This season features the largest cast in the show's history, with sixteen queens competing for $200,000, the largest cash prize in the show's history. It is also the first season to feature biological relatives, twins Sugar and Spice.[3] Series judges Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, and Ross Mathews returned, and Ts Madison, who had previously appeared as a recurring guest judge, joined the judges panel.[4]
The season was won by Sasha Colby, the third trans person to win the main series of RuPaul's Drag Race,[5][6] with Anetra as the runner-up. Malaysia Babydoll Foxx was named Miss Congeniality.[7]
Production
In November 2021, RuPaul announced a casting call for season fifteen of RuPaul's Drag Race on social media. The casting call was open until January 7, 2022, the day season fourteen premiered.[8] In August 2022, VH1 officially announced the show's renewal, as well for its companion series, RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked.[9] This season also included the milestone for its 200th episode of the series.[10]
In December 2022, it was announced that season 15 would begin with a special two-part premiere on January 6, 2023, on MTV instead of VH1.[11] Later that month, season 14 winner Willow Pill revealed the season's cast, with a record-breaking sixteen queens competing. The drag racing themed promotional images accompanying the cast announcement drew comparisons to the promotion for the show's debut season.[12]
Post-production
Following the two-part season premiere, subsequent episodes were sixty minutes long, including commercials. This was a reversion to the previous format for seasons one through nine before the show expanded to ninety minutes in season 10. Further, instead of airing Untucked immediately after each main episode, MTV aired the new reality program The Real Friends of WeHo between the main episode and Untucked. The shortened format and programming lineup change elicited backlash from the show's fan base.[13]
On February 9 it was announced that beginning with the March 10 episode, episodes for the remainder of the season would be returning to the ninety-minute format.[14] On August 9, ninety minute edits of the entire season (including the previously truncated episodes 3–10) were released on Paramount+ in the United States and WOW Presents Plus worldwide.[15]
The first eight queens of the season enter the Werk Room. Ariana Grande enters the Werk Room in Vivacious' season 6 entrance look, nicknamed "Ornacia". For the first mini-challenge, the queens do a car wash themed photoshoot that pays homage to the first mini-challenge of season 1. Irene Dubois wins the mini-challenge.
Meanwhile, the next eight queens enter the Werk Room. Vivacious enters in the same outfit Grande previously wore. For their mini-challenge, the queens do a motorcycle riding themed photoshoot that pays homage to the first mini-challenge of season 2. Loosey LaDuca wins the mini-challenge.
RuPaul brings the two groups together, announcing that, unlike in the premieres of recent seasons, there will be an elimination.
For the premiere episode's main challenge, the queens must perform in the "One Night Only" talent show. They must also choreograph and perform an ensemble entrance number.
Amethyst – Comedy lipsync
Anetra – Original song lip-sync and taekwondo
Aura Mayari – Hip-hop dance routine
Irene Dubois – Stand-Up comedy
Jax – Lipsync and Gymnastics
Loosey LaDuca – Live singing
Luxx Noir London – Original song lip-sync
Malaysia Babydoll Foxx – Original song lip-sync
Marcia Marcia Marcia – Comedy Ballet
Mistress Isabelle Brooks – Original song lip-sync
Princess Poppy – Original song lip-sync and puppetry
Robin Fierce – Lip-sync
Salina EsTitties – Original song lip-sync
Sasha Colby – Lip-sync
Spice – Original song lip-sync
Sugar – Original song lip-sync
On the runway, category is Who is She?. Anetra, Jax, and Marcia Marcia Marcia receive positive critiques, with Anetra winning the challenge. Amethyst, Irene Dubois and Loosey LaDuca receive negative critiques, with Loosey LaDuca being safe. Amethyst and Irene Dubois lip-sync to "7 Rings" by Ariana Grande. Amethyst wins the lip-sync and Irene Dubois is eliminated.
For this week's main challenge, the queens produce infomercials for their vision of the afterlife in three teams. Anetra, as the winner of the previous challenge, is the first team captain and chooses Luxx Noir London, Sasha Colby, Salina EsTitties and Marcia Marcia Marcia. Amethyst, as the winner of the previous episode's lip-sync, is the second team captain and chooses Loosey LaDuca, Aura Mayari, Spice and Princess Poppy. The remaining queens, Jax, Malaysia Babydoll Foxx, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, Robin Fierce and Sugar, form the third team.
