The Bag Ball

5th episode of the 13th season of RuPaul's Drag Race
"The Bag Ball"
RuPaul's Drag Race episode
Episode no.Season 13
Episode 5
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"The Bag Ball" is the fifth episode of the thirteenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.[1][2][3][4] Nicole Byer is a guest judge.

One of LaLa Ri's looks earned the seasons' Golden Boot Award.[5]

Episode

For the episode's mini-challenge, the contestants get into "baby quick drag" to see who is the most misbehaved baby. LaLa Ri is declared the winner. For the main challenge, the contestants create three looks for The Bag Ball: Mixed Bag, Money Bags, and Bag Ball Eleganza. While preparing for the runway, the contestants discuss the Black Lives Matter movement and the murder of George Floyd.

Nicole Byer is a guest judge.

In addition to RuPaul and Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley is a judge and Nicole Byer is a guest judge.[6] For Mixed Bag, Denali's look resembles a crash test dummy and Joey Jay uses an intravenous therapy bag. LaLa Ri's outfit has bones attached. Elliott with 2 Ts wears a dress resembling a gift bag. Symone has exaggerated breasts. Olivia Lux serves Laila Ali-inspired "boxer couture". Gottmik's look gives the illusion of showing her internal organs. Rosé wears an outfit inspired by her Scottish heritage. Tina Burner is dressed like a paper bag.

For Money Bags, Denali's look is inspired by the fictional character Cruella de Vil, with one of her nails holding a cigarette. Joey Jay wears an eyepatch. LaLa Ri is bald. Symone's pink outfit is reflective, and Olivia Lux wears a cape. Gottmik has a pinstripe suit. Rosé's look is inspired by the 1980s and Bette Midler is Big Business (1988). Kandy Muse carries a large blunt, and Utica Queen's look inspired by Chicago.

Utica Queen wearing her sleeping bag outfit at RuPaul's DragCon LA in 2023

For the final category, Denali's look commemorate her Mexican heritage. Joey Jay wears a black-and-white polka dot dress. LaLa Ri's outfit is made is small pink and purple gift bags. Elliott with Two Ts wears an outfit made from a bean bag. Symone has a red-and-white miniskirt, and Olivia Lux's outfit is made of holographic bags. Gottmik's outfit is made of drawstring bags and straps. Rosé's outfit has purses, and Tina Burner's red-and-yellow look includes suspenders. Kandy Muse has an outfit made of backpacks, and Utica Queen's dress is made from a sleeping bag.

Joey Jay (pictured at RuPaul's DragCon LA in 2023) is eliminated from the competition.

Gottmik, Rosé, and Utica Queen receive positive critiques, and Gottmik wins the challenge.[7] Joey Jay, LaLa Ri, and Tamisha Iman receive negative critiques, and Tamisha Iman is declared safe. Joey Jay and LaLa Ri place in the bottom and face off in a lip-sync to "Fancy" by Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX. Joey Jay is eliminated from the competition.[8][9]

Production and Untucked

Byer was previously a guest judge on the season's third episode, "Phenomenon".

The confrontation between Kandy Muse and Tamisha Iman[10] during the corresponding episode of RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked "sparked an eruption of fan opinions and is considered one of the best parts of the season", according to Screen Rant. It earned the two contestants a nomination in the Best Fight category at the MTV Movie & TV Awards.[11]

Reception

Joey Nolfi of Entertainment Weekly has called LaLa Ri's bag look both "iconic"[12] and "iconically awful".[5] Bernardo Sim of Out magazine called her look "infamous and hilarious".[7]

References

  1. ^ McCallion, Paul (2021-01-29). "RuPaul's Drag Race Recap: Bag Ladies". Vulture. Archived from the original on 2021-02-05. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  2. ^ "It's 10s across the board for Drag Race's "The Bag Ball"". The A.V. Club. 2021-01-30. Archived from the original on 2022-10-07. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  3. ^ "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 13, Episode 5 recap: Ball o' bags | Xtra Magazine". 2021-01-29. Archived from the original on 2021-01-30. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  4. ^ Guzzo, Bianca (2021-01-30). "RuPaul's Drag Race Season 13 Episode 5 Recap: The Bag Ball". IN Magazine. Archived from the original on 2021-02-28. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  5. ^ a b "Lala Ri had 2 unused bag looks planned for 'Drag Race All Stars 8'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2024-02-20. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  6. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race: The Bag Ball (S13 E05) - WERRRK.com". 2021-01-30. Archived from the original on 2023-09-28. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  7. ^ a b "Every ball challenge winner in 'RuPaul's Drag Race' herstory". www.out.com. Archived from the original on 2024-02-24. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  8. ^ Moore, Matt (2021-01-30). "Drag Race just gave us some of the best and worst looks in HERstory". GAY TIMES. Archived from the original on 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  9. ^ "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 13, Episode 5 power ranking: It's in the bag | Xtra Magazine". 2021-01-30. Archived from the original on 2021-01-30. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  10. ^ "Kandy Muse and Tamisha Iman continue the chaos in exclusive 'Drag Race' clip". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  11. ^ Connors, Brian (2021-04-22). "RuPaul's Drag Race: Kandy Muse & Tamisha Iman Earn MTV Award Nomination". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on 2021-04-25. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  12. ^ "Lala Ri teases potential bag look upgrade on 'Drag Race All Stars 8'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2023-07-14. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
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