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Spoilers Spoiler Alert!

This article contains spoilers about a currently airing season, and therefore may be incorrect and will change from time to time. Continue reading at your own discretion.

The fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race premiered on January 28, 2013 with a 90-minute premiere episode. It had the most contestants since the creation of the show with fourteen.

As this season's winner, Jinkx Monsoon walked 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 were back as judges at the panel. The theme song playing during the runway every episode is "I Bring the Beat", while the song playing during the credits is "The Beginning", both songs are from RuPaul's album Glamazon.

Contestants

S5cast


(Ages and names stated are during time of contest)

Rank Photo Contestant Real Name Age Hometown Ep. 1 Ep. 2 Ep. 3 Ep. 4 Ep. 5 Ep. 6 Ep. 7 Ep. 8 Ep. 9 Ep. 10 Ep. 11 Ep. 12 Ep. 13
(Recap)
Ep. 14
(Reunion)
1st
(Winner)
File:Jinx.png Jinkx Monsoon Jerick Hoffer 25 Seattle, WA SAFE HIGH HIGH HIGH
Team Captain
WIN HIGH HIGH HIGH WIN HIGH BTM2 SAFE N/A WINNER
2nd & 3rd
(Runners-Up)
File:Alaska.png Alaska Justin Andrew Honard 27 Pittsburgh, PA HIGH SAFE LOW
Team Captain
SAFE HIGH LOW HIGH
Mini Challenge WInner
WIN HIGH LOW
Mini Challenge Winner
WIN
Mini Challenge Winner
SAFE N/A RUN UP
File:Andrews.png Roxxxy Andrews Michael Feliciano 28 Orlando, FL WIN SAFE
Immunity
HIGH LOW HIGH
Mini Challenge Winner
HIGH BTM2 LOW HIGH WIN HIGH SAFE N/A RUN UP
4th Detox Detox Matthew Sanderson 27 Los Angeles, CA SAFE
Mini Challenge Winner
SAFE
Team Captain
WIN SAFE BTM2
Mini Challenge Winner
SAFE
Mini Chalenge Winner
SAFE HIGH LOW
Team Captain
BTM2 ELIM RTRN
5th Coco Coco Montrese Martin Cooper 37 Las Vegas, NV SAFE HIGH BTM2 SAFE
Team Captain
SAFE BTM2 WIN LOW BTM2 ELIM RTNR
6th Edwards Alyssa Edwards Justin Johnson 32 Mesquite, TX SAFE HIGH SAFE WIN LOW
Immunity & Mini Challenge Winner
LOW BTM2 BTM2 ELIM
Team Captain
RTRN
7th
(Ms. Congeniality)
Ivy Ivy Winters Dustin Winters 26 New York, NY HIGH HIGH TEAM
Team Captain
SAFE HIGH LOW WIN LOW ELIM
Mini Challenge Winner
MS.
CON
8th Jade Jade Jolie Josh Green 25 Gainesville, FL LOW HIGH SAFE SAFE SAFE ELIM RTRN
9th Sparx Lineysha Sparx Andy Trinidad 24 San Juan, PR HIGH WIN LOW
Immunity & Team Captain
SAFE ELIM RTRN
10th & 11th (Double Elimination) Honey Honey Mahogany Alpha Mulugeta 29 San Francisco, CA SAFE HIGH TEAM SAFE ELIM RTRN
Pinay Vivienne Pinay Michael Donehoo 26 New York, NY SAFE HIGH TEAM LOW ELIM RTRN
12th Monica Monica Beverly Hillz Juan DeJesus Anaya 27 Owensboro, KY SAFE BTM2 ELIM RTRN
13th ChaCha Serena Cha Cha Myron Morgan 21 Tallahassee, FL BTM2 ELIM
Team Captain
RTRN
14th (Fan Vote Winner) Penny Penny Tration Tony Kody 39 Cincinnati, OH ELIM RTRN
The contestant won RuPaul's Drag Race.
The contestant was a runner-up.
The contestant won the main challenge. Winners in Episodes 1, 2, and 4 received immunity the following week.
The contestant was one of the best but did not win the main challenge.
The contestant was a member of a winning team but did not win the main challenge.
The contestant was one of the worst but did not place in the bottom two.
The contestant placed in the bottom two but neither was eliminated.
The contestant placed in the bottom two but was not eliminated.
The contestant placed in the bottom two & was eliminated.
The contestant placed in the bottom two & both were eliminated.
After being eliminated, the contestant was voted Ms. Congeniality by viewers on Episode 14.
After being eliminated, the contestant returned and appeared on Episode 14 (The Reunion), but was out of the running.
The contestant did not participate in the episode.

Trivia

  • Episode 4 included the first double elimination in series history.
  • In Episode 7, Alyssa Edwards and Roxxxy Andrews ended up in the bottom two, but both got a second chance to stay as there was no elimination that week.
  • No elimination occurred in Episode 12 as the winner was crowned during Episode 14, the reunion episode.
  • Episode 13 is a recap episode with never-before seen footage.

