ELIM | GUEST | GUEST | |||||
9th | Scaredy Kat |
19 | Wiltshire, England |
SAFE Mini Chall. Winner |
ELIM Team Captain |
GUEST | GUEST | ||||||
10th | Gothy Kendoll |
21 | Leicester, England |
ELIM | GUEST | GUEST |
- █ The contestant won RuPaul's Drag Race UK.
- █ The contestant was a runner-up.
- █ The contestant was eliminated during the finale.
- █ The contestant won the Maxi Challenge.
- █ The contestant was one of the Maxi Challenge winners.
- █ The contestant was in the top as a part of the winning team, but did not win the Maxi Challenge.
- █ The contestant was in the top, but did not win the Maxi Challenge.
- █ The contestant was in the bottom, but was not up for elimination.
- █ The contestant was in the bottom and won the Lip Sync for Your Life.
- █ The contestant was in the bottom, lost the Lip Sync for Your Life, and was eliminated.
- █ The contestant appeared as a guest, but was out of the running.
Episodes[]
Series # | Episode # | Episode Title | Airdate |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | The Royal Queens God Shave The Queens[5] |
October 3, 2019 |
2 | 2 | Downton Draggy | October 10, 2019 |
3 | 3 | Posh On A Penny | October 17, 2019 |
4 | 4 | The Snatch Game | October 24, 2019 |
5 | 5 | Girl Groups | October 31, 2019 |
6 | 6 | Thirsty Werk | November 7, 2019 |
7 | 7 | The Family That Slays Together | November 14, 2019 |
8 | 8 | Grand Finale | November 21, 2019 |
9 | 9 | It's A Wrap! | November 29, 2019 |
Episode 1: "The Royal Queens"[]
Airdate: October 3, 2019
Synopsis: RuPaul brings the award-winning global phenomenon to the UK for the first time. Ten of the country’s most fabulous drag queens will compete in the Olympics of drag in the hope that RuPaul, queen of queens, will crown them as the UK’s first Drag Race Superstar.
Summary: In this premiere episode, the queens all meet for the first time before joining RuPaul, who surprises them with an outrageous photoshoot challenge. They then deliver two regal looks on the Drag Race runway. Hollywood actor and drag race fan Andrew Garfield joins Michelle Visage and Alan Carr on the judging panel, as the first queen is eliminated from the competition.[6]
- Guest Judge: Andrew Garfield
- Mini Challenge: Take part in a photoshoot challenge depicting the beheading of Anne Boleyn.
- Mini Challenge Winner: Scaredy Kat
- Maxi Challenge: Rule the runway in two royal outfits: one inspired by one of Queen Elizabeth and the other inspired by the Queen's hometown.
- Runway Themes: Queen of Your Hometown and Queen Elizabeth Realness
- Maxi Challenge Winner: The Vivienne
- Maxi Challenge Prize: Ru-Peter Badge
- Bottom Two: Vinegar Strokes and Gothy Kendoll.
