# The Wicked Wiz of Oz: The Rusical!

"The Wicked Wiz of Oz: The Rusical!" is the eighth episode of the seventeenth season of the American television series RuPaul's Drag Race. It originally aired on MTV on February 21, 2025 and features a Rusical (musical theatre challenge) inspired by Wicked, The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz, and A Chorus Line. The judging panel includes RuPaul, Michelle Visage, choreographer Jamal Sims, and American singer Adam Lambert. Sam Star is the winner of the main challenge. Acacia Forgot is eliminated from the competition after placing in the bottom two and losing a lip-sync contest against Kori King to "Wet Dreams" by Lambert.

## Episode

The contestants re-enter the Werk Room following the elimination of Crystal Envy on the previous episode. On a new day, RuPaul greets the contestants and reveals the episode's main challenge: to perform in a Rusical (musical theatre challenge) inspired by Wicked, The Wizard of Oz, and The Wiz. Contestants select their roles:
* Acacia Forgot as Kansas Dorothy
* Arrietty as Scarecrow
* Jewels Sparkles as Good Witch
* Kori King as a flying monkey
* Lana Ja'Rae as Tinwoman
* Lexi Love as Lioness
* Lydia B Kollins as a flying monkey
* Onya Nurve as Harlem Dorothy
* Sam Star as a Cher-inspired Wicked Witch
* Suzie Toot as Green Witch
On the main stage, the contestants record vocals with Michelle Visage and a music producer, then rehearse choreography with Jamal Sims. Back in the Werk Room, the contestants prepare for the runway show. Sam Star shares about their experience playing sports at a young age, as well as the role of Ursula from The Little Mermaid in a high school play. Arrietty and Kori King share about their struggles with weight. Arrietty also describes her struggles with anorexia and bulimia. Acacia Forgot describes their experience with cystic fibrosis. The contestants discuss the relationship between Kori King and Lydia B Kollins.
Back on the main stage, RuPaul welcomes fellow panelists Visage and Sims, as well as guest judge Adam Lambert. The contestants perform the Rusical, then present their runway looks. The runway category is "Parasols: Shady Ladies". The judges deliver their critiques to the top and bottom contestants, then deliberate while the contestants are back stage. Sam Star is declared the winner of the main challenge. Acacia Forgot and Kori King placed in the bottom two and face off in a lip-sync contest to Lambert's song "Wet Dreams". Kori King wins the contest and Acacia Forgot is eliminated from the competition. Acacia Forgot returns to the Werk Room and leaves a message for the remaining contestants.

## Production

The episode originally aired on the American television network MTV on February 21, 2025.

### Fashion

For the runway show, Suzie Toot has a monochromatic Art Deco-inspired leotard and a Japanese-inspired paper parasol. Jewels Sparkles wears a black dress and carries a black umbrella with a beaded trim. Arrietty's red-colored gown has ruffles and showcases her Latin heritage. Lexi Love has a black-and-gold outfit and wears a parasol as a hat. Sam Star showcases a Southern belle-inspired outfit.
Lydia B Kollins has a flying nun-inspired floral outfit. Kori King's outfit is inspired by the gingham dress of Judy Garland as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Kori King carries a stuffed dog in a basket (referencing Toto). Onya Nurve presents a yellow outfit made of chiffon. Acacia Forgot has a Dior-inspired dress and tall hair made with two parasols and wigs. Lana Ja'Rae wears a vampire-inspired black gown and a wig previously worn in the show by (her "drag sister") Luxx Noir London.