Many milestones were broken this season:

  • Jade Jolie is the first contestant in Drag Race history to be neither in the top or bottom over four consecutive weeks.
  • Episode 8 marks the first time in Drag Race history to have more than four consecutive different main-challenge winners, with eight consecutive different winners.
  • Jinkx Monsoon is the first contestant in Drag Race history to be in the top for more than five consecutive weeks, with eight weeks.
  • Jinkx Monsoon is the only season winner to not win a main challenge within the first three weeks of competition, winning her first challenge during week 5.
  • Coco Montrese is the first contestant in Drag Race history to lip sync four times in the same season.
  • In Episode 9, Detox set a record for most mini-challenge wins in a season with five.
  • Jinkx Monsoon is the first season winner to have also won the Snatch Game challenge.
  • In 7th place, Ivy Winters is the second lowest ranked contestant of any season to have been voted Miss Congeniality.

Episodes

Series # Episode # Title # Airdate
52 1 RuPaullywood or Bust January 28, 2013
53 2 Lip Synch Eleganza Extravaganza February 4, 2013
54 3 Draggle Rock February 11, 2013
55 4 Black Swan: Why It Gotta Be Black? February 18, 2013
56 5 Snatch Game February 25, 2013
57 6 Can I Get An Amen? March 4, 2013
58 7 RuPaul Roast March 11, 2013
59 8 Scent of a Drag Queen March 18, 2013
60 9 Drama Queens April 1, 2013
61 10 Super Troopers April 8, 2013
62 11 Sugar Ball April 15, 2013
63 12 The Final Three, Hunty April 22, 2013
64 13 Countdown to the Crown April 29, 2013
65 14 Reunited! May 6, 2013

Episode 1, "RuPaullywood or Bust"

Airdate: January 28, 2013

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 mini-challenge and then reveals that the queens will be challenged to construct a 'Hollywood Glamor' 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 glamor 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, while 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.

Off stage, a new clique emerged. Roxxxy Andrews, Alaska and Detox bonded together and formed "Rolaskatox". "Rolaskatox" is known to enter the work room at the beginning of an episode shouting "Ro-Laska-Tox". A rivalry between two contestants also emerged between Alyssa Edwards and Coco Montrese. The two queens competed in in the Miss Gay America competition back in 2010. The rivalry between both queens came from the fact that Alyssa was disqualified from a competition after being crowned, with Coco, the runner-up, taking her crown.

  • Guest Judges: Camille Grammer and Mike Ruiz
  • Mini-Challenge: Underwater photoshoot
  • Mini-Challenge Winner: Detox
  • Mini-Challenge Winner Advantage: Head start at dumpster
  • Main Challenge: Going dumpster diving to make a dress that brings out Hollywood realness and glamor
  • Main Challenge Winner: Roxxxy Andrews
  • Main Challenge Prize: Custom gown by Marco Marco and immunity for next week's elimination
  • Bottom Two: Penny Tration & Serena ChaCha
  • Lip Synch Song: "Party in the U.S.A." by Miley Cyrus
  • Eliminated: Penny Tration
  • Farewell Message: "You ARE ALL STARS smooches PT"

Episode 2, "Lip Synch Extravaganza Eleganza"

Airdate: February 4, 2013

The contestants must lip synch to the spoken word, as they recreate classic moments from Drag Race history in scene-stealing viral videos. The mini-challenge consisted of lip-synching one of three of RuPaul's songs; Tranny Chaser, LadyBoy or Peanut Butter, with only their mouth visible. The winners were Serena ChaCha, Detox and Ivy Winters. The three winners became team captains for the main challenge. The main challenge was to impersonate memorable scenes from RuPaul's Drag Race Untucked season 2, 3 and 4.

Impersonations
Season Location Impersonator Impersonating
Season 2 Interior Illusions Lounge Honey Mahogany
Ivy Winters
Mystique Summers Madison
Morgan McMichaels
Gold Bar Lineysha Sparx
Vivienne Pinay
Tyra Sanchez
Tatianna
Season 3 Interior Illusions Lounge Alyssa Edwards
Jinkx Monsoon
Roxxxy Andrews
Shangela Laquifa Wadley
Mimi Imfurst
Mariah
Gold Bar Serena ChaCha
Jade Jolie
Raja
Delta Work
Season 4 Interior Illusions Lounge Alaska
Detox
Phi Phi O'Hara
Sharon Needles
Gold Bar Monica Beverly Hillz
Coco Montrese
Jiggly Caliente
Lashauwn Beyond

Guest judges Natural Born Killers' Juliette Lewis and 3rd Rock from the Sun's Kristen Johnston joined the judging panel. Following the runway presentations for the week, as well as viewing each team's clip, Ru announces team Ivy Winters is the winning team, with Lineysha Sparx declared the winner of the challenge. The 6ý two teams are critiqued, with Alyssa, Coco, Jade, and Jinkx receiving the most positive critiques for both their individual performances in the challenge, as well as their runway presentations. Roxxxy and Alaska are positively noted for their performances, but are critiqued on their runway looks, which the judges actually questioned as their "best drag". Detox was praised for her hilarious portrayal of Sharon Needles, but was criticized for appearing to have "been there, done that". During her critiques, a tearful Monica revealed that she is in fact a transgender woman in the process of transitioning. Serena ChaCha landed in the bottom two for a second straight week alongside Monica Beverly Hillz, both for lackluster performances in the challenge. After a fierce lip-sync, RuPaul decided to give Monica Beverly Hillz another chance, while Serena ChaCha sashayed away.

