RuPaul's Drag Race 3: Who Will Be America's Next Drag Superstar?

Mark Blankenship, who writes the fabulous pop culture blog, The Critical Condition, recently contacted me about having a cross-blog conversation about the contestants in the upcoming third season of RuPaul's Drag Race. This sounded like a fun idea, so we both watched all of LOGO's preview videos featuring the 12 lovely competitors and then discussed via email the queens we loved and loathed the most. Of course, these snap judgments could easily change once the show begins airing in January, but for now, here are our initial opinions for your reading enjoyment:



Hi Marc,

Did you notice the big pink clouds in the sky? The cascade of glitter coming out of your shower head this morning? The parade of little dogs wearing elaborate wigs? They were all signs that RuPaul's Drag Race just revealed its third round of contestants. Let the celebrations begin!

I'm loving that LOGO's website is giving us longer preview videos of the contestants this year, even if they look like they cost about two dollars and sound like they were recorded underwater. The added info makes it so much easier to make snap judgments about all the queens, and Lord knows, I want to go in there ready to judge!

Right off the bat, I'm loving Mariah. I love how certain she is that she's an "undisputed" legend in the "ballroom circuit." I don't know what the ballroom circuit is, but I trust her to tell me about it. And when she says the three words to describe her are "sickening," "bitch" and "sex," I want to give her the crown right away. If you're gonna be confident, be THAT confident. Confidence Realness!

Ahem. Right. Let me compose myself.

I'm also interested in Mimi Imfurst, who's got a good reputation in the Off-Off Broadway theatre community here in New York. First of all, her video makes her seem smart, and Lord have mercy, there have been some dumbasses on this show. We need bright queens like Pandora Boxx and Jujubee to offset the dizzy bitches. Plus, I get the vibe that Mimi is like Pandora Boxx in that she's more of an entertainer than she is a fashion model. That'll probably irritate Santino, but I say bring it on! I'd much rather watch a queen who can entertain me than a queen who can look perfect in a Chanel gown.

My other favorite is Manila Luzon, partly because that name is awesome. Do you think the people living on Manila, Luzon appreciate that their home is such a perfect drag queen handle? Plus, Manila's dating Sahara Davenport from last year! Wedding bells!

I also give an honorable mention to Delta Work for naming herself after my favorite designing woman.

Who are you early favorites? And are there any queens that are turning you OFF?

Yours in realness,

Mark



Hi, Mark!

Since you've already set up this fabulous conversation and what it's all about, I'm going to go straight - so to speak - to the queens. I watched all the preview videos of this season's contestants and gave them each a grade, so I'll share with you and our adoring readers a few of my early favorites:

• Mimi Imfurst: LOVE her! I totally agree with you about preferring a queen who can entertain me than one who can look perfect in a Chanel gown. I want a funny gal who will make me laugh - and when Mimi says in her video that she's tired of pretty girls always winning the crown, I'm right there with her. She's an over-the-top camp queen who's a combination of Dolly Parton, Miss Piggy and Bette Midler - what more can you want in a drag queen? Mimi sounds like a total delight, and I give her an A+.

• Delta Work: How can you resist a queen who names herself after a Designing Woman? This big mama has a sassy sense of humor - and she can do celebrity impersonations, which I look forward to seeing. So what if she can't dance? Neither can Bristol Palin and look how far she's gone on that ridiculous Dancing With the Stars. I give Ms. Work an A.

• Manila Luzon: I like this funny Filipino gal, too - and it looked like she and Delta share the same taste in big sparkly earrings. However, her comment about being intoxicated made me think she might drown her sorrows in booze - which could lead to some highly entertaining drama. I give her a B+.

So those three groovy "gals" all made good first impressions. Here are a few that didn't:

• Venus D-Lite: When did Queer Eye's Carson Kressley become a drag queen? Or is this his twin? I didn't care much for her look - and I felt like sticking a bar of soap in her filthy mouth. I want a drag queen with some class, which Venus seems to be sorely lacking. My grade: D+

• Phoenix: Her icy, androgynous persona didn't win me over. Another D+.

