Warning: This article contains spoilers about the first episode of Canada's Drag Race that some readers may prefer to avoid.
Canada's Drag Race has officially begun and the first queen has already sashayed away.
The next spinoff in the rapidly-growing Drag Race universe is overseen by a trio of judges - actor Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, Drag Race alum Brooke Lynn Hytes and model Stacey McKenzie - with a different guest host joining them each week.
Twelve Canadian queens entered the work room at the start of the episode and BOA (Bitch On Arrival) immediately got Juice Boxx's dander up. "BOA has a bit of a bad rep in Toronto," she said. "She's messy and a little annoying."
Once everyone had arrived, the cast were surprised by a video message from RuPaul, who told them: "After many years of dreaming, it's official - we're looking for Canada's first drag race superstar. I have one thing to say - it's aboot time, eh?"
In keeping with Drag Race tradition, the first mini-challenge required the queens to undertake a photoshoot in testing circumstances - in this case, making their way to the top of a makeshift mountain and strike a pose while being blasted in the face by a blizzard.
Jimbo put in a strong comedy performance but the judges declared that Kyne was the winner of the first mini-challenge, before setting the maxi-challenge: to design and create high-fashion look for the runway with the theme Canuck Couture Fantasy.
Despite their differences, Juice Boxx and BOA shared a tender moment in the workroom as they both talked about deciding to go sober. "I was an asshole when I was drunk, I wasn't a nice person," Juice Boxx admitted. "I decided to change that narrative. I'm super proud of myself for making those decisions and super proud of myself for sticking with it."
On the runway, Canadian actress Elisha Cuthbert emerged as the first guest host and the queens proceeded to show off their looks.
Brooke Lynn was unimpressed with Kyne's outfit, remarking: "It looked like you'd just come from a Grindr hookup." Surprisingly, Kyne bit back at the criticism and insisted: "This is a very quintessential silhouette for me, I'm very proud of my outfit."
Juice Boxx also picked up poor feedback, with Stacey commenting: "This is messy, it's very safe. I'm really trying to find something positive here and honestly I can't." Brooke Lynn called the outfit "basic", at which point Juice Boxx declared that she was having a panic attack and dropped to the floor.
Medical drama over, Rita Baga was declared as the winner of the week while Lemon had to face off against Juice Boxx in a lip synch to Carly Rae Jepsen's 'I Really Like You'.
Having consulted with the other judges, Brooke Lynn told Juice Boxx that she was going home, referencing Porkchop, the first ever eliminee from the original Drag Race. "You may not have brought home the Canadian bacon, but you will always be our Canadian pork chop. Now sip on that."
Speaking after her elimination, Juice Boxx declared: "I'm proud of myself that I made it here. I never even thought I'd have a chance of getting on Drag Race and here I am on the first season of Canada's Drag Race.... and I put up a f**king fight!"
New episodes of Canada's Drag Race drop every Friday morning on BBC iPlayer in the UK and air Thursday nights on Crave in Canada.
Neil Wilkes
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