  • Guest Judges: Kristen Johnston and Juliette Lewis
  • Mini-Challenge: Lip synch to one of RuPaul's songs (Tranny Chaser, Ladyboy, Peanut Butter) with only your mouth visible.
  • Mini-Challenge Winners: Serena ChaCha, Detox, Ivy Winters
  • Mini-Challenge Winners Advantage: Become team captains and select team members
  • Main Challenge: Lip synch and re-enact a famous scene from a past season of RuPaul's Drag Race Untucked
  • Challenge Winner: Lineysha Sparx
  • Main Challenge Prize: A custom latex garment from Syren Latex and immunity for next week's elimination
  • Bottom Two: Monica Beverly Hillz & Serena Cha Cha
  • Lip Synch Song: "Only Girl (In the World)" by Rihanna
  • Eliminated: Serena ChaCha
  • Farewell Message: "God bless America, Viva Panama, Keep bearing light QUEENS xoxo Serena ChaCha"

Episode 3, "Draggle Rock"

Airdate: February 11, 2013

The queens connect with their inner child as they star in a fun-filled kids TV show. During the mini-challenge, each contestant paired-up with another contestant and had to take a blank mannequin doll and create a mini-pageant for "America's Junior Drag Superstar". Alaska and Lineysha Sparx paired up together and were the winner of the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens had to create a kid TV-show. As winners of the mini-challenge, Alaska and Lineysha were team captains. Team Alaska was: Alaska, Detox, Vivienne Pinay, Roxxxy Andrews, Monica Beverly Hillz and Alyssa Edwards. Team Lineysha was: Lineysha Sparx, Jinkx Monsoon, Jade Jolie, Ivy Winters, Honey Mahogany and Coco Montrese.

Segment/Responsibility Team Alaska Team Lineysha
Host Alaska Jinkx
Word of the Day Detox Jade
"How to" Segment Roxxxy & Vivienne Ivy & Lineysha
Social Lesson of the Day Alyssa & Monica Coco & Honey

For their main runway look, the contestants had to dress in pink. On the runway, Honey, Ivy, Alyssa and Jade are all called safe. Lineysha is also called safe, but is warned by RuPaul that she would be in the bottom if it wasn't for her immunity. The judges liked Roxxxy, Jinkx and Detox's performances in the challenges, with RuPaul naming Detox the winner. Alaska is criticized for dressing in male drag for the challenge, but her runway look is a hit, so she is safe. Vivienne is also criticized for resting on pretty, but she is also safe, leaving Coco and Monica in the bottom two for their poor performances. Coco outshines Monica in the lip synch, and Monica sashays away.

  • Guest Judges: Coco Austin and Paulina Porizkova
  • Mini-Challenge: Create a mannequin doll in pairs for "America's Junior Drag Superstar" pageant
  • Mini-Challenge Winners: Alaska and Lineysha Sparx
  • Mini-Challenge Winners Advantage: Become team captains and select team members
  • Main Challenge: Split into two teams and star in children's TV Shows
  • Challenge Winner: Detox
  • Main Challenge Prize: Wig wardrobe from New Attitude Wigs
  • Bottom Two: Monica Beverly Hillz & Coco Montrese
  • Lip Synch Song: "When I Grow Up" by The Pussycat Dolls
  • Eliminated: Monica Beverly Hillz
  • Farewell Message: "Love all of u guys, And never be a victim -♡- Monica Beverly Hillz'"

Episode 4, "Black Swan: Why It Gotta Be Black?"

Airdate: February 18, 2013

For this episode's mini-challenge, the queens had to participate in a dance-off dancing to "Jealous of My Boogie" in a quick drag look wearing big afro hair. RuPaul chose Jinkx Monsoon and Coco Montrese as the winners of the mini-challenge and became team captains for the main challenge. This week, the queens are challenged to prove their elegance and dancing skills by starring in a ballet based on the life of RuPaul, and on the runway, are asked to present 'extravaganza' looks. Coco shocked everyone when she picked Alyssa as her first choice on her team. In her interview, she stated that she did this because of Alyssa's dancing abilities.

