Drag Race

**Drag Race** is a television drag queen competition show based off of American television show RuPaul's Drag Race. The show documents a series of judges searching for "the universe's next drag superstar". *Drag Race* features a panel of judges, including drag legend Trixie Mattel as the host and mentor for the contestants. Real-life talent judge Michelle Visage and *The Sims 4* icon Brant Hecking serve as permanent judges, with Divine Sublime and Nicole Byer alternating week by week as the fourth judge. There are no guest judges, however special appearances are made each week by memorable Sims and real-life celebrities.

The show's premise features talented, up-and-coming drag queens who will compete in multiple challenges per episode, to test their "charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent". The judges would determine a winner of each main challenge, with two contestants in the bottom, up for elimination. The elimination was determined by a Lip-Sync for Your Life; the winner would remain in the competition while the loser would be eliminated. The final two or three contestants compete in a special finale episode wherein the season's champion would be crowned. Generally, Trixie makes the decision based on which contestant displayed the most "C.U.N.T." during the season. The finale is pre-recorded, with multiple outcomes filmed in order to prevent spoilers, with the correct outcome airing live.

## Series Overview

Season one premiered across the universe on *Simvivor Network Broadcasting*, during the airing of *Simvivor: Superstar*. Receiving critical acclaim, the series was soon renewed for an additional five seasons, with increased sponsorship opportunities as ratings climbed on the network. While season one spawned memorable personalities, season two saw a change in its viewership that led its cast to superstardom rather quickly. Season three is regarded as "the worst" season of the show, despite its strong conclusion, as the fans criticized perceived favoritism due to poor performances by front-runners of the season. However, season four redeemed the franchise, introducing fresh faces while still bringing back a formerly eliminated queen for her own redemption. Acclaimed for "a return to the show's roots", season four was said to have a "no-frills approach to determining which drag queen truly is the best" in a fiercely competitive, but non-toxic, environment.

Host and main judge Trixie Mattel received particular praise for her comedic approach to her hosting role, while Michelle Visage had a mixed reception for her strong opinions coming across as "rude" rather than helpful. Further praise went to the comparatively unknown judge Brant Hecking, whose charismatic nature and positive attitude towards contestants was reflected in his critiques episode by episode.

Celebrity guests for *Drag Race* included Adelaide Pettigrew, Cam Beaumont, Gale Uragano, Maris Wilton, and Merissa Horvath from *Simvivor* and *Next Top Influencer* fame, as well as members of the Goth family, political figures such as Nancy Landgraab, and A-List celebrities such as Dirk Dreamer and Seraphina Gold. Seasons two through four also saw the inclusion of celebrity choreographer Joaquin Le Chien who assisted the queens during various dance challenges.