Drag Race UK vs The World episode five power rankings: ‘Jujubee has arrived’

Words: Jamie Tabberer; pictures: BBC

Spoilers for episode five of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World follow.

Where have the last five weeks gone? We’re already on the penultimate episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Versus The World!

Producers saved their best guest judge for almost last in Jade Thirlwall from Little Mix, and the queens too were bringing out the big guns as the finishing line approaches.

There really wasn’t a bad look or performance among them, so this week’s (highly subjective) ranking didn’t come easy…

1) Jujubee

There was a cat’s whisker between feline aficionado Juju and runner-up Mo Heart this week, but Juju deserved the win. We were of course wondering whether she’d ever arrive after so many disappointing weeks: that she finally has, and in such glorious style, is satisfying. You might begrudge that lateness in another queen, but Juju is so innately lovely, you can’t help but cheer for her.

She moonlights as a musician anyway, so was naturally the best singer during the group task, and as the most established drag queen and ‘character’, had no problems translating her brand into lyrics.

But it was her Grecian goddess look that sealed the deal: she was absolutely glowing in that colour, and the flawless, movie star-ready make-up and graceful headdress elevated her beauty. (And screamed ‘mother Ru’). Maybe it was on the simple side, as with past looks… But in this context, it worked.

2) Mo Heart

There was another soft, subtle colour choice for Mo’s runway which, compared to Juju’s, was elaborate and complex. It told a breathtaking story about hidden beauty, which was really the theme of the episode: yes, these girls are competitors, but their love for each other is palpable this season. Fom Mo opening up to her supportive sisters about her experience of LGBTQ conversion therapy, to the kindness Juju and Baga showed each other during their conversation about alcoholism, this was Drag Race at its most human.

Mo also killed it in the performance, showing a level of skill, precision and professionalism – yes, she can dish out direction, but she can also take it – that is a hallmark of US drag. The non-US queens, for all their strengths, did wilt by comparison.

3) Blu Hydrangea

At this point it’s fair to say Blu’s been the most solid competitor of the season. The Belfast queen has never had a bad week, and she’s kept the surprises coming with her looks: not least her Picasso-inspired construction for this week’s runway. It perhaps wasn’t as finished and put together as it needed to be – that huge collar lacked a certain sturdiness – but it was Artpop-era Gaga-conceptual, and truly out of the ordinary for the show. The make-up also pushed boundaries, while still being attractive.

Blu’s highlight this episode was the group performance, though: she was more of a gag than the judges gave her credit for, with her cartoony make-up and ridiculous facial expressions always pulling focus and reminding us of the grand dames of British drag.

4) Baga Chipz

As the definition of unpredictable hilarity, Baga is totally that friend who doesn’t like organised fun. And while she didn’t appear to be loving the prep required for the group task, she made it through unscathed – and that dark cloud that dogged her earlier in the competition remained firmly in the past. 

In fact, we saw new sides to Baga’s emotionality this week, and her combination of vulnerability and directness in the workroom – this is a person who speaks her truth, plain and simple – had this writer in tears. We also loved her adorable Van Gogh tribute; a touch slapdash, but so her, and such a light, sunny moment of gaiety for the queen of brass.

5) Janey Jacké

Has any show exit been as classy as Janey’s? (No shade intended to Pangina). Again, her reassurance of Juju – so generous, so graceful – betrays how much these people mean to each other, and their respect for each other’s talent.

Like Baga, Janey’s weakness this episode was in the group performance. She was good – in fact, she was better than good; her dancing is always so clean and on point – but ultimately, she was overshadowed by Juju, Mo and Blu.

Her runway look, though, was undeniably awesome, and perhaps the most daring and literal interpretation of the ‘work of art’ theme. The wig alone looked like sculpture, and we would beg, borrow and steal for that achingly cool coat. Was the make-up a little unflattering? Perhaps. Bigger, bolder, more glamourous warpaint might have made the whole look pop more… But then again, that air of effortlessly cool minimalism (even with a bright pink face) is why we love Janey, and are sorry to see her go.

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World continues on BBC Three and the BBC iPlayer next Tuesday from 9pm.

Attitude’s new-look March/April issue is out now.