A Battle of Brains, Beauty and Bitches

RuPaul

S/he’s baaaaack (and fiercer than ever)!  That’s right boys and girls and boys who like to dress-up as girls – on Monday, February 1st (hot on the heels of National Drag History Month) is the premier of Season Two of RuPaul’s Drag Race on Logo.  In the words of RuPaul, it’s gonna be "a battle of brains, beauty and bitches."

This year’s contestants are again being asked to display the qualities of Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent.  RuPaul will again play a double roll, first as RuPaul Charles (in man-drag) as the Tim Gunn-esque mentor to the contestants in the work-room, then as RuPaul, Supermodel of the World (in glamorous lady-drag) as the supreme arbiteuse of the catwalk.  Returning as the co-judges are fashion journalist Merle Ginsberg and designer Santino Rice, as well as a number of fun guest judges such as Kathy Griffin, Henry Rollins, Cloris Leachman, and Debbie Reynolds, all of whom, according to RuPaul, have the ability “to really judge what drag is about because theyclearly see themselves as drag queens, too.”

Drag Race Season 2 Contestants

In alphabetical order, here is Season Two’s roster of contestants:

Jessica Wild (San Juan, PR)
Jujubee (Boston, MA)
Morgan McMichaels (Mira Loma, CA)
Mystique Summers Madison (Bedford, TX)
Nicole Paige Brooks (Atlanta, GA)
Pandora Boxx (Rochester, NY)
Tyra Sanchez  (Orlando, FL)
Raven (Riverside, CA)
Sahara Davenport  (New York, NY)
Shangela Laquifa Wadley (Studio City, CA)
Sonique (Atlanta, GA)
Tatianna  (Falls Church, VA)

I’ve always maintained that when it comes to drag, once the attitude and the look are in place, the next thing to come is a good drag-name (gaylias, alternate gender persona, what-have-you…).  I’m already hoping that the curvaceous Mystique Summers Madison holds-on for more than a few rounds because not only does her buxom figure fail to conform to the typical mold, but she does the splits (see video preview, below) and her name sounds like that of a character from a daytime soap (as does Morgan McMasters').

Going Vogue

Meanwhile, I’m also looking forward to see what fabulous frocks Zaldy whips-up for RuPaul to strut in, this time around.  You just know they’re gonna be sensational.  Also, watching those girls lip-synch for their lives is just quiqui time at Chez Shulman.

 All I know is they betta werque and you betta watch!