The Wicked Wiz of Oz: The Rusical!

"The Wicked Wiz of Oz: The Rusical!"
RuPaul's Drag Race episode
Episode no.Season 17
Episode 8
Presented byRuPaul
Featured music"Wet Dreams" by Adam Lambert
Original air dateFebruary 21, 2025 (2025-02-21)
Guest appearances

"The Wicked Wiz of Oz: The Rusical!" is the eighth episode of the seventeenth season of the American television series RuPaul's Drag Race.[1][2][3][4] It originally aired on MTV on February 21, 2025 and features a Rusical (musical theatre challenge) inspired by Wicked, The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz, and A Chorus Line.[5][6] The judging panel includes RuPaul, Michelle Visage, choreographer Jamal Sims, and American singer Adam Lambert.

Sam Star is the winner of the main challenge. Acacia Forgot is eliminated from the competition after placing in the bottom two and losing a lip-sync contest against Kori King to "Wet Dreams" by Lambert. The episode was nominated in the Outstanding Lighting Design / Lighting Direction for a Variety Series category at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards

Episode

The contestants return to the Werk Room after the elimination of Crystal Envy on the previous episode. On a new day, RuPaul greets the group and reveals the main challenge, which tasks contestants with performing in a Rusical (musical theatre production) inspired by Wicked, The Wizard of Oz, and The Wiz. The contestants select the following roles:

On the main stage, the contestants record vocals with Michelle Visage and a music producer, then rehearse choreography with Jamal Sims. Back in the Werk Room, the contestants prepare for the fashion show. Sam Star shares about their experience playing sports at a young age, as well as the role of Ursula from The Little Mermaid in a high school play. Arrietty and Kori King share about their struggles with weight. Arrietty also describes her struggles with anorexia and bulimia. Acacia Forgot describes her experience with cystic fibrosis. The contestants discuss the relationship between Kori King and Lydia B Kollins.

Back on the main stage, RuPaul welcomes fellow panelists Visage and Sims, as well as guest judge Adam Lambert. The contestants perform the Rusical, then present their runway looks. The category is "Parasols: Shady Ladies". The judges deliver their critiques to the top and bottom contestants, then deliberate while the contestants are back stage. Sam Star is declared the winner of the main challenge. Acacia Forgot and Kori King place in the bottom two and face off in a lip-sync contest to Lambert's song "Wet Dreams". Kori King wins the contest and Acacia Forgot is eliminated from the competition.[7] Acacia Forgot returns to the Werk Room and leaves a message for the remaining contestants.

Production

The episode originally aired on the American television network MTV on February 21, 2025.

Acacia Forgot's main stage exit line is "You can now find my new single on all streaming platforms." Her lipstick mirror message is "All you can do is Forgot. Love, the Piggie of the Week. — Acacia <3".[8]

Fashion

For the runway show, Suzie Toot has a monochromatic Art Deco-inspired leotard and a Japanese-inspired paper parasol. Jewels Sparkles wears a black dress and carries a black umbrella with a beaded trim. Arrietty's red-colored gown has ruffles and showcases her Latin heritage. Lexi Love has a black-and-gold outfit and wears a parasol as a hat. Sam Star showcases a Southern belle-inspired outfit.[9]

Lydia B Kollins has a flying nun-inspired floral outfit. Kori King's outfit is inspired by the gingham dress of Judy Garland as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Kori King carries a stuffed dog in a basket (referencing Toto). Onya Nurve presents a yellow outfit made of chiffon. Acacia Forgot has a Dior-inspired dress and tall hair made with two parasols and wigs. Lana Ja'Rae wears a vampire-inspired black gown and a wig previously worn in the show by (her "drag sister") Luxx Noir London.[9]

Reception

Jason P. Frank of Vulture rated the episode three out of five stars.[10] The episode earned lighting designer Gus Dominguez, moving light programmer Thomas Schneider, media server programmer Darren Barrows, and gaffer Steve Moreno a nomination in the Outstanding Lighting Design / Lighting Direction for a Variety Series category at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards (2025).[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ "'RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE' SEASON 17 POWER RANKING: EPISODE 8 — FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD". Billboard. 25 February 2025. ISSN 0006-2510. Wikidata Q137397314.
  2. ^ "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Episode 1708 Recap: Popular". Autostraddle. 22 February 2025. Wikidata Q137399771.
  3. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race Season 17 Episode 8 RECAP: The Wicked Wiz of Oz: The Rusical!". IN Magazine. 22 February 2025. Wikidata Q137399775.
  4. ^ "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 17, Episode 8 recap: Defying g-Ru-vity". Xtra Magazine. 24 February 2025. ISSN 0829-3384. Wikidata Q137399779.
  5. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race delivers tense drama in Wicked-inspired Rusical episode". PinkNews. 21 February 2025. Wikidata Q137397316.
  6. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race Episode 8: Two Flat Feet Spells Defeat". Miami New Times. 21 February 2025. Wikidata Q137397318.
  7. ^ "The Queens Take on Oz! Who Went Home on 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 17 Tonight?". Parade. 21 February 2025. Wikidata Q137397320.
  8. ^ Joey Nolfi (21 April 2025). "RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 eliminations: See every queen who went home and who won the crown". Entertainment Weekly. ISSN 1049-0434. Wikidata Q137399783.
  9. ^ a b "The Wicked Wiz of Oz: The Rusical!". RuPaul's Drag Race. Season 17. Episode 8. February 21, 2025. MTV / WOW Presents Plus.
  10. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race Recap: Expect the Expected". Vulture. 21 February 2025. Wikidata Q137397299.
  11. ^ Schneider, Michael; Tangcay, Jazz (September 7, 2025). "'SNL50: The Anniversary Special,' 'The Traitors,' 'Pee-wee As Himself' Lead Creative Arts Emmy Awards Night 2 Winners List". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 60626328.
External media
Acacia Forgot & Kori King’s Adam Lambert Lip Sync 💦 RuPaul’s Drag Race on YouTube
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