Team Contestant Role
Act One
Team Jinkx Monsoon
Alaska RuPaul's Mother
Jade Jolie Young RuPaul
Lineysha Sparx The Supremes' Diana Ross
Ivy Winters Lady Bunny
Jinkx Monsoon 21-Year Old RuPaul
Act Two
Team Coco Montrese
Alyssa Edwards Bad RuPaul
Coco Montrese Good RuPaul
Detox 90s RuPaul
Honey Mahogany 90s Diana Ross
Roxxxy Andrews Modern RuPaul
Vivienne Pinay America's Next Drag Superstar

On the runway, Detox, Coco, Lineysha, Jade and Alaska are all declared safe. In their critiques, although Jinkx and Ivy are praised, both Alyssa's dancing and her characterization of 'Bad RuPaul' secure her the win. Roxxxy is criticized for lacking energy, but RuPaul names Vivienne and Honey as the bottom two. After a fairly low-key lip synch, RuPaul surprises everyone by eliminating both queens, stating that neither brought the fire that proved they wanted to stay in the competition. RuPaul also added that he will not tolerate "half-stepping" and that he wants the queens to bring their best. This was the first in the history of RuPaul's Drag Race that two queens were eliminated on the same episode.

  • Guest Judges: Chaz Bono and Travis Wall
  • Mini-Challenge: Soul Train dance-off
  • Mini-Challenge Winners: Jinkx Monsoon and Coco Montrese
  • Mini-Challenge Winners Advantage: Become team captains and select team members
  • Main Challenge: Divide into two teams each tasked with performing a different act of a ballet about RuPaul's life
  • Challenge Winner: Alyssa Edwards
  • Main Challenge Prize: A custom feather headpiece from Mother Plucker and immunity for next week's elimination
  • Bottom Two: Honey Mahogany & Vivienne Pinay
  • Lip Synch Song: "Oops!... I Did It Again" by Britney Spears
  • Eliminated: Honey Mahogany and Vivienne Pinay
  • Farewell Message — Honey Mahogany: "Keep on loving each other, we will meet again, I can't wait. All my l♡ve, Honey Mahogany"
  • Farewell Message — Vivienne Pinay: "I love all my girls! Here's to the revolution of the FISH! ♡ Always, Vivienne Pinay"

Episode 5, "Snatch Game"

Airdate: February 25, 2013

The queens compete in a star-studded TV game show that showcases their celebrity impersonations. With guest judges comedienne Julie Brown and former MTV VJ, Downtown Julie Brown.

This week saw the return of the fan-favorite "Snatch Game" challenge, and on the runway, the queens wore their best 'fishy glamazon' looks. In the workroom, Jinkx's choice to do Little Edie is met with bewilderment from the other queens, while Ru is confused by Lineysha's initial choice to portray Michelle Obama. Realizing the choice could land her in the bottom, Lineysha made a last-minute change to Celia Cruz.

Queen Celebrity Impersonation
Alaska Lady Bunny
F30141a8c8980ada36025373825eda0a
Alyssa Edwards Katy Perry
Alyssa-edwards-katy-perry
Coco Montrese Janet Jackson
Coco-montrese-janet-jackson
Detox Ke$ha
Detox-keha
Ivy Winters Marilyn Monroe
Tumblr miyvjp64al1ri75uoo1 1280
Jade Jolie Taylor Swift
Jade-jolie-taylor-swift
Jinkx Monsoon Little Edie
Jinkx-monsoon-little-edie
Lineysha Sparx Celia Cruz
Lineysha-sparx-celia-cruz
Roxxxy Andrews Tamar Braxton
Roxxxy-andrews-tamar-braxton
----

On the main stage, Jade, Coco and Alyssa were all declared safe, although Alyssa was warned that this was only because of her immunity as her Katy Perry impersonation was poor. Within the top three, Alaska was praised for being hilarious despite her voice not being Lady Bunny and Roxxxy was praised for both her impersonation and runway look. However, Jinkx's portrayal of Little Edie was deemed the best and she was declared the winner, although was warned that she still needed to bring the glamor. Detox, Lineysha and Ivy were all criticized for their impersonations, but Ivy's stunning runway look kept her out of the bottom two. During the lip synch, although both queens put in a strong performance, Detox's unique style kept her in the competition, and Lineysha sashayed away.

  • Guest Judges: Julie Brown and Downtown Julie Brown
  • Mini-Challenge: Style a cuddler into a red carpet ready look for an Us Weekly fashion face-off
  • Mini-Challenge Winners: Alyssa Edwards, Detox, Roxxxy Andrews
  • Mini-Challenge Winners Advantage: None
  • Main Challenge: Celebrity impersonations in a Match Game -style setting
  • Main Challenge Winner: Jinkx Monsoon
  • Main Challenge Prize: Custom jewel package from Fierce Drag Jewels
  • Bottom Two: Detox & Lineysha Sparx
  • Lip Synch Song: "Take Me Home" by Cher*
  • Eliminated: Lineysha Sparx
  • Farewell Message: "Latino shade. It was a pleasure to meet you girls, Thanks for your friendship. XOXO Kiss and hugs! Lineysha þ"

Episode 6, "Can I Get An Amen?"