- Lip Sync Song: "New Rules" by Dua Lipa
- Eliminated: Gothy Kendoll
- Farewell Message: "I'm the UK's Porkchop Love You, Friends for Life X X X Gothy"
Entrance Order
1 | Baga Chipz |
2 | Blu Hydrangea |
3 | Divina De Campo |
4 | Crystal |
5 | Sum Ting Wong |
6 | Cheryl Hole |
7 | Gothy Kendoll |
8 | Vinegar Strokes |
9 | Scaredy Kat |
10 | The Vivienne |
Runway Inspirations
Queen | Hometown | Queen Elizabeth |
---|---|---|
Baga Chipz | Camden Town | 1970's Queen |
Blu Hydrangea | Belfast | Pound Queen |
Cheryl Hole | Essex | Daytime Queen |
Crystal | East London | Trooping the Colour Queen |
Divina De Campo | Brighouse | Order of the Garter Queen |
Gothy Kendoll | Leicester | 1950's Queen |
Scaredy Kat | Wiltshire | Baby Queen |
Sum Ting Wong | Birmingham | Stamp Queen |
Vinegar Strokes | London | 1970's Queen |
The Vivienne | Liverpool | Hunting Queen |
Anne Boleyn's Beheading Photoshoot
Episode 2: "Downton Draggy"[]
Airdate: October 10, 2019
Synopsis: This week the queens’ acting skills are put to the test as they star in a sumptuous new comedy costume drama - Downton Draggy. Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams joins Michelle Visage and Graham Norton on the judging panel as another queen exits the competition.[7]
- Guest Judge: Maisie Williams
- Maxi Challenge: Act in a drag queen version of "Downton Abbey"
- Runway Theme: Bond Girl Glamourama
- Maxi Challenge Winner: Baga Chipz
- Maxi Challenge Prize: Ru-Peter Badge
- Bottom Two: Scaredy Kat and Blu Hydrangea
- Lip Sync Song: "Venus" by Bananarama
- Eliminated: Scaredy Kat
- Farewell Message: "Scaredy the whole way. 19 now, what's gonna happen when I'm 35?! :P Thanks girls, cya later! ♡ MEOW! X"
Downton Draggy
Team Scaredy Kat | Team The Vivienne |
---|---|
Blu Hydrangea | Baga Chipz |
Crystal | Sum Ting Wong |
Cheryl Hole | Vinegar Strokes |
Divina De Campo | The Vivienne |
Scaredy Kat |
Episode 3: "Posh On A Penny"[]
Airdate: October 17, 2019
Synopsis: This week RuPaul tests the queens’ sewing skills and fashion sense, as they are challenged to create show-stopping outfits from junk found at a car boot sale. The original queen of British fashion, Dame Twiggy, joins Michelle Visage and Graham Norton on the judging panel as a third queen sashays away from the competition. Also, Drag Race All-Star, Raven makes a cheeky guest appearance.[8]
- Special Guest: Raven
- Guest Judge: Dame Twiggy
- Mini Challenge: Dance around a maypole
- Mini Challenge Winner: Cheryl Hole
- Mini Challenge Prize: A 15-second head start at getting materials
- Maxi Challenge: Create a show-stopping outfit from junk found at a car boot sale
- Maxi Challenge Winner: Divina De Campo
- Maxi Challenge Prize: Ru-Peter Badge
- Bottom Two: Sum Ting Wong and Vinegar Strokes
- Lip Sync Song: "Would I Lie To You" by The Eurythmics
- Eliminated: Vinegar Strokes
- Farewell Message: "Long live the OG RPDR UK SLAAAAGS!" You're all amazing. ♡ Hodge Podge FOREVER! xxx"
Episode 4: "The Snatch Game"[]
Airdate: October 24, 2019
Synopsis: This week the queens take on the iconic Snatch Game challenge, where they must deliver their best celebrity impersonations against a classic TV game show backdrop. Special guests Lorraine Kelly and Stacey Dooley join in the fun. On the judging panel Spice Girl legend, Geri Horner joins Michelle Visage and Alan Carr as another queen is eliminated from the competition.[9]
- Special Guests: Lorraine Kelly and Stacey Dooley
- Guest Judge: Geri Horner
- Maxi Challenge: Snatch Game
- Runway Theme: Weird Science
- Maxi Challenge Winners: Baga Chipz and The Vivienne
- Maxi Challenge Prize: Ru-Peter Badge
- Bottom Two: Crystal and Sum Ting Wong
- Lip Sync Song: "Spice Up Your Life" by Spice Girls
- Eliminated: Sum Ting Wong
- Farewell Message: "Love you ALL! believe in yourselves more than I believe in me you've got in the bag ♥️ Love you long time xoxo STW"
Snatch Game Characters
Episode 5: "Girl Groups"[]
Airdate: October 31, 2019
Synopsis: This week the remaining queens are split into two teams, for a girl-group battle. With the help of Grammy-nominated singer and producer MNEK, the two newly formed girl groups record vocals and perform their versions of the same song. Can they impress Mama Ru and guest judge and girl group professional, Jade Thirlwall? Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall joins Michelle Visage and Graham Norton on the judging panel as a fifth queen sashays away from the competition.[10]
- Special Guest: MNEK
- Guest Judge: Jade Thirlwall
- Mini Challenge: Reading is Fundamental.
