The fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race is the fourth series, began airing on January 30, 2012, and aired its final episode on April 30 of the same year.[2] The cast members were announced November 13, 2011.[3] The winner of season four headlined Logo's Drag Race Tour featuring Absolut Vodka, and also won a one-of-a-kind trip, a lifetime supply of NYX Cosmetics, and a cash prize of $100,000.[4]
Like the previous season, Santino Rice and Billy B (Billy Brasfield), celebrity makeup artist and star of the HGTV mini-series Hometown Renovation, shared the same seat at the judges table alternatively, Brasfield filling in for Rice when needed.[1] Both judges appeared side-by-side in the audience during the "Reunited" episode.
The theme song played during the runway every episode was "Glamazon" and the song played during the credits was "The Beginning", both from RuPaul's album Glamazon.
This is the first season in which a contestant, Willam Belli, was disqualified from the competition for breaking the rules, and the second season in a row in which a contestant, Kenya Michaels, was brought back into the competition after having been eliminated in a prior episode.
The winner of the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race was Sharon Needles, with Chad Michaels and Phi Phi O'Hara being the runners-up, making it the first time in the show's history to have two runners-up. The final also featured the first three-way lip-sync battle, instead of the usual format with two competitors. It was the first season in which the winner was not crowned in the studio, but instead during the "Reunited" episode, which was filmed in front of a live audience. This was also the first time three versions of the finale were filmed with each Top 3 contestant being crowned to prevent spoilers; this came after Raja winning Season 3 was leaked by Perez Hilton in 2011.[5]
Thirteen new queens enter the workroom. For the first mini-challenge, the queens do a photoshoot on a spinning platform while being sprayed with "hazardous waste". Jiggly Caliente wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens create a post-apocalyptic couture outfit made from items looted from drag queen zombies.
On the runway, Lashauwn Beyond, Sharon Needles and The Princess receive positive critiques, with Sharon Needles winning the challenge. Alisa Summers, Jiggly Caliente and Kenya Michaels receive negative critiques, with Kenya Michaels being safe. Alisa Summers and Jiggly Caliente lip-sync to "Toxic" by Britney Spears. Jiggly Caliente wins the lip-sync and Alisa Summers is the first queen to sashay away.
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens create a "badonkadonk" with padding. Chad Michaels, Phi Phi O'Hara and Willam win the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens create a wrestling storyline, with a backstage clip and an entertaining match in the ring.
Team Chad Michaels: Chad Michaels, Madame LaQueer, Milan and Sharon Needles
Team Phi Phi O'Hara: Kenya Michaels, Lashauwn Beyond, Latrice Royale and Phi Phi O'Hara
Team Willam: DiDa Ritz, Jiggly Caliente, The Princess and Willam
On the runway, category is Girly Girl Couture. Team Chad Michaels is the winning team, with Chad Michaels and Madame LaQueer both winning the challenge. Team Phi Phi O'Hara and Team Willam are the losing teams. DiDa Ritz, Lashauwn Beyond and The Princess receive negative critiques, with DiDa Ritz being safe. Lashauwn Beyond and The Princess lip-sync to "Bad Girls" by Donna Summer. The Princess wins the lip-sync and Lashauwn Beyond sashays away.
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens create hats with butterfly-shaped accessories for guest Piyah Martell, Internet diva and transgender teen born with Caudal Regression Syndrome. Jiggly Caliente, Kenya Michaels and Phi Phi O'Hara win the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens team up to produce and act in TV infomercials for RuPaul's Glamazon and Champion albums.
Team Champion:
DiDa Ritz - "Main Event"
Jiggly Caliente - "LadyBoy"
Latrice Royale - "Never Go Home Again"
Phi Phi O'Hara - "Jealous of My Boogie"
Sharon Needles - "Cover Girl (Put the Bass in Your Walk)"
Team Glamazon:
Chad Michaels - "The Beginning"
Kenya Michaels - "Get Your Rebel On"
Madame LaQueer - "Responsitrannity"
Milan - "Superstar"
The Princess - "If I Dream"
Willam - "Click Clack (Make Dat Money)"
On the runway, category is Platinum and Gold. Chad Michaels, Kenya Michaels and Sharon Needles receive positive critiques, with Sharon Needles winning the challenge. DiDa Ritz, Madame LaQueer and The Princess receive negative critiques, with Madame LaQueer being safe. DiDa Ritz and The Princess lip-sync to "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" by Natalie Cole. DiDa Ritz wins the lip-sync and The Princess sashays away.
Mini-Challenge: Create hats with butterfly-shaped accessories for guest Piyah Martell, Internet diva and transgender teen born with Caudal Regression Syndrome
Mini-Challenge Winners: Jiggly Caliente, Kenya Michaels and Phi Phi O'Hara
Main Challenge: In teams, produce and act in TV infomercials for RuPaul's Glamazon and Champion albums
Runway Theme: Platinum and Gold
Challenge Winner: Sharon Needles
Challenge Prize: A custom jewelry set from Fierce Drag Jewels
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens pair up and paint each others faces while handcuffed to one another and pose for a mug shot photoshoot. Madame LaQueer and Willam win the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens team up and star in two different episodes of a sitcom.