On the runway, category is Metallica. Loosey LaDuca, Luxx Noir London, and Sasha Colby receive positive critiques, with Sasha Colby winning the challenge. Amethyst, Jax, and Princess Poppy receive negative critiques, with Jax being safe. Amethyst and Princess Poppy lip-sync to "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Diana Ross. Amethyst wins the lip-sync and Princess Poppy is eliminated.
For this week's main challenge, the queens play the Snatch Game in two separate groups. The two groups and the queens' impersonation subjects are as follows:
On the runway, category is Beautiful Nightmare. Loosey LaDuca, Marcia Marcia Marcia, and Mistress Isabelle Brooks receive positive critiques, with Loosey LaDuca winning the challenge. Aura Mayari, Sugar, and Spice receive negative critiques, with Aura Mayari being declared safe. Sugar and Spice lip-sync to "You Better Run" by Pat Benatar. Spice wins the lip-sync and Sugar is eliminated.
Farewell Message: "To Spice, take the crown home you ugly bitch! To my new sisters, I feel your hearts, take care of Spice! Your all sweeter than Sugar will ever be <3"
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens read each other to filth. Loosey LaDuca wins the mini-challenge. For this week's main challenge, the queens, in 3 teams, design and create outfits from materials inspired by three of the show's judges: Team "House of Visage" (Amethyst, Aura Mayari, Luxx Noir London, Mistress Isabelle Brooks and Spice), Team "House of Kressley" (Anetra, Jax, Robin Fierce and Salina EsTitties), and Team "House of Mathews" (Loosey LaDuca, Malaysia Babydoll Foxx, Marcia Marcia Marcia and Sasha Colby).
On the runway, category is Drag Race Fashion Week. Luxx Noir London, Malaysia Babydoll Foxx, Robin Fierce and Sasha Colby receive positive critiques, with Luxx Noir London winning the challenge. Amethyst, Jax and Salina EsTitties receive negative critiques, with Jax being declared safe. Amethyst and Salina EsTitties lip-sync to "Q.U.E.E.N." by Janelle Monáe ft. Erykah Badu. Salina EsTitties wins the lip-sync and Amethyst is eliminated.
For this week's main challenge, the queens write and perform lyrics as old lady girl groups. Luxx Noir London, Marcia Marcia Marcia, Mistress Isabelle Brooks and Salina EsTitties perform a country song. Aura Mayari, Malaysia Babydoll Foxx, Sasha Colby and Spice perform a metal song. Anetra, Jax, Loosey LaDuca and Robin Fierce perform a hip-hop song.
On the runway, category is Tie-Dye to Die For. Aura Mayari, Mistress Isabelle Brooks and Sasha Colby receive positive critiques, with Aura Mayari winning the challenge. Anetra, Jax and Robin Fierce receive negative critiques, with Anetra being safe. Jax and Robin Fierce lip-sync to "In Your Room" by The Bangles. Jax wins the lip-sync and Robin Fierce is eliminated.
For this week's main challenge, the queens act in a sitcom-style reboot of "The Daytona Wind" (with editing referencing Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!). Aura Mayari, as the winner of the previous challenge, assigns the roles.
Anetra as Cousin Georgie
Aura Mayari as Widow Davenport
Jax as Jackson
Loosey LaDuca as Lizzadene
Luxx Noir London as Leo
Malaysia Babydoll Foxx as The Reverend
Marcia Marcia Marcia as Cousin Dodie
Mistress Isabelle Brooks as Fancy
Salina EsTitties as "Aint" Haddie Ruth
Sasha Colby as Maxie
Spice as Diandra
On the runway, category is Puffa Please. Anetra, Malaysia Babydoll Foxx, Marcia Marcia Marcia and Mistress Isabelle Brooks receive positive critiques, with Mistress Isabelle Brooks winning the challenge. Aura Mayari, Jax and Spice receive negative critiques, with Spice being declared safe. Aura Mayari and Jax lip-sync to "Sweetest Pie" by Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa. Jax wins the lip-sync and Aura Mayari is eliminated.
This week, the queens participate in a Lip Sync LaLaPaRuza Smackdown that culminates in an elimination after a series of lip-syncs. For each round, a queen is chosen at random to select her opponent, and her chosen opponent selects the lip-sync song.
