RuPaul's Drag Race season 13

The thirteenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race premiered on January 1 and concluded on April 23, 2021. The cast was announced via Twitter on December 9, 2020. The competition is broadcast on VH1 in the United States and showcases 13 new queens competing for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar". VH1 renewed both RuPaul's Drag Race and its spin-off RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars for a thirteenth and sixth season respectively on August 20, 2020. Casting calls for season 13 were opened in December 2019. In addition to airing on VH1, the premiere episode was simulcast across 5 other channels: Logo, MTV, MTV2, Pop, and The CW, becoming the most-watched episode in the franchise's history.

After the season's first teaser trailer was accidentally leaked a day prior, the cast was officially revealed by season 12 winner Jaida Essence Hall on December 9, 2020. The teaser revealed that the season's premiere would consist of six "Lip-Sync for Your Life" battles in a Lip-Sync Extravaganza, along with a new socially distanced stage and werkroom design. The season welcomed Gottmik, the show's first ever openly transgender male and assigned female at birth contestant since the series began in 2009.

The season was filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, relying on strict protocols, including isolation and testing of contestants, judges, and crew. On February 26, 2021, the series aired Corona Can't Keep a Good Queen Down detailing the season's production amid the pandemic, including unseen footage and reflections from the cast. The winner of the thirteenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race was Symone, with Kandy Muse as the runner-up and LaLa Ri as Miss Congeniality.

Contestants

Ages, names, and cities stated are at time of filming.

Notes:

Contestant progress

Legend:

Notes

Lip syncs

Legend:

Notes:

Guest judges

• Jamal Sims, choreographer (episodes 2 and 8)
• Nicole Byer, stand-up comedian (episodes 3 and 5)
• Loni Love, comedian and television host (episodes 4, 6, 10 and 12)
• Ts Madison, LGBT activist (episodes 7 and 9)
• Cynthia Erivo, English actress, singer and songwriter (episode 13)

Special guests

Guests who appeared in episodes, but did not judge on the main stage.

Episodes

Ratings

References