Team Madame LaQueer: DiDa Ritz, Kenya Michaels, Madame LaQueer, Milan and Sharon Needles
Team Willam: Chad Michaels, Jiggly Caliente, Latrice Royale, Phi Phi O'Hara and Willam
On the runway, category is Television Premiere. Team Willam is the winning team, with Latrice Royale winning the challenge. Team Madame LaQueer is the losing team. Kenya Michaels, Madame LaQueer and Milan receive negative critiques, with Kenya Michaels being safe. Madame LaQueer and Milan lip-sync to "Trouble" by Pink. Milan wins the lip-sync and Madame LaQueer sashays away.
Farewell Message: "Girls: Stay humble... People go up... You'll be on the way down! Kisses MLQ / Chad, Sharon, Milan, Dita [sic] = True Friends / Kenya : Botate Mami !"
42
5
"Snatch Game"
February 27, 2012 (2012-02-27)
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens compete in a game called "Beat the Cock". Phi Phi O'Hara wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens play the Snatch Game. Loretta Devine and Ross Mathews star as the celebrity contestants. The cast consisted of:
On the runway, category is Best Drag. Chad Michaels, Sharon Needles and Willam receive positive critiques, with Chad Michaels winning the challenge. Kenya Michaels, Milan and Phi Phi O'Hara receive negative critiques, with Phi Phi O'Hara being safe. Kenya Michaels and Milan lip-sync to "Vogue" by Madonna. Milan wins the lip-sync and Kenya Michaels sashays away.
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens must gain the biggest crowd reaction in a wet T-shirt contest. Willam wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens create and wear a pride float based on a color of the pride flag.
Chad Michaels - Pink
DiDa Ritz - Red
Jiggly Caliente - Orange
Latrice Royale - Turquoise
Milan - Yellow
Phi Phi O'Hara - Violet
Sharon Needles - Green
Willam - Indigo
On the runway, Latrice Royale, Phi Phi O'Hara and Willam receive positive critiques, with Willam winning the challenge. DiDa Ritz, Jiggly Caliente and Milan receive negative critiques, with DiDa Ritz being safe. Jiggly Caliente and Milan lip-sync to "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga". Jiggly Caliente wins the lip-sync and Milan sashays away.
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens read each other to filth. Latrice Royale wins the mini-challenge. For this week's main challenge, the queens create a magazine cover on a certain topic.
Chad Michaels - Fashion
DiDa Ritz - Food
Jiggly Caliente - Health & Fitness
Latrice Royale - Celebrity Gossip
Phi Phi O'Hara - Travel
Sharon Needles - Cat Lovers
Willam - Home Decor
On the runway, Phi Phi O'Hara and Sharon Needles receive positive critiques, with Phi Phi O'Hara winning the challenge. Chad Michaels, Jiggly Caliente, Latrice Royale and Willam receive negative critiques, with Chad Michaels and Latrice Royale being safe. Jiggly Caliente and Willam lip-sync to "Mi Vida Loca" by Pam Tillis. Willam wins the lip-sync and Jiggly Caliente sashays away.
Farewell Message: "To my Bitchez / ❤️ y'all 2 Death! / C U @ da Reunion / Keep it Real" [Second Column:] "Luv the Dusty 'RPDR' Girls! ❤️ / Shady / I can get [censored] now! / ❤️ Dida / Jiggly Caliente"
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens take a polygraph test. Based on these results, the queens are then paired up for the main challenge, in which they must live sing a duet to "So Much Better Than You".
Chad Michaels and DiDa Ritz
Latrice Royale and Willam
Phi Phi O'Hara and Sharon Needles
On the runway, Latrice Royale and Willam win the challenge. Phi Phi O'Hara and Sharon Needles are announced as the bottom two and lip-sync to "It's Raining Men (The Sequel)" by Martha Wash and RuPaul. After the lip-sync, RuPaul announces that Willam has broken the rules, and will be disqualified from the competition immediately. Because of this disqualification, Phi Phi O'Hara and Sharon Needles both win the lip-sync.
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens design an Absolut Vodka inspired shoe. Phi Phi O'Hara wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens participate in a Presidential debate as the 2012 Wig Party candidate.
On the runway, category is Inaugural Drag. Chad Michaels and Sharon Needles receive positive critiques, with Sharon Needles winning the challenge. DiDa Ritz, Latrice Royale and Phi Phi O'Hara receive negative critiques, with Phi Phi O'Hara being safe. DiDa Ritz and Latrice Royale lip-sync to "I've Got to Use My Imagination" by Gladys Knight & the Pips. Latrice Royale wins the lip-sync and DiDa Ritz sashays away. At the end of the episode, RuPaul tells the other queens that the judges will be voting one of the eliminated queens back into the competition.
RuPaul reveals that the judges have voted back Kenya Michaels, and she officially returns to the competition. For this week's mini-challenge, the queens give a teddy bear a makeover. Kenya Michaels wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens makeover a DILF into a pregnant drag diva.
