Rusical

Musical production on the TV series RuPaul's Drag Race

Montage of screenshots from various Rusicals

A Rusical (portmanteau of "RuPaul" and "musical") is a musical theatre[1] challenge recurring across the Drag Race television franchise. Rusical productions began in 2014 during the sixth season of the American series, and have subsequently become "a highly anticipated staple" of the reality competition, allowing contestants to showcase their talents.[2]

## Rusicals by series

[edit]

### RuPaul's Drag Race

[edit]

Season nine's Rusical (Kardashians: The Musical) was inspired by the musical Hamilton.[3] The American series has also seen Rusicals about Cher, Donald Trump, and Madonna. Seasons fourteen and fifteen had parodies of the films Moulin Rouge! and Footloose respectively. Season sixteen's Rusical was a parody of the musical The Sound of Music and its film adaptation. The Rusical on season seventeen was inspired by The Wizard of Oz and its musical adaptations Wicked and The Wiz.

Rusicals of RuPaul's Drag Race Season  | Rusical  | Winner

|
|

6 | Shade: The Rusical | Courtney Act[4]
7 | Glamazonian Airways | Ginger Minj[4]
8 | Bitch Perfect | Chi Chi DeVayne[4]
9 | Kardashians: The Musical | Shea Couleé[4]
10 | PharmaRusical | The Vixen[4]
Cher: The Unauthorized Rusical[5] | Kameron Michaels[4]
11 | Trump: The Rusical | Silky Nutmeg Ganache[4]
12 | Madonna: The Unauthorized Rusical[6] | Gigi Goode[4]
Viva Drag Vegas
13 | Social Media: The Unverified Rusical | Rosé[4]
14 | Moulin Ru: The Rusical[7] | Lady Camden
15 | Wigloose: The Rusical![8] | Anetra
16 | The Sound of Rusic[9] | Plasma
17 | The Wicked Wiz of Oz: The Rusical![10] | Sam Star

### RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars

[edit]

The Rusical in season 2 of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars depicted historical women. Alaska Thunderfuck, Alyssa Edwards, Detox, and Ginger Minj portrayed a Britney Spears-inspired Eve,[11] Annie Oakley, Marie Antoinette, and Catherine the Great, respectively.[12] Katya and Phi Phi O'Hara portrayed Princess Diana and Helen of Troy, respectively.[13][14] On season 3 ("Divas Lip Sync Live"), Aja performed as Amy Winehouse, BeBe Zahara Benet as Diana Ross, BenDeLaCreme as Julie Andrews, Chi Chi DeVayne as Patti LaBelle, Kennedy Davenport as Janet Jackson, Milk as Celine Dion, Shangela as Mariah Carey, Trixie Mattel as Dolly Parton, and Thorgy Thor as Stevie Nicks.[15][16] Season six's Rusical (episode "Halftime Headliners") was based on Super Bowl's halftime show performances.[17] Season eight's Rusical was based on the life of Joan Crawford.[18] Season nine's Rusical was inspired by the film Rosemary's Baby.[19] Season ten's Rusical was inspired by RuPaul's film Starrbooty.[20]

Rusicals of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season  | Rusical  | Winner(s)

|
|

2 | HERstory of the World | Alyssa Edwards
Detox
3 | Divas Lip Sync Live | BenDeLaCreme
Shangela
6 | All Stars 6 Hall of Fame Halftime Show[21] | Jan
8 | Joan: The Unauthorized Rusical | Kandy Muse[22]
9 | Rosemarie's Baby Shower: The Rusical | Jorgeous
Shannel
10 | Starrbooty: The Rebooty | Jorgeous
Lydia B Kollins

### RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race

[edit]

The Rusical on season 1 of RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race was about Dolly Parton and her 1980 comedy film 9 to 5.[23]

Rusicals of RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race Season  | Rusical  | Winner

|
|

1 | Twerking 5 to 9: The Rusical | —

### Canada's Drag Race

[edit]

The clown-themed Rusical of season 2 was inspired by the 1938 film Under the Big Top.[24] On season 4, the Rusical was about the life of host Brooke Lynn Hytes.

Rusicals of Canada's Drag Race Season  | Rusical  | Winner

|
|

2 | Under the Big Top | Pythia
3 | Squirrels Trip: The Rusical | Vivian Vanderpuss[25]
4 | From Drags to Riches: The Rusical | Aurora Matrix

#### Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World

[edit]

The second season of Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World had a Rusical about the Snatch Game.

Rusicals of Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World Season  | Rusical  | Winner

|
|

2 | Snatch Game: The Rusical | Lemon

### Drag Race España

[edit]

The second season of Drag Race España had a Rusical based on the musical La llamada.[26] The third season had a Rusical inspired by The Wonderful Wizard of Oz setting the story during the La Movida Madrileña countercultural movement.[27] The fourth season's Rusical was an homage to Spanish musical artists across the last century.

