RuPaul’s Drag Race Holi-Slay Spectacular airs Friday, Dec. 7
Mama Ru leaves a new present under the tree with the light-hearted "Drag Race Holi-Slay Spectacular"
Now’s the time of year when enterprising queens who aren’t Mariah Carey go to sleep dreaming of their own money-minting holiday tradition.
Of course, RuPaul and the elves at World of Wonder love to make dreams come true, so this year they’re dropping their first — and likely not the last — RuPaul’s Drag Race Holi-Slay Spectacular. Eight of the most memorable Drag Race contestants return to the workroom for a special one-off competition, vying for the crown of America’s first Drag Race Christmas Queen.
The workroom and main stage are decked in holiday cheer for a loopy musical-comedy variety special that’s heavy on the festive cheese and light on cutthroat competition. Sure, a few of the queens snap to the camera about snatching that crown, but the spirit of joy and love is what prevails here.
The queens are there to kiki, perform, and have fun, while ogling the dancing go-go boy reindeer. Even Mother Ru busts some moves in a funky main stage dance number choreographed by competition judge Todrick Hall. Michelle Visage joins in the shenanigans with a lip-sync to a track off RuPaul’s Christmas album, and Ross Mathews throws in a handful of unfunny guest appearances as a Christmas elf.
The guests that make this special truly worth spiking your eggnog and sitting down to watch are the returning queens, and dedicated Drag Race fans already know the all-stars who’ll show up for the festivities. There are giant gift-wrapped boxes strewn about the set, so Shangela’s definitely popping in, as are All-Stars 3 winner Trixie Mattel and perennial Drag Race favorite Latrice Royale.
They and the other contestants all bring it for the “non-denominational Christmas Eleganza”-themed runway, and, despite a few lame lip-syncs, the show’s joyous bubble never bursts. Best of all, RuPaul stuffs a few surprises in her stockings that might keep the fans buzzing about who’ll be next year’s Christmas Queen.
Rupaul’s Drag Race Holi-Slay Spectacular airs Friday, December 7 at 8 p.m. on VH1, and in multiple repeat airings thereafter.
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