On the runway, Chad Michaels and Phi Phi O'Hara receive positive critiques, with Phi Phi O'Hara winning the challenge. Kenya Michaels, Latrice Royale and Sharon Needles receive negative critiques, with Sharon Needles being safe. Kenya Michaels and Latrice Royale lip-sync to "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin. Latrice Royale wins the lip-sync and Kenya Michaels sashays away.
Farewell Message: "Girl I say goodbye again! Thank your love. When I left this competition, I felt loved. I love you, and the winner is... I don't know. Kiss K.M."
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens have a bitchfest with puppets. Chad Michaels wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens create three looks for the Bitch Ball: Daytime Dog Park, Pooch in a Purse and Canine Couture.
Chad Michaels - Chinese Crested Dog
Latrice Royale - Pomeranian Dog
Phi Phi O'Hara - Bloodhound Dog
Sharon Needles - Poodle Dog
On the runway, Phi Phi O'Hara and Sharon Needles receive positive critiques, with Sharon Needles winning the challenge. Chad Michaels and Latrice Royale receive negative critiques, are announced as the bottom two. They lip-sync to "No One Else on Earth" by Wynonna Judd. Chad Michaels wins the lip-sync and Latrice Royale sashays away.
Farewell Message: "My divas Remember who you are, and what you stand for I love you and miss you all. Stay fierce!! Latrice Royale"
49
12
"RuPaul Rewind"
April 16, 2012 (2012-04-16)
A look back on the highlights, low-lights, and previously unseen footage from the season as we race toward the climactic grand finale. RuPaul is joined by Shannel (season 1), Pandora Boxx (season 2) and Mariah (season 3) as they look back over the top 10 fits of fashion from the season so far. This episode also included a few clips of queens who didn't make it on the season, among them, Alaska, who later became a contestant on season 5. Magnolia Crawford, Joslyn Fox and April Carrión, who later became contestants on season 6 and Mrs. Kasha Davis, who later became a contestant on season 7.
For the final challenge of the season, the queens star in RuPaul's music video "Glamazon" and act in a dramatic scene with RuPaul.
On the runway, category is Best Drag. It is announced that all three finalists will lip-sync to "Glamazon" by RuPaul. In a twist, RuPaul does not crown a queen, and says that the winner will be announced next episode in front of a live audience.
The queens all return for the live grand finale. Ru catches up with all the eliminated queens. She then invites out Willam and she reveals that she invited over her husband to her hotel, which is a clear breach of the contract. It is announced that Latrice Royale is this season's Miss Congeniality. It is then announced that Sharon Needles is the winner, leaving Chad Michaels and Phi Phi O'Hara as the runners-up.
Miss Congeniality: Latrice Royale
Runners-up: Chad Michaels and Phi Phi O'Hara
Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season Four: Sharon Needles
Marketing
In January 2012, Logo released the second running of Fantasy Drag Race, an online fan contest inspired by fantasy football where viewers assemble a team of three season four Drag Race contestants. Players receive and lose points based on their team's performance on the show, and can earn additional points by redeeming codes and performing tasks given out when episodes of the show first air. The highest scoring players receive Drag Race and NYX Cosmetics products, and one player wins a trip for two to the first stop on Logo's Drag Race Tour.[21]
Already having a generous social media presence, Logo expanded its efforts across Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, GetGlue, and Foursquare in preparation for the premiere of season four. Both RuPaul and contestants tweet live while the show airs, and LogoTalk! chat parties (featuring judges, contestants from previous seasons, and contestants from season four) occur on the official Logo website while participants watch new episodes.[22] Season four specifically marks an increased interest from Logo in Tumblr, where the network publishes animated GIFs, contestant trading cards, and images that incorporate internet memes.[23] Dan Sacher, VP of digital for VH1 and Logo, has stated that their online marketing efforts are part of helping the small network expand their fan base across as many outlets as possible.[22]
Reception
The premiere episode of season four averaged a 0.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic, totaling 481,000 viewers, and ranked as the highest-rated premiere in Logo's network history. Untucked totalled 254,000 viewers, marking the companion show's most watched debut. During the evening of the premiere, the show registered eight US trending topics on Twitter (including Jiggly Caliente, Sharon Needles, Phi Phi O'Hara, and Latrice Royale) and reached a 7th place ranking on Trendrr. Leading up to the first episode, the show's Facebook page saw an 89% increase (earning over half a million fans).[24]
The season finale scored a 0.7 rating in the 18-49 demographic and drew 601,000 viewers total, while the reunion episode became the highest rated episode of the season. Season four's "RuPaul's Drag Race: Reunited" was also the highest-rated reunion in the franchise's history, seeing a 33% increase in the 18-49 demographic compared to season three. The reunion registered five trending topics on Twitter (including Sharon Needles, Phi Phi, Willam, and a new portmanteau Willam introduced to the show: "RuPaulogize"), and ranked 4th among non-sports cable programs for the night on Trendrr.[25]
During season 4, the show's Twitter following increased by 77%, and the Facebook page accrued a 36% increase in likes.[25] TV.com also declared it was the best reality show on television.[26]
Notes
^Because of Willam’s disqualification after the lip sync, both queens in the bottom were saved.
