'Canada's Drag Race' queens turn out fierce, frosty fashion for Snow Ball

A packed episode with lots of emotion and ice-cold looks.
August 27, 2020 11:04 p.m. EST
August 28, 2020 9:01 p.m. EST
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We made it to the Top 4, and that means it's time for the ball episode, the haloed Drag Race tradition where the queens have to create three looks in order to make it to the final three. That is, after they took some time to process Lemon’s e-lemon-ation (credit to Lemon for that one) on last week's episode of Canada's Drag Race (Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on Crave).We got the chance to see our Top 4 hilariously mangle our national anthem, create ice-cold lewks and share from their often-complicated childhoods in a packed episode full of highs and lows before we had to say goodbye to another queen. But first, the mini challenge.[video_embed id='2019838']RELATED: Lemon says ‘Canada’s Drag Race’ taught her we all have stardom inside of us[/video_embed]

Glorious and fierce

Stand-up, writer, actress and producer extraordinaire Sabrina Jalees, who viewers might recognize from her many TV appearances, including Video on Trial (R.I.P. to that iconic piece of Canadiana), challenged the queens to sing the national anthem in increasingly silly fashion as part of a mock screen test. Seeing Stacey McKenzie’s increasingly bewildered reactions made for major LOLs as the queens ran with every curve ball thrown their way: We had slo-mo singing, hyper-fast singing, terrified singing and even sleep singing. Rita Baga was definitely serving the cheese (curds) the challenge required and won her first mini-challenge of the season.The queens were then tasked with creating three arctic-themed looks from scratch(!) for the Snow Ball, starting with Holiday C-E-ho (a Christmas-themed riff on the executive realness category from the ballroom scene), Après the après-ski and Ice Queen Eleganza. Oh, and they had to serve it in front of guest host MICHELLE VISAGE, RuPaul’s Drag Race icon and one of the most outspoken judges of the franchise.

Having a ball

Scarlett Bobo seemed the most anxious heading into this challenge, seeing as, in her own words, she'd "never even looked at a sewing machine" before. YIKES. She was so frazzled that experienced costumer Jimbo felt compelled to step in and give her a hand. But Scarlett turned out to be the episode’s dark horse, winning over the judges with all three of her looks—from her perfectly tailored newsprint pantsuit to her rocker-meets-Whitewalker eleganza outfit, as Brooke Lynn Heights put it. Scarlett's first maxi challenge win was hugely significant, as she's spent the last few episodes openly frustrated about her lack of wins.The judges had mixed feelings on Rita’s looks, though. They felt her executive look was too basic, and while they appreciated the second look, they felt it was more Guerres des tuques than glamorous après-ski attire. Her eleganza look left Brooke Lynn feeling a bit frosty, with the lack of padding coupled with the oversized bodice producing bizarre-looking proportions.Priyanka knew she was taking a risk essentially embellishing the hell out of a bodysuit (Michelle Visage’s number-one pet peeve) and going for a paper skirt but she saved herself from the bottom thanks to her goofy runway presentations, serving that mix of humour and glamour fans love her for. It was hilarious to see a maybe-tipsy-IRL Pri gasp in “Imadeittothefinale!” in genuine shock and relief. Never change, girl.It was surprising to see Jimbo land in the bottom two, seeing as how the experienced designer and queen of dramatic costumes was all kinds of confident going into the runway presentations. Stacey MacKenzie felt Jimbo's looks were bland compared to the haute couture outfits she’d been serving all season and all of the judges pointed out the oversized, fussy crown, difficult-to-walk-in gown and heavy makeup did little to save the look.Jimbo lip-synced for the first time this season to Tegan and Sara’s “Closer” against Rita. Both queens were fairly restricted by their elaborate eleganza looks and while Jimbo pushed through, Rita actually whipped out a pair of scissors and cut off the bottom of her gown so she could freely sashay across the stage.

It was Jimbo's turn to go home, and she left in the best possible fashion: by dropping to her knees and shrieking "WHY?!" Truly the perfect exit for the quirky queen we all know and love.

Tune in next week for the grand finale, where all the Season 1 sissies will be reunited before Canada's FIRST drag superstar is crowned. It's down to rocker clown Scarlett Bobo, the bubbly and charismatic Priyanka, and French-Canadian sensation Rita Baga.

[video_embed id='2024484']RELATED: Can weTalk About… ‘Canada’s Drag Race’ S1E9 with Jimbo[/video_embed]

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