RuPaul’s Drag Race is not short of iconic main-stage challenges. From the Snatch Game to the Ball, these challenges help to formulate the identity of each season, often providing some of the most memorable moments. Despite the first of its kind appearing in the first ever season back in 2009, the Girl Groups only began to appear consistently after Season 14. However, they have appeared in all seasons of Drag Race UK, Down Under, and all but one season of All Stars, and remain one of the main challenges fans look forward to.
As each season produces a new group of songs for fans to enjoy, it only gets increasingly difficult to say definitively one is the best. Nevertheless, this entry from the UK franchise has been a common answer given by fans since its performance in 2021. The unique circumstances this season found itself in, filming and airing during the global COVID-19 pandemic, provided a golden opportunity to create a Girl Group masterpiece. And it did exactly that, even with the losing team having some incredible performances. This is none other than “UK, Hun?”
It Came at the Perfect Point in the Season
Filming for the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK began in 2020, coming to a sudden halt halfway through as the world began to slow down due to COVID-19. As 2020 came to a close, filming resumed, and the first challenge the queens returned to was the Girl Groups. Split into two teams, they competed in RuRuvision, a parody of the famous Eurovision Song Contest. After spending months at home isolating, the queens were eager to return, and when they did, their ambition proved to be exceptional. They all had something to prove. To the world, to RuPaul, and to themselves, creating a special moment where fans felt a genuine connection to contestants going through the same situation everyone else was.
So, when the episode did air, viewers experienced the excitement usually reserved for the premier of a new season, and naturally, the challenge had a larger impact on viewers. This fresh start is central to the episode’s subsequent mythology. For example, prior to the break, some queens appeared to be struggling to make an impact in the season, such as Bimini Bon-Boulash, Tayce, and A’whora, who dominated the Girl Group, along with Lawrence Chaney. The time away provided an opportunity to develop their skills, with Bimini, for instance, working on her flexibility, utilized within the visuals of the performance, helping the group stand out.
Confidence oozed from the queens, providing an incredible structure to the episode, as well as to the wider season. As soon as the performance began, it was obvious these were not the same queens who entered the workroom back in Episode 1. Having the opportunity to experience such growth within a single challenge performance helped cement it as one of the franchise’s best. What made it increasingly impressive was the high expectations audiences had following the Girl Group performance from the season prior, “Break up Bye Bye” by the Frock Destroyers. The United Kingdolls performance of “UK, Hun?” not only exceeded these expectations, but knocked them out of the park.
It Contributed to the Seasons’ Massive Success
There are only a select few seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race that are hailed above the rest by fans, with the UK’s second one being among them. It had a brilliant cast, a great blend of shocking and justified eliminations, as well as exciting challenges. Above all, it released the best Girl Group song, with a great chorus, fun mixing, and exceptional verses from the queens.
It became so iconic that “UK, Hun?” evenbroke through on the UK music charts, peaking at number 27 on the Official Singles Downloads Charts, and number two on the Independent Singles Charts. This helped to consolidate the season within the national and international mainstream, whilst only increasing the hype felt for the second half of the season, when episode ratings tend to slump.
Silliness Is Key
Unlike other extremely well-done and popular Girl Group performances, “UK, Hun?” stands so tall because of its contribution to the whole season’s recognition and success. While many other Drag Race verses easily reflect a predictable mediocrity, with countless lines about winning the crown, or why they are so brilliant, “UK, Hun?” is almost committed to being unserious despite saying similar things.
Lawrence opens the performance by dancing a highland jig down the runway while singing about dancing a highland jig. Meanwhile, A’whora somehow rhymes her own name with “more-a” and “store,” getting away with it because it is just so in-your-face stupid, as well as her natural confidence. This is exactly why All Stars 3’s “SITTING ON A SECRET” was so brilliant, still remaining a massively under-rated Girl Group performance six years later.
Even one of the most dramatic moments of the season occurs during this same episode with the infamous H&M Gate, RuPaul becomes surprisingly angry at contestant Joe Black for wearing a dress she bought from clothing store H&M. Its ability to remain so relevant within the fandom is a testament to its brilliance. Although many Girl Group performances have tried to match its level since they have all fallen short.