RuPaul's Drag Race season 3

Contestants

Ages, names, and cities stated are at time of filming.

Notes:

Contestant progress

Lip syncs

Legend:

Guest judges

Listed in chronological order:

• Bruce Vilanch, comedy writer, songwriter, and actor
• Mike Ruiz, photographer, director, and reality television personality
• Vanessa Williams, actress, singer, and former Miss America
• Lily Tomlin, actress and comedian
• Alessandra Torresani, actress
• La Toya Jackson, singer
• Susan Powter, motivational speaker and fitness guru
• Chloë Sevigny, actress and model
• Debbie Matenopoulos, television host
• Aisha Tyler, comedian and actress
• Amber Rose, model
• Eliza Dushku, actress
• Sara Rue, actress
• Rita Rudner, comedian
• Arden Myrin, comedian
• Cheryl Tiegs, model
• Johnny Weir, professional figure skater
• Jeffrey Moran, Absolut Vodka marketing/branding executive
• Jody Watley, R&B/pop singer
• Carmen Electra, actress
• Wayne Brady, actor, comedian, and singer
• Fantasia Barrino, singer, actress, and author
• Margaret Cho, actress and comedian
• Sharon Osbourne, television host and reality television personality
• Gigi Levangie, novelist and host of Logo's The Arrangement

Episodes

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.

• Guest Judges: Bruce Vilanch, Mike Ruiz and Vanessa Williams
• Mini-Challenge: Christmas Card Photoshoot on a trampoline
• Mini-Challenge Winner: Raja
• Main Challenge: Create an outfit made from Christmas themed items
• Challenge Winner: Raja
• Challenge Prize: A $2,000 gift card to Sequin Queen
• Bottom Two: Shangela and Venus D-Lite
• Lip-Sync Song: "The Right Stuff" by Vanessa Williams
• Eliminated: Venus D-Lite
• Farewell Message: "Don't be shady!!, Be a Lady!, Love ya, Venus D-Lite"
• 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.

• Guest Judges: Lily Tomlin and Alessandra Torresani
• Mini-Challenge: In pairs, guess your partner's choices for different questions
• Mini-Challenge Winners: Mariah and Phoenix
• Main Challenge: In teams, star in the trailers for two different installments of the Drag Queens in Outer Space Sci-Fi spoof film saga
• Runway Theme: Sci-Fi
• Challenge Winners: Alexis Mateo and Shangela
• Challenge Prize: A set of hand-sculpted silicone breast plates by Boobs for Queens
• Bottom Two: Delta Work and Phoenix
• Lip-Sync Song: "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga
• Eliminated: Phoenix
• Farewell Message: "Be You Bitches (Boots) Loves, Phoenix"
• 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.

• Guest Judges: Billy B., La Toya Jackson and Susan Powter
• Mini-Challenge: In pairs, make a leotard using only duct tape
• Mini-Challenge Winners: Carmen Carrera and Manila Luzon
• Main Challenge: In teams, produce a fitness workout video
• Runway Theme: My Favorite Body Part
• Challenge Winner: Alexis Mateo
• Challenge Prize: A $2,500 gift card to Gilt Groupe
• Bottom Two: India Ferrah and Mimi Imfurst
• Lip-Sync Song: "Don't Leave Me This Way" by Thelma Houston
• Eliminated: Mimi Imfurst
• Farewell Message: "mimiimfurst.com 'life is too short to live someone else's"
• 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.

• Guest Judges: Billy B, Chloë Sevigny and Debbie Matenopoulos
• Mini-Challenge: Scandalous Red Carpet photoshoot
• Mini-Challenge Winners: Carmen Carrera and Stacy Layne Matthews
• Main Challenge: In teams, produce a morning news show called "QNN News"
• Runway Theme: Fabulous Drag
• Challenge Winner: Manila Luzon
• Challenge Prize: A $2,000 gift card to Wig USA
• Bottom Two: India Ferrah and Stacy Layne Matthews
• Lip-Sync Song: "Meeting in the Ladies Room" by Klymaxx
• Eliminated: India Ferrah
• Farewell Message: "Never Give Up, You're all stars...India Ferrah"
• Alexis Mateo as Alicia Keys
• Carmen Carrera as Jennifer Lopez
• Delta Work as Cher
• Manila Luzon as Imelda Marcos
• Mariah as Joan Crawford
• Raja as Tyra Banks
• Shangela as Tina Turner
• Stacy Layne Matthews as Mo'Nique
• Yara Sofia as Amy Winehouse

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.