- Mini Challenge Winner: Crystal
- Mini Challenge Prize: Choose the members of her girl group.
- Maxi Challenge: Record vocals and perform in a girl group number for the original song "Break Up (Bye Bye)".
- Runway Theme: A Day at the Races.
- Maxi Challenge Winners: Baga Chipz, Blu Hydrangea, and Divina De Campo
- Maxi Challenge Prize: Ru-Peter Badge
- Bottom Two: Crystal and The Vivienne
- Lip Sync Song: "Power" by Little Mix
- Eliminated: Crystal
- Farewell Message: "You're a bunch of ugly, talentless, horrible little witches. I'm going to miss you. C x. 💎"
Girl Groups
Filth Harmony | The Frock Destroyers |
---|---|
Crystal | Baga Chipz |
Cheryl Hole | Blu Hydrangea |
The Vivienne | Divina De Campo |
Episode 6: "Thirsty Werk"[]
Airdate: November 7, 2019
Synopsis: This week the queens’ creative marketing skills are put to the test as they are asked to create an advert - and brand themselves. US Drag Race All-Star Katya makes a surprise visit while pop icon Cheryl joins Michelle Visage and Graham Norton on the judging panel as another queen exits the competition.[11]
- Special Guest: Katya
- Guest Judge: Cheryl
- Mini Challenge: Boxers, Briefs or Commando
- Mini Challenge Winner: Divina De Campo
- Maxi Challenge: Create and advertise a brand of bottled water
- Runway Theme: Rainy Day Eleganza
- Maxi Challenge Winner: The Vivienne
- Maxi Challenge Prize: Ru-Peter Badge
- Bottom Two: Blu Hydrangea and Cheryl Hole
- Lip Sync Song: "Call My Name (Wideboys Remix)" by Cheryl Cole
- Eliminated: Blu Hydrangea
- Farewell Message: "Not just a look Queen! BLU came, Blu slayed, Blu conquered for N.I. ♡ Love you ALL! BLU Hydrangea♡"
Episode 7: "The Family That Slays Together"[]
Airdate: November 14, 2019
Synopsis: Only four queens remain. Tensions are high and emotions are charged as they are challenged to give family members a very special drag makeover. BAFTA winner Michaela Coel joins Michelle Visage and Alan Carr on the judging panel as another queen is eliminated from the competition.[12]
- Guest Judge: Michaela Coel
- Mini Challenge: Everybody Loves Puppets
- Mini Challenge Winner: Divina De Campo
- Maxi Challenge: Drag Makeovers to family members.
- Maxi Challenge Winner: Divina De Campo
- Maxi Challenge Prize: RuPeter Badge
- Bottom Two: Baga Chipz and Cheryl Hole
- Lip Sync Song: "Tears Dry On Their Own" by Amy Winehouse
- Eliminated: Cheryl Hole
- Farewell Message: "I'm all gamed out! You've finally got rid of me! Kill it top 3 -- so proud! May the best GIRL win XOXO Cheryl Hole"
Family Member Drag Makeover
Queens | Family Member | |
---|---|---|
Name & Relationship | Drag Name | |
Baga Chipz | Josie (Baga's mother) |
Sacka Spud |
Cheryl Hole | Gina (Cheryl's sister) |
Sissy Hole |
Divina De Campo | Carys (Divina's sister) |
Delisha De Campo |
The Vivienne | Cassie (Vivienne's mother) |
The Mother |
Top Three of Season 1
Queens | Challenge Wins | Up for Elimination |
---|---|---|
3 (Eps. 2, 4, 5) |
1 (Ep. 7) | |
3 (Eps. 3, 5, 7) |
0 | |
3 (Eps. 1, 4, 6) |
1 (Ep. 5) |
Episode 8: "Grand Finale"[]
Airdate: November 21, 2019
Synopsis: Strictly Come Dancing’s AJ Pritchard and his brother Curtis (Love Island) choreograph the three queens as they take on an all-singing, all-dancing final challenge.[13]
- Special Guests: AJ and Curtis Pritchard
- Main Challenge: Write and record a verse for a performance of RuPaul's song "Rock It (To the Moon)".
