At a Glance
- Briar Blush, 24, collapsed on RuPaul’s Drag Race after harsh critique.
- Judge Law Roach called her look a WWE wrestler and mocked her outfit.
- The incident sparked debate among contestants and viewers over authenticity.
Why it matters: The fainting could affect Briar’s standing in the competition and raises questions about judge conduct and contestant well-being.
Briar Blush’s sudden collapse on the RuPaul’s Drag Race runway left fans and fellow queens stunned. The incident occurred during the runway judging of season 18’s fourth episode, which aired Friday, Jan. 23 on MTV. The 24-year-old queen was challenged to create an outfit from scratch and received a scathing review from judge Law Roach.
The Collapse
Briar fell moments after Roach’s criticism, landing in the arms of fellow contestant Juicy Love Dion. The queen was visibly shaken and had to be assisted by a medic who checked her pulse before escorting her to the medical tent. She later recovered enough to return to the stage.
Judge Law Roach’s Critique
Roach, 47, compared Briar’s ensemble to high-profile outfits:
- Lil Nas X’s pink cowboy suit from the 2020 Grammys
- Rihanna’s yellow Guo Pei dress from the 2015 Met Gala
He then delivered a harsh assessment:
- “You look like a WWE wrestler.”
- “I just wanted you to jump off the ropes and just do a drop-kick on somebody.”
- “I don’t really give a f— how well she sewed it, it was ugly!”
- “It was tacky, the color was off. I hated it.”
Roach also offered a brief compliment: “Let me tell you what I did love. That face, daughter? The beat is divine.”
Contestants’ Reactions
- Vita VonTesse Starr called the collapse “convenient timing” and suggested it might have been staged.
- Athena Dion noted the intense pressure of the week and wondered if stress played a role.
- Myki Meeks defended Briar, insisting she did not fake the fainting.
- Juicy Love Dion stepped in immediately, attempting to revive Briar while the judges called for medical assistance.
Medical Response
A medic arrived promptly, checking Briar’s vitals and consulting a doctor before she was cleared to re-enter the competition. She later apologized for the incident, saying she was “confused” and “embarrassed.”
Aftermath and Season Impact
After being deemed “feeling better,” the show resumed. Juicy won the fashion face-off, and Briar returned to the runway, only to finish in the bottom two. She later reflected on the stress of the week, saying, “I thought overall my outfit was pretty cute, but this week for me was pretty stressful.” She added, “I will pick myself back up. And if you’re rooting for me, I’m positive you will get more.”
The episode aired again on Friday at 8 p.m. ET on MTV, with the Untucked episode offering further insight into Briar’s perspective.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan. 23 | Briar collapses on runway |
| Jan. 23 | Medical team checks vitals |
| Jan. 23 | Briar returns to stage |
| Jan. 23 | Juicy wins face-off |
| Jan. 23 | Briar lands in bottom two |
Key Takeaways
- Briar Blush’s fainting was a direct reaction to harsh criticism from Judge Law Roach.
- Contestants and viewers debated whether the collapse was genuine or staged.
- The incident had immediate consequences for Briar’s standing in the competition.
- Medical staff responded quickly, ensuring Briar’s safety before she re-entered the show.
- The episode highlights the high-pressure environment of RuPaul’s Drag Race and the impact of judge feedback on contestants.
