Category Is

12th episode of the 9th season of RuPaul's Drag Race

"Category Is"

RuPaul's Drag Race episode
Episode no.| Season 9
Episode 12
Original air date| June 9, 2017 (2017-06-09)
Guest appearance
Todrick Hall
Episode chronology
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"Reunited"

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List of episodes

"Category Is" is the eleventh episode of the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.[1][2][3] It originally aired on June 9, 2017.

The episode's main challenge required the remaining four contestants—Peppermint, Sasha Velour, Shea Couleé, and Trinity Taylor—to write, record, and perform original verses for a new version of RuPaul's song "Category Is". The contestants record with Todrick Hall, who also offers choreography coaching, and have individual interviews with RuPaul and Michelle Visage for the podcast RuPaul: What's the Tee? Carson Kressley and Ross Mathews join RuPaul and Visage on the judging panel. No contestants are eliminated from the competition on the episode.

## Episode

[edit]

Peppermint

Sasha Velour

Shea Couleé

Trinity Taylor

The four finalists competing in the last challenge of the ninth season.

The contestants record versus and receive choreography coaching from Todrick Hall (pictured in 2019).

The episode begins with the final four contestants re-entering the Werk Room following the elimination of Alexis Michelle. On a new day, Michelle Visage greets the contestants and reveals the final challenge of the season: to write, record, and perform their own verses to RuPaul's song "Category Is". She reveals Todrick Hall will record the tracks, and invites the contestants to join her and RuPaul to record for the podcast RuPaul: What's the Tee? During her interview, Peppermint discusses her experience being both a drag performer and a trans woman. Sasha Velour talks about her relationship with her late mother. Shea Couleé and Trinity Taylor discuss their upbringings. The latter describes having a falling out with her late mother, despite also being her caregiver. The contestants rehearse choreography with Hall on the main stage, then return to the Werk Room to prepare for the runway.

On the main stage, RuPaul welcomes fellow judges Visage, Carson Kressley, and Ross Mathews. The contestants perform "Category Is". The runway category is "Final Four Eleganza Extravaganza". Peppermint wears a red dress. Sasha Velour's pink outfit has a matching crown and leather gloves. Shea Couleé says her look is inspired by Balmain, Beyoncé, and Bob Mackie. Trinity Taylor wears a pageant gown. RuPaul shares childhood photographs of each contestant, and asks them to share words of wisdom with their younger selves. The judges share their final critiques for each contestant. RuPaul also asks the contestants to say why they should win the competition and not their competitors. She excuses the contestants from the main stage so the judges can deliberate.

The four contestants return to the main stage, then face off in a lip-sync to RuPaul's song "U Wear It Well". RuPaul decides not to eliminate anyone from the competition, allowing all four to compete in the finale. She asks viewers to vote on social media for who they think should win.

## Reception

[edit]

Oliver Sava of The A.V. Club gave the episode a rating of 'B-'.[4]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Henderson, Eric (June 10, 2017). "RuPaul's Drag Race Recap: Season 9, Episode 12, "Category Is..."". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
2. ^ "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Recap: The Final Four Face Off". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 8, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
3. ^ Booster, Joel Kim (June 9, 2017). "RuPaul's Drag Race Recap: The Final 4". Vulture. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
4. ^ "Drag Race ends the competition with strong performances and a weak runway". The A.V. Club. June 10, 2017. Archived from the original on September 22, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2024.

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* "Snatch Game"

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* "The Fabulous Bitch Ball"
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* "Reunited"

Season 5|

* "RuPaullywood or Bust"
* "Lip Synch Extravaganza Eleganza"
* "Draggle Rock"
* "Black Swan: Why It Gotta Be Black?"
* "Snatch Game"
* "Can I Get an Amen"
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* "Reunited"

Season 6|

* "RuPaul's Big Opening"
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* "Scream Queens"
* "Shade: The Rusical"
* "Snatch Game"
* "Oh No She Betta Don't!"
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* "Drag Queens of Comedy"
* "Queens of Talk"
* "Drag My Wedding"
* "Glitter Ball"
* "Sissy That Walk"
* "Reunited!"