• Guest Judges: Aisha Tyler and Amber Rose
• Mini-Challenge: Shit RuPaul Says
• Mini-Challenge Winner: Delta Work
• Main Challenge: Snatch Game
• Runway Theme: Best Drag
• Challenge Winner: Stacy Layne Matthews
• Challenge Prize: A cruise for 2 to the Bahamas courtesy of Al and Chuck Travel
• Bottom Two: Delta Work and Mariah
• Lip-Sync Song: "Looking for a New Love" by Jody Watley
• Eliminated: Mariah
• Farewell Message: "Condragulations Raja. Mug4Dayz! Mariah"
• 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.

• Guest Judges: Billy B., Eliza Dushku and Sara Rue
• Mini-Challenge: Nude photoshoot
• Mini-Challenge Winner: Carmen Carrera
• Main Challenge: Create an outfit inspired by a bakery cake
• Challenge Winner: Raja
• Main Challenge Prize: A shopping spree at L.A. Eyeworks
• Bottom Two: Alexis Mateo and Stacy Layne Matthews
• Lip Sync Song: "Knock on Wood" by Amii Stewart
• Eliminated: Stacy Layne Matthews
• Farewell Message: "Be a lady! You're All Amazing. Stacy Layne “Bryant” Matthews XOX"

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.

• Guest Judges: Billy B., Rita Rudner and Arden Myrin
• Mini-Challenge: Reading is Fundamental
• Mini-Challenge Winner: Shangela
• Main Challenge: Perform a stand-up comedy routine in front of the judges a live audience
• Challenge Winner: Shangela
• Challenge Prize: An original, custom designed gown from Miami Elite Designs
• Bottom Two: Delta Work and Manila Luzon
• Lip-Sync Song: "MacArthur Park" by Donna Summer
• Eliminated: Delta Work
• Farewell Message: "WORK HEATHERS xoxo Delta"

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.

• Guest Judges: Cheryl Tiegs and Johnny Weir
• Mini-Challenge: Decorate regular bras using rhinestones
• Mini-Challenge Winner: Manila Luzon
• Main Challenge: Film a patriotic message addressed to US military personnel overseas
• Runway Theme: Patriotic Drag
• Challenge Winner: Alexis Mateo
• Challenge Prize: A three-piece luxury luggage set from Antler Luggage
• Bottom Two: Carmen Carrera and Yara Sofia
• Lip-Sync Song: "Mickey (Spanish Version)" by Toni Basil
• **Eliminated: ** None
• 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."
• 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.

• Guest Judges: Jeffrey Moran, Jody Watley, and Carmen Electra
• Mini-Challenge: Play a game of musical chairs
• Mini-Challenge Winner: Manila Luzon
• Main Challenge: Perform RuPaul's song "Superstar" in different music genres
• Challenge Winner: Raja
• Challenge Prize: An original, custom gown by Marco Marco
• Bottom Two: Carmen Carrera and Shangela
• Lip-Sync Song: "Believe" by Cher
• Eliminated: Carmen Carrera
• Farewell Message: "Heathers better win."

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.

