The fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race began airing on January 28, 2013 with a 90-minute special. This season has the most contestants since the creation of the show with fourteen.

This season's winner will walk away with the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar" along with a lifetime supply of Colorevolution Cosmetics, a one-of-a-kind trip courtesy of AlandChuck.travel, a headlining spot on Logo's Drag Race Tour featuring Absolut Vodka and a cash prize of $100 000. Santino Rice and Michelle Visage are back as judges at the panel.^[1] The theme song playing during the runway every episode is I Bring the Beat.

Contestants [link]

The drag queens competing to be "America's Next Drag Superstar" for season Five of RuPaul's Drag Race are:^[2]

     The contestant won RuPaul's Drag Race.

     The contestant was the runner-up.

     The contestant won a challenge. Winner in Episode 1 received immunity in the next challenge.

     The contestant was one of the best but did not win the challenge.

     The contestant was one of the worst but was not in the bottom two.

     The contestant was in the bottom two.

     The contestant was eliminated.

     The contestant was voted Ms. Congeniality by viewers.

Guest Judges [link]

(In alphabetic order by stage name and/or last name)^[1]

Additional guest appearances this season include

• Gloria Allred (lawyer)
• Mathu Andersen (make-up artist)
• Candis Cayne (actress and performance artist)
• Nadya Ginsburg (singer)
• Deven Green (comedian and musician)
• Wilmer Valderrama (actor)
• Bruce Vilanch (writer and actor)

Episodes [link]

Episode One: RuPaullywood or Bust [link]

For the first time ever fourteen new queens begin their quests for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar." During the underwater photoshoot, some rose to the occasion while others fell flat. Alaska gave up as she found it difficult to keep her composure while underwater. RuPaul announces that Detox is the winner of the the mini-challenge and then reveals that the queens will be challenged to construct a 'Hollywood Glamour' outfit for the main stage presentation, made from materials salvaged from a dumpster in Beverly Hills. After revealing their looks on the runway; Detox, Coco Montrese, Alyssa Edwards, Honey Mahogony, Monica Beverly Hillz, Vivienne Pinay and Jinkx Monsoon were all called out as safe. RuPaul does stop them momentarily to request they impress her next week before they leave the stage, as being safe is not something to be proud of. Roxxxy Andrews, Ivy Winters, Alaska and Lineysha Sparx are praised for their looks, while Serena ChaCha and Penny Tration get critiqued on their outfits. Jade Jolie's look failed to show true Hollywood glamour as her aesthetic was over the top, but her personality shined through, and is safe. Roxxxy Andrews wins the challenge; gaining a custom made dress and immunity from elimination next week. Penny Tration and Serena ChaCha end up as the bottom two and lip synch for their lives to 'Party in the U.S.A.'. Penny is scrutinized by the other queens for not knowing the words to the song, whilst Serena turns out a party atmosphere, even dropping into the splits during her performance. RuPaul decides to give Serena a second chance, and Penny Tration sashays away.

Guest Judges: Camille Grammer and Mike Ruiz
Mini-Challenge: Photographer Mike Ruiz shoots the contestants for a underwater photoshoot where the girls try to stay underwater and keep their composure
Mini-Challenge Winner: Detox
Main Challenge: Going dumpster diving to make a dress that brings out Hollywood realness and glamour
Challenge Winner: Roxxxy Andrews
Main Challenge Prize: Custom gown by Marco Marco and immunity for next week's elimination
Bottom Two: Serena ChaCha & Penny Tration
Lip Synch Song: "Party in the U.S.A." by Miley Cyrus
Eliminated: Penny Tration
Farewell message: "You ARE ALL STARS smooches PT"

Episode Two: Lip Synch Eleganza Extravaganza [link]

Guest Judges:
Mini-Challenge:
Mini-Challenge Winner:
Main Challenge:
Challenge Winner:
Main Challenge Prize:
Bottom Two:
Lip Synch Song:
Eliminated:
Farewell Message:

Episode Three: Draggle Rock [link]

Guest Judges:
Mini-Challenge:
Mini-Challenge Winner:
Main Challenge:
Challenge Winner:
Main Challenge Prize:
Bottom Two:
Lip Synch Song:
Eliminated:
Farewell Message:

Reception [link]

One day after the premiere it was found that Rupaul's Drag Race Season 5 was the most watched season in drag race her-story. TV by the numbers posted the offical results. "Monday night’s 9PM season five premiere of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” worked the ratings runway, averaging a .8 rating in the P18-49 demo. This number represents a 33% increase over Logo’s previous top-rated season premiere (fourth season premiere of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”) and clocks in as the highest-rated season premiere in Logo history. Additionally, the 90-minute, “Rupersized” premiere tallied 565,000 total viewers tuning in to meet the new cast of 14 drag queen hopefuls who will fight it out to be crowned “America’s Next Drag Superstar.” The fifth season premiere night of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and companion series “Untucked: RuPaul’s Drag Race” delivered over 1.3 million viewers.^[4]

Fan favorite companion series “Untucked: RuPaul’s Drag Race” at 10:30PM sped across the finish line with its most-watched premiere ever averaging 291,000 total viewers and a .5 rating P18-49.^[4]

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “Untucked: RuPaul’s Drag Race” proved hot on social media platforms for premiere night, showing a 136% increase in social activity versus the fourth season premiere – this includes tweets, Facebook posts and Get Glue check-ins. Combined social media pushes on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr helped catapult the premiere to an 8th place ranking on Trendrr.tv in all of televsion.^[4]

References [link]

External links [link]

• Official website (U.S.)
• Official website (Canada)
• Official Facebook page

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