Airdate: March 4, 2013

The queens test their vocal abilities as they sing in RuPaul's 1980s "We Are The World"-inspired charity single. With guest judges La Toya Jackson and Anita and Ruth from The Pointer Sisters.

For this week's mini-challenge, the queens were given the task to apply make-up in the dark. RuPaul declared Detox the winner. For the main-challenge, the queens had record a "We Are the World"-inspired charity single. As the winner of the mini-challenge, Detox could pick the teams. Coco Montrese was paired up with Alyssa Edwards, much to Coco's frustration, and were assigned the first verse. Ivy Winters, Jinkx Monsoon and Jade Jolie were grouped together and were assigned the second verse. Detox picked Roxxxy Andrews and Alaska for her team and decided to do the bridge. Hh

Contestant Section
Alyssa Edwards Verse One
Coco Montrese
Ivy Winters Verse Two
Jade Jolie
Jinkx Monsoon
Alaska Bridge
Detox
Roxxxy Andrews

For this week's mainstage look, RuPaul wanted the queens to have an outfit that showcased their best body part. On the runway, RuPaul asked Coco how it was to work with Alyssa and she answered that Detox was trying to be malicious by pairing her up with Alyssa. Then, Michelle Visage critiqued Alaska that she was holding back too much and RuPaul said they have a feeling that she is hiding behind a shticky character. Ivy Winters was the winner of this week's main-challenge and was praised for the harmony she added to the song. Roxxxy Andrews and Jinkx Monsoon were also among the queens who received good critiques. Detox was safe, but RuPaul told her she wanted to see more next time. Jade Jolie and Coco Montrese landed in the bottom two; Jade for letting the other queens outshine her, and Coco for being too much in her head during the challenge. Ultimately, Coco could stay and Jade sashayed away.

  • Guest Judges: La Toya Jackson and The Pointer Sisters (Anita and Ruth)
  • Mini-Challenge: Apply drag makeup in the dark
  • Mini-Challenge Winner: Detox
  • Mini-Challenge Winner Advantage: Pairing the queens up in teams
  • Main Challenge: Record a "We Are the World"-inspired anthem entitled "Can I Get An Amen?"
  • Challenge Winner: Ivy Winters
  • Main Challenge Prize: A Flight 001 luggage package
  • Bottom Two: Coco Montrese & Jade Jolie
  • Lip Synch Song: "I'm So Excited" by The Pointer Sisters
  • Eliminated: Jade Jolie
  • Farewell Message:  "Cheers to my fish, fabulous and fierce sisters. I ♡ you all, Jade J."

Episode 7, "RuPaul Roast"

Airdate: March 11, 2013

The queens' comedy skills are put on the spot as they must roast RuPaul and the celebrity judges in front of a live audience. With guest judges, The Help's Leslie Jordan, and Absolut Image Czar Jeffrey Moran. After last week's critiques during the elimination, Alaska decided to set herself apart from "Rolaskatox" so she could stand out for what she is. To mark that, she entered the work room shouting "Alaska", to differ from the better known "Ro-Laska-Tox". For this week's mini-challenge, the queens were asked to "read" the other contestants. RuPaul declared Alaska the winner of the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the contestants had to roast RuPaul, as well as the judges and the other queens, in front of a live audience. As winner of the mini-challenge, Alaska decided the order in which the queens would perform:

Order Contestant
1st Alaska
2nd Roxxxy Andrews
3rd Coco Montrese
4th Jinkx Monsoon
5th Ivy Winters
6th Alyssa Edwards
Last Detox

Nadya Ginsburg, Deven Green, and Bruce Vilanch coached the queens and guided them for their live performance. During the judges critiques, Alaska was praised for her comedy and her look. Michelle Visage admitted to Jinkx Monsoon that she loved her look on the runway, and Leslie Jordan said she can have a career in comedy in or out of drag. Coco Montrese was praised by the judges for her whole performance and her look. Detox was criticized for using the "f-word" too often but was praised for having a sparkle in her eyes during her performance. Alyssa Edwards was criticized for grabbing the microphone too much and for her prom-looking dress. Ivy Winters was criticized for relying on her cue cards too much, and Roxxxy Andrews for not delivering her jokes fast enough and not being funny enough. After deliberating, the judges declared Coco Montrese the winner of the main challenge. Roxxxy Andrews and Alyssa Edwards landed in the bottom two. After a stellar performance by both queens, Roxxxy Andrews broke into tears before RuPaul could reveal her decision, saying that being in the bottom two made some bad childhood memories resurface, and that she always felt not good enough. After an emotional moment, RuPaul decided to give both queens another chance, and they were both safe. This is the third time that no elimination has occurred in the series history; the other two occurrences were during season 3 (Carmen Carrera & Yara Sofia) and the All-Stars season (Raven and Jujubee).

