Oh. My. Gaga!
| "Oh. My. Gaga!" | |
|---|---|
| RuPaul's Drag Race episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 9 Episode 1 |
| Presented by | RuPaul |
| Original air date | March 24, 2017 |
| Guest appearance | |
| Lady Gaga | |
"Oh. My. Gaga!" is the first episode of the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.[1][2][3] Lady Gaga is a guest judge. The episode was recognized by the Primetime Emmy Awards.[4]
Episode
[edit]
The premiere introduces thirteen contestants: Alexis Michelle, Aja, Charlie Hides, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Eureka, Farrah Moan, Jaymes Mansfield, Kimora Black, Nina Bo'nina Brown, Peppermint, Sasha Velour, Shea Couleé, and Trinity Taylor.
Lady Gaga was a special guest for her first time, though her songs had been performed on the show previously.[5][6] Her participation included a recorded segment as her alter ego Ronnie.[7] Lady Gaga also appeared in the corresponding episode of Untucked, setting a new precedent for making a backstage appearance with the contestants.[8][9]
For the runway, contestants are tasked with presenting a look representing their hometown.[10][11] In addition to RuPaul and guest judge Lady Gaga, the panel includes Michelle Visage, Carson Kresley, and Ross Mathews.[12] Nina Bo'nina Brown is declared the winner. The episode does not include a lip-sync, and no contestant is eliminated.
Production
[edit]The episode originally aired on March 24, 2017.
Fashion
[edit]| Hometown Look | Lady Gaga Look | |
|---|---|---|
| Aja | Brooklyn | Commes des Garçons |
| Alexis Michelle | New York City | 2016 Golden Globe Awards |
| Charlie Hides | Boston | 2010 Brit Awards |
| Eureka O'Hara | East Tennessee | "Telephone" music video |
| Farrah Moan | Las Vegas | "Alejandro" music video |
| Jaymes Mansfield | Milwaukee | Vogue cover |
| Kimora Blac | Las Vegas | On the go |
| Nina Bo'nina Brown | Georgia | 2009 MTV VMAs |
| Peppermint | New York City | 2016 Grammy Awards |
| Sasha Velour | New York City | "Applause" music video |
| Shea Couleé | Chicago | Monster Ball Tour |
| Trinity Taylor | Orlando | American Horror Story: Hotel |
| Valentina | East Los Angeles | 2011 CFDA Awards |
Reception
[edit]Oliver Sava of The A.V. Club gave the episode a rating of 'B+'.[13] Eric Henderson of Slant Magazine wrote, "Even lesser episodes of Drag Race go down like cotton candy, but this premiere lip-synced not for its life, nor the show's legacy."[5]
See also
[edit]- Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Costumes for a Variety, Nonfiction, or Reality Programming
- Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Hairstyling for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program
- Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Makeup for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program
- Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Structured Reality or Competition Program
References
[edit]- ^ Booster, Joel Kim (March 24, 2017). "RuPaul's Drag Race Season Premiere Recap: Spring Queening". Vulture. Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ^ "'RuPaul's Drag Race': Judge Carson Kressley Shares His Thoughts on the Series Premiere". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 8, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ^ "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 9 Premiere Recap". Observer. March 25, 2017. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- ^ Chan, Stephanie (September 11, 2017). "'RuPaul's Drag Race,' 'Big Little Lies' Costume Designers Win at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- ^ a b Henderson, Eric (March 25, 2017). "RuPaul's Drag Race Recap: Season 9, Episode 1, "Oh. My. Gaga!"". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ^ Yee, Lawrence (February 7, 2017). "Lady Gaga to Appear on Season 9 Premiere of 'RuPaul's Drag Race'". Variety. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- ^ Yee, Lawrence (March 24, 2017). "Lady Gaga Makes Entrance on 'RuPaul's Drag Race,' Pranks Contestants (Watch)". Variety. Archived from the original on March 25, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- ^ Smith, Reiss (August 28, 2020). "Lady Gaga changed Drag Race forever by defying the show's producers, Sasha Velour and Peppermint reveal". PinkNews. Archived from the original on December 10, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- ^ "Sasha Velour, Peppermint kiki on Lady Gaga's unaired 'Drag Race' season 9 moments". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race Episode 1 Power Rankings: Gagged for Gaga". W Magazine. March 25, 2017. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race S9E1 - Oh My Gaga! - Blog - The Film Experience". thefilmexperience.net. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
- ^ Baxter, David (March 27, 2017). "RuPaul's Drag Race Season 9, Episode 1 RuCap: Gagging for Your Gaga". Manhattan Digest. Archived from the original on September 24, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race goes Gaga with a new season on a new night and network". The A.V. Club. March 25, 2017. Archived from the original on May 27, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