- Runway Theme: Final Three Eleganza Extravaganza
- Top 2 Of The Season: The Vivienne & Divina De Campo
- Eliminated: Baga Chipz
- Lip Sync Song: "I'm Your Man" by Wham!
- Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK Season 1: The Vivienne
- Runner-Up: Divina De Campo
Episode 9: "It's A Wrap!"[]
Airdate: November 29, 2019
Synopsis: Silence! RuPaul has crowned his First Drag Race UK Superstar, and you can now witness an extra bit of nail-biting herstory as our three fabulous finalists gather to watch the final episode at the BBC Three viewing party for the very first time, waiting on tenterhooks for the big ru-veal. See the moment that the finalists and a room of raucous Drag Race family and friends find out which fabulous queen has won the coveted title and crown.[14]
Gallery[]
Check out the lookbook gallery to see the contestants' looks from each episode.
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Check out the lookbook gallery to see the contestants' planned looks for each episode.
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Check out the video gallery to see challenge performances, runways, lip syncs, and more!
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Trivia[]
- Series 1 of RuPaul's Drag Race UK shares many similarities to Season 1 of RuPaul's Drag Race:
- Bebe Zahara Benet and The Vivienne both won the season, entered the Werk Room last, were on the losing team for the girl group challenge, landed in the bottom two in Episode 5 and won the Main Challenge in Episode 6.
- Nina Flowers and Divina De Campo both placed as runners-up, were never up for elimination, won the design challenge and were on the winning team in the girl group challenge.
- Shannel and Cheryl Hole both placed 4th, did not win a Main Challenge, landed twice in the bottom two and made it farther than a Main Challenge winner (Ongina and Blu Hydrangea respectively, who coincidentally both placed 5th).
- Both seasons have had four Main Challenge winners.
- "Would I Lie To You?" by the Eurythmics was used for a lip sync in both seasons.
- Divina De Campo was a contestant on the fifth season of The Voice UK which aired in 2016 and is also one of the judges on All Together Now which aired in 2018 and 2019.
- Scaredy Kat is the 2nd youngest queen to compete in the franchise's history at 19 years old, after Morrigan at 18.
- The Average age of RPDR UK Season 1 is 27.8.
- Crystal is the first international queen on RPDR UK, as she was born in Canada. She is also the second international RuPaul's Drag Race queen from Canada after Brooke Lynn Hytes.
- This is the first RuPaul's Drag Race season...
- ... to have only 10 queens compete, excluding All-Stars. It is not, however, the smallest cast as Season 1 of the American series only had 9 queens compete.
- ... not to have a cash prize for the winner of the season.
- ... not to have a Miss Congeniality on a regular series Season.
- ... have a Snatch Game episode in the first season of the series.
- ... to have a triple shared win (Blu Hydrangea, Baga Chipz, and Divina De Campo)
- ... to add a new episode after the finale aired, due to its success.
- This season's Lip sync Assassin is The Vivienne, who won two lip syncs (in Episode 5 and on the finale).
- Some Episode 2 looks were leaked in the first episode of Fashion Photo RuView UK Edition in WOWPresents Plus+. The video was deleted and reuploaded with the fixed images.
- Blu Hydrangea was the only challenge winner to be eliminated before the Grand Finale.
- RuPaul's Promo Look is seen on the runway of Episode 3.
- RuPaul's Drag Race UK Season 1, RuPaul's Drag Race US Season 7 and RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 3 are the only seasons to have a double win on Snatch Game.
- This season is tied with Season 1 for having the smallest amount of individual challenge winners, with only 4 queens in the season (Baga Chipz, Blu Hydrangea, Divina De Campo, The Vivienne) having won a main challenge.