  • Guest Judges: Leslie Jordan and Jeffrey Moran
  • Mini-Challenge: "Reading is Fundamental"
  • Mini-Challenge Winner: Alaska
  • Mini-Challenge Winner Advantage: Decide in which order the queens will appear on stage
  • Main Challenge: Roast RuPaul, as well as the judges and fellow queens, in front of a live audience
  • Challenge Winner: Coco Montrese
  • Main Challenge Prize: A custom gown from Sequin Queen
  • Bottom Two: Alyssa Edwards & Roxxxy Andrews
  • Lip Synch Song: "Whip My Hair" by Willow Smith
  • Eliminated: None
  • Farewell Message: N/A

Episode 8, "Scent of a Drag Queen"

Airdate: March 18, 2013

The queens create, market and film a commercial for their own signature fragrance. With guest judges Aubrey O'Day, and Knots Landing's Joan Van Ark.

This week's mini-challenge had the queens play Drag Race's version of the memory game, Whatcha Packin', where the queens had to pair two models among a group of 22 with the same underwear in the shortest amount of time. As a curiosity, the brand oriented to gay customers, Andrew Christian appeared with mostly of their cast, the porn actor Brent Corrigan can be seen in the background. After all the queens completed the challenge, Ivy Winters was declared winner and won a phone-call home. Then, RuPaul announced that the main-challenge of this week would be to create, market and film a commercial for a signature fragrance. During the main-stage presentation, the queens presented their commercial and wore the looks for their perfume launch party.

Queen Fragrance
Alaska Red for Filth
Alyssa Edwards Alyssa's Secret
Coco Montrese Ru Animale by Coco
Detox Heroine
Ivy Winters Dress Code
Jinkx Monsoon Delusion
Roxxxy Andrews Thick and Juicy

During the critiques, Jinkx Monsoon was once again praised by Michelle Visage for her look on the runway and guest judge Joan Van Ark thought her commercial was the best. Detox was criticized for her look as it looked undone but was praised for her good commercial. Coco Montrese was criticized for her commercial due to the abundance of animal print in it but her runway look was praised, although she over-accessorized. Out of all the queens, Alaska received praise both for her funny commercial and her runway look matching her brand, which led to Ru declaring her the winner of this challenge. On the other hand, Ivy Winters was criticized for not selling her brand well enough in the commercial and her ice-skater look on the runway. Roxxxy Andrews was also criticized by Santino Rice for her look on the runway but her commercial was deemed better. Alyssa Edwards was also criticized for her commercial and confusing branding. In the end, Ivy Winters and Alyssa Edwards landed in the bottom two. After their lip-synch performance, RuPaul told Alyssa to stay and asked Ivy to sashay away.

  • Guest Judges: Aubrey O'Day and Joan Van Ark
  • Mini-Challenge: Whatcha Packin' - Match male models wearing the same pairs of Andrew Christian underwear
  • Mini-Challenge Winner: Ivy Winters
  • Mini-Challenge Prize: A phone call home
  • Main Challenge: Create, market, and film a commercial for a signature fragrance
  • Challenge Winner: Alaska
  • Main Challenge Prize: A selection of handmade corsets from Corset Connection
  • Bottom Two: Alyssa Edwards & Ivy Winters
  • Lip Synch Song: "Ain't Nothin' Goin' on But the Rent" by Gwen Guthrie
  • Eliminated: Ivy Winters
  • Farewell Message: "Love you girls so much!! You always have a friend in me! XOXO Ivy"

Episode 9, "Drama Queens"

Airdate: April 1, 2013

The competition gets spicy as the queens star with Wilmer Valderrama in a sexy Latin telenovela acting challenge, with guest judges Maria Conchita Alonso and The Sopranos' Jamie-Lynn Sigler. During the mini-challenge of this week, the queens had to cry on cue as RuPaul asked the contestants to create a fake sob story and cry. The majority of the queens approached this challenge with humor, but Detox confessed that she did not felt like doing this challenge humorously and it brought back memories of his boyfriend's passing two years prior. After the mini-challenge was over, RuPaul declared Detox and Alyssa Edwards winners. For this week's main challenge, the queens had to star in a Latin telenovela with co-star Wilmer Valderrama. As winners of the mini-challenge, Alyssa Edwards and Detox picked the teams. "Rolaskatox" was reunited while Alyssa Edwards and Coco Montrese were once again teamed together, which created some frustration among both queens, knowing their past.