Season 7|

* "Born Naked"
* "Glamazonian Airways"
* "ShakesQueer"
* "Spoof! (There It Is)"
* "The DESPY Awards"
* "Ru Hollywood Stories"
* "Snatch Game"
* "Conjoined Queens"
* "Divine Inspiration"
* "Prancing Queens"
* "Hello, Kitty Girls!"
* "And the Rest Is Drag"
* "Grand Finale"

Season 8|

* "Keeping It 100!"
* "Bitch Perfect"
* "RuCo's Empire"
* "New Wave Queens"
* "Supermodel Snatch Game"
* "Wizards of Drag"
* "Shady Politics"
* "RuPaul Book Ball"
* "The Realness"
* "Grand Finale"

Season 9|

* "Oh. My. Gaga!"
* "She Done Already Done Brought It On"
* "Draggily Ever After"
* "Good Morning Bitches"
* "Reality Stars: The Musical"
* "Snatch Game"
* "9021-HO"
* "RuPaul Roast"
* "Your Pilot's on Fire"
* "Makeovers: Crew Better Work"
* "Gayest Ball Ever"
* "Category Is"
* "Reunited"
* "Grand Finale"

Season 10|

* "10s Across the Board"
* "PharmaRusical"
* "Tap That App"
* "The Last Ball on Earth"
* "The Bossy Rossy Show"
* "Drag Con Panel Extravaganza"
* "Snatch Game"
* "The Unauthorized Rusical"
* "Breastworld"
* "Bossy Rossy RuBoot"
* "Social Media Kings Into Queens"
* "Evil Twins"
* "American"
* "Queens Reunited"
* "Grand Finale"

Season 11|

* "Whatcha Unpackin?"
* "Good God Girl, Get Out"
* "Diva Worship"
* "Trump: The Rusical"
* "Monster Ball"
* "The Draglympics"
* "From Farm to Runway"
* "Snatch Game at Sea"
* "L.A.D.P.!"
* "Dragracadabra"
* "Bring Back My Queens!"
* "Queens Everywhere"
* "Grand Finale"

Season 12|

* "I'm That Bitch"
* "You Don't Know Me"
* "World's Worst"
* "The Ball Ball"
* "Gay's Anatomy"
* "Snatch Game"
* "Madonna: The Unauthorized Rusical"
* "Droop"
* "Choices 2020"
* "Superfan Makeover"
* "One-Queen Show"
* "Viva Drag Vegas"
* "Reunited: Alone Together"
* "Grand Finale"

Season 13|

* "The Pork Chop"
* "Condragulations"
* "Phenomenon"
* "RuPaulmark Channel"
* "The Bag Ball"
* "Disco-mentary"
* "Bossy Rossy RuBoot"
* "Social Media: The Unverified Rusical"
* "Snatch Game"
* "Freaky Friday Queens"
* "Pop! Goes the Queens"
* "Nice Girls Roast"
* "Henny, I Shrunk the Drag Queens!"
* "Gettin' Lucky"
* "Grand Finale"

Season 14|

* "Big Opening Number 1"
* "Big Opening Number 2"
* "A Pair of Balls"
* "She's a Super Tease"
* "Save a Queen"
* "Glamazon Prime"
* "The Daytona Wind"
* "60s Girl Groups"
* "Menzeses"
* "Snatch Game"
* "An Extra Special Episode"
* "Moulin Ru: The Rusical"
* "The Ross Mathews Roast"
* "Catwalk"
* "Grand Finale"

Season 15|

* "One Night Only, Part 1"
* "One Night Only, Part 2"
* "All Queens Go to Heaven"
* "Supersized Snatch Game"
* "House of Fashion"
* "Old Friends Gold"
* "The Daytona Wind 2"
* "Lip Sync LaLaPaRuza Smackdown"
* "The Crystal Ball"
* "50/50's Most Gagworthy Stars"
* "Two Queens, One Joke"
* "Wigloose: The Rusical!"
* "Teacher Makeovers"
* "Blame It on the Edit"
* "Grand Finale"

Season 16|

* "Rate-A-Queen"
* "Queen Choice Awards"
* "The Mother of All Balls"
* "RDR Live!"
* "Girl Groups"
* "Welcome to the DollHouse"
* "The Sound of Rusic"
* "Snatch Game"
* "See You Next Wednesday"
* "Werq the World"
* "Corporate Queens"
* "Bathroom Hunties"
* "Drag Race Vegas Live! Makeovers"
* "Booked and Blessed"
* "Lip Sync LaLaPaRuza Smackdown – Reunited"
* "Grand Finale"

