The season's first seven contestants enter the Werk Room. The episode's mini-challenge is a photo shoot in which contestants pose for the Ring camera on RuPaul's porch as he watches.[5][6]
For the main challenge, contestants are tasked with performing in the "MTV's Spring Break" talent show, hosted by former contestant Derrick Barry. Following are the contestants and their acts:
On the runway, the category is "RuVeal Yourself". In addition to RuPaul and Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley is a judge and Charlize Theron is a guest judge. Dawn, Mirage, Q and Sapphira Cristál receive positive critiques. Amanda Tori Meating, Morphine Love Dion and Xunami Muse receive negative critiques. The queens rank each other using the Rate-A-Queen system. Q and Sapphira Cristál receive the highest placements, making them the top two contestants of the week who will face off in a lip-sync to "Break My Soul" by Beyoncé for the win. Sapphira Cristál is declared the winner, earning her immunity.[6] No contestants are eliminated from the competition.
Reception
Reviews noted the Rate-A-Queen ranking format as a triangle-shaped parody of The Circle.[6][7]
Kevin O'Keeffe of Xtra Magazine opined, "I don’t mind the more languid start to the season, but I do wonder why they didn’t just keep the incredibly successful premiere format from Season 15."[6]Gay Times included Mirage in a 2024 list of the seventeen best talent show performances on Drag Race to date.[8]