Teams Queens
Team Detox
Ella No Es Dama
Detox
Roxxxy Andrews
Alaska
Team Alyssa Edwards
Casa de Locas
Alyssa Edwards
Jinkx Monsoon
Coco Montrese

For the runway presentation, RuPaul asked the queens to be dressed in their best Latin glamor. During the critiques, Roxxxy Andrews's makeup and acting was well received among the judges and felt like she redeemed herself for her past two bad weeks. Detox was criticized for her campy hat that was not fitting with the rest of her look, and that she was not bringing enough villain into her character during the telenovela. Alaska was praised for her walk and acting, but was criticized for her cheap-looking dress. Then, Michelle Visage commented to Alyssa Edwards that she could not understand what she was saying during the telenovela. Santino claimed Alyssa's dress to be the worst dress that he has seen in the past five seasons of Drag Race. Alyssa replied that if she was asked to lip-synch for her life every week, she would do it and she would stay in the competition. Coco argued with Alyssa claiming that what Alyssa was saying is discrediting the other queen's talent. Then, Michelle Visage complimented Jinkx's spooky look. Jamie-Lynn Sigler praised her for her great acting and RuPaul said that she was shocked about her look but it was great. Coco Montrese was criticized for her acting, claiming that she looked like she was intimidated by the co-star but her look was praised. Also, during Untucked, it was revealed that RuPaul asked the queens to say who was their biggest rival and who should go home next. All but Detox said that Jinkx Monsoon was one of their biggest rivals. Alyssa Edwards was unanimously voted as the girl who should go home next. In the end, Jinkx Monsoon was declared the winner, and Alyssa Edwards and Coco Montrese were asked to lip-synch for their lives. After a great performance by both queens, Coco Montrese could stay in the competition and Alyssa was asked to sashay away.

  • Guest Judges: Maria Conchita Alonso and Jamie-Lynn Sigler
  • Mini-Challenge: Creating fake 'sob stories' and producing real tears in front of RuPaul
  • Mini-Challenge Winners: Detox and Alyssa Edwards
  • Mini-Challenge Winners Advantage: Become team captains and select team members
  • Main Challenge: Star in a faux Latin telenovela alongside Wilmer Valderrama
  • Challenge Winner: Jinkx Monsoon
  • Main Challenge Prize: A pair of fur coats from Fabulous-Furs
  • Bottom Two: Alyssa Edwards & Coco Montrese
  • Lip Synch Song: "Cold Hearted" by Paula Abdul
  • Eliminated: Alyssa Edwards
  • Farewell Message: "The sky is the limit when your ♡ 's in it. Don't dream it, be it. Always and forever, Alyssa"

Episode 10, "Super Troopers"

Airdate: April 8, 2013

For the mini challenge, the remaining queens were exposed to drag boot camp by Storm (fitness trainer). Alaska won the challenge for outlasting the other queens, with her prize being to match the queens to a gay veteran for a drag makeover. Roxxxy was annoyed that Alaska picked Iszy, a short veteran for her, while Alaska gave Jinkx to the oldest veteran in order for her to perform badly due to her being Alaska's competition. With the other queens, Detox's partner Aaron is enthusiastic and flirty, while Coco was worried that she may not be able to paint her partner Steve well. Jinkx's partner Dave also revealed that he will have a hard time walking in heels, due to his medication because he has AIDS.

Queen Drag Sister/Mother
Alaska Nebraska
Coco Montrese Horchata Montrese
Detox Beth Adone
Jinkx Monsoon Fortuna Monsoon
Roxxxy Andrews Isabella Andrews

On the main stage, the queens and veterans were challenged to perform a patriotic flag salute before walking the runway displaying their transformation. During the critiques, Roxxxy was praised for her veteran's look and their sister-like image, while Jinkx and her veteran's homage to Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli also received positive feedback. On the other hand, Detox and Beth Adone were criticized for their sloppy flag salute, Alaska was castigated for making Nebraska more good looking than her as well as padding her incorrectly, and Coco's veteran's makeup received very negative feedback. In the end, Roxxxy won the challenge while Coco and Detox lip synched for their lives. Detox was allowed to stay and Coco sashayed away.

  • Guest Judges: Clinton Kelly and George Kotsiopoulos
  • Mini-Challenge: Last as long as possible in drag booty camp with a fitness trainer
  • Mini-Challenge Winner: Alaska
  • Mini-Challenge Winner Advantage: Select and pair veterans with each queen
  • Main Challenge: Military-to-drag makeover/color guard performance
  • Challenge Winner: Roxxxy Andrews
  • Main Challenge Prize: A shopping spree at American Apparel
  • Bottom Two: Detox & Coco Montrese
  • Lip Synch Song: "(It Takes) Two to Make It Right" by Seduction
  • Eliminated: Coco Montrese
  • Farewell Message: "I love you all, Give them hell girls. Love, Coco M"

Episode 11, "Sugar Ball"

Airdate: April 15, 2013

The race gets sticky and sweet, when the queens compete in a pageant of candy inspired couture. With guest judges CSI's Marg Helgenberger, and legendary designer Bob Mackie. For this week's mini-challenge, the queens had to make a puppet of their own peers and made a "bitch fest", of which Alaska was declared the winner. For the main challenge, the queens had to participate in the Sugar Ball and design three outfits in three different categories:

  • Super Duper Sweet 16, to display teen looks,
  • Sugar Mama - Executive Realness, to represent real-life strong business women,
  • Candy Couture, which was to be made out of real candy.

