RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 2 Finale: Did the Right Queen Snatch the Crown?
Spoiler alert: We’re about to reveal the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 2. Haven’t watched? Sashay over to WOW Presents Plus!
Following last week’s controversial double shantay, the final four queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 2 faced off one last time in Thursday’s grand finale.
Bimini Bon-Boulash, Ellie Diamond, Lawrence Chaney and Tayce were tasked with giving the most “drag-tastic” performance of their lives, composing and delivering their own solo verses to RuPaul’s “A Little Bit of Love” while nailing “the most challenging choreography of the season.”
The final four queens were also invited to the traditional Tic-Tac lunch with Ru and Michelle Visage — all tea, hold the crumpets. Among the most interesting nuggets dropped, we learned that Tayce’s dad was a bass player in Wham!, Ellie first knew that she wanted to become a drag superstar when she saw Adore Delano in Drag Race Season 6, Lawrence does a solid impression of Austin Powers‘ Fat Bastard (which would have been an amazing Snatch Game character!), and Bimini was originally going to be a journalist before deciding to pursue drag.
Despite Ru’s dire warning, the queens managed to survive the choreography, even if a few of them definitely struggled with their props. (As Alan Carr told Lawrence, “I’ve seen milk turn quicker with some of those moves.”) Bimini transformed into a glorious Britney-Madonna hybrid, complete with tongue-in-cheek lyrics; Ellie gave off Kinky Boots vibes in a red-on-red-on-red ensemble; Tayce reminded everyone why she’s this season’s lip sync assassin; and despite struggling with the dancing, Lawrence’s undeniable personality remained on full display throughout.
On the “Final Four Eleganza Extravaganza” runway, Bimini went bridal, Ellie channeled Glinda the Good Witch, Lawrence served “drag-racer realness” in a curve-hugging purple dress, and Tayce strutted her stuff as a “bird of paradise.” Behold the queens’ final looks:
Following a quick werkroom kiki with the eliminated contestants, the final four returned to the main stage, where Ellie was immediately sent packing as this season’s fourth-place queen. “You are adored, but this is not your time,” Ru told her. Ellie is grateful for the memories, but of course she admitted to being “gutted.”
This left Bimini, Lawrence and Tayce to compete in a three-way lip sync battle to the tune of Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing.” And when all was said and done, the only queen left standing was… Lawrence Chaney!
“Listen, I’ve said a lot of things this season, so I’m going to keep it short and swift,” Lawrence said, bejeweled scepter in hand. “Who’s ready for the purple reign?!”
Your thoughts on the second-ever winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK? Vote for the queen you would have crowned below, then drop a comment with your overall thoughts on Season 2.
Like season 1, Ru picked the funny one who was very obviously her favourite from the start. Last year The. Vivienne used her comedic skills to take the crown. I liked Laurence but like Davina DiCampo last year, the more versatile performer, Bimini, lost out. I had a lot of affection for Tayce and Ellie too. A terrific season and so lovely to see Veronica Green back in the finale.
Completely agree. But at least the Vivienne had a good personality. I found Lawrence being incredibly bitter and sort of bullying his little sister Ellie.
Bimini shown growth through the entire season (And I believe she was a goner when she first entered), she has an amazing talent and versatility. She deserved the crown
I wish this had been broadcast on VH1 like last season. I can’t really justify adding another recurring expense for this show
Lawrence went from my favourite to the one I wanted to see gone. Bimini deserved that crown in every aspect. She’s not just a one trick pony. Guess Ru wanted to crown a big girl queen and this was her best shot.
100% agree.
I agree with your entire comment…. I thought Lawrence had it at the beginning but then lost her way on the second half. Bimini was robbed for sure. I still like Lawrence but I believe Bimini was the real winner. Plus: Ru missed her opportunity to crown the best big queen she ever had…. Eureka! ❤️
It should have been Bimini. She had the most growth and as someone above mentioned, she wasn’t a one trick pony. She was funny, smart, creative, fashionable. I liked Lawrence Chaney at the start, but the whole neverending drama of Lawrence/A’Whora/Ellie drama over the comedy set order was so childish and irritating. Bimini deserved the win.
Looking forward to seeing Veronica Green next season.
Happy for Lawrence. Truly a great queen! But I was rooting for Bimini! We saw so much growth from her from the beginning of the season and I think she had a great arc on the show. I also think there’s no other winner quite like her who has her perspective on things.
Lawrence is funny, but he really struggled during the 2nd half of the season and kinda just seemed like another camp comedy queen to me. Better looks than most others, but still just not entirely unique. It also just felt like Ru chose his favorite on Day 1 and crowned her, regardless of how the competition went.
Honestly, I think Snatch Game is the episode that really drew the line for me. I could forgive Bimini doing better in the stand up challenge than Lawrence, but the fact that Lawrence did awful in Snatch game, not even mediocre and then only 2nd best in the Stand Up challenge. It just seems like if comedy is your schtick you should be doing better in those challenges.
Great Season! Great Queens! I know Lawrence will wear the crown well. I was secretly hoping she’d be back for an All Stars season. But I would love to see Bimini again.
And excited for Veronica to be on next season because I thought she had a good shot at the finale. Hopefully she uses this time to step up her game. I didn’t love the 2 outfits we saw her in tonight, but I think she has a lot of promise for the next season.
For me I lost all respect for Lawrence when she savagely went for Ellie … for no reason at all, it was so clear Lawrence was jealous and struggling and wanted to use Ellie as a scapegoat incase she flopped (which she did).
The most undeserving winner in years
Most undeserving because of personal flaws? I would put Bianca on that list for bullying a young and insecure Laganga Estranga to pieces on season six
It was a true shame. I wish they chose the drag queen that showed actual growth as an artist and performer (aka Bimini) because I thought that’s what it’s all about.
Even if you only judged the last runway and lip sync, everyone else was way ahead. Not to mention Lawrence’s plummeting failure to win the last few weeks of challenges .. and the finale outfit was extremely poor compared to the rest.
It’s a real shame, Ru’s decisions have been hugely skewed for years now
Bimini for sure should have won. Like without a shadow of a doubt…such BS. Season 13 of the American one is BS too..such horrible calls being made lately!!! Normally I always agree with Ru!
Not gonna lie, I thought Bimini had it in the bag but that final challenge (and lip sync) really let them down. Not being able to lip-sync to you’re own verse, stumbling on choreo and then a bland final lip-sync I think made it hard for Ru to chose Bimini in the end (I know it’s not just on that night but that’s got to come into consideration).
I know Lawrence wasn’t an amazing dancer, but the verse was brill and they really brought character to the final lip-sync.
Whilst Tayce was undeniably the winner off the night, with 3 wins under the belt Lawrence was completely deserving!
PS love to Ellie D too… all 4 girls smashed the series, and this is a series for us Brits to be proud off! x
perfect season until the end. Bimini was robbed omg I’m so upset.
Me too!!! Terrible decision
I didn’t realize the show was call Rupaul’s Most Growth Drag race…
It was a no brainer for me. Bimini was by far the most polished and talented of the quartet.
All were amazing but Bimini was head and shoulders above the rest
Bimini is so creative and I am shocked about how they all have stood tall. RuPaul you are fantastic. I love you all.