Eurovision meets Drag Race. It’s a concept that many have been dreaming of, and finally one that has now become a reality. On Thursday, the latest episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK premiered, and the theme of this week’s challenge centred around an homage to the Eurovision Song Contest.

A spin-off of the Emmy award-winning American programme, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK screens on BBC Three and sees a number of drag queens competing to be crowned as the United Kingdom’s next drag superstar. The second season of the show began airing in January.

No Eurovision 2021 announcement

Many fans had wondered whether the BBC would make an announcement about their plans for Eurovision 2021 to tie in with this week’s episode. The BBC Eurovision Twitter account promoted the Eurovision-themed episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK earlier on in the day and stated they would have “2021 artist and song news soon”.

In the end they did not, and the broadcaster remains tight lipped over their plans for this year’s contest.

In lieu of any news from the UK’s broadcaster, Eurovision fans continue to speculate about who might be representing them this year.

At the top of a lot of fans’ lists is James Newman. He was originally internally selected to represent the UK at Eurovision 2020 with his song “My Last Breath”.

Another fan favourite is X Factor star Fleur East. Fans spotted a recent song registration for a track with writing credits for both her and James Newman. However, later during an Instagram live, Fleur said she’d never been asked to do Eurovision.

Further investigation from fans has identified another new song written by James Newman that has recently been listed in the repository of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers). James’ Eurovision 2020 entry “My Last Breath” was found in a similar fashion by fans before the official release last year.

This track is called “Afraid Of Nothing” and is again published by BMG, the music company that partnered with the BBC for Eurovision 2020. Along with James, the song is co-written by Martin Brammer and Jordan Riley.

It is worth noting that James Newman has written numerous songs for many artists over the years. Even if he was working on a Eurovision entry for 2021, he will no doubt also be writing other songs for other performers at the same time. However, there is no performer currently listed for “Afraid Of Nothing”.

For now, fans will have to continue waiting for any official announcements from the BBC about Eurovision 2021.

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK pays homage to Eurovision

Despite the lack of information from the BBC, fans were still able to enjoy the Eurovision-themed episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.

Before we go any further, be warned that this post contains spoilers about things that occur in this Eurovision-themed episode. So if you haven’t watched it yet, then proceed with caution!

The start of this episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK was a bit different to regular ones. After finishing last week’s challenge, the queens were told that filming had to be stopped immediately due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The first few episodes were filmed at the start of 2020, but the lockdown imposed in the UK in March last year stopped ‘non-essential’ TV production at that time.

Thankfully, production resumed seven months later and the queens were able to come back and take on their Eurovision challenge.

Sadly, one of the remaining contestants – Veronica Green – tested positive for coronavirus during the break and was forced to retire from the competition. In her place, Joe Black was brought back to the competition, having previously been eliminated during the first episode.

Joe joins the other seven remaining contestants – A’Whora, Bimini Bon-Boulash, Ellie Diamond, Lawrance Chaney, Sister Sister, Tayce and Tia Kofi.

Maxi challenge

Eurovision + RuPaul’s Drag Race UK = The RuRuvision Song Contest.

That’s the name that was given to the maxi challenge of this week’s episode. The eight queens were split into two groups and competed as rival girl-groups in a Europop battle. The groups were as follows:

Banana Drama United King Dolls
Joe Black Lawrence Chaney
Tia Kofi Bimini Bon-Boulash
Sister Sister Tayce
Ellie Diamond A’Whora

 

The two groups were tasked with performing the same song, titled “UK Hun”. Each queen had to write their own lyrics for their personal verse in the song, as well as styling a pop-girl look and working together for their choreography.

This is similar to one of the challenges from the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, where two groups were tasked with performing their version of “Break Up (Bye Bye)”. Proving to be popular outside of the show, the song went on to peak at number 35 on the UK singles chart and launched the winning group, the Frock Destroyers, into the limelight.

British recording artist MNEK was on hand to help the queens record their solo verses. He then joined RuPaul, Michelle Visage and the United Kingdom’s Eurovision commentator Graham Norton on the judging panel.

In a similar fashion to Eurovision, each group was introduced with a postcard that Graham Norton commentated over.

Runway and Lip-Sync

Category is…Day at the beach.

Sadly, there wasn’t a Eurovision-themed runway, so we weren’t able to see each queen pay their own homage to a Eurovision icon of their choice. Canada’s Rita Baga remains the only contestant to bring a Eurovision costume to the RuPaul’s Drag Race runway.

There was also no Eurovision-themed lip-sync for your life. At the end of each episode, the bottom two queens have to do one final lip-sync performance in order to save themselves from elimination. Many fans had hoped that the queens would perform a past Eurovision entry. Sadly, those hopes were dashed and we will have to wait a little longer before that potentially happens.

Much like the BBC are doing with their info about Eurovision 2021, we’ll remain tight lipped about the specific results of this week’s episode.