As the winner of the mini-challenge, Alaska was given a 15 seconds head-start in picking the candies for her outfit as well as being tasked with choreographing a dance routine for all four queens as an opening number to a song from Sugar Babies. During the critiques, Alaska was praised for her three looks, especially her Candy Couture which Bob Mackie loved, although she was criticized for her simple opening choreography. Jinkx Monsoon was criticized for her Sweet 16 look because it looked too old, or as Michelle Visage said, it looked like Sweet 47. Her other two looks also did not receive good reviews, although she was praised by Marg Helgenberger for her performance in the opening number. Roxxxy Andrews' three looks were well received, and the judges liked that she was the only one to have candy in all three looks. However, Michelle felt that her Sweet 16 was too promiscuous. Detox was criticized for her Candy Couture look as it demonstrated a questionable taste level, but her executive realness look was very well received. In the end, Roxxxy Andrews was safe and Alaska won the challenge. Alaska is the third contestant in Drag Race history to reach the finale without being in the bottom two; the other two being Nina Flowers of season 1 and Tyra Sanchez of season 2. Jinkx Monsoon and Detox ended up in the bottom two. After a well-performed lip-synch by both queens, RuPaul allowed Jinkx to stay and Detox sashayed away.

  • Guest Judges: Marg Helgenberger and Bob Mackie
  • Mini-Challenge: Make a caricature of their own peers with a puppet
  • Mini-Challenge Winner: Alaska
  • Mini-Challenge Winner Advantage: 15 second head start at candy selection, and becoming choreographer for opening musical number.
  • Main Challenge: Design three outfits for the Sugar Ball: Super Duper Sweet 16, Sugar Mama - Executive Realness, and Candy Couture
  • Challenge Winner: Alaska
  • Main Challenge Prize: A private portrait session with Austin Young
  • Bottom Two: Detox & Jinkx Monsoon
  • Lip Synch Song: "Malambo No. 1" by Yma Sumac
  • Eliminated: Detox
  • Farewell Message: "Condragulations grillz! Go F****** Kill Them! Rolaskatox 4EVAAAHH! ♡ Detox"

Episode 12, "The Beginning "

Airdate: April 22, 2013

The top 3 queens go to court, as Judge Ru presents their final challenge - starring in the music video for RuPaul's hit "The Beginning". With special guest mega-attorney Gloria Allred. This week, Michelle Visage came to announce the week's main challenge to the queens. The main challenge consisted of two parts: star in RuPaul's music video "The Beginning" and shooting a dramatic courtroom scene. For the music video, the queens had to learn a choreography with a chiffon as well as to work their hair in the wind, with the help of guest star Candis Cayne. Then, for the courtroom scene, each queens had to portray three different roles: the defense attorney, the defendant and the prosecutor. Mathu Anderson was directing the queens during the scenes. As in each Drag Race series finale, RuPaul also sat down with each queens for a kiki about the competition. For the final runway presentation, the queens had to plead their case and defend their lives, while showing why they should be "America's Next Drag Superstar". Guest star Gloria Allred was there to help out the queens with their cases. During the final runway presentation, no guest judges were present; only Michelle Visage, Santino and RuPaul. For the critiques, each queens were praised for a part in this week's main challenge: Roxxxy Andrews for the music video, Jinkx Monsoon for the court-room scene and Alaska for defending her life. Then, each queens participated in the final lip-synch to "The Beginning". Like the fourth season, RuPaul announced that she did not made up her mind, and that she would need the help of the public to decide who "America's Next Drag Superstar" will be and is going to be announced during the reunion episode. This is the first time since the second season that a queen has not come back in the competition for a second chance at the crown. Also by this episode, Roxxxy Andrews had become the third contestant in drag race history (following season one's Nina Flowers and Rebecca Glasscock), to be critiqued on the runway every week leading up to the finale. She finished the season with a total of 12 weeks to be critiqued.

  • Special Guests: Gloria Allred, Candis Cayne and Mathu Anderson
  • Main Challenge: Star in RuPaul's music video "The Beginning" and shoot a courtroom scene.
  • Lip Synch Song: "The Beginning" by RuPaul

Episode 13, "Countdown to the Crown"

Airdate: April 29, 2013

A look back on the highlights, low-lights, and previously unseen footage from the season as we race toward the climactic crowning of America's Next Drag Superstar. With guest appearances by Latrice Royale, Willam, and Sharon Needles.

Episode 14, "Reunited!"

Airdate: May 6, 2013

Wigs fly as the queens discuss the drama of the season. Plus, both "America's Next Drag Superstar" and "Miss Congeniality" are crowned. The episode was filmed on May 1, 2013 in Los Angeles.[5]

  • Miss Congeniality: Ivy Winters
  • Runners Up: Alaska & Roxxxy Andrews
  • Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 5: Jinkx Monsoon

Gallery

Gallery pic
Check out the lookbook gallery to see the contestants' looks from each episode.

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