RuPaul's Drag Race (Season 4)

RuPaul's Drag Race
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Season 4

Overall Information

No. of Episodes

14

No. of Contestants

13

Premiere

January 30, 2012

Finale

April 30, 2012

Season Information

Season Chronology
← Previous	Next →
Season 3	Season 5

The fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race announced it's cast on November 13, 2011 with the season premiere taking place on January 30, 2012 and the final episode airing on April 30th of the same year. The winner of season four headlined Logo's Drag Race Tour featuring Absolut Vodka, won a one-of-a-kind trip, a lifetime supply of NYX Cosmetics, a cash prize of $100,000 and the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar".

The winner of the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race was Sharon Needles, with Chad Michaels and Phi Phi O'Hara placing as the runner-ups and Latrice Royale winning Miss Congeniality.

Contestants[]

Alisa Summers

Chad Michaels

Dida Ritz

Jiggly Caliente

Kenya Michaels

Lashauwn Beyond

Latrice Royale

Madame LaQueer

Milan

Phi Phi O'Hara

Sharon Needles

The Princess

Willam

(Biographical information stated from during time of contest)

Rank	Contestant	Photo	Age	Location	Ep. 1	Ep. 2	Ep. 3	Ep. 4	Ep. 5	Ep. 6	Ep. 7	Ep. 8	Ep. 9	Ep. 10	Ep. 11	Ep. 12	Ep. 13	Ep. 14
Rank	Contestant	Photo	Age	Location	Design	Choreo	Advert	Acting	Snatch Game	Design	Advert	Singing	Improv	Make Over	Ball	Recap	Music Video	Finale
1st (Winner)	Sharon Needles		29	Pittsburgh, PA	WIN	HIGH TEAM	WIN	SAFE	HIGH	SAFE	HIGH	BTM2	WIN	LOW	WIN	RUN	TOP 3	WINNER
2nd/3rd (Runners-Up)	Chad Michaels		40	San Diego, CA	SAFE	WIN Team Captain	HIGH	HIGH TEAM	WIN	SAFE	LOW	SAFE	HIGH	HIGH	BTM2 Mini Chall. Winner	RUN	TOP 3	RUNNER UP
2nd/3rd (Runners-Up)	Phi Phi O'Hara		25	Chicago, IL	SAFE	SAFE Team Captain	SAFE Team Captain	HIGH TEAM	LOW Mini Chall. Winner	HIGH	WIN	BTM2	LOW Mini Chall. Winner	WIN	HIGH	RUN	TOP 3	RUNNER UP
4th (Miss Congeniality)	Latrice Royale		39	South Beach, FL	SAFE	SAFE	SAFE	WIN	SAFE	HIGH	LOW Mini Chall. Winner	WIN	BTM2	BTM2	ELIM			MISS CON
5th (Orig. 9th)	Kenya Michaels		21	Dorado, PR	LOW	SAFE	HIGH Team Captain	LOW	ELIM					RTRN + ELIM Mini Chall. Winner				GUEST
6th	Dida Ritz		25	Chicago, IL	SAFE	LOW	BTM2	SAFE	SAFE	LOW	SAFE	SAFE	ELIM					GUEST
7th (Disqualified)	Willam		29	Los Angeles, CA	SAFE	SAFE Team Captain	SAFE	HIGH TEAM Team Captain	HIGH	WIN Mini Chall. Winner	BTM2	WIN + DISQ						GUEST
8th	Jiggly Caliente		30	New York, NY	BTM2 Mini Chall. Winner	SAFE	SAFE Mini Chall. Winner	HIGH TEAM	SAFE	BTM2	ELIM							GUEST
9th	Milan		36	New York, NY	SAFE	HIGH TEAM	SAFE	BTM2	BTM2	ELIM								GUEST
10th	Madame LaQueer		29	Carolina, PR	SAFE	WIN	LOW	ELIM Team Captain										GUEST
11th	The Princess		31	Chicago, IL	HIGH	BTM2	ELIM											GUEST
12th	Lashauwn Beyond		21	Fort Lauderdale, FL	HIGH	ELIM												GUEST
13th	Alisa Summers		23	Tampa, FL	ELIM													GUEST

█ The contestant won RuPaul's Drag Race.