Rusicals of Drag Race España Season  | Rusical  | Winner

|
|

2 | La Llamadrag | Estrella Xtravaganza
3 | El Mago Precoz | Pitita
4 | Eternas | Vampirashian

### Drag Race France

[edit]

Rusicals of Drag Race France Season  | Rusical  | Winner

|
|

2 | Le Bossu de Notre Drag | Keiona
3 | Céline Dion: The Rusical | Leona Winter

### Drag Race Germany

[edit]

Rusicals of Drag Race Germany Season  | Rusical  | Winner

|
|

1 | Dragort: The Rusical | Metamorkid

### Drag Race Holland

[edit]

The Rusical for the second season of Drag Race Holland was based on the story of Cinderella.[28]

Rusicals of Drag Race Holland Season  | Rusical  | Winner

|
|

1 | Máxima: The Rusical | Janey Jacké
2 | CindeRulla: The Rusical | My Little Puny

### Drag Race Italia

[edit]

The second season of Drag Race Italia had a Rusical dedicated to Lady Gaga.[29]

Rusicals of Drag Race Italia Season  | Rusical  | Winner

|
|

1 | Carrà: The Rusical | Divinity
2 | Lady Gaga: The Unauthorised Rusical | La Petite Noire
3 | Paola & Chiara: An Unauthorised Fairytale Rusical | Sypario

### Drag Race México

[edit]

The first season of Drag Race México had a Rusical based on Acapulco Shore, the Mexican spin-off series of Jersey Shore.[30] The Rusical in the second season was inspired by three telenovelas starring Thalía: María Mercedes, Marimar, and María la del Barrio.[31]

Rusicals of Drag Race México Season  | Rusical  | Winner

|
|

1 | Dragapulco Shore: The Rusical | Cristian Peralta
2 | The Three Marías: The Rusical | Jenary Bloom

### Drag Race Philippines

[edit]

The second season of Drag Race Philippines had a Rusical inspired by the film The Little Mermaid.[32] The Rusical in the third season was inspired by Wicked.[citation needed]

Rusicals of Drag Race Philippines Season  | Rusical  | Winner

|
|

1 | OPM Divas: The Rusical | Precious Paula Nicole
2 | Sirena: The Rusical | DeeDee Marié Holliday
3 | AaWicked Kita: The Rusical | Zymba Ding

### Drag Race Thailand

[edit]

Rusicals of Drag Race Thailand Season  | Rusical  | Winner

|
|

2 | Apaporn Nakornsawan: Thai Musical | Kandy Zyanide
3 | Kraitong: The Rusical | Gawdland

### RuPaul's Drag Race UK

[edit]

The Rusicals in the second and fourth seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race UK were inspired by the musicals Cats[33][34] and Mary Poppins,[35] respectively. The Rusical in the fifth season was a pantomime.[36]

Rusicals of RuPaul's Drag Race UK Series  | Rusical  | Winner

|
|

2 | Rats: The Rusical | Veronica Green[37]
4 | Lairy Poppins: The Rusical | Danny Beard
5 | Pant-Oh She Better Don't!: The Rusical | Ginger Johnson
6 | Pop of the Tops - Live: The Rusical | La Voix

#### RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World

[edit]

Rusicals of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World Season  | Rusical  | Winner(s)

|
|

1 | West End Wendys | Janey Jacké
Pangina Heals
2 | Seven!: Confessions of a Drag Queen | Marina Summers
Tia Kofi