• Guest Judges: Wayne Brady and Fantasia Barrino
• Mini-Challenge: Create beach-themed headpieces
• Mini-Challenge Winner: Raja
• Main Challenge: The Hair Ball
• Runway Themes: A Classic Look from Another Era, A Modern Red Carpet Look and A Fantasy Hair Outfit
• Challenge Winner: Yara Sofia
• Challenge Prize: An Alaskan cruise for 2 from Al and Chuck Travel
• Bottom Two: Alexis Mateo and Shangela
• Lip-Sync Song: "Even Angels" by Fantasia
• Eliminated: Shangela
• Farewell Message: "Always live your dreams and believe in second chances. Halleloo! Love Shangela"

On the runway, Alexis Mateo, Manila Luzon and Yara Sofia 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.

• Guest Judges: Mike Ruiz, Margaret Cho and Sharon Osbourne
• Returned: Carmen Carrera
• Mini-Challenge: Dunk-A-Queen
• Mini-Challenge Winner: Alexis Mateo
• Main Challenge: Makeover heterosexual male athletes
• Challenge Winner: Manila Luzon
• Challenge Prize: A cruise for 2 to the Bahamas courtesy of Al and Chuck Travel
• Bottom Two: Carmen Carrera and Raja
• Lip-Sync Song: "Straight Up" by Paula Abdul
• Eliminated: Carmen Carrera
• Farewell Message: "Good bye AGAIN!! Best of luck to everyone. Turn it out & don't be a sprepper! xoxo Carmen"

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.

• Guest Judges: Mike Ruiz, La Toya Jackson and Gigi Levangie
• Mini-Challenge: Create a marketable drag product and deliver a sales pitch for it on fictitious home shopping network "RuVC"
• Mini-Challenge Winner: Yara Sofia
• Main Challenge: The Money Ball
• Runway Themes: Swimsuit Body Beautiful, Cocktail Attire After 5 and Evening Gown Eleganza
• Challenge Winner: Manila Luzon
• Challenge Prize: A collection of fine jewelry from Kathy Ireland Jewelry
• Bottom Two: Alexis Mateo and Yara Sofia
• Lip-Sync Song: "I Think About You" by Patti LaBelle
• Eliminated: Yara Sofia
• 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)

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

• Miss Congeniality: Yara Sofia

Ratings

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.

References

References

1. "Ep. 16, Episode 16, Season 3: Reunited!". [[Logo TV]].
2. LOGO On-line. "RuPaul's Drag Race 3: Cast Bios". LOGO On-line.
3. Brasfield, Billy. "Billy Brasfield Official Biography".
4. Kline, Dill. (December 6, 2011). "RuPauls Drag Race Season 3".
5. (January 26, 2011). "Logo's Third Season Premieres of "RuPaul's Drag Race" and "Untucked: RuPaul's Drag Race" Rev Up Ratings on Monday Night". Tv By the Numbers.
6. Gorman, Bill. (February 2, 2011). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'The Game' Leads Night + 'Teen Mom 2,' 'Tosh.0,' 'Southland,' 'White Collar,' 'Lights Out' & More". [[Tribune Media Services]].
7. Seidman, Robert. (February 9, 2011). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'The Game' Down, But Still Leads Night + 'Teen Mom 2,' 'Tosh.0,' 'Southland,' 'White Collar,' 'Lights Out' & More". [[Tribune Media Services]].
8. Gorman, Bill. (February 16, 2011). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Teen Mom 2' Leads; 'The Game' Slips + 'Tosh.0,' 'Southland,' 'Lights Out' & More". [[Tribune Media Services]].
9. Seidman, Robery. (February 24, 2011). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Teen Mom 2' & 'Tosh.0' Lead Night; 'White Collar' Up; Miami 'Housewives' Not So Hot + 'Lights Out' & Much More". [[Tribune Media Services]].
10. Gorman, Bill. (March 2, 2011). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Teen Mom 2' Leads; 'Tosh.0,' 'Southland,' 'White Collar' Fall; 'Lights Out' Rises & More". [[Tribune Media Services]].
11. Seidman, Robert. (March 9, 2011). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'White Collar' and 'Southland' Finales Rise + 'Lights Out,' 'Teen Mom' & More". [[Tribune Media Services]].
12. (2018-06-28). "11 Things You Probably Didn't Know About "RuPaul's Drag Race"".