█ The contestant placed as a runner-up.

█ The contestant advanced to the finale.

█ The contestant had immunity in this episode.

█ The contestant won the maxi challenge.

█ The contestant was one of the maxi challenge winners.

█ The contestant was a member of the winning team, but did not win the maxi challenge.

█ The contestant received mostly positive critiques, but did not win the maxi challenge.

█ The contestant received mostly negative critiques, but was not up for elimination.

█ The contestant was up for elimination and won the "Lip Sync For Your Life".

█ The contestant was up for elimination, lost the "Lip Sync For Your Life", and was eliminated.

█ The contestant was one of the maxi challenge winners but was disqualified for breaking rules.

█ The contestant was awarded the title of "Miss Congeniality" at the finale.

█ The contestant appeared as a guest, but was out of the running.

Episodes[]

Series #	Episode #	Title	Airdate

38	1	RuPocalypse Now!	January 30, 2012
39	2	WTF!: Wrestling's Trashiest Fighters	February 6, 2012
40	3	Glamazons vs Champions	February 13, 2012
41	4	Queens Behind Bars	February 20, 2012
42	5	Snatch Game	February 27, 2012
43	6	Float Your Boat	March 5, 2012
44	7	Dragazines	March 12, 2012
45	8	Frenemies	March 19, 2012
46	9	Frock the Vote!	March 26, 2012
47	10	DILFs: Dads I'd Like To Frock	April 2, 2012
48	11	The Fabulous Bitch Ball	April 9, 2012
49	12	RuPaul Rewind	April 16, 2012
50	13	The Final Three	April 23, 2012
51	14	Reunited	April 30, 2012

Episode 1: "RuPocalypse Now!"[]

Airdate: January 30, 2012

Synopsis: In the season 4 premiere, a new crop of queens enter the workroom, participate in an atomic photoshoot then hit the runway in their best post-apocalyptic drag.

Special Guest: Shangela
Guest Judges: Cassandra Peterson and Mike Ruiz
Mini Challenge: Photoshoot while posing on a spinning platform while being sprayed with "hazardous waste".
Mini Challenge Winner: Jiggly Caliente
Runway Theme: Apocalyptic Couture
Main Challenge: The queens design a post-apocalyptic couture outfit from items looted from drag queen zombies (AKA Queens from previous seasons).
Runway Theme: Apocalyptic Couture
Main Challenge Winner: Sharon Needles
Main Challenge Prize: A custom designed gown from Sequin Queen and immunity from next week's elimination
Bottom Two: Alisa Summers and Jiggly Caliente
Lip Sync Song: "Toxic" by Britney Spears
Eliminated: Alisa Summers
Farewell Message: "Keep it cute ladies! Shady sisters 4-ever! ♥ Alisa"

Entrance Order

1	Willam
2	LaShauwn Beyond
3	Jiggly Caliente
4	Phi Phi O’Hara
5	Madame LaQueer
6	Milan
7	Alisa Summers
8	DiDa Ritz
9	The Princess
10	Kenya Michaels
11	Chad Michaels
12	Sharon Needles
13	Latrice Royale

RuPocalypse Photoshoot

Episode 2: "WTF!: Wrestling's Trashiest Fighters"[]

Airdate: February 6, 2012

Synopsis: The remaining queens participate in a group acting challenge all about wrestling! On the runway, the queens don their most girly-girl drag.

