RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race

RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race (often abbreviated as RSCDR) is an American reality competition series that premiered April 24, 2020 on VH1. A spin-off of the television series, celebrities competing for their chosen charity, mentored by fan favourite alumni of the Drag Race franchise.

RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race
GenreReality competition
Based onRuPaul's Drag Race
Directed byNick Murray
Judges
Theme music composerRuPaul
Opening theme"RuPaul's Drag Race" theme
Ending theme
  • "American" (season 1)
  • "I'm A Winner, Baby" (season 2)
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes12
Production
Executive producers
  • Fenton Bailey
  • Randy Barbato
  • Tom Campbell
  • RuPaul Charles
  • Steven Corfe
  • San Heng
  • Tim Palazzola
  • Mandy Salangsang
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time90 minutes
Production companyWorld of Wonder
Original release
NetworkVH1
ReleaseApril 24, 2020 (2020-04-24) –
present

The first season consisted of self-contained episodes based on the format of the main series, each featuring three celebrity contestants competing in challenges to win money for their chosen charity. For its second season, the format was changed to a season-length competition focused on lip sync performances. The field of celebrities was concealed via drag personas, with their identity revealed upon elimination.

Format

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Both seasons of the series have featured celebrity contestants competing for charity, becoming drag performers mentored by alumni from previous seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race (billed as "Queen Supremes").[1]

In its first season, each episode was a self-contained competition between three contestants, who competed in "fan favorite" Drag Race challenges.[1] Similarly to the main series, each episode featured mini and maxi challenges, followed by a final lip sync round to determine the winner.[2][3]

The second season switched to a season-length competition focusing exclusively on lip sync performances. The season began with a cast of nine contestants, identified only by drag personas. In each episode, the contestants give a solo lip sync performance for the judges and a studio audience. The bottom two contestants compete in a "Lip Sync for Your Life" round to determine who advances to the next episode, and who is eliminated and must reveal their true identity. The last remaining celebrity at the end of the season would win $100,000 for their chosen charity.[4][5] The new format was described as having similarities to The Masked Singer.[4][5]

The series maintains the same judging panel as the main series, consisting of RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, and Ross Mathews.[5]

Series overview

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SeasonContestantsEpisodesOriginally airedWinner(s)Runner(s)-up
First airedLast aired
1124April 24, 2020 (2020-04-24)May 15, 2020 (2020-05-15)Jordan Connor - "Babykins La Roux"
Vanessa Williams - "Vanqueisha De House"
Matt Iseman - "Bette Bordeaux"
Alex Newell - "Madam That Bitch"
Dustin Milligan - "Rachel McAdamsapple"
Hayley Kiyoko - "Queen Eleza Beth"
Jermaine Fowler - "Miss Mimi Teapot"
Nico Tortorella - "Olivette Isyou"
Loni Love - "Mary J. Ross"
Tami Roman - "Miss Shenita Cocktail"
Madison Beer - "Coral Fixation"
Phoebe Robinson - "Cocotini"
298August 12, 2022 (2022-08-12)September 30, 2022 (2022-09-30)AJ McLean - "Poppy Love"Tatyana Ali - "Chakra 7"
Mark Indelicato - "Thirsty von Trap"

Broadcast

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The series was initially announced in October 2019 under the working title RuPaul's Celebrity Drag Race,[6] with the title changed prior to launch. The first season premiered on April 24, 2020, on VH1, as a four-part miniseries.[1] In August 2021, VH1 renewed the series for a second season,[7] which premiered on August 12, 2022.[4]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2020 Queerty Awards Next Big Thing RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race Won [8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Ramos, Dino-Ray (2020-04-10). "'RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race' Event Series Sets Premiere Date". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  2. ^ Swift, Andy (October 22, 2019). "RuPaul's Celebrity Drag Race Ordered at VH1 — Which Queens Are Returning?". TVLine. Archived from the original on October 22, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  3. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (April 10, 2020). "'RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race' Event Series Sets Premiere Date". Deadline. Archived from the original on April 10, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Swift, Andy (July 18, 2022). "RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race Returns to VH1 for Totally Revamped Second Season — Watch Trailer". TVLine. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c "RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race Season 2: See the First 5 Minutes of the Starry Premiere". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  6. ^ Drysdale, Jenifer (October 22, 2019). "'RuPaul's Celebrity Drag Race' to Launch in 2020". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on October 23, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  7. ^ Nolfi, Joey (August 23, 2021). "RuPaul's Drag Race season 14 returning to VH1 with Celebrity Drag Race season 2". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 30, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  8. ^ "Next Big Thing Winners". The Queerties. Archived from the original on 2 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
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