• Mariah: Sorry, Mark, we'll have to agree to disagree over Miss Bitchy Big Hair. Anyone who describes themselves as a bitch isn't my kind of drag queen. If she was starring in a Dynasty remake, the bitchier the better - but I don't want to see an Alexis wannabe win. And anyone who calls herself a "sex kitten" at age 29 needs to look in a mirror. I give this Meow Mess a D-.

• And last but certainly least, I give you Raja: Please - take her away! I am so not ready for her. Her bitchy comment about "clown queens" made me want to smack her. And with her deep masculine voice, she was definitely the butchest queen of the bunch. My Grade: F

So there you have my Best and Worst in first impressions. Now let's hear what ladies are turning you off, mister.

Yours in bitchiness,

Marc



Ooh! Mariah is tearing us apart! I will see you on the field of battle, sir. We shall duel with feather boas.

You are dead-on when you note that Mimi Imfurst is a combo of Dolly, Miss Piggy, and Bette. Who wouldn't want to be the love child of those three?

As for the queens I don't like, I agree about Venus D-Lite. Her hair looks like Dorothy Hamill on top and Swiss Miss on the sides, and she has dead eyes. Plus, someone needs to tell her that if you're wearing huge fake eyelashes, then you don't need to apply your mascara with a spray can.

I'm also dubious about India Ferrah. I mean, it's cool that she makes her own clothes and wigs, but in her video, she just seems so...common. Like, with that posture and that voice, she could be sitting on the couch, eating Fritos, and talking about the Broncos.

Finally, Raja: You are so right. She's trying for a Raven-style attitude, but she's not getting there. She's gonna have to do a lot to impress me.

(On another note, did you notice that there are no African-American contstants this year? I don't think it means anything, but it's surprising.)

To wrap up our judge-a-thon, let me ask you this: If you had to pick an all-time top five from the first two seasons, who would it be? Here are my all-star queens (in no particular order):

Pandora Boxx -- Brains, wit, and a fully developed character. The full package.

Jujube -- She's clever and bitchy, but she knows when to stop taking herself seriously.

Bebe Zahara Benet -- Her looks are fierce, her attitude is regal, and her message is positive. Camerooon!

Nina Flowers -- She has confidence and elegance, but she will cut you.

Raven -- She and I didn't get along at first, but over time, I grew to respect her drive and talent. And she always looks flawless.

Honorable mention goes to Shangela, who was cut way too soon from Season 2. I'm convinced I would have loved her.

Face face beauty face,

Mark



Just put away your boa, honey, 'cause there will be no duels today. I will not allow Miss Mariah to tear us apart, Mark - at least not yet. I'm willing to give all the ladies a chance to make a better impression on me, so maybe I will like her more after the first episode. We'll have to wait and see.

I do love your Swiss Miss description of Ms. D-Lite. As for India, she's just a simple little diva from Ohio, and I kind of like her look. I give her a B - but this grade could quickly change once the series begins.

As for there not being any African-American contestants, RuPaul was unfairly accused of racism last spring because two African-American drag queens won the first two competitions. Obviously no one will be able to make such a ridiculous judgment again this season.

An all-time top five? Oh gosh, I don't know - but I definitely like your top two, Mark, especially Ms. Boxx. I said it before and I'll say it again - when it comes to my personal taste in drag, I like a funny girl. Give me a Coco Peru or a Varla Jean Merman over a "flawless" queen any day of the week. I'd love to see 12 Mimi Imfursts compete against each other. I know, it's never going to happen, but a boy can dream, can't he?

I guess that wraps up our judge-a-thon. It's been fun! And I know where I will be this January - sitting on my couch, eating Fritos, and talking about RuPaul's fabulous Drag Race! Go Mimi!

Cheers,

Marc D-Lite



To learn more about RuPaul's Drag Race and watch all of the Season 3 contestants' preview videos, click here. You can also become a Facebook fan of the show - and be sure to check out Mark Blankenship's The Critical Condition at www.thecriticalcondition.com.