Special Guests: "Hollywood's Own" Joey Ryan, Hector "El Chido" Canales and "King of Submissions" Ryan Taylor
Guest Judges: Rick Fox and John Salley
Mini Challenge: Create a "Badonkadonk" with padding in 30 minutes.
Mini Challenge Winners: Chad Michaels, Willam and Phi Phi O'Hara
Main Challenge: Create a wrestling storyline, with "backstage" clips and perform an entertaining match in the ring.
Runway Theme: Girly Girl Couture
Main Challenge Winners: Chad Michaels and Madame LaQueer
Main Challenge Prize: A selection of wigs from Risqué Wigs
Bottom Two: Lashauwn Beyond & The Princess
Lip Sync Song: "Bad Girls" by Donna Summer
Eliminated: Lashauwn Beyond
Farewell Message: "Stay true 2 U + xoxo good luck! -Beyond!"

Team Phi Phi		Team Willam		Team Chad
LA's Finest	The Bitter Betties	DWF'd	Thunder Booties	The Knockouts	Bitch Kickers
Phi Phi Fierce	Latrice the Beast	Willamita Hater	Pucker Up Princess	Milan the Model	Chaderella Chainsaw Michaels
Lashauwn the Blonde	Killer Kenya	Dida Diddles	J-Train Jiggly	Sharon Shocker	Madame LaCrush

Episode 3: "Glamazons vs. Champions"[]

Airdate: February 13, 2012

Synopsis: The queens participate in an informercial-style challenge where they must sell one of two albums, Glamazon and Champion. On the runway, the queens dress up in silver and gold.

Guest Judges: Amber Riley and Natalie Cole
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: Phi Phi O'Hara, Kenya Michaels and Jiggly Caliente
Main Challenge: Produce and act in TV infomercials for RuPaul's Glamazon and Champion.
Runway Theme: Platinum and Gold
Main Challenge Winner: Sharon Needles
Main Challenge Prize: A custom jewelry set from Fierce Drag Jewels
Bottom Two: Dida Ritz & The Princess
Lip Sync Song: "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" by Natalie Cole
Eliminated: The Princess
Farewell Message: "This is (only) the beginning ! Much Love - The Princess / I ♥ U DIDA RITZ!"

Team Glamazon		Team Champion
Contestant	RuPaul Song	Contestant	RuPaul Song
Chad Michaels	"The Beginning"	Dida Ritz	"Main Event"
Kenya Michaels	"Get Your Rebel On"	Jiggly Caliente	"LadyBoy"
Madame LaQueer	"Responsitrannity"	Latrice Royale	"Never Go Home Again"
Milan	"Superstar"	Phi Phi O'Hara	"Jealous of My Boogie"
The Princess	"If I Dream"	Sharon Needles	"Cover Girl"
Willam	"Click Clack (Make Dat Money)"	Sharon Needles	"Cover Girl"

Episode 4: "Queens Behind Bars"[]

Airdate: February 20, 2012

Synopsis: The queens participate in an acting challenge where they split into two casts and create a spoof of a classic sitcom. On the runway, the queens are asked to dress up for their television premiere.

Guest Judges: Nicole Sullivan and Max Mutchnick
Mini Challenge: In pairs, paint each other's face while handcuffed to one another and pose for a mug shot photoshoot.
Mini Challenge Winners: Willam and Madame LaQueer
Main Challenge: In two teams, star in two different episodes of a sitcom
Runway Theme: Red Carpet
Main Challenge Winner: Latrice Royale
Main Challenge Prize: A cruise courtesy of Al & Chuck Travel
Bottom Two: Madame LaQueer & Milan
Lip Sync Song: "Trouble" by P!nk
Eliminated: Madame LaQueer
Farewell Message: "Girls: Stay humble... People go up... You'll be on the way down! Kisses MLQ / Chad, Sharon, Milan, Dita = True Friends / Kenya : Botate Mami!"