First, Malaysia Babydoll Foxx chooses to lip sync against Marcia Marcia Marcia, who chooses "Boys Don't Cry [pt]" by Anitta. Marcia Marcia Marcia wins the lip-sync and is safe, while Malaysia Babydoll Foxx must continue to the next round.
In the second lip-sync, Loosey LaDuca chooses Spice as her opponent, who chooses "Do You Wanna Touch Me" by Joan Jett. Loosey LaDuca wins and is safe. Spice must continue to the next round.
In the third lip-sync, Luxx Noir London chooses Salina EsTitties as her opponent, who chooses "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" by Celine Dion. Salina EsTitties wins and is safe. Luxx Noir London must continue to the next round.
In the fourth lip-sync, Mistress Isabelle Brooks chooses Jax as her opponent, who chooses "Tell It to My Heart" by Taylor Dayne. Mistress Isabelle Brooks wins and is safe. Jax must continue to the next round.
As the last two remaining queens, Anetra and Sasha Colby must lip-sync. Anetra is randomly selected to pick the song and chooses "I'm in Love with a Monster" by Fifth Harmony. Sasha Colby wins and is safe. Anetra must continue to the next round.
In the first lip-sync of the second round, Malaysia Babydoll Foxx chooses Spice as her opponent, who chooses "Don't Go Yet" by Camila Cabello. Malaysia Babydoll Foxx wins and is safe, while Spice must continue to the final round.
In the second lip-sync of the second round, the three remaining queens, Anetra, Jax, and Luxx Noir London, must lip-sync to the remaining song, "The Right Stuff" by Vanessa Williams. Luxx Noir London wins and is safe, while Anetra and Jax must continue to the final round.
Before the final round, RuPaul reveals a twist: one of the remaining queens will be selected at random and that queen must choose one of the other two queens to save without having to lip sync. Anetra is selected, and she saves Spice. Thus, Anetra and Jax lip sync to "Finally" by CeCe Peniston. Anetra wins and Jax is eliminated.
Alternating Judge: Ross Mathews
Main Challenge: Participate in a Lip Sync LaLaPaRuZa Smackdown
Lip-Sync Winners: Marcia Marcia Marcia, Loosey LaDuca, Salina EsTitties, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, Sasha Colby, Malaysia Babydoll Foxx, Luxx Noir London and Anetra
Bottom Two: Anetra and Jax
Eliminated: Jax
Farewell Message: "To my forever sisters! I Love you all and can not wait to see you on the road. TOP TEN FOREVER XOXO JAX - P.S Anetra I'll get you back"
For this week's mini-challenge, in honor of the show's 200th episode, the queens photo-bomb classic Drag Race moments. Anetra wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens walk the Crystal Ball, presenting two looks brought from home and one made in the work room. Categories are Start Your Engines, a homage to RuPaul's racing look in the show's title sequence; My Favorite Ball, a reference to a previous ball challenge of each queen's choosing; and Crystallized Eleganza.
On the main stage, RuPaul performs "Cake and Candy" to celebrate the 200th episode. Anetra, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, and Sasha Colby receive positive critiques. Sasha Colby wins the challenge. Loosey LaDuca, Salina EsTitties, and Spice receive negative critiques. Loosey LaDuca is safe. Salina EsTitties and Spice lipsync to "Thats What I Want" by Lil Nas X. Salina EsTitties wins the lipsync and Spice is eliminated.
Farewell Message: "It's been SO easy and SO FUN! Thank you for being my new sisters when my real one left me!!!! ps. Where does the dingaling go ? <3 Spice"
For this week's main challenge, the queens interview celebrities. Luxx Noir London, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, and Salina EsTitties interview Love Connie; Marcia Marcia Marcia and Sasha Colby interview Charo; and Anetra, Loosey LaDuca, and Malaysia Babydoll Foxx interview Frankie Grande.
On the runway, category is Night of 1,000 Beyoncés. Loosey LaDuca, Luxx Noir London, and Sasha Colby receive positive critiques. Sasha Colby wins the challenge. Malaysia Babydoll Foxx, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, and Salina EsTitties receive negative critiques. Mistress Isabelle Brooks is safe. Malaysia Babydoll Foxx and Salina EsTitties lipsync to "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)". Salina EsTitties wins the lipsync and Malaysia Babydoll Foxx is eliminated.
