RuPaul’s Drag Race is gearing up for its season 3 premiere (January 24 on Logo) so of course they’ve been teasing us with bits of information about what we can expect this time around. One of the most exciting things is the panel of judges. This season Vanessa Williams, Amber Rose, Jody Watley, LaToya Jackson and Fantasia are some of the brown girls added to the mix. Check out the image grid below for the full scope of judges:

Swooning yet? Now check out a preview of what’s to come (in case you missed it in our previous post):

The premiere episode is going to be a 90-minute audition spectacular. They held open auditions on Hollywood Boulevard (American Idol style) so you already know. Prepare to laugh!

I couldn’t resist. Plus, they actually look alike (kind of). But seriously, I don’t think the America’s Next Top Model girls have anything thing on the drag queen itches getting ready to catwalk the runway in season two of RuPaul’s Drag Race, which premiers tonight. I am aware that the shows aren’t interchangeable but the similarities exist and I had to compare. Here’s a brief break down of fierceness:

America’s Next Model

Host: Tyra Banks is tall, thin, fabulous loves her Indian Remy lace fronts— especially honey blond—and women want to be like her.

Talent: She tried to sing (remember “Shake Your Body”) but that didn’t work out very well.

Catch Phrase(s) We Love:

“You are still in the running for becoming America’s Next Top Model.”

“Smize.”

“Fierce!”

Any insult from Miss J.

Competition: The girls are catty but they don’t have as much to prove as the drag queens.

Drag Race

Host: RuPaul is tall, thin, fabulous loves her Indian Remy lace fronts—also blond (but lighter)—and women want to be like “her.”

Talent: RuPaul can sing and dance circles around Tyra. Work!

Catch Phrase(s) We Love:

“Shante, you stay.”

“Sashay, away.”

“Don’t f–k it up!” (This one has me sold!)

Competition: The girls are catty but they have everything to prove. If they don’t master their femininity, then they might as well sashay their behinds home!

Check out this clip of episode one to see what I mean:

I love this already. My money is on Sahara. Catch Drag Race tonight at 9 on Logo.

America’s Next Top Model wannabees ain’t got nothing on drag queen superstar hopefuls! RuPaul’s Drag Race is every bit of over-the-top fierceness that your heart (or maybe just mine) could desire. Seriously. I thought it was amusing to watch ANTM contestants shantaying and sashaying on the runway and making blue steel faces while vying for the title—but honey—these men in Drag Race are the new women. More previews for season two, which premiers February 1, are out and they do not disappoint. Check it out:

If that’s not enough, then you’ll be happy to know that there is a spin-off show in the works. RuPaul’s Drag U is a contest where ordinary women compete in a series of challenges to reveal their inner diva. It’s hosted by RuPaul (of course), who is assisted by a team of drag queen instructors. Drag U is scheduled to air next summer.

Drag U will probably be along the lines of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, but the contest version for women. I can dig it. When I think about the people in my life, other than my mom, who have taught me about fabulosity (ballet teachers, theater instructors, etc), a lot of them were men. Go figure!

What do you expect from these shows? Are they overkill or entertaining?

Who will claim the title of America’s Next Top Model America’s Next Drag Superstar when season two of Drag Race returns? I guess you’ll just have to watch and see.

Ru Paul and his Drag Queens will prance back to work the runway for the coveted title in February. The prize includes a headlining spot on the Absolut Pride Tour, a feature photo spread in Paper magazine, a portrait by renowned photographer Greg Gorman and $20,000. Season one’s winner was the fierce Bebe Zahara Benet but it seems like the competition is even tighter and more ferocious this time around.

Logo has released a promo video and introduced us to the next round of hopefuls. There’s Jessica Wild from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jujubee from Boston, Morgan McMichaels from Mira Loma, CA, Mystique Summers Madison from Bedford, TX, Nicole Paige Brooks from Atlanta, Pandora Boxx from Rochester, NY, Tyra Sanchez from Orlando, FL, Raven from Riverside, CA, Sahara Davenport from NYC, Shangela Laquifa Wadley from Studio City, CA, Sonique from Atlanta and Tatianna from Falls Church, VA. Right now my money is on Jessica Wild but we shall see.

Check out the trailer below:

At this point, I’m way more excited about this show than ANTM. Drag Queens already know the basics of fierceness because they have to work harder to be women and I love it because that means more dramatics. YES! Note to aspiring models: Learn to smize and sashay from a Drag Queen and you will be good to go for the rest of your modeling life.

I haven’t been able to catch Ru Paul’s Drag Race as much as I would like to, but from the few episodes I have seen, I like it. It’s like America’s Next Top Model but with Drag Queens (who are pretty much like catty women on speed).

Apparently it’s been doing well because LOGO has given the greenlight for season two, set to air in early 2010 (according to Entertainment Weekly). The first season’s finale aired on LOGO this past Monday, March 23. Bebe Zahara Benet won the title, earning “her” a headlining spot on the Absolut Pride Tour, a feature photo spread in Paper magazine, a portrait by renowned photographer Greg Gorman and $20,000.

Casting for season two begins May 1.