RuPaul's Drag Race (season 8)

RuPaul's Drag Race
Season 8
Broadcast from March 7 (2016-03-07) – May 16, 2016 (2016-05-16)
Judges
Host(s) RuPaul
Broadcaster Logo TV
Competitors 12
Finals venue Orpheum Theatre
Runtime 45 minutes
Winner
Bob the Drag Queen
Origin New York, NY
Runner-up

Kim Chi

Naomi Smalls

The eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race began airing on March 7, 2016. Returning judges include RuPaul and Michelle Visage, along with Ross Matthews and Carson Kressley, who shared judging responsibilities on an alternating basis. Twelve drag queens competed for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar". The prizes for the winner are a one-year supply of Anastasia Beverly Hills cosmetics and a cash prize of $100,000. The full list of contestants was revealed during the NewNowNext Awards on February 1, 2016.[1] The song "U Wear It Well" from RuPaul's album Butch Queen was featured in promotion for the show. On March 31, 2016, it was announced LogoTV renewed the show for a ninth season.[2]

The theme song played during the runway segment every episode was "The Realness", and the song played during the closing credits was "Die Tomorrow", both songs from the album Realness. The winner of this season was Bob the Drag Queen. Kim Chi and Naomi Smalls were the runners-up.

Contestants

(Ages and names stated are at time of contest)

Contestant Name Age Hometown Outcome
Bob the Drag Queen Christopher Caldwell 29 New York, NY Winner
Kim Chi Sang-Young Shin 27 Chicago, IL Runner-Up
Naomi Smalls Davis Heppenstall 21 Redlands, CA Runner-Up
Chi Chi DeVayne[lower-alpha 1] Zavion Davenport 29 Shreveport, LA 4th Place
Derrick Barry Derrick Barry 32 Las Vegas, NV 5th Place
Thorgy Thor Shane Galligan 31 Brooklyn, NY 6th Place
Robbie Turner Jeremy Baird 33 Seattle, WA 7th Place
Acid Betty Jamin Ruhren 37 Brooklyn, NY 8th Place
Naysha Lopez Fabian Rodriguez 31 Chicago, IL 9th Place
Cynthia Lee Fontaine Carlos Hernandez 34 Austin, TX 10th Place
Dax ExclamationPoint Dax Martin 31 Savannah, GA 11th/12th Place
Laila McQueen Tyler Devlin 22 Gloucester, MA 11th/12th Place
  1. Chi Chi Kat DeVayne is simply known as Chi Chi DeVayne on the show.

Contestant Progress

Contestant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Bob the Drag Queen SAFESAFEWINSAFEWINSAFEWINBTM2 SAFE Winner
Kim Chi WINSAFESAFESAFESAFESAFESAFEWIN SAFE Runner-Up
Naomi Smalls SAFESAFESAFESAFEBTM2WINSAFESAFESAFERunner-Up
Chi Chi DeVayne SAFEWINSAFEBTM2SAFESAFEBTM2SAFEELIM Guest
Derrick Barry SAFESAFESAFESAFESAFEBTM2WINELIM Guest
Thorgy Thor SAFESAFESAFESAFESAFESAFEELIM Guest
Robbie Turner SAFESAFEBTM2WINSAFEELIM Guest
Acid Betty SAFESAFESAFESAFEELIM Guest
Naysha Lopez ELIM SAFEELIM Guest
Cynthia Lee Fontaine SAFESAFEELIM Miss C
Dax ExclamationPoint SAFEELIM Guest
Laila McQueen BTM2ELIM Guest
     The contestant won RuPaul's Drag Race.
     The contestants were the runners-up.
     The contestant was voted Miss Congeniality by viewers.
     The contestant won a challenge.
     The contestant was in the "best and worst" category but was ultimately chosen to be safe.
     The contestant was in the bottom two.
     The contestant was eliminated.
     The contestant returned as a guest for the finale episode.

Lip-syncs

Episode Contestants Song Eliminated
1 Laila McQueen vs. Naysha Lopez "Applause"
(Lady Gaga)
Naysha Lopez
2 Dax ExclamationPoint vs. Laila McQueen "I Will Survive"
(Gloria Gaynor)
Dax ExclamationPoint
Laila McQueen
3 Cynthia Lee Fontaine vs. Robbie Turner "Mesmerized"
(Faith Evans)
Cynthia Lee Fontaine
4 Chi Chi DeVayne vs. Naysha Lopez "Call Me"
(Blondie)
Naysha Lopez
5 Acid Betty vs. Naomi Smalls "Causing a Commotion"
(Madonna)
Acid Betty
6 Derrick Barry vs. Robbie Turner "I Love It"
(Icona Pop ft. Charli XCX)
Robbie Turner
7 Chi Chi DeVayne vs. Thorgy Thor "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"
(Jennifer Holliday)
Thorgy Thor
8 Bob The Drag Queen vs. Derrick Barry "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)"
(Sylvester James)
Derrick Barry
9 All remaining contestants:
Bob the Drag Queen, Chi Chi DeVayne, Kim Chi, Naomi Smalls
"The Realness"
(RuPaul)
Chi Chi DeVayne
     The contestant was eliminated after their first time in the bottom two.
     The contestant was eliminated after their second time in the bottom two.
     The contestant was eliminated after final lipsync of the season.

