The third season of RuPaul's Drag Race began airing on January 24, 2011, and ended its run on May 2 of the same year.[2] Thirteen drag queens competed for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar", a headlining spot on the Absolut Tour, a lifetime supply of Kryolan makeup, and a cash prize of $75,000.
This season had Michelle Visage replacing Merle Ginsberg at the judge's table and Billy Brasfield[3] (better known as Billy B), Mike Ruiz, and Jeffrey Moran filling in for Santino Rice's absence during several episodes. Billy B, celebrity makeup artist and star of the HGTV mini-series Hometown Renovation, appeared as a judge in five episodes. Whereas Mike Ruiz only judged for two episodes, and Jeffrey Moran for one, Moran only appeared for promotional reasons. Due to Billy B's continued appearances, he and Rice are now considered to have been alternate judges for the same seat at the judges table, both appearing side-by-side in the reunion special to announce Yara Sofia as the season's Miss Congeniality.[1]
Other changes made included the introduction of a wildcard contestant from the past season, Shangela; an episode with no elimination; and a contestant, Carmen Carrera, being brought back into the competition after having been eliminated a few episodes prior. A new pit crew was also introduced consisting of Jason Carter and Shawn Morales.
The theme song playing during the runway every episode was changed to "Champion" while the song playing during the credits is "Main Event", both from RuPaul's album Champion. As with the previous season, each week's episode was followed by a behind-the-scenes show, RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked. On December 6, 2011, Amazon.com released this season on DVD via their CreateSpace program.[4]
The winner of the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race was Raja, with Manila Luzon being the runner-up.
The first episode shows behind the scenes of the casting process for the 2011 edition of "RuPaul's Drag Race." Featured are entrants that were not cast in the series. All the contestants are profiled. Manila's audition tape includes an endorsement from her boyfriend, season 2's Sahara Davenport. Raja reveals she has done make up for some pretty big names in Hollywood and her audition tape includes an endorsement from Adam Lambert. India Ferrah shows us through video and old photos his early drag career which started at 14. Mimi and Stacy were premiered as the Big Girls of the Season. Phoenix talks about her start in drag. Venus D-lite and Delta Work are profiled, and it is revealed that they were chosen as a result of auditioning in front of RuPaul and Santino Rice at an open casting call in Hollywood, California. This special also features several queens who appear on future seasons: Madame LaQueer and Chad Michaels, who would go on to appear on Season 4, Alaska, Detox, and Penny Tration who would go on to appear on Season 5, Joslyn Fox who would appear on Season 6, Katya Zamolodchikova, Sasha Belle, Mrs. Kasha Davis and Jasmine Masters who appeared on Season 7, Thorgy Thor and Dax ExclamationPoint from Season 8, and Season 11's Nina West. Audition tapes for new "Pit Crew" members with Shawn Morales and Jason Carter being selected to join the team.
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2
"The Queen Who Mopped Xmas"
January 24, 2011 (2011-01-24)
Twelve new queens enter the workroom. Shangela, who was eliminated first last season, made a comeback to compete again. For the first mini-challenge, the queens do a Christmas Card photoshoot on a trampoline. Raja wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens create an outfit made from Christmas themed items.
On the runway, Manila Luzon, Mimi Imfurst and Raja receive positive critiques, with Raja winning the challenge. Carmen Carrera, Shangela and Venus D-Lite receive negative critiques, with Carmen Carrera being safe. Shangela and Venus D-Lite lip-sync to "The Right Stuff" by Vanessa Williams. Shangela wins the lip-sync and Venus D-Lite is the first queen to sashay away.
Farewell Message: "Don't be shady!!, Be a Lady!, Love ya, Venus D-Lite"
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3
"Queens in Space"
January 31, 2011 (2011-01-31)
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens pair up and try to guess their partner's choices for different questions. Mariah and Phoenix win the mini-challenge and are named team leaders, tasked with choosing teammates for the main challenge: starring in the trailers for two different installments of the Drag Queens in Outer Space Sci-Fi spoof film saga.
Team Mariah starring in Drag Queens in Outer Space: Return to Uranus : Alexis Mateo, Mariah, Mimi Imfurst, Shangela, Stacy Layne Matthews and Yara Sofia
Team Phoenix starring in Drag Queens in Outer Space: From Earth to Uranus : Carmen Carrera, Delta Work, India Ferrah, Manila Luzon, Phoenix and Raja
On the runway, category is Sci-Fi. Team Mariah is the winning team, with Alexis Mateo and Shangela both winning the challenge. Team Phoenix is the losing team. Carmen Carrera, Delta Work and Phoenix receive negative critiques, with Carmen Carrera being safe. Delta Work and Phoenix lip-sync to "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga. Delta Work wins the lip-sync and Phoenix sashays away.
Farewell Message: "Be You Bitches (Boots) Loves, Phoenix"
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4
"Totally Leotarded"
February 7, 2011 (2011-02-07)
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens pair up and make a leotard using only duct tape. As winners of the mini-challenge, Carmen Carrera and Manila Luzon select their teammates for the main challenge: producing a fitness workout video.