Team LaQueer	Team Willam
Madame LaQueer	Willam
Dida Ritz	Jiggly Caliente
Sharon Needles	Latrice Royale
Kenya Michaels	Phi Phi O'Hara
Milan	Chad Michaels

Mugshot Photoshoot

Episode 5: "Snatch Game"[]

Airdate: February 27, 2012

Synopsis: The queens participate in the infamous Snatch Game, where they must impersonate pop culture celebrities. On the runway they are challenged to dress to impress.

Guest Judges: Loretta Devine and Ross Mathews
Mini Challenge: Compete in a game called "Beat the Cock"
Mini Challenge Winner: Phi Phi O'Hara
Main Challenge: Celebrity impersonations on the Snatch Game
Runway Theme: Dress to Impress
Main Challenge Winner: Chad Michaels
Main Challenge Prize: A custom gown by Marco Marco
Bottom Two: Kenya Michaels & Milan
Lip Sync Song: "Vogue" by Madonna
Eliminated: Kenya Michaels
Farewell Message: "[…] I'll be waiting for you in my kingdom / Phi Phi - I love you - sisters 4 ever"

Contestant	Celebrity
Chad Michaels	Cher
Dida Ritz	Wendy Williams
Jiggly Caliente	Snooki
Kenya Michaels	Beyoncé
Latrice Royale	Aretha Franklin
Milan	Diana Ross
Phi Phi O'Hara	Lady Gaga
Sharon Needles	Michelle Visage
Willam	Jessica Simpson

Episode 6: "Float Your Boat"[]

Airdate: March 5, 2012

Synopsis: The remaining queens are assigned various colors of the pride flag and must decorate a parade boat to hit the main stage in.

Guest Judges: Kelly Osbourne and Pauley Perrette
Mini Challenge: Gain the biggest crowd reaction in a wet T-shirt contest.
Mini Challenge Winner: Willam
Main Challenge: Create and wear a parade float based on a color of the pride flag.
Runway Theme: Pride Parade Extravaganza
Main Challenge Winner: Willam
Main Challenge Prize: A cruise courtesy of Al & Chuck Travel
Bottom Two: Jiggly Caliente & Milan
Lip Sync Song: "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga
Eliminated: Milan
Farewell Message: "Say love n show love / Colored girl, why yo base look like chalk? / Jiggly REPRESENT / Dwayne Milan"

Contestant	Color
Chad Michaels	Pink
Dida Ritz	Red
Jiggly Caliente	Orange
Milan	Yellow
Sharon Needles	Green
Latrice Royale	Turquoise
Willam	Indigo
Phi Phi O'Hara	Violet

Episode 7: "Dragazines"[]

Airdate: March 12, 2012

Synopsis: The remaining queens design magazine covers that are sure to sell hot off the press. On the runway, the queens dress for their magazine release party!

Guest Judges: Regina King and Pam Tillis
Mini Challenge: Reading is Fundamental
Mini Challenge Winner: Latrice Royale
Main Challenge: Create a magazine cover that captures the assigned theme of magazine
Runway Theme: Dragazines
Main Challenge Winner: Phi Phi O'Hara
Main Challenge Prize: A cruise to the Bahamas courtesy of Al & Chuck Travel
Bottom Two: Jiggly Caliente & Willam
Lip Sync Song: "Mi Vida Loca" by Pam Tillis
Eliminated: Jiggly Caliente
Farewell Message: "To my Bitchez / <3 y'all 2 Death! / C U @ da Reunion / Keep it Real / Luv the Dusty 'RPDR' Girls! <3 / Shady / I can get ****** now! / <3 Dida / Jiggly Caliente"

Contestant	Magazine	Topic
Chad Michaels	Eleganza	Fashion
Dida Ritz	Tastes Like Chicken	Food
Jiggly Caliente	Battle of the Bulge	Health & Fitness
Latrice Royale	What's the T?	Celebrity Gossip
Phi Phi O'Hara	Sashay Away	Travel
Sharon Needles	Kitty Cat	Cat Lovers
Willam	Sugar Walls	Home Decor

Episode 8: "Frenemies"[]

Airdate: March 19, 2012

Synopsis: The queens participate in a polygraph test. After, the queens participate in a musical challenge where they are paired up with their perfect frenemy.