Were you hoping for a Eurovision announcement to tie in with the RuRuvision Song Contest? Do you want to see more Eurovision related challenges on RuPaul’s Drag Race? Let us know in the comments below!

Read more RuPaul’s Drag Race news here

44 Comments
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AM2PM
AM2PM
3 years ago

With the number of tenuous Drag Race articles that are posted on this site it seems like someone is fishing to be invited on the show as a guest judge.

shane
shane
3 years ago

This was the least Eurovision homage to Eurovision ever. Barely a single nod to the competition in the whole episode.

Mickey
Mickey
3 years ago

I was looking for Lawrence Chaney dresses as Netta ? ? ?

Jofty
Jofty
3 years ago
Reply to  Mickey

Pity Ginny Lemon left she could have done Apollo by Timebelle

Kalla
Kalla
3 years ago

Well after being excited all day, I was dissapointed with the drag race episode. I expected at least some reference to eurovision music. Not even the lip sinc for your life was a eurovision song! And the group songs were awful, I had high hopes and they have been dashed.

Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Kalla

Imagine how Joe Black feels!

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
3 years ago

UK’s act will be James Newman again for sure. His song was well received last year.

Liam Lindsay
3 years ago

I do honestly think that it is Fleur East. I mean come on. There are multiple songs with her with James and Fleur, most of the assisting songwriters/composers have very close and strong ties to the contest; after writing/composing songs for different countries song selection processes. She has openly said on TV last year she’s open to doing it and willing to “fly the flag” wherever she goes and after her sophomore album tour The Fearless Experience got delayed/cancelled, she could use Eurovision as a sort of do-over. When she was queried about it on a Livestream she could of… Read more »

Joey
Joey
3 years ago
Reply to  Liam Lindsay

Little Mix needs to work on what exactly? Yes, Jesy’s left the group, but that doesn’t mean that everything changes drastically. They performed as a trio during the pandemic a lot, so I think it should be fine.
One thing, tho… Why would Little Mix want to perform at Eurovision if the UK thinks that this competition is a joke? Might be bad for their reputation. I’d love to see them, but I think it’s very unlikely.

Liam Lindsay
3 years ago
Reply to  Joey

Its more on finding their stride as a trio, as things can become quite jarring when a bands lineup changes. I know that Little Mix have performed without Jesy however I do not find it acceptable if Jesy quits the group and then the others go on to Eurovision literally right after, it really doesn’t seem either fair nor realistic. If Little Mix as a trio represented the UK in 2022 or 2023 that would be entirely alright. However right now it is just not appropriate for them.

Joey
Joey
3 years ago
Reply to  Liam Lindsay

Yeah, okay. I agree.

Kalla
Kalla
3 years ago
Reply to  Liam Lindsay

I don’t really get your argument? I’m sure eurovision wouldn’t of been the pinnacle of their career lol

Liam Lindsay
3 years ago
Reply to  Kalla

Thats a bit harsh, Little Mix have achieved higher things than Eurovision if they were to compete. They’ve opened for Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato. The gave won over 45 awards including 6 MTV Europe Music Awards. They are one of the most commercially successful acts that appeared on UK X Factor and are one of the most recognisable modern girl groups out there. I know you were being sarcastic, but there was no need for that.

Leo
Leo
3 years ago
Reply to  Liam Lindsay

LM would be my dream choice but it is unrealistic and would carry massive pressure, that the U.K. needs to switch off if we are to do better in the future (remember Blue placing below Jedward?). I’m fine with their one person ESC versions that have represented Israel, Cyprus (both in 2018) and Armenia (last, and surely (?) this, year) in recent years, even though the latter has been but-confirmed like 1000 times in the last 330 days without being confirmed fully and therefore she’d be her country’s latest ever internal selection and I trivially worry that this means that… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by Leo
Moonstar
Moonstar
3 years ago
Reply to  Liam Lindsay

Your opinion is neither fair or realistic. Right now is just as a good time as next year. Jesy moved on because she wanted to, she was not forced to, and that does not mean that the other three ladies can not move on with their lives and do whatever they want to. They are entitled to move on regardless of anyone’s expectations of what might be appropriate or not.

Ricky Gervais
3 years ago

Czechia’s song will be released in 5 days.

elly
elly
3 years ago

Bimini Bon Boulash.

Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  elly

I adore Bimini, they’re fantastic

Dolly
Dolly
3 years ago

Janey McDonald, it’s your turn

Kalla
Kalla
3 years ago
Reply to  Dolly

Yes please!

Paul
Paul
3 years ago
Reply to  Dolly

IMAGINE!

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
3 years ago

Off topic, but will we be getting an Eesti Laul reaction video?

