There isn’t a better combination than Eurovision and drag queens. Whether it’s Conchita Wurst lifting the Eurovision trophy, or RuPaul’s Drag Race star Courtney Act competing for the title at Australia Decides, we live for moments when drag queens take to the Eurovision stage. But it’s not so often that Eurovision finds its way onto the Drag Race runway, so this week’s episode of Canada’s Drag Race certainly had us gagged, honey!
For those who haven’t seen the show, each episode of Drag Race — the competition to find the next drag superstar — includes a themed runway. This week’s runway category for Canada’s adaptation of the show was “Night of 1000 Célines”, honouring Canada’s original diva (and Eurovision winner) Céline Dion.
And of course, it wouldn’t be a Céline theme without honouring the infamous white double-breasted jacket and tutu skirt combo that Ms Dion wore when she snatched the Eurovision title for Switzerland back in 1988. But this revamped drag look had a twist.
Category is: Night of 1000 Celines ?
Serving Eurovision @celinedion, @ritabagaz!#CanadasDragRace https://t.co/tJPB5QuJco pic.twitter.com/AXEcHvqMbr
— World of Wonder (@WorldOfWonder) July 31, 2020
For bringing Eurovision to the Drag Race stage we have Rita Baga to thank. Just like Céline, Rita hails from Quebec, Canada’s French-speaking region. Throughout the competition so far, Rita has been praised for bringing Quebecois drag (which is known for its campiness) to the world’s attention.
And even though the judges didn’t think of the outfit as fashionable (we can blame Céline’s stylist for that!), they were certainly blown away by Rita’s ability to channel her countrywoman. We think it’s uncanny!
There was even a costume ruveal, with Rita whipping away the white outfit to reveal a sequinned black outfit inspired by Céline’s 1988 Incognito tour of Quebec. It represented Céline’s transforming from an unknown Quebec singer to the international pop diva she is today.
Our William was watching the Céline-themed runway with an eagle eye and had something to say about it. Tune into the latest episode of the Sissy That Pod podcast to hear William’s take on Rita Baga’s Céline Dion look, wherever you get your podcasts from.
What do you think? Were you as obsessed as we were with Rita Baga’s Eurovision themed Celine Dion runway look? Let us know in the comments!
I joked with my husband as the runway started that it would be hilarious if one came out in Celine’s Eurovision outfit, then lo and behold one did! I was gagged! Is Eurovision popular in Canada?
I love this show! Also, Kiara and Priyanka should’ve been a double shantay honey!
I was very patiently waiting for someone to pull it of and I was not dissapointed 😀 Too bad Jimbo ate her up on the runway…
It would have been a first-ever triple Snatch Game win if I was judging it. But I definitely thought Jimbo and Rita should have won together.
I think Jimbo and Scarlet were the best but that’s beside the point haha
Bravo to Rita Baga for doing it, disappointing that the jury did not get the reference.
Completely agree! It was a perfectly crafted look and they should have appreciated it much more. Stacey should have googled the look for them, like she had to for Lemon’s Jojo Siwa.
I was today years old when I heard there was a Canadian version of Drag Race! And here I thought it was just the UK that got their own! Huh, will wonders never cease. Anyhoo, the look definitely has me gagging sufficiently (it’s been a minute since I’ve watched Drag Race, y’all). Would’ve been even better if the look turned into her outfit from Eurovision ’89!
Thailand also got one, but without Ru and WOW’s manipulation