Rate-A-Queen

File:Rupaul Dragcon 2018-307 (41377493234) (crop).jpg hosts the episode's main challenge, which is a talent show.]]

File:Charlize-theron-IMG 6045x (cropped).jpg is a guest judge.]]

The season's first seven contestants enter the Werk Room. The episode's mini-challenge is a photo shoot in which contestants pose for the Ring camera on RuPaul's porch as he watches.{{Cite web |last=Guzzo |first=Bianca |date=2024-01-06 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race Season 16 Episode 1 RECAP: Rate-A-Queen |url=https://inmagazine.ca/2024/01/rupauls-drag-race-season-16-episode-1-recap-rate-a-queen/ |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=IN Magazine |language=en |archive-date=2024-01-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108061836/https://inmagazine.ca/2024/01/rupauls-drag-race-season-16-episode-1-recap-rate-a-queen/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web | last=O'Keeffe | first=Kevin | title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 16 premiere recap: Spring breakers | website=Xtra Magazine | date=2024-01-07 | url=https://xtramagazine.com/culture/rupauls-drag-race-season-16-premiere-recap-261708 |archive-date=2024-01-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117224553/https://xtramagazine.com/culture/rupauls-drag-race-season-16-premiere-recap-261708 |url-status=live }}

For the main challenge, contestants are tasked with performing in the "MTV's Spring Break" talent show, hosted by former contestant Derrick Barry. Following are the contestants and their acts:

• Amanda Tori Meating – original song lip-sync
• Dawn – original song lip-sync
• Mirage – original song lip-sync
• Morphine Love Dion – lip-sync / Baile Folklorico
• Q – puppet ballet show
• Sapphira Cristál – opera singing
• Xunami Muse – original song lip-sync

On the runway, the category is "RuVeal Yourself". In addition to RuPaul and Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley is a judge and Charlize Theron is a guest judge. Dawn, Mirage, Q and Sapphira Cristál receive positive critiques. Amanda Tori Meating, Morphine Love Dion and Xunami Muse receive negative critiques. The queens rank each other using the Rate-A-Queen system. Q and Sapphira Cristál receive the highest placements, making them the top two contestants of the week who will face off in a lip-sync to "Break My Soul" by Beyoncé for the win. Sapphira Cristál is declared the winner, earning her immunity. No contestants are eliminated from the competition.

== Reception ==

Reviews noted the Rate-A-Queen ranking format as a triangle-shaped parody of The Circle.{{cite magazine | last=Mier | first=Tomás | title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Turns Into 'The Circle' in Charlize Theron-Judged Premiere | magazine=Rolling Stone | date=2024-01-06 | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/drag-race-season-16-premiere-charlize-theron-the-circle-kali-uchis-1234940556/ }}

Kevin O'Keeffe of Xtra Magazine opined, "I don't mind the more languid start to the season, but I do wonder why they didn't just keep the incredibly successful premiere format from Season 15." Gay Times included Mirage in a 2024 list of the seventeen best talent show performances on Drag Race to date.{{Cite web |last=Damshenas |first=Sam |date=2024-02-12 |title=Drag Race: The 17 best talent show performances in herstory |url=https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/originals/drag-race-talent-show-best/ |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=GAY TIMES |language=en-GB |archive-date=2023-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121084152/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/originals/drag-race-talent-show-best/ |url-status=live }}

• Charlize Theron filmography

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/pit-stop-drag-race-16-200054822.html ‘The Pit Stop’ for ‘Drag Race 16’ episode 1: Trixie and Jimbo recap ‘Rate-A-Queen’]

{{RuPaul's Drag Race}}

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Category:2024 American television episodes

Category:2024 LGBTQ-related television episodes

Category:RuPaul's Drag Race season 16 episodes