RuPaul's Drag Race season 13 final date – Queens, changes and judges
The new series just keeps getting better... **Contains spoilers for Season 13**
After one of the longest seasons in Drag Race history, we finally have our four finalists for the show's ongoing 13th series, with LA queens Gottmik and Symone taking on New York City's Rosé and Kandy Muse in next weekend's (24th April) final.
Premiering on Netflix for UK viewers on New Year's Day, Drag Race season 13 kept reality fans thoroughly entertained throughout lockdown and, together with the UK version's second series – which saw Lawrence Chaney crowned the UK's next drag superstar – the franchise has given us more than enough RuPaul to keep us going until the end of the year.
Last week's show saw the final four perform their own verses on RuPaul's song Lucky, with the quartet donning colourful lingerie to dance, sing and rap their way into the judges' hearts.
With RuPaul deciding to send all four of them through to the final, they'll each be battling it out for that $100,000 prize pot and the coveted crown, however, before then we're treated to a reunion episode featuring all 13 queens of season 13.
Here's everything you need to know about RuPaul's Drag Race US, the final and when the reunion episode airs.
RuPaul's Drag Race season 13 release date
Season 13 started on New Year's Day 2021.
The trailer concluded with a title card, revealing that series 13 will air on 31st December in the US on VH1.
Previously, VH1 confirmed that Drag Race would be returning in a statement from Mamma Ru herself, saying: "Drag queens have been on the frontlines of many challenging times in our history."
She added: "RuPaul’s Drag Race 13, All Stars 6, and new seasons of Untucked will offer more opportunities for our queens to rise to the occasion and spread the love.”
Season 13 is now available to stream on Netflix, with new episodes dropping weekly on Saturdays.
The next episode will be available on Saturday 17th April, with RuPaul set to reunite with all the season 13 queens.
When is the final of RuPaul's Drag Race season 13?
The season 13 final airs in the US on Vh1 on Friday 23rd April, but arrives on Netflix in the UK on Saturday 24th April.
The upcoming episode of RuPaul's Drag Race (Saturday 10th April) will be a reunion episode, with all the eliminated queens of series 13 returning to discuss some of the biggest moments of the season.
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Who are the queens competing in season 13 of RuPaul's Drag Race?
This year's line-up included 13 queens who served some serious looks over the course of the season.
Here's a list of the contestants:
- Rosé
- Symone
- Gottmik
- Kandy Muse
- Denali – OUT
- Elliott with 2 Ts – OUT
- Joey Jay - OUT
- Kahmora Hall - OUT
- Lala Ri – OUT
- Olivia Lux – OUT
- Tamisha Iman – OUT
- Tina Burner – OUT
- Utica – OUT
Rosé, Symone, Gottmik and Kandy Muse are the four queens heading into the final after last week's non-elimination. You can read more about The RuPaul's Drag Race season 13 cast here.
RuPaul's Drag Race season 13 changes
Series 13 opened with a twist, with six lip sync battles taking place in the very first episode.
As well as this, there are said to be more changes made to the show to ensure it's COVID safe.
According to Variety, the queens, Pit Crew and other on-screen talent were tested for COVID-19 three times a week, along with any crew members who interacted with them. Additional crew members were reportedly tested weekly.
There are visible changes which have been made to the show, with the judges’ table being extended and glass panels placed in between each seat.
Season 12 finished with a virtual finale after the coronavirus pandemic interrupted filming, so the effects of social distancing will continue in season 13.
Some of the challenges on the series so far have included the Queens forming a pop group to write lyrics and perform choreography to a new version of RuPaul’s song 'Condragulations', and challenged to do their most dramatic overacting in cheesy RuPaulmark holiday movies.
Who won RuPaul's Drag Race season 12?
***SPOILER ALERT***
Jaida Essence Hall was crowned the winner of season 12 of the main show.
Seasons 1-13 of Ru Paul's Drag Race are available to watch on Netflix now. New episodes will drop weekly. To find out what else is on, check out our TV Guide.
