This season features the largest cast in the show's history, with sixteen queens competing for an amount of $200,000, the largest cash prize in the show's history. It is also the first season to feature biological 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 enter the workroom. For their first mini-challenge, the queens do a sexy car wash photoshoot. Irene Dubois wins the mini-challenge.
The second eight queens then enter the workroom. For their first mini-challenge, the queens do a windy hog photoshoot. Loosey LaDuca wins the mini-challenge. At the end of the episode, the two groups meet.
For this week's main challenge, the queens perform a talent in front of the judges.
Amethyst – Comedy lip-sync
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 the first queen to sashay away.
For this week's main challenge, the queens team up to write an infomercial for a queer afterlife.
Team 1 - Anetra, Luxx Noir London, Salina EsTitties, Sasha Colby and Marcia Marcia Marcia
Team 2 - Amethyst, Aura Mayari, Loosey LaDuca, Princess Poppy and Spice
Team 3 - Jax, Malaysia Babydoll Foxx, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, Robin Fierce and Sugar
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 sashays away.
For this week's main challenge, the queens play the Snatch Game in two separate groups. Bruno Alcantara and Calixto Quan star as the celebrity contestants in the first group. Asaf Goren and Bryce Eilenberg star as the celebrity contestants in the second group. The cast consisted of:
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, Spice and Sugar receive negative critiques, with Aura Mayari being safe. Spice and Sugar lip-sync to "You Better Run" by Pat Benatar. Spice wins the lip-sync and Sugar sashays away.
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 the main challenge, the queens team up to create a cohesive fashion line made out of home decor.
House of Carson Kressley - Anetra, Jax, Robin Fierce and Salina EsTitties
House of Michelle Visage - Amethyst, Aura Mayari, Luxx Noir London, Mistress Isabelle Brooks and Spice
House of Ross 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 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 sashays away.
For this week's main challenge, the queens write, record, and perform verses as old lady girl groups.
Team Banjo Bitches - Luxx Noir London, Marcia Marcia Marcia, Mistress Isabelle Brooks and Salina EsTitties
Team Ol' Dirty Bitches - Anetra, Jax, Loosey LaDuca and Robin Fierce
Team Rockin' Old G's - Aura Mayari, Malaysia Babydoll Foxx, Sasha Colby and Spice
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 sashays away.
For this week's main challenge, the queens act in an 80's soap opera reboot called "The Daytona Wind".
Anetra as Cousin Georgie
Aura Mayari as Widow Davenport
Jax as Jackson Davenport
Loosey LaDuca as Lizzadene
Luxx Noir London as Leo Michaels
Malaysia Babydoll Foxx as The Reverend
Marcia Marcia Marcia as Cousin Dodie
Mistress Isabelle Brooks as Fancy Michaels
Salina EsTitties as "Aint" Haddie Ruth
Sasha Colby as Maxie O'Hara
Spice as Diandra Davenport
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 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 sashays away.
For this week's main challenge, the queens participate in a Lip-Sync LaLaPaRuZa Smackdown to determine who will be eliminated. A pit crew member randomly picks a ball with a queen's initials, determining who will lip-sync first. The selected queen then chooses their lip-sync opponent, who in turn chooses the lip-sync song. The tournament continues in successive rounds, with losing queens competing in multiple rounds, until one last lip-sync determines who will be eliminated.
In the first round, Malaysia Babydoll Foxx gets picked first and chooses Marcia Marcia Marcia to lip-sync against. Marcia Marcia Marcia then chooses "Boys Don't Cry" by Anitta. Marcia Marcia Marcia wins the lip-sync and Malaysia Babydoll Foxx loses. Loosey LaDuca is next to be picked and chooses Spice to lip-sync against. Spice then chooses "Do You Wanna Touch Me" by Joan Jett. Loosey LaDuca wins the lip-sync and Spice loses. Luxx Noir London is next to be picked and chooses Salina EsTitties to lip-sync against. Salina EsTitties then chooses "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" by Céline Dion. Salina EsTitties wins the lip-sync and Luxx Noir London loses. Mistress Isabelle Brooks is next to be picked and chooses Jax to lip-sync against. Jax then chooses "Tell It to My Heart" by Taylor Dayne. Mistress Isabelle Brooks wins the lip-sync and Jax loses. The final two queens, Anetra and Sasha Colby, lip-sync to "I'm in Love with a Monster" by Fifth Harmony. Sasha Colby wins the lip-sync and Anetra loses.
In the second round, Malaysia Babydoll Foxx gets picked first and chooses Spice to lip-sync against. Spice then chooses "Don't Go Yet" by Camila Cabello. Malaysia Babydoll Foxx wins the lip-sync and Spice loses. The final three queens, Anetra, Jax and Luxx Noir London, lip-sync to "The Right Stuff" by Vanessa Williams. Luxx Noir London wins the lip-sync and Anetra and Jax both lose.