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
3 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

The reaction to semi final 1 has just been posted today

Colin
Colin
3 years ago

I am wondering, if it is James Newman, why not just announcing him early like most returning singers have been? If it’s not James, first off – why? And second, why withholding that you are in a search of a different artist? Or even better, re-new UK: You Decide like France did and have a variety to pick from.

Last edited 3 years ago by Colin
Erasmus
Erasmus
3 years ago
Reply to  Colin

yeah.. I’m soo intrigued by it.. lowkey hope it’s James it’s at least a safe and respectable option haha

Leo
Leo
3 years ago
Reply to  Colin

I bet BBC just wants to have the song and act at once, hence why James talked about submitting material and Wasn’t openly rejected out of hand like Cyprus and Belarus were, and has yet to state a non-appearance whereas 7 of the other 8 did ages in advance with the other saying “the show will continue with or without me”. I bet it’s the same thing as Russia.

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Could also be a ginormous name that doesn’t want to spill the beans. Who knows? James deserves a second chance but who knows what the BBC’s thinking…

Leo
Leo
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

And James isn’t as loud as someone as Athena would be as he isn’t associated with a vociferous fanbase, but who knows what goes on behind the scenes? All times we have gone internal have had the act and the song at once (though Hump’s was only named when it was unveiled even though it was already made with its writers known when it was announced), and it is sometimes frustrating because of the lack of scrutiny.

Esc fan
Esc fan
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Based off of past years for UK entries and Britain’s attitude towards Eurovision nowadays, I would highly doubt that a well known artist will represent them. I obviously would love that to happen but unfortunately I don’t that’s the case.

Loin dici
Loin dici
3 years ago
Reply to  Esc fan

Imagine the hilarity of having Little Mix representing the UK. Logically since they have worked with BBC, confirmed doing some progress this February and moving the whole Confetti tour to 2022, it could be possible. But I’m just making a clownery of myself, they are too big to risk their fame.

Erasmus
Erasmus
3 years ago
Reply to  Loin dici

+ also it’s less likely that a group would be up for it since basically all members would have to be up for it, which is unlikely in UK.. whereas one star can easily decide for it

Leo
Leo
3 years ago
Reply to  Loin dici

I would love it but UK would need to stop pressures akin to those they exerted on Blue for placing below Jedward.

Fatima
Fatima
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

I worry that a ginormous name, or even a medium-sized one, just won’t want to contest what we all know has to be a curtailed contest.

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
3 years ago

Why *very obviously* hint towards an announcememt of some sort on tonights episode of rupauls drag race when you’re not going to do an announcement on tonights episode of rupauls drag race..

Last edited 3 years ago by Frisian esc
Erasmus
Erasmus
3 years ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

yeah exactly.. and it wasn’t even very eurovision based episode.. ughh BBC out there really trolling us hard.

mad-professor
mad-professor
3 years ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

They didn’t hint towards an announcement tonight, they just said they’ll be announcing it soon because the deadline’s in a month. If they were hinting towards an announcement tonight, they would’ve promoted the episode more than a single tweet.

Kalla
Kalla
3 years ago
Reply to  mad-professor

Well saying the 2 statements in the same tweet, especially when there has been a lot of talk of drag race and eurovision rumours. Clearly was meant to be suggestive, how I read it anyway.

Robert
Robert
3 years ago

Not really a Eurovision themed episode after all.. A shame, was hoping for at least a Eurovision lip sync in the style of Euphoria, Toy or Take me to your heaven..

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Robert

There is a loooong list of lip-sync-worthy Eurovision tracks to choose from (Waterloo, Ne partez pas sans moi, I Wanna which is virtually made for a dramatic costume change, Everyway That I Can, Vola, Rise Like a Phoenix, Diva, On Top of the World, La det swinge, Vuelve conmigo, Quedate conmigo, Attention, Space, Solo, Spirit in the Sky, When the Music Dies, Suus, 1944, Sound of Silence, O Mie, It’s My Life, Die for You, My Number One, Everything, Fuego, La La Love, and this is all off the top of my head!)

Last edited 3 years ago by Joe
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Great list Joe! I would pay to see Tayce lip sync the house down to Fuego!

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy Smit

A more avant garde queen could nail something like Sama or Je suis un vrai garçon.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
3 years ago
Reply to  Robert

Well, I have been outlining a Hetalia themed drag race au fan fic and one of the challenges I’m planning is eurovision themed due to the international cast of characters. This was actually planned long before the actual RuPaul drag race episode was announced, but I have to say after reading the recap, it appears to be pretty underwhelming. I mean a eurovision song wasn’t even used for the lip-synch battle? Wasted potential. In my imagination, my contestants actually Sing live covers of classic eurovision songs While wearing costumes that resemble past Eurovision outfits, and a Eurovision song will be… Read more »

AndersP
AndersP
3 years ago

I love drag race! I love Eurovision! That song is dreadful. Not even the BBC would send that.

Jakeyboy
Jakeyboy
3 years ago

Thank god for that!