Season 17|

* "Squirrel Games"
* "Drag Queens Got Talent – Part 2"
* "Monopulence!"
* "Bitch, I'm a Drag Queen!"
* "RDR Live!"
* "Let's Get Sea Sickening Ball"
* "Snatch Game"
* "The Wicked Wiz of Oz: The Rusical!"
* "Heavens to Betsey!"
* "The Villains Roast"
* "Ross Mathews vs. The Ducks"
* "Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve & Talent Monologues"
* "Drag Baby Mamas"
* "How's Your Headliner?"
* "Lip Sync Lalaparuza Smackdown"
* "Grand Finale"

Contestants

| Winners|

* BeBe Zahara Benet
* Tyra Sanchez
* Raja
* Sharon Needles
* Jinkx Monsoon
* Bianca Del Rio
* Violet Chachki
* Bob the Drag Queen
* Sasha Velour
* Aquaria
* Yvie Oddly
* Jaida Essence Hall
* Symone
* Willow Pill
* Sasha Colby
* Nymphia Wind
* Onya Nurve

* Acacia Forgot
* Acid Betty
* Adore Delano
* Aiden Zhane
* Aja
* A'keria C. Davenport
* Alaska
* Alexis Mateo
* Alexis Michelle
* Alyssa Edwards
* Alyssa Hunter
* Amanda Tori Meating
* Amethyst
* Anetra
* Angeria Paris VanMicheals
* April Carrión
* Arrietty
* Ariel Versace
* Asia O'Hara
* Aura Mayari
* BenDeLaCreme
* Blair St. Clair
* Bosco
* Brita
* Brooke Lynn Hytes
* Carmen Carrera
* Chad Michaels
* Charlie Hides
* Chi Chi DeVayne
* Coco Montrese
* Courtney Act
* Crystal Envy
* Crystal Methyd
* Cynthia Lee Fontaine
* Dahlia Sin
* Darienne Lake
* Dawn
* Dax ExclamationPoint
* Daya Betty
* DeJa Skye
* Delta Work
* Denali
* Derrick Barry
* Detox
* DiDa Ritz
* Dusty Ray Bottoms
* Elliott with 2 Ts
* Eureka
* Farrah Moan
* Geneva Karr
* Gia Gunn
* Gigi Goode
* Ginger Minj
* Gottmik
* Heidi N Closet
* Hershii LiqCour-Jeté
* Honey Davenport
* Honey Mahogany
* Hormona Lisa
* India Ferrah
* Irene Dubois
* Ivy Winters
* Jackie Cox
* Jade Jolie
* Jade Sotomayor
* Jaidynn Diore Fierce
* Jan
* Jasmine Kennedie
* Jasmine Masters
* Jax
* Jaymes Mansfield
* Jessica Wild
* Jewels Sparkles
* Jiggly Caliente
* Joella
* Joey Jay
* Jorgeous
* Joslyn Fox
* Jujubee
* June Jambalaya
* Kahanna Montrese
* Kahmora Hall
* Kalorie Karbdashian-Williams
* Kameron Michaels
* Kandy Ho
* Kandy Muse
* Katya
* Kelly Mantle
* Kennedy Davenport
* Kerri Colby
* Kim Chi
* Kimora Blac
* Kori King
* Kornbread Jeté
* Kylie Sonique Love
* Lady Camden
* Laganja Estranja
* Laila McQueen
* LaLa Ri
* Lana Ja'Rae
* Lashauwn Beyond
* Latrice Royale
* Lexi Love
* Lineysha Sparx
* Loosey LaDuca
* Lucky Starzzz
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* Lydia B Kollins
* Madame LaQueer
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* Malaysia Babydoll Foxx
* Manila Luzon
* Marcia Marcia Marcia
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* Max
* Mayhem Miller
* Megami
* Mercedes Iman Diamond
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* Miz Cracker
* Monica Beverly Hillz
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* Monét X Change
* Morgan McMichaels
* Morphine Love Dion
* Mrs. Kasha Davis
* Mystique Summers Madison
* Naomi Smalls
* Naysha Lopez
* Nicky Doll
* Nicole Paige Brooks
* Nina Bo'nina Brown
* Nina Flowers
* Nina West
* Olivia Lux
* Ongina
* Orion Story
* Pandora Boxx
* Pearl
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* Peppermint
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* Sasha Belle
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* Serena ChaCha
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* Shannel
* Shea Couleé
* Sherry Pie
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* Silky Nutmeg Ganache
* Soju
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Web series|

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* AJ and the Queen
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* Dragging the Classics: The Brady Bunch
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