RuPaul’s Drag Race – S15: Episode 5, the recap.

The fever-dream continues. We’re up to Season 15 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Are you ready for Episode 5?
The Main Challenge
This week’s challenge was a design challenge. We love a design challenge.
I liked this concept – the ‘randomly’ assigned teams were each given a room of unconventional materials (and a lot of fabric) and had to create cohesive collections.
This all worked on a number of levels. The only downside is that because we’ve still got so many queens on screen, we didn’t get to see a lot of designing or constructing.
The Runway
Each team presented their collections in a mini fashion show, although ultimately everyone was pretty much judged individually.
Luxx absolutely smashed this. Sasha also looked great.
Amethyst was clearly a mess. Jax and Salina looked okay on the walk-through but they both had fit issues when you looked closely. The look that Spice pulled together was fairly underwhelming.
The Judging
In the top were Luxx, Sasha, Robyn, and Malaysia. Luxx was clearly the winner.
In the bottom were Amethyst, Salina, and Jax.
I thought they might have put Jax in the bottom to see how she performed, but Jax was declared safe – leaving Amethyst and Salina in the Bottom 2.
The lip-sync
The track was Q.U.E.E.N. by Janelle Monae – with Janelle Monae watching as (a very good) guest judge. No pressure.
This is a tricky track but Salina looked comfortable and in control from the beginning, delivering a really engaging and dynamic performance.
Amethyst was solid, but this being her third lip-sync in five episodes, the writing was really on the wall.
Salina stays, Amethyst goes.
Episode 5, done!
The Cast
ANETRA (LAS VEGAS, NV)
Straight outta Sin City, Anetra is a self-described stunt queen who can deliver splits, dips and all the tricks to slay the stage. She may seem low-key at times, but still waters run deep. Plus, with serious taekwondo skills, she’s ready to take all the other queens out, one by one. Chop ’til ya drop!
Current Ranking: She won the first episode and the talent show was awesome. Love her. She’s giving Top 4 energy.
AURA MAYARI (NASHVILLE, TN)
It’s time to get caught up in the electrifying aura of Aura Mayari! This high-kicking, high-energy Filipina goddess is known for slaying the stages in Nashville. And watch out – because she brings a little sexy swagger to her drag.
Current Ranking: Great TV, we love the confidence and the biceps. Aura can serve looks and performance, but the acting and comedy side of things is clearly out of her comfort-zone.
JAX (QUEENS, NY)
Get ready for flips and twirls galore, because Jax is here to get things jumpin’! The self-described Simone Biles of drag grew up doing gymnastics and competitive cheer, and now she’s ready to go for the gold in the Olympics of drag! Originally from Connecticut, her style is a mix of banjee meets haute hip-hop honey. BAM!
Current Ranking: Her personality is a bit more low-key but she’s clearly a great performer. It will be interesting to see how she navigates this competition.
LOOSEY LADUCA (ANSONIA, CT)
Construction worker by day, singing-and-dancing drag diva by night… Loosey LaDuca is ready to use all her tools to make it to the top! A perfectionist, powerhouse performer with killer curves and 12 years in the Connecticut drag scene, Loosey’s the ultimate mix of showgirl sass and campy charisma. She’s a queen who has it all… Now, she just needs a crown.
Current Ranking: Not a great start, but she’s bounced back and clearly has a lot to offer. Comedy is where she’s most comfortable.
LUXX NOIR LONDON (EAST ORANGE, NJ)
Who ordered the diva-licious dazzler? Luxx Noir London is an effervescent ingénue whose stunning style is matched only by her no-holds-barred attitude. She’s always ready to tell it like it “t-i-s!” And while Luxx may be this season’s youngest queen, she’s got the confidence to take her all the way. Just ask her!
Current Ranking: She’s not lacking in confidence and she’s giving good TV. Luxx has all the elements required to be a successful entertainer but she doesn’t have a huge amount of performance experience – that might be her downfall.