Guest judges

(In chronological order)[3]

Special guests

Guests who appeared in episodes, but did not judge on the main stage. (In order of appearance)

Episodes

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air date
941"Keeping it 100!"March 7, 2016

Season 8 premieres with the 100th episode and the 100th queen competing to become America's Drag Superstar.

  • Guest Judge: Nicole Richie
  • Special Guests: BeBe Zahara Benet, Shannel, Tyra Sanchez, Raven, Morgan McMichaels, Raja, Sharon Needles, Chad Michaels, Latrice Royale, Jinkx Monsoon, and Violet Chachki
  • Alternating Judge(s): Carson Kressley and Ross Matthews
  • Mini-Challenge: Photoshoot with past winners
  • Mini-Challenge Winner: Robbie Turner
  • Main Challenge: Create an outfit based on a design challenge from seasons past
  • Challenge Winner: Kim Chi
  • Main Challenge Prize: $3,000 from selfieonastick.com
  • Bottom Two: Laila McQueen and Naysha Lopez
  • Lip Sync Song: "Applause" by Lady Gaga
  • Eliminated: Naysha Lopez
  • Farewell message: "Dear Ladies + Monsters. It was a pleasure meeting you all! Play the cards you are dealt + Turn DA PARTY! P.S. I ♥ U Layla [sic] xoxo! The Beauty! Naysha Lopez ♥"
952"Bitch Perfect"March 14, 2016

The queens are challenged to perform in a collegiate, all-queen drag-appella sing-off.

  • Guest Judges: Ester Dean, Lucian Piane, and Jamal Sims
  • Special Guest: AB Soto
  • Mini-Challenge: Latin dance-off to "Cha Cha Bitch"
  • Mini-Challenge Winners: Chi Chi DeVayne and Cynthia Lee Fontaine
  • Main Challenge: Perform in a collegiate a cappella sing-off called Bitch Perfect
  • Challenge Winner: Chi Chi DeVayne
  • Main Challenge Prize: 4 night getaway to a bed and breakfast in New England
  • Runway Theme: Movie Premiere Realness
  • Bottom Two: Dax ExclamationPoint and Laila McQueen
  • Lip Sync Song: "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor
  • Eliminated: Dax ExclamationPoint and Laila McQueen
  • Farewell Message — Dax ExclamationPoint: "Ladies, You're all Fantastic! I wish I could be here with you! Set the world on fire + Make Everyone EAT IT -DAX! ☠"
  • Farewell Message — Laila McQueen: "You're All the Biggest Pack of freaks and I am so "Happy" to call you "family". But Actually I ♥ you All & can't wait for the future with you! xoxo Laila! PS. 1 less Madonna"
963"RuCo's Empire"March 21, 2016

The queens get their Cookie on in two Empire-inspired scenes.

  • Guest Judges: Faith Evans and Tasha Smith
  • Alternating Judge: Carson Kressley
  • Mini-Challenge: Drag up a supreme court judge robe
  • Mini-Challenge Winner: Naomi Smalls
  • Returned: Naysha Lopez
  • Main Challenge: Star in two Empire-inspired acting scenes
  • Challenge Winner: Bob The Drag Queen
  • Main Challenge Prize: $3,500 of Innovative Eyewear from Bradley Kenneth
  • Runway Theme: Roller Girl Realness
  • Bottom Two: Cynthia Lee Fontaine and Robbie Turner
  • Lip Sync Song: "Mesmerized" by Faith Evans (Freemasons Radio Edit)
  • Eliminated: Cynthia Lee Fontaine
  • Farewell message: "Dont give up!!! Fight For Your Dreams!!! Love you Mis Amores #CuCu <(:3"
974"New Wave Queens"March 28, 2016

The queens have to sing live in ‘80s style New Wave girl bands.

  • Guest Judges: Debbie Harry, Chris Stein and Lucian Piane
  • Main Challenge: Sing live in ‘80s style New Wave girl bands
  • Challenge Winner: Robbie Turner
  • Main Challenge Prize: A wig wardrobe from Weaven Steven
  • Runway Theme: Neon Queen Realness
  • Bottom Two: Chi Chi DeVayne and Naysha Lopez
  • Lip Sync Song: "Call Me" by Blondie
  • Eliminated: Naysha Lopez
  • Farewell message: "Dear Ladies, Have a good time and push yourself. I got a 2nd chance, don't blow your first and only! xoxo Da Beauty! Naysha Lopez"
985"Supermodel Snatch Game"April 4, 2016

The queens impersonate celebrities in a quick-witted TV game show, and dress in iconic Madonna looks for the runway. With supermodel guest judges Gigi Hadid and Chanel Iman.