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens dance in a Harlem–style vogue ball. Anetra wins the mini-challenge. For this week's main challenge, the queens perform comedy routines in pairs in the Bubly Comedy Festival. The pairs consist of Loosey LaDuca and Luxx Noir London, Anetra and Sasha Colby, Mistress Isabelle Brooks and Salina EsTitties; Marcia Marcia Marcia performs alone.
On the runway, category is Rip Her to Shreads. Loosey LaDuca, Luxx Noir London, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, and Salina EsTitties receive positive critiques. Loosey LaDuca and Luxx Noir London win the challenge. Anetra, Marcia Marcia Marcia, and Sasha Colby receive negative critiques. Sasha Colby is safe. Anetra and Marcia Marcia Marcia lipsync to "Boss Bitch". Anetra wins the lipsync and Marcia Marcia Marcia is eliminated.
For this week's main challenge, the queens perform in Wigloose: The Rusical!, inspired by Footloose.
Salina EsTitties plays Tuck
Loosey LaDuca plays Heaven Bacon
Luxx Noir London plays Christian
Anetra plays Mama Bacon
Sasha Colby plays Carl
Mistress Isabelle Brooks plays Preacher Teacher
On the runway, category is Everybody Say Glove. After the judges' critiques, RuPaul asks the queens who should be eliminated and why. They answer:
Loosey LaDuca says Salina EsTitties
Anetra says Salina EsTitties
Mistress Isabelle Brooks says Sasha Colby
Luxx Noir London says Loosey LaDuca
Salina EsTitties says Loosey LaDuca
Sasha Colby says Luxx Noir London and Loosey LaDuca.
Anetra wins the challenge. Loosey LaDuca and Salina EsTitties are the bottom two and lipsync to "Running Up That Hill" by Kate Bush. Loosey LaDuca wins the lipsync and Salina EsTitties is eliminated.
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens vote in a series of uncomfortable questions. Loosey LaDuca wins the mini-challenge. For this week's main challenge, the queens give school teachers drag makeovers. As the winner of the mini-challenge, Loosey LaDuca assigns the teachers to the queens.
On the runway, category is Drag Family Resemblance. Anetra, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, and Sasha Colby receive positive critiques. Anetra wins the challenge. Loosey LaDuca and Luxx Noir London are the bottom two and lip-sync to "For the Girls" by Hayley Kiyoko. Luxx Noir London wins the lipsync and Loosey LaDuca is eliminated.
For the final challenge of the season, the queens write, record and perform their own verses to RuPaul's song "Blame It on the Edit".
On the runway, category is Drag Excellence. Luxx Noir London and Sasha Colby receive positive critiques. Sasha Colby wins the challenge. Anetra and Mistress Isabelle Brooks are the bottom two and lip-sync to "When Love Takes Over" by David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland. RuPaul saves both queens, so the entire top four advances to the finale.
Alternating Judge: Ross Mathews
Main Challenge: Write, record and perform verses to RuPaul's song "Blame It on the Edit"
RuPaul and the contestants reunite to look back at the season.
Salina EsTitties receives the Golden Boot Award for her episode three Metallica look.
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16
"Grand Finale"
April 14, 2023 (2023-04-14)
The final four queens each perform to a song that was written specifically for them: Anetra lip-syncs to "Lotus", Luxx Noir London lip-syncs to "It's Giving Fashion", Mistress Isabelle Brooks lip-syncs to "Delusion", and Sasha Colby lip-syncs to "Goddess". Afterwards it is announced that the final two queens are Anetra and Sasha Colby, meaning Luxx Noir London and Mistress Isabelle Brooks are eliminated. Also during the finale:
Bob Mackie is awarded the inaugural "Giving Us Life-time Achievement Award"
Orville Peck, Leland, and the eliminated queens of the season perform a number from Wigloose: The Rusical! in protest of recent drag bans in the United States
Malaysia Babydoll Foxx is named as the season's Miss Congeniality
"Queen of All Queens" Jinkx Monsoon performs "When You're Good to Mama" in celebration of their recent role as Matron "Mama" Morton in the Broadway production of Chicago
In the final event of the night Anetra and Sasha Colby lip-sync to "Knock on Wood" by Amii Stewart. It is then announced that Sasha Colby is the winner, leaving Anetra as the runner-up.