- RuPaul's Drag Race Season 3, Season 5, & UK Season 1 are the only seasons to have everyone in the top 3 have the same amount of wins going into the finale.
- Also, RuPaul's Drag Race Season 4, Season 5, Season 8, and UK Season 1 are the only seasons to have no one in the top 3 have more than one BTM 2 placement.
- In episode 3 the lip-sync song "Would I Lie To You?" by Eurythmics was the same as the lip-sync song in Season 1, Episode 4 of the US edition against Rebecca Glasscock & Jade.
- This is the third time a non-RuPaul lip-sync song has been reused in all RuPaul's Drag Race history. The first time was "Stronger" by Britney Spears, used in Season 1, Episode 5 with Bebe Zahara Benet & Ongina than in Season 9, Episode 14 with Peppermint & Trinity the Tuck. The second time was “Nasty” by Janet Jackson with Jujubee representing Team Rujubee vs. Manila Luzon representing Team Latrilla in All Stars 1, Episode 3 and then in Season 10, Episode 14 with Kameron Michaels & Asia O'Hara.
- The 4th time would be "The Right Stuff" by Vanessa Williams with Shangela and Venus D-Lite in Season 3, Episode 2 and then in Season 15, Episode 8 with Luxx Noir London, Anetra, & Jax
- The 5th time would be "Finally" by Cece Peniston with Nina Bo'nina Brown and Aja in Season 9, Episode 7 and then in Season 15, Episode 8 with Anetra & Jax
- Coincidentally, both the 4th and 5th times happened on the Season 15 lip sync smackdown and they both had Anetra and Jax lip syncing against each other (although Luxx Noir London was in the first one with the other two)
- The 6th time would be "Knock on Wood" by Amii Stewart with Alexis Mateo and Stacy Layne Matthews in Season 3, Episode 7 and then in Season 15, Episode 16 with Sasha Colby and Anetra
- This is the third time a non-RuPaul lip-sync song has been reused in all RuPaul's Drag Race history. The first time was "Stronger" by Britney Spears, used in Season 1, Episode 5 with Bebe Zahara Benet & Ongina than in Season 9, Episode 14 with Peppermint & Trinity the Tuck. The second time was “Nasty” by Janet Jackson with Jujubee representing Team Rujubee vs. Manila Luzon representing Team Latrilla in All Stars 1, Episode 3 and then in Season 10, Episode 14 with Kameron Michaels & Asia O'Hara.
- There was never a challenge that was not won by at least one of the top three queens.
- Divina De Campo revealed on Devember 16, 2020 that the queens did not get told their Meet the Queens outfits would be their promo outfits.
- This season has produced a total of five returning contestants:
- Baga Chipz, who also competed on RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World (Season 1), where she placed 3rd/4th alongside Jujubee.
- Blu Hydrangea, who also competed on RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World (Season 1), where she won.
- Cheryl Hole, who also competed on RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World (Season 1), where she placed 8th. Cheryl also competed on Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs The World (Season 2), where she placed 3rd/4th alongside Kennedy Davenport.
- The Vivienne, who also competed on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (Season 7), where she placed 5th-8th alongside Jaida Essence Hall, Raja, and Yvie Oddly.
- Gothy Kendoll, who also competed on RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World (Season 2), where she placed 7th.
References[]
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RuPaul's Drag Race UK Season 1
| |
Winner | The Vivienne |
---|---|
Runners-Up | 2nd: Divina De Campo • 3rd: Baga Chipz |
Other Contestants | 4th: Cheryl Hole • 5th: Blu Hydrangea • 6th: Crystal • 7th: Sum Ting Wong • 8th: Vinegar Strokes • 9th: Scaredy Kat • 10th: Gothy Kendoll |
Judges | RuPaul • Michelle Visage • Alan Carr • Graham Norton |
Pit Crew | Archie • AJ Bediako • Ashraf Ejjabair • Matt Lister • Mitch Marion • Tom Scanlon • Niko Wirachman |
|