RuPauls Drag Race
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As Kandy Muse (p.g.a.

)informed us on Twitterthis week, we are officially halfway through the season.
Five queens down, five more to go until our glorious, COVID-compliant finale.
Lets break down the pairs.
Symone & UticaFor Symone and Utica, the biggest hurdle to this challenge is Uticas fear of cancellation.
Or at least an Instagram graphic she can share to her story.
At first, Uticas hesitation seems like it might be her (and Symones) downfall.
Theres much in the way of hushed whispers, nail chewing, and side-eye glances from other queens.
But ultimately, the most beautiful part of this partnership is that Utica and Symone decide to justtrusteach other.
And, baby, it pays off.
Its a wonderful exchange of strengths.
The judges fawn over it (as they should!
), and theres no question that this pair is the top of the week.
Rose & TinaTina really gets dunked on from every angle this week.
(Which, to be clear, I love.)
Tinas aesthetic is questionable … Michelle begins, … but it did look a lot like her!
Tell us how you really feel, guys!
Rose doesnt have much kind to say about her partner, either.
As soon as the pairings are announced, Rose is instantly wary.
I amnotleavingDrag Racein Tina Burner makeup, she declares.
Fair enough, sis.
After all this, you might assume Tina is in the bottom, but nope!
In fact, its Denali who joins Olivia in the lip sync.
While Uticas star is back on the rise, Tinas seems to be rapidly collapsing.
Kandy & GottmikHow can you not stan Gottmuse?
But Gottmuse is not so easily deterred, and they get creative with sewing and restyling.
The result is superb.
But the best drag of the episode did not appear on the runway.
Instead, it came right from Kandy Muses mouth.
I knew it was over for Denali the second she brought up Kandy.
And Kandy doesnt just read Denali.
The judges eat it up, and so do we.
Regardless, Im sure shell give us some more good TV along the way.
Olivia & DenaliI must admit, I didnt see this one coming quite so soon.
The judges call it generic and critique Olivia for not adding any of her signature house codes.
Where were the bouncy curls?
The tiny purse??
It doesnt feel thoughtful, and Olivia earns her spot in the bottom two.
Denali, on the other hand, is a bit of a mystery.
The judges praise the tulle, the ponytail, and even little details like the long acrylic ice-skating nails.
They quibble with the makeup, but to my eyes, they have far harsher words for Tina Burner.
Unfortunately for Denali, that means shell be lip-syncing along with her partner.
For the lip sync, we have yet another repeat!
Theres less ass-shaking in Olivia and Denalis respective renditions of the song, but just as much heart.
And so, this week, Chicagos Ice Princess sashays away.
It DO Take Nerve!
RoseRose is completely unafraid of a drag and I love her for it.
Also … someone had to say it!
I feel like Im back in my modern-dance improv classes!