Team Carmen Carrera: Carmen Carrera, Delta Work, India Ferrah, Mariah and Yara Sofia
Team Manila Luzon: Alexis Mateo, Manila Luzon, Mimi Imfurst, Raja, Shangela and Stacy Layne Matthews
On the runway, category is My Favorite Body Part. Alexis Mateo, Stacy Layne Matthews and Yara Sofia receive positive critiques, with Alexis Mateo winning the challenge. India Ferrah, Mariah and Mimi Imfurst receive negative critiques, with Mariah being safe. India Ferrah and Mimi Imfurst lip-sync to "Don't Leave Me This Way" by Thelma Houston. India Ferrah wins the lip-sync and Mimi Imfurst sashays away.
Farewell Message: "mimiimfurst.com 'life is too short to live someone else's"
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5
"QNN News"
February 14, 2011 (2011-02-14)
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens pose for a scandalous Red Carpet photoshoot. For winning the mini-challenge, Carmen Carrera and Stacy Layne Matthews pick their teammates for the main challenge: producing a morning news show called "QNN News".
Team Carmen Carrera: Carmen Carrera, Delta Work, India Ferrah, Manila Luzon and Raja
Team Stacy Layne Matthews: Alexis Mateo, Mariah, Shangela, Stacy Layne Matthews and Yara Sofia
On the runway, category is Fabulous Drag. Manila Luzon and Shangela receive positive critiques, with Manila Luzon winning the challenge. India Ferrah, Mariah and Stacy Layne Matthews receive negative critiques, with Mariah being safe. India Ferrah and Stacy Layne Matthews lip-sync to "Meeting in the Ladies Room" by Klymaxx. Stacy Layne Matthews wins the lip-sync and India Ferrah sashays away.
Farewell Message: "Never Give Up, You're all stars...India Ferrah"
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6
"Snatch Game"
February 21, 2011 (2011-02-21)
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens play a game of "Shit RuPaul Says". Delta Work wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens play the Snatch Game. Aisha Tyler and Amber Rose star as the celebrity contestants. The cast consisted of:
On the runway, category is Best Drag. Alexis Mateo, Raja and Stacy Layne Matthews receive positive critiques, with Stacy Layne Matthews winning the challenge. Delta Work, Mariah and Yara Sofia receive negative critiques, with Yara Sofia being safe. Delta Work and Mariah lip-sync to "Looking for a New Love" by Jody Watley. Delta Work wins the lip-sync and Mariah sashays away.
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens do a nude photoshoot. Carmen Carrera wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge the queens create an outfit inspired by a bakery cake.
Alexis Mateo - Cheesecake
Carmen Carrera - Princess Cake
Delta Work - Angel Food Cake
Manila Luzon - Carrot Cake
Raja - Chocolate Lava Cake
Shangela - Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Stacey Layne Matthews - Red Velvet Cake
Yara Sofia - Strawberry Shortcake
On the runway, Delta Work, Manila Luzon, Raja and Yara Sofia receive positive critiques, with Raja winning the challenge. Alexis Mateo, Carmen Carrera, Shangela and Stacy Layne Matthews receive negative critiques, with Carmen Carrera and Shangela being safe. Alexis Mateo and Stacy Layne Matthews lip-sync to "Knock on Wood" by Amii Stewart. Alexis Mateo wins the lip-sync and Stacy Layne Matthews sashays away.
Farewell Message: "Be a lady! You're All Amazing. Stacy Layne “Bryant” Matthews XOX"
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8
"Ru Ha Ha!"
March 7, 2011 (2011-03-07)
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens read each other to filth. Shangela wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens perform a stand-up comedy routine in front of the judges and a live audience.
On the runway, Carmen Carrera, Raja, Shangela and Yara Sofia receive positive critiques, with Shangela winning the challenge. Delta Work and Manila Luzon receive negative critiques, and are announced as the bottom two. They lip-sync to "MacArthur Park" by Donna Summer. Manila Luzon wins the lip-sync and Delta Work sashays away.
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens decorate regular bras using rhinestones. Manila Luzon wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens film a patriotic message addressed to US military personnel overseas.
On the runway, category is Patriotic Drag. Alexis Mateo and Shangela receive positive critiques, with Alexis Mateo winning the challenge. Carmen Carrera, Manila Luzon, Raja and Yara Sofia receive negative critiques, with Manila Luzon and Raja being safe. Carmen Carrera and Yara Sofia lip-sync to "Mickey (Spanish Version)" by Toni Basil. Both queens win the lip-sync and no one goes home.
Carmen Carrera's Stay Message: "I kiss Johnny Weir! Carmen Carrera"
Yara Sofia's Stay Message: "I'm still here! Echa Pa Lante xoxo Y.S."
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10
"RuPaul-a-palooza"
March 21, 2011 (2011-03-21)
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens play a game of musical chairs. Manila Luzon wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens perform RuPaul's song "Superstar" in different music genres.
