The Bag Ball

"The Bag Ball" is the fifth episode of the thirteenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Nicole Byer is a guest judge.

One of LaLa Ri's looks earned the seasons' Golden Boot Award.

Episode
For the episode's mini-challenge, the contestants get into "baby quick drag" to see who is the most misbehaved baby. LaLa Ri is declared the winner. For the main challenge, the contestants create three looks for The Bag Ball: Mixed Bag, Money Bags, and Bag Ball Eleganza. While preparing for the runway, the contestants discuss the Black Lives Matter movement and the murder of George Floyd. In addition to RuPaul and Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley is a judge and Nicole Byer is a guest judge. For Mixed Bag, Denali's look resembles a crash test dummy and Joey Jay uses an intravenous therapy bag. LaLa Ri's outfit has bones attached. Elliott with 2 Ts wears a dress resembling a gift bag. Symone has exaggerated breasts. Olivia Lux serves Laila Ali-inspired "boxer couture". Gottmik's look gives the illusion of showing her internal organs. Rosé wears an outfit inspired by her Scottish heritage. Tina Burner is dressed like a paper bag.

For Money Bags, Denali's look is inspired by the fictional character Cruella de Vil, with one of her nails holding a cigarette. Joey Jay wears an eyepatch. LaLa Ri is bald. Symone's pink outfit is reflective, and Olivia Lux wears a cape. Gottmik has a pinstripe suit. Rosé's look is inspired by the 1980s and Bette Midler is Big Business (1988). Kandy Muse carries a large blunt, and Utica Queen's look inspired by Chicago.



For the final category, Denali's look commemorate her Mexican heritage. Joey Jay wears a black-and-white polka dot dress. LaLa Ri's outfit is made is small pink and purple gift bags. Elliott with Two Ts wears an outfit made from a bean bag. Symone has a red-and-white miniskirt, and Olivia Lux's outfit is made of holographic bags. Gottmik's outfit is made of drawstring bags and straps. Rosé's outfit has purses, and Tina Burner's red-and-yellow look includes suspenders. Kandy Muse has an outfit made of backpacks, and Utica Queen's dress is made from a sleeping bag.Gottmik, Rosé, and Utica Queen receive positive critiques, and Gottmik wins the challenge. Joey Jay, LaLa Ri, and Tamisha Iman receive negative critiques, and Tamisha Iman is declared safe. Joey Jay and LaLa Ri place in the bottom and face off in a lip-sync to "Fancy" by Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX. Joey Jay is eliminated from the competition.

Production and Untucked
Byer was previously a guest judge on the season's third episode, "Phenomenon".

The confrontation between Kandy Muse and Tamisha Iman during the corresponding episode of RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked "sparked an eruption of fan opinions and is considered one of the best parts of the season", according to Screen Rant. It earned the two contestants a nomination in the Best Fight category at the MTV Movie & TV Awards.

Reception
Joey Nolfi of Entertainment Weekly has called LaLa Ri's bag look both "iconic" and "iconically awful". Bernardo Sim of Out magazine called her look "infamous and hilarious".