Guest Judges: Lucian Piane, Pamela Anderson and Jennifer Tilly
Mini Challenge: Polygraph test administered by RuPaul
Main Challenge: Live singing duet between the pairs of queens with the least in common.
Main Challenge Winners: Latrice Royale & Willam
Main Challenge Prize: A custom corset, skirt and brassiere from Versatile Corsets
Bottom Two: Phi Phi O'Hara & Sharon Needles
Lip Sync Song: "It's Raining Men (The Sequel)" by Martha Wash and RuPaul
Disqualified: Willam
Farewell Message: "Hi, I showed my ass (a lot) so here's one for the road. Willam 🍑

Episode 9: "Frock the Vote!"[]

Airdate: March 26, 2012

Synopsis: The remaining queens participate in an election challenge hosted by Dan Savage. After, the dolls hit the runway in their best inaugural drag.

Guest Judges: Dan Savage and Jeffry Moran
Mini Challenge: Design an Absolut Vodka-inspired shoe.
Mini Challenge Winner: Phi Phi O'Hara
Main Challenge: Participate in a Presidential debate as the 2012 Wig Party candidate
Runway Theme: Inaugural Drag
Main Challenge Winner: Sharon Needles
Main Challenge Prize: A $5,000 gift certificate from Interior Illusions Home
Bottom Two: Dida Ritz & Latrice Royale
Lip Sync Song: "I've Got to Use My Imagination" by Gladys Knight
Eliminated: Dida Ritz
Farewell Message: "Ms. Cheese loves you! Stay true 2 U girl / Chad, Needles, Latrice XXX P.S. Phi Phi: Thank u love u"

Episode 10: "DILFs: Dads I'd Like to Frock"[]

Airdate: April 2, 2012

Synopsis: In a shocking twist, one queen is brought back into the competition. After, the remaining queens must turn hot dads into their drag sisters.

Guest Judges: Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Jennifer Love Hewitt
Returned Queen: Kenya Michaels
Mini Challenge: Give a teddy bear a makeover
Mini Challenge Winner: Kenya Michaels
Main Challenge: Turn a DILF into a pregnant drag diva
Runway Theme: Pregnant Makeover
Main Challenge Winner: Phi Phi O'Hara
Main Challenge Prize: A trip for two to Las Vegas courtesy of Al & Chuck Travel
Bottom Two: Kenya Michaels & Latrice Royale
Lip Sync Song: "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin
Eliminated: Kenya Michaels
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."

Contestant	Makeover Partner
Contestant	Name	Drag Name
Chad Michaels	James	Lady Samantha
Kenya Michaels	Rick	Lil' Mama Michaels
Latrice Royale	Leland	Sharelle Royale
Phi Phi O'Hara	Chris	Gi Gi O'Hara
Sharon Needles	Mike	Robin Mansions

Episode 11: "The Fabulous Bitch Ball"[]

Airdate: April 9, 2012

Synopsis: The final four must compete in the Fabulous Bitch Ball where they must serve their different looks and perform a musical number in front of the judges.

Guest Judges: Rose McGowan and Wynonna Judd
Mini Challenge: Everybody Loves Puppets
Mini Challenge Winner: Chad Michaels
Main Challenge: Design three outfits for the Bitch Ball
Runway Themes: Daytime Dog Park, Pooch in a Purse and Canine Couture
Main Challenge Winner: Sharon Needles
Main Challenge Prize: Crystal flower body jewelry made by Marianna Harutunian
Bottom Two: Latrice Royale & Chad Michaels
Lip Sync Song: "No One Else on Earth" by Wynonna Judd
Eliminated: Latrice Royale
Farewell Message: "My divas, remember who you are, and what you stand for / I love you and miss all. Stay fierce!! Latrice Royale"

Episode 12: "RuPaul Rewind"[]

Airdate: April 16, 2012

Synopsis: In this special episode, we take a look back on season 4 of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Episode 13: "The Final Three"[]

Airdate: April 23, 2012

Synopsis: The final three film a music video for RuPaul's song Glamazon. Then the queens walk the runway in their best drag for their final walk on the main stage.

