A Rusical (portmanteau of "RuPaul" and "musical") is a musical theatre challenge recurring across the Drag Race television franchise. Rusical productions began in 2014 during the sixth season of the American series, and have subsequently become "a highly anticipated staple" of the reality competition, allowing contestants to showcase their talents.
Rusicals by series RuPaul's Drag Race Season nine's Rusical (Kardashians: The Musical) was inspired by the musical Hamilton. The American series has also seen Rusicals about Cher, Donald Trump, and Madonna. Seasons fourteen and fifteen had parodies of the films Moulin Rouge! and Footloose respectively. Season sixteen's Rusical was a parody of the musical The Sound of Music and its film adaptation. The Rusical on season seventeen was inspired by The Wizard of Oz and its musical adaptations Wicked and The Wiz.
+Rusicals of RuPaul's Drag Race Season Rusical Winner 6 Shade: The Rusical Courtney Act 7 Glamazonian Airways Ginger Minj 8 Bitch Perfect Chi Chi DeVayne 9 Kardashians: The Musical Shea Couleé 10 PharmaRusical Cher: The Unauthorized Rusical Kameron Michaels 11 Trump: The Rusical Silky Nutmeg Ganache 12 Madonna: The Unauthorized Rusical Gigi GoodeViva Drag Vegas 13 Social Media: The Unverified Rusical Rosé 14 Moulin Ru: The Rusical Lady Camden 15 Wigloose: The Rusical! Anetra 16 The Sound of Rusic Plasma 17 The Wicked Wiz of Oz: The Rusical! Sam Star 18 Fannie: The Hard Knock Ball Rusical Jane Don't
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars The Rusical in the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars depicted historical women. Alaska, Alyssa Edwards, Detox, and Ginger Minj portrayed a Britney Spears-inspired Eve, Annie Oakley, Marie Antoinette, and Catherine the Great, respectively. Katya and Phi Phi O'Hara portrayed Princess Diana and Helen of Troy, respectively.
On the show's third season ("Divas Lip Sync Live"), Aja performed as Amy Winehouse, BeBe Zahara Benet as Diana Ross, BenDeLaCreme as Julie Andrews, Chi Chi DeVayne as Patti LaBelle, Kennedy Davenport as Janet Jackson, Milk as Celine Dion, Shangela as Mariah Carey, Trixie Mattel as Dolly Parton, and Thorgy Thor as Stevie Nicks.
The sixth season's Rusical (episode "Halftime Headliners") was based on Super Bowl's halftime show performances. The eighth season's Rusical was based on the life of Joan Crawford. The ninth and tenth season's Rusicals were inspired by the film Rosemary's Baby (1968) and RuPaul's film Starrbooty (2007), respectively. + Rusicals of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season Rusical Winner(s) 2 HERstory of the World Alyssa Edwards Detox 3 Divas Lip Sync Live BenDeLaCreme Shangela 6 All Stars 6 Hall of Fame Halftime Show Jan 8 Joan: The Unauthorized Rusical Kandy Muse 9 Rosemarie's Baby Shower: The Rusical Jorgeous Shannel 10 Starrbooty: The Rebooty Jorgeous Lydia B Kollins
RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race The Rusical on season 1 of RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race was about Dolly Parton and her 1980 comedy film 9 to 5. + Rusicals of RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race Season Rusical Winner 1 Twerking 5 to 9: The Rusical
Canada's Drag Race The clown-themed Rusical of season 2 was inspired by the 1938 film Under the Big Top. On season 4, the Rusical was about the life of host Brooke Lynn Hytes.
+Rusicals of Canada's Drag Race Season Rusical Winner 2 Under the Big Top Pythia 3 Squirrels Trip: The Rusical Vivian Vanderpuss 4 From Drags to Riches: The Rusical Aurora Matrix
Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World The second season of Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World had a Rusical about the Snatch Game. + Season Rusical Winner 2 Snatch Game: The Rusical Lemon
Drag Race España The second season of Drag Race España had a Rusical based on the musical La llamada. The third season had a Rusical inspired by The Wonderful Wizard of Oz setting the story during the La Movida Madrileña countercultural movement. The fourth season's Rusical was an homage to Spanish musical artists across the last century. The fifth season had a Rusical inspired by the Federico García Lorca play The House of Bernarda Alba.
+ Rusicals of Drag Race España Season Rusical Winner 2 La Llamadrag Estrella Xtravaganza 3 El Mago Precoz Pitita 4 Eternas Vampirashian 5 Vais a volverme Lorca Nix
Drag Race France + Rusicals of Drag Race France Season Rusical Winner 2 Le Bossu de Notre Drag Keiona 3 Céline Dion: The Rusical Leona Winter 4 Drag Vinci Code: The Rusical Fluffy Bidule
Drag Race Germany + Rusicals of Drag Race Germany Season Rusical Winner 1 Dragort: The Rusical Metamorkid
Drag Race Holland The Rusical for the second season of Drag Race Holland was based on the story of Cinderella. + Rusicals of Drag Race Holland Season Rusical Winner 1 Máxima: The Rusical Janey Jacké 2 CindeRulla: The Rusical
Drag Race Italia The second season of Drag Race Italia had a Rusical dedicated to Lady Gaga. + Rusicals of Drag Race Italia Season Rusical Winner 1 Carrà: The Rusical Divinity 2 Lady Gaga: The Unauthorised Rusical La Petite Noire 3 Paola & Chiara: An Unauthorised Fairytale Rusical Sypario
Drag Race México The first season of Drag Race México had a Rusical based on Acapulco Shore, the Mexican spin-off series of Jersey Shore. The Rusical in the second season was inspired by three telenovelas starring Thalía: María Mercedes, Marimar, and María la del Barrio. + Rusicals of Drag Race México Season Rusical Winner 1 Dragapulco Shore: The Rusical Cristian Peralta 2 The Three Marías: The Rusical Jenary Bloom
Drag Race Philippines The second season of Drag Race Philippines had a Rusical inspired by the film The Little Mermaid. The Rusical in the third season was inspired by Wicked. + Rusicals of Drag Race Philippines Season Rusical Winner 1 OPM Divas: The Rusical Precious Paula Nicole 2 Sirena: The Rusical DeeDee Marié Holliday 3 AaWicked Kita: The Rusical Zymba Ding
Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale The first season had a Rusical inspired by Crazy Rich Asians. + Season Rusical Winner(s) 1 Crazy Bitch Slaysians: The Musical Arizona Brandy Brigiding
Drag Race Thailand + Rusicals of Drag Race Thailand Season Rusical Winner 2 Apaporn Nakornsawan: Thai Musical Kandy Zyanide 3 Kraitong: The Rusical Gawdland
RuPaul's Drag Race UK The Rusicals in the second and fourth seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race UK were inspired by the musicals Cats and Mary Poppins, respectively. The Rusical in the fifth season was a pantomime.
+ Rusicals of RuPaul's Drag Race UK Series Rusical Winner(s) 2 Rats: The Rusical Veronica Green 4 Lairy Poppins: The Rusical Danny Beard 5 Pant-Oh She Better Don't!: The Rusical Ginger Johnson 6 Pop of the Tops – Live: The Rusical La Voix 7 Peter Pansy: The Rusical Elle Vosque Paige Three 8 Croydon: The Rusical – Live KY Kelly Mocha
RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World + Season Rusical Winner(s) 1 West End Wendys Janey Jacké Pangina Heals 2 Seven!: Confessions of a Drag Queen Marina Summers Tia Kofi
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