The third season of RuPaul's Drag Race began airing on January 24, 2011. 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, 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. 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 ofJason 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. This season holds the record for youngest average age with 26.3. The winner of the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race was Raja, with Manila Luzon being the runner-up.
Sharon Osbourne, television host and reality television personality
Gigi Levangie Grazer, novelist and host of Logo's The Arrangement
Episodes
Ratings
1Based upon point/share system for Nielsen ratings. The first number represents the percentage of households within the population viewing the program. The second number 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.
Future appearances
, Manila Luzon, Mimi Imfurst and Yara Sofia competed on the first season of . Mimi placed 11/12th overall with season 2 contestant Pandora Boxx, Manila placed 7th/8th with season 4 contestant Latrice Royale, and Alexis and Yara placed 5th/6th overall together. Manila later returned yet again to compete on the fourth season, where she placed 6th. Shangela competed on the of All Stars. Shangela placed 3rd/4th overall with season 1 winner BeBe Zahara Benet. Shangela also competed on RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular. She was crowned Christmas Queen along with the other contestants. Alexis Mateo, India Ferrah, and Mariah Paris Balenciaga competed on the fifth season of All Stars. Mariah placed 8th, India placed 6th and Alexis placed 5th.
Controversy
Raja's win leaked
Half way through the seasons airing, blogger Perez Hilton revealed Raja as the winner to the public, causing an uproar from fans. It also lead to the show's crowning format being changed, with the finale taped with three different outcomes declaring each finalist as "the winner", with only RuPaul knowing who really wins and the true outcome being announced on the day of the final in attempt to conceal the winner's identity and prevent any spoilers from taking place. This took place from the following season-onwards. https://perezhilton.com/winner-of-rupauls-drag-race-leaked/