In the final round, RuPaul announces that only two queens will be lip-syncing. One queen will be selected at random, and that queen must choose one of the other two queens to save. Anetra is picked and chooses to save Spice. Anetra and Jax then lip-sync to "Finally" by CeCe Peniston. Anetra wins the lip-sync and Jax sashays away.
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, the queens photobomb classic Drag Race moments. Anetra wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens create three looks for The Crystal Ball: Start Your Engines, My Favorite Ball and Crystallized Eleganza.
Anetra - The Sugar Ball from Season 5
Loosey LaDuca - The Bag Ball from Season 13
Luxx Noir London - The Hair Ball from Season 3
Malaysia Babydoll Foxx - The Hair Ball from Season 3
Marcia Marcia Marcia - The Bag Ball from Season 13
Mistress Isabelle Brooks - The Ball Ball from Season 12
Salina EsTitties - The Money Ball from Season 3
Sasha Colby - The Bag Ball from Season 13
Spice - The Ball Ball from Season 12
On the runway, Anetra, Mistress Isabelle Brooks and Sasha Colby receive positive critiques, with Sasha Colby winning the challenge. Loosey LaDuca, Salina EsTitties and Spice receive negative critiques, with Loosey LaDuca being safe. Salina EsTitties and Spice lip-sync to "Thats What I Want" by Lil Nas X. Salina EsTitties wins the lip-sync and Spice sashays away.
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 for 50/50.
Anetra, Loosey LaDuca and Malaysia Babydoll Foxx interview Frankie Grande
Luxx Noir London, Mistress Isabelle Brooks and Salina EsTitties interview Love Connie
Marcia Marcia Marcia and Sasha Colby interview Charo
On the runway, category is Night of a Thousand Beyoncé's. Loosey LaDuca, Luxx Noir London and Sasha Colby receive positive critiques, with Sasha Colby winning the challenge. Malaysia Babydoll Foxx, Mistress Isabelle Brooks and Salina EsTitties receive negative critiques, with Mistress Isabelle Brooks being safe. Malaysia Babydoll Foxx and Salina EsTitties lip-sync to "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" by Beyoncé. Salina EsTitties wins the lip-sync and Malaysia Babydoll Foxx sashays away.
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens perform in the Harlem Vogue Ball. Anetra wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens pair up to perform a stand-up comedy routine in the Bubly Comedy Festival.
Anetra and Sasha Colby
Loosey LaDuca and Luxx Noir London
Marcia Marcia Marcia
Mistress Isabelle Brooks and Salina EsTitties
On the runway, category is Rip Her to Shreds. Loosey LaDuca, Luxx Noir London, Mistress Isabelle Brooks and Salina EsTitties receive positive critiques, with Loosey LaDuca and Luxx Noir London both winning the challenge. Anetra, Marcia Marcia Marcia and Sasha Colby receive negative critiques, with Sasha Colby being safe. Anetra and Marcia Marcia Marcia lip-sync to "Boss Bitch" by Doja Cat. Anetra wins the lip-sync and Marcia Marcia Marcia sashays away.
On the runway, category is Everybody Say Glove! Anetra, Luxx Noir London, Mistress Isabelle Brooks and Sasha Colby receive positive critiques, with Anetra winning the challenge. Loosey LaDuca and Salina EsTitties receive negative critiques, and are announced as the bottom two. They lip-sync to . Loosey LaDuca wins the lip-sync and Salina EsTitties sashays away.
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens vote in rounds to assign superlatives to their fellow queens. Loosey LaDuca wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens makeover school teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week.
On the runway, category is Drag Family Resemblance. Anetra, Mistress Isabelle Brooks and Sasha Colby receive positive critiques, with Anetra winning the challenge. Loosey LaDuca and Luxx Noir London receive negative critiques, and are announced as the bottom two. They lip-sync to "For the Girls" by Hayley Kiyoko. Luxx Noir London wins the lip-sync and Loosey LaDuca sashays away.
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, with Sasha Colby winning the challenge. Anetra and Mistress Isabelle Brooks receive negative critiques, and are announced as the bottom two. They lip-sync to "When Love Takes Over" by David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland. Both queens win the lip-sync and no one goes home.
Alternating Judge: Ross Mathews
Main Challenge: Write, record and perform their own verses to RuPaul's song "Blame It on the Edit"
The queens all return for the reunion. 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)
All the queens return for the grand finale. The final four queens then 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". After their performances, RuPaul tells the queens that only two queens will be advancing to the final lip-sync of the season. It is announced that the final two queens are Anetra and Sasha Colby, meaning Luxx Noir London and Mistress Isabelle Brooks are eliminated. It is then announced that Malaysia Babydoll Foxx is this season's Miss Congeniality. Anetra and Sasha Colby lip-sync to "Knock on Wood" by Amii Stewart. It is announced that Sasha Colby is the winner, leaving Anetra as the runner-up.
