Were there any eliminations in RuPaul's Drag Race season 16 episode 2? Remaining contestants and more details explored

RuPaul's Drag Race season 16 aired episode 2 on Friday, January 12, at 8 pm ET, exclusively on MTV. The hunt for America’s next drag superstar began last week with the first-part premiere of the smash-hit competitive reality TV series. A total of 14 new queens from all across the USA have arrived to compete for the ultimate crown and take home a whopping grand prize of $200,000.

In episode 1, the viewers were introduced to seven queens - Amanda Tori Meating, Dawn, Mirage, Morphine Love Dion, Q, Sapphira Cristal, and Xunami Muse, who competed in a talent show challenge. Episode 2 saw the introductions of the remaining seven cast members - Geneva Karr, Hershii LiqCour-Jete, Megami, Nymphia Wind, Plane Jane, and Plasma.

All of them spoke at length about their backgrounds and highlighted what makes them unique. However, a newly introduced twist barred the judges from deciding who ranked the best among them, thereby also stopping the elimination.

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Were there any eliminations in RuPaul's Drag Race season 16 episode 2?

No one was eliminated in RuPaul's Drag Race season 16 episode 2 owing to the new ‘Rate-A-Queen’ twist introduced in the premiere format. Each queen was made to rank the others from best to worst. While the viewers did learn who landed in the top two positions, judge RuPaul announced there wouldn’t be any elimination following the trajectory of the inaugural episode.

The eviction was likely stalled since the contestants were split into two groups of seven. The 14 queens' joint presence on the show is still impending. In episode 2, the mini challenge entailed the contestants competing in a photoshoot task working with someone who had photographed everyone in Hollywood. Queen Nymphia Wind won the challenge and took home the cash tip of $2,500.

In the main challenge, the queens were made to perform in the Queen Choice Awards talent show. Queens Plane Jane and Geneva Karr garnered the top two spots and battled in the Lip-Sync segment on Becky G’s hit track Shower. Boston native Plane Jane, who established herself as a villain in her initial appearance, became the winner and took him the cash prize of $5000.

Additionally, the queen also won an immunity that she can use at any point in the season. Though the judges didn’t get to decide who were the top or bottom contenders of episode 2, they did chip in their critiques. Ultimately, all the queens were safe from elimination this week.

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Who was the winner of RuPaul's Drag Race season 16 episode 1?

In the inaugural episode, the first half of the cast took part in a photoshoot task organized on the head coach RuPaul’s front porch. The mini-challenge was won by Saphhira Cristal.

Surprisingly, the queen also bagged the top two positions during the main challenge and competed against Q in a Lip-Sync battle on Beyonce’s Break My Soul. Saphhira emerged as the winner and took home the $5000 cash prize along with immunity.

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In the next episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 16, all the 14 queens will come face-to-face for the first time. Their design skills will be put to the test in a mom-themed ball challenge. The Emmy-winning reality competition exclusively airs on MTV.

For those without an active MTV connection, RuPaul's Drag Race will also be accessible on a variety of streaming platforms such as DirecTV Stream, Philo, Hulu+ Live TV, Fubo TV, and Sling TV.

RuPaul's Drag Race's episode 3 of the reality TV show will release on January 19 at 8 pm ET.