  • Guest Judges: Gigi Hadid and Chanel Iman
  • Alternating Judge: Carson Kressley
  • Main Challenge: Impersonate celebrities in the Snatch Game
  • Challenge Winner: Bob The Drag Queen
  • Main Challenge Prize: A set of Lux De Ville hand bags
  • Runway Theme: Iconic Madonna looks
  • Bottom Two: Acid Betty and Naomi Smalls
  • Lip Sync Song: "Causing a Commotion" by Madonna
  • Eliminated: Acid Betty
  • Farewell message: "Ladies, You have been touched by fierceness! Now werq it out! -Bob, ♥ you! See jew in new york. -Thorgy you are amazeballs -Acidbetty.com "
996"Wizards of Drag"April 11, 2016

The queens give cast members of Little Women: LA drag makeovers in the style of The Wizard of Oz. Fashion designer Marc Jacobs and singer-songwriter Todrick Hall guest judge.

  • Guest Judges: Todrick Hall and Marc Jacobs
  • Alternating Judge: Ross Matthews
  • Special Guest: Marc Snetiker
  • Mini-Challenge: Reading is Fundamental
  • Mini-Challenge Winner: Bob The Drag Queen
  • Main Challenge: Give Wizard of Oz-themed makeovers to cast members of Little Women L.A.
  • Challenge Winner: Naomi Smalls
  • Main Challenge Prize: $1,000 worth of spa services from The Spa on Rodeo
  • Bottom Two: Derrick Barry and Robbie Turner
  • Lip Sync Song: "I Love It" by Icona Pop
  • Eliminated: Robbie Turner
  • Farewell message: "My dearest trashbags, I'm sorry to leave you all so soon, but know this, the love I have for you is REAL + quite strong, also whoever wins owes me a tea or a steak dinner! Love you all, Robbie"
1007"Shady Politics"April 18, 2016

The queens shoot shady presidential campaign ads, throwing their wigs in the ring to become the first drag president of the USA. Vivica A. Fox and MSNBC Live news anchor Thomas Roberts guest judge.

  • Guest Judges: Vivica A. Fox and Thomas Roberts
  • Special Guest: Andrew Christian
  • Alternating Judge(s): Carson Kressley
  • Mini-Challenge: Playing a true or false guessing game with the Pit Crew
  • Mini-Challenge Winner: Derrick Barry
  • Main Challenge: Work in pairs to shoot presidential campaign ads to smear their partner and stake their claim to be the first drag President of the U.S.A.
  • Challenge Winners: Bob the Drag Queen and Derrick Barry
  • Main Challenge Prize: A custom made gown from MountBatten Concepts
  • Runway Theme: Black and White Realness
  • Bottom Two: Chi Chi DeVayne and Thorgy Thor
  • Lip Sync Song: "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from Dreamgirls
  • Eliminated: Thorgy Thor
  • Farewell message: "Clowns! All of you!! Come to NY - but please take down Bob! ... She's terrible! - anyway - <3 you guys! top 3?....... Naomi, Bob, Deryk... Let's see.... (that was shady!) <3 thorgy"
1018"RuPaul Book Ball"April 25, 2016

The queens compete in a pageant of book inspired couture, and perform a musical tribute to Jerri Blank from Strangers With Candy. Siblings Amy Sedaris and David Sedaris guest judge.

  • Guest Judges: Amy Sedaris and David Sedaris
  • Alternating Judge(s): Ross Matthews
  • Mini Challenge: Everybody Loves Puppets
  • Mini Challenge Winner: Chi Chi DeVayne
  • Main Challenge: The queens compete in a pageant of book inspired couture and perform a musical tribute to Jerri Blank from Strangers With Candy
  • Challenge Winner: Kim Chi
  • Main Challenge Prize: $2,500 gift card from Fabric Planet
  • Bottom Two: Bob the Drag Queen and Derrick Barry
  • Lip Sync Song: "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" by Sylvester James
  • Eliminated: Derrick Barry
  • Farewell message: To my top 4, Ru said I won the challenge! What happened? I love you all! <3 Derrick Bitch!
1029"The Realness"May 2, 2016

The queens compete in their final challenge - starring in the music video for RuPaul's hit "The Realness." Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley and Ross Mathews judge.

  • Special Guests: Bianca Del Rio, Jayson Whitmore
  • Alternating Judge(s): Ross Mathews and Carson Kressley
  • Main Challenge: Star in the music video for RuPaul's single "The Realness"
  • Lip-sync Song: "The Realness" by RuPaul
  • Eliminated: Chi Chi DeVayne
10310"Grand Finale"May 16, 2016

Wigs fly as the queens discuss the drama of the season. Plus, both "America's Next Drag Superstar" and "Miss Congeniality" are crowned.

  • Miss Congeniality: Cynthia Lee Fontaine
  • Runners Up: Kim Chi & Naomi Smalls
  • Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race season eight: Bob the Drag Queen

Notes

  1. Due to Matthews sharing judging responsibilities with Kressley, he was only present for some of the episodes. Matthews was present for episodes 1, 6, 8, 9
  2. Due to Kressley sharing judging responsibilities with Matthews, he was only present for some of the episodes. Kressley was present for episodes 1, 3, 5, 7, 9

References

External links

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