MALAYSIA BABYDOLL FOXX (MIAMI, FL)
Believe it or not, the sensational and motivational Malaysia Babydoll Foxx is the first-ever Miami queen to grace the Drag Race mainstage! A professional makeup artist and hair stylist to the stars, this opinionated foxy mama is bringing veteran skills and thrills to the competition, and she is not afraid to show these younger queens what real drag is!
Current Ranking: An experienced queen who knows her craft – she may struggle to adapt her skills to the acting challenges.
MARCIA MARCIA MARCIA (NEW YORK, NY)
OMG, she’s the most popular girl in school – and mom’s favorite! It’s Marcia Marcia Marcia! This NYC ingénue sings, dances, and brings Broadway chops to the mainstage. And she’s got much more than a hunch – she’s ready to go all the way!
Current Ranking: She’s a white twink from NYC who’s weaponised her BFA. She’s not here to mess around.
MISTRESS ISABELLE BROOKS (HOUSTON, TX)
Houston we do not have a problem! Hailing from the great state of Texas, Mistress Isabelle Brooks is the epitome of classic Southern drag! She calls herself “Houston’s Heavyweight Champ” and trust, she came to pack a punch. Gutsy, glamorous, and full of attitude, our Miss Brooks was raised in the spangled world of Texas drag, and now she’s ready to rule the school.
Current Ranking: She’s serving Drag with a capital D and a 1-inch heel. Obsessed.
ROBIN FIERCE (HARTFORD, CT)
Make way for Connecticut’s grand diva, the Robin Fierce! A mix of Beyonce sass and Diahann Carroll class, this proudly bougie beauty is ready to shine her light for the world! She may sometimes have a chill vibe, but when she hits the stage, expect kicks and cartwheels for days!
Current Ranking: She’s an accomplished queen but her personality is struggling to break through in a room full of big characters.
SALINA ESTITTIES (LOS ANGELES, CA)
¡Hola! Salina EsTitties is a brassy, sassy Latinx diva repping L.A, baby! A fiery self-described combo of chola street style and campy comedy, Salina is a take-no-prisoners performer. From the bar scene to TV, film and commercial work, this saucy sister stays booked and busy! She’s got a mouth, big drag, and big plans to win.
Current Ranking: She’s a big personality. The confidence is not misplaced. Comedy is her strong point but she also delivers a killer lip-sync.
SASHA COLBY (LOS ANGELES, CA)
The iconic queen of the House of Colby has arrived! Known worldwide for her memorable reign as Miss Continental, and as Kerri Colby’s drag mother, Sasha is a queen to be reckoned with. This Hawaiian-born goddess has been slaying drag stages for 20 years, so she’s got to live up to her legendary reputation. Serving body, beauty and bodacious all-around talent, Sasha is fierce. Officially.
Current: Give. Sasha. Her. Crown.
SPICE
Making herstory as one-half of Drag Race’s first-ever identical twin contestants, Spice has arrived with her TikTok superstar sister, Sugar! These living dolls may be new to performing, but they’re ready to double the fun and the drama this season. Take note: Spice is the edgier diva of the duo, and she’s ready to prove that she’s got plenty of flavor to stand on her own!
Current Ranking: Having eliminated her twin, it’s now going to much easier to tell which is which – Spice is the twin that’s still in the competition.
AMETHYST
Final Ranking: She’s likeable but never really made it out of the bottom. She’s got pretty much everything she needs to develop into a really entertaining performer – just needs a bit more experience to pull it all together.
SUGAR
Final Ranking: Surprisingly likeable, this series has been a win for the twins. We got the inevitable Sugar versus Spice lip-sync in Episode 4 – Sugar was eliminated her literal sister.
PRINCESS POPPY
Final ranking: Her talent show was kooky and entertaining and it’s clear that she’s got lots of ideas, but she got lost in the mix of the acting challenge in Episode 3 – beaten in the lip-sync by Amethyst.
IRENE DUBOIS
Final Ranking: She was good TV but it’s been short and sweet for Irene – eliminated in Episode 1, beaten in the lip-sync by Amethyst.