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Daw, Stephen (2023-08-25). "A History of the Rusical: How a One-Off 'Drag Race' Challenge Became a Beloved Staple". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2023-09-02. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
2. ^ Krubally, Cordu (25 October 2019). "RuPaul's Drag Race: Every Rusical Performance, Ranked". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 12 July 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
3. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race Episode 5 Power Rankings: The Kardashian Musical We Didn't Know We Needed". W Magazine. 2017-04-22. Archived from the original on 2023-08-14. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i "RuPaul's Drag Race: Every Rusical Winner Over The Years". ScreenRant. 2021-02-23. Archived from the original on 2022-03-01. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
5. ^ Henderson, Eric (2018-05-11). "RuPaul's Drag Race Recap: Season 10, Episode 8, "The Unauthorized Rusical"". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on 2019-03-29. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
6. ^ "'Drag Race's Madonna Rusical Was One of the Best in Herstory". www.out.com. Archived from the original on 2020-04-11. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
7. ^ "The Can Can can't can't save Moulin Ru: The Rusical on RuPaul's Drag Race". The A.V. Club. 2022-03-26. Archived from the original on 2022-06-27. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
8. ^ Tangcay, Jazz (2023-06-08). "'Drag Race' Team on 'Wigloose: The Rusical's' Importance: 'Our Existence Could Be Put Out Like That'". Variety. Archived from the original on 2023-06-14. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
9. ^ Daw, Stephen (2024-02-15). "The Hills Are Alive With 'The Sound of Rusic' in New Clip From 'Drag Race' Rusical Episode: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
10. ^ Wratten, Marcus (2025-02-21). "RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 delivers season-best drama in Rusical episode". PinkNews. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
11. ^ "Racing with Sidney: HERstory of the World | Drag Race". 2016-09-09. Archived from the original on 2024-01-12. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
12. ^ Daw, Stephen (2021-09-02). "The 10 Best Musical Numbers In 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Herstory". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2024-01-12. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
13. ^ Daw, Stephen (2023-08-25). "Every Rusical from 'RuPaul's Drag Race,' Ranked Worst to Best". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2024-01-12. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
14. ^ Yates, Maggie. "BWW Breakdown: The HERstory of the World According to RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE ALL STARS". BroadwayWorld.com. Archived from the original on 2020-07-17. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
15. ^ Oliver, Isaac (2 February 2018). "'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars': Dueling Divas". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
16. ^ Guerra, Joey (2 February 2018). "'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 3' recap: Divas (almost) live". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
17. ^ "'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 6' Episode 4 recap: Let's play some football | Xtra Magazine". 2021-07-08. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
18. ^ Frank, Jason P. (2023-06-09). "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Recap: Mommie Queerest". Vulture. Archived from the original on 2023-06-11. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
19. ^ O'Keefe, Kevin (2024-07-05). "'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 9' Episode 9 recap: Badge swap". Xtra. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
20. ^ Benutty, John (2025-06-06). "'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 10' recap: Any hole becomes a goal in rusical reboot of 'Starrbooty'". GoldDerby. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
21. ^ "StackPath". xtramagazine.com. 8 July 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
22. ^ Frank, Jason P. (2023-06-09). "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Recap: Mommie Queerest". Vulture. Archived from the original on 2023-06-11. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
23. ^ "From beauty queen to drag queen: Vanessa Williams transforms into Dolly Parton on 'Celebrity Drag Race'". Yahoo Entertainment. 2020-05-02. Archived from the original on 2020-06-04. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
24. ^ "Canada's Drag Race Season 2 Episode 2 Recap: It's Jester Rusical". ScreenRant. 2021-10-22. Archived from the original on 2022-04-13. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
25. ^ Harrison, Frankie (2022-08-26). "Canada's Drag Race Season 3 Episode 7 Recap: Girls Trip: The Rusical". IN Magazine. Archived from the original on 2023-08-01. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
26. ^ "Las reinas de 'Drag Race España' adaptarán el musical 'La llamada' en su cuarta entrega, este domingo en ATRESplayer PREMIUM". atresplayer.com (in European Spanish). 2022-04-13. Archived from the original on 2023-11-03. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
27. ^ "Las reinas de "Drag Race España" versionarán "El Mago de Oz"". mundoplus.tv (in European Spanish). 2023-05-20.
28. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race Holland Season 2 - Episode 4". Spill the Tea. 2021-08-28. Archived from the original on 2023-10-27. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
29. ^ "Drag Race Italia 2, cos'è successo nella quinta puntata". Vanity Fair Italia (in Italian). 2022-11-17. Archived from the original on 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
30. ^ Villa, Lucas (2023-07-13). "'Drag Race México' Episode 4 Recap: The Rusical, Reading Challenge & Paulina Rubio". Remezcla. Archived from the original on 2023-07-21. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
31. ^ Villa, Lucas (2024-08-02). "'Drag Race México' 2×07 Recap: Rusical, Thalia Telenovelas, & Anahí Lip-Sync". Remezcla. Archived from the original on 2024-08-02. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
32. ^ Antonio, Josiah. "'Drag Race PH': Dee Dee Marie Holiday wins 'Rusical' challenge". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on 2023-09-29. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
33. ^ Moylan, Brian (2021-01-21). "RuPaul's Drag Race U.K. Recap: Rats Off". Vulture. Archived from the original on 2022-12-25. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
34. ^ "Here's how RuPaul's Drag Race UK fans reacted to Rats: The Rusical". GAY TIMES. 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
35. ^ "'RuPaul's Drag Race UK' Season 4, Episode 5 recap: West End winners | Xtra Magazine". 2022-10-21. Archived from the original on 2022-10-21. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
36. ^ ""Avenge me!": Drag Race UK star Banskie on exit and "heated" Untucked". Gay Times. 2023-10-27. Archived from the original on 2023-10-27. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
37. ^ "Here's how RuPaul's Drag Race UK fans reacted to Rats: The Rusical". Gay Times. 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2023-08-01.

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