Alexis Mateo - Hip Hop
Carmen Carrera - Reggae
Manila Luzon - Disco
Raja - Punk Rock
Shangela - Country
Yara Sofia - Pop
On the runway, Manila Luzon, Raja and Yara Sofia receive positive critiques, with Raja winning the challenge. Alexis Mateo, Carmen Carrera and Shangela receive negative critiques, with Alexis Mateo being safe. Carmen Carrera and Shangela lip-sync to "Believe" by Cher. Shangela wins the lip-sync and Carmen Carrera sashays away.
For this weeks mini-challenge, the queens create beach-themed headpieces. Raja wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens create three looks for The Hair Ball: A Classic Look from Another Era, A Modern Red Carpet Look and A Fantasy Hair Outfit
On the runway, Manila Luzon, Raja and Yara Sofia receive positive critiques, with Yara Sofia winning the challenge. Alexis Mateo and Shangela receive negative critiques, and are announced as the bottom two. They lip-sync to "Even Angels" by Fantasia. Alexis Mateo wins the lip-sync and Shangela sashays away. At the end of the episode, RuPaul tells the other queens that the judges will be voting one of the eliminated queens back into the competition.
Farewell Message: "Always live your dreams and believe in second chances. Halleloo! Love Shangela"
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12
"Jocks in Frocks"
April 4, 2011 (2011-04-04)
At the beginning of the episode, RuPaul reveals that the judges have voted back Carmen Carrera, and she officially returns to the competition. For the mini-challenge, the queens play a game of Dunk-A-Queen, in which the queens will have to dunk their opponents. Alexis Mateo wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens makeover heterosexual male athletes.
On the runway, Alexis Mateo and Manila Luzon receive positive critiques, with Manila Luzon winning the challenge. Carmen Carrera and Raja receive negative critiques, and are announced as the bottom two. They lip-sync to "Straight Up" by Paula Abdul. Raja wins the lip-sync and Carmen Carrera sashays away.
Farewell Message: "Good bye AGAIN!! Best of luck to everyone. Turn it out & don't be a sprepper! xoxo Carmen"
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13
"The Money Ball"
April 11, 2011 (2011-04-11)
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens create a marketable drag product and deliver a sales pitch for it on fictitious home shopping network "RuVC". Yara Sofia wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens create three looks for The Money Ball: Swimsuit Body Beautiful, Cocktail Attire After 5 and Evening Gown Eleganza.
On the runway, Manila Luzon and Raja receive positive critiques, with Manila Luzon winning the challenge. Alexis Mateo and Yara Sofia receive negative critiques, and are announced as the bottom two. They lip-sync to "I Think About You" by Patti LaBelle. Alexis Mateo wins the lip-sync and Yara Sofia sashays away.
Farewell Message: "Echa pa' lante, no mires pa' atras pa' coger impulso, and you know what f&%k you haha" (Push forward, don't look back to gain momentum, and you know what f&#k you haha)
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14
"RuPaul Rewind"
April 18, 2011 (2011-04-18)
A look back at the highlights, low-lights and previously unseen footage from the first 13 episodes. Chaz Bono made a cameo appearance during the episode's opening scene as a spot light operator. Season two winner Tyra Sanchez as well as runner-ups Raven and Jujubee returned to the provide their opinions on the season's highlights.
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15
"Grand Finale"
April 25, 2011 (2011-04-25)
For the final challenge of the season, the queens star in RuPaul's music video "Champion (DJ BunJoe's Olympic Mix)".
On the runway, Alexis Mateo is eliminated from the competition, leaving Manila Luzon and Raja as the top two queens of the season. They lip-sync to "Champion (DJ BunJoe's Olympic Mix)" by RuPaul. It is then announced that Raja is the winner, leaving Manila Luzon as the runner-up.
Main Challenge: Star in RuPaul's music video "Champion (DJ BunJoe's Olympic Mix)"
Eliminated: Alexis Mateo
Farewell Message: "Always know your place. The jig is up!!! Siempre, Alexis"
Top Two: Manila Luzon and Raja
Lip-Sync Song: "Champion (DJ BunJoe's Olympic Mix)" by RuPaul
Runner-up: Manila Luzon
Farewell Message: "Positive Always! I Love You Mommy & Daddy! Manila Luzon :)"
Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season Three:Raja
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16
"Reunited"
May 2, 2011 (2011-05-02)
The queens all return for the reunion. Discussions include: Mimi Imfurst picking up India Ferrah during their lip-sync, all the girls' issues with Shangela during the season, and the "Heathers" vs. the "Boogers". It is then announced that Yara Sofia is this season's Miss Congeniality.
1Based upon point/share system for Nielsen ratings. The first number represents the percentage of households within the population viewing the program (known as points). The second number (known as shares) is how many households were expected to view the program, within the population. For example, Episode 8 has a point/share of "0.3/1". This means .3% of households viewed the program from the expected 1%, showing .7% of the show's audience were watching a different program.
Controversy
Raja's win leaked
Before the season even started airing, blogger Perez Hilton revealed Raja as the winner to the public, causing an uproar from fans. It also led to the show's crowning format being changed, with the finale taped with several different winning outcomes. The true outcome would then be announced during the broadcast of the finale in an attempt to conceal the winner's identity and prevent any spoilers from taking place. This took place from the following season-onwards.[26]
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