Special Guests: Candis Cayne and Mathu Andersen
Main Challenge: Shoot the music video for RuPaul's "Glamazon" with a dramatic scene
Lip Sync Song: "Glamazon" by RuPaul

Finalists

Contestant	Challenge Wins	Up for Elimination
	2 (Eps. 2, 5)	1 (Ep. 11)
	2 (Eps. 7, 10)	1 (Ep. 8)
	4 (Eps. 1, 3, 9, 11)	1 (Ep. 8)

Episode 14: "Reunited"[]

Airdate: April 30, 2012

Synopsis: The queens of season 4 of RuPaul's Drag Race Reunite and a winner is announced!

Miss Congeniality: Latrice Royale
Runners-Up: Chad Michaels & Phi Phi O'Hara
Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season Four: Sharon Needles

Trivia[]

Episode 8 features the disqualification of Willam, making her the first contestant in US history to be disqualified from the competition. Miss Gimhuay was disqualified on the second season of Drag Race Thailand for bringing in prohibited props. Sherry Pie became the second queen to be disqualified from Drag Race US.

Episode 10 features the return of Kenya Michaels, who was eliminated in the same episode as Carmen Carrera in Season 3, making her the second contestant in the show's history to be eliminated twice in the same season, on the episode they were brought back on.
Episode 11 marks the first time a contestant has achieved 4 wins before the finals; Sharon Needles accomplished that feat.
Episode 12 features highlights and lowlights of the past eleven episodes.
The Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 4 was expected to be revealed in the finale, Episode 13, but in a twist, the winner was revealed during "RuPaul's Drag Race: Reunited," pending feedback on the official Facebook page and on X, using #DragRace.
Episode 14: "Reunited!" was the first time in series' history for the reunion episode to be filmed in a theater in front of a live audience. It was also the first reunion to happen before the winner of the season was announced.
Season 4 is the second non All-stars season during which every contestant was put in the bottom two at least once, preceded by Season 3.
This season has produced a total of four returning contestants:
- Chad Michaels, who also competed on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (Season 1), where she won.
- Latrice Royale, who also competed on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (Season 1), where she placed 7th/8th alongside Manila Luzon, and on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (Season 4), where she placed 5th.
- Phi Phi O'Hara, who also competed on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (Season 2), where she placed 7th.
- Jiggly Caliente, who also competed on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (Season 6), where she placed 12th.
  - Jiggly would further return to Drag Race as a judge on Drag Race Philippines.

Gallery[]

Check out the lookbook gallery to see the contestants' looks from each episode.

Videos[]

RuPaul "Glamazon" music video (feat. Sharon Needles, Chad Michaels and Phi Phi O'Hara)

References[]

Navigation[]

RuPaul's Drag Race Season 4
Winner	Sharon Needles
Runners-Up	2nd & 3rd: Chad Michaels & Phi Phi O'Hara
Other Contestants	4th: Latrice Royale (Miss Congeniality) • 5th: Kenya Michaels • 6th: Dida Ritz • 7th: Willam (Disqualified) • 8th: Jiggly Caliente • 9th: Milan • 10th: Madame LaQueer • 11th: The Princess • 12th: Lashauwn Beyond • 13th: Alisa Summers
Judges	RuPaul • Santino Rice • Michelle Visage • Billy B
Pit Crew	Jason Carter • Shawn Morales

Drag Race Franchise

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See also:	Winners • Runners-Up • Miss Congeniality • Lip Sync Performances • Challenge Winners • Snatch Game • Maxi Challenge • Mini Challenge