RuPaul races towards Drag Race's finale

It's hard to believe that another season of RuPaul's Drag Race will soon be crossing the finish line, giving the world stage its next drag supermodel. The show's finale is set to air live on LOGO later this month, and everyone has been on hair pins and needles. This season of the competitive-reality show has been its most colorful, no doubt in part to the amazing cast of aspiring drag royalty that have been glamming it out on the lip-sync stage. Representing every color of the rainbow, this year's contestants have shaken and stirred it up brilliantly. From the old school elegance brought on by Delta Work, to the modern runway realness of Carmen Carrera and Raja, to the edgy notoriety of Phoenix, and the home-grown goodness of Stacy Lynn Matthews, Season 3 has certainly been keeping the show's host and the original supermodel of the world, the legendary RuPaul on her talented toes.

Making it bigger and better

"It was our goal to keep bringing it - bigger and better," RuPaul tells me. "And I'm so happy that these kids are moving on to become legendary all on their own. That's what I'm most proud of." When it premiered little more than 2 years ago, no one could have expected that RuPaul's Drag Race would become this pop-culture phenomenon, even capturing the attention of mainstream media, which has proven as fascinated as the rest of us by the weekly drag transformations.

"I've always been amazed by drag," admits RuPaul, "and to me it's always been important - not just in an artistic way but on a political and social level; and I mean that in how we see ourselves and our spirits in relation to our egos."

This was a very interesting concept indeed that immediately piqued my curiosity to hungrily pursue the train of thought.

I couldn't help but think about the intricacies of drag beyond the popularity of the show. "Drag has often over the years come up against opposition," the drag icon elaborates, "and that's why some gay people didn't want to recognize it as something important." RuPaul is quick to remind me it was the drag queens that had the courage to throw the first brick at Stonewall marking the beginning of the Gay Civil Rights Movement. "That gets lost in history." And as much as we owe to those trailblazers, RuPaul has endeavored to continue the march in their high-heeled shoes, continuing to push the boundaries of the conventional.

To which RuPaul entered: "Drag really shows people that you're not who you think are, or what your ego would have you believe about yourself - that's a hoax!" Certainly the creative transformations of its competitors, have illustrated to the audience that there is always more than what meets the eye. "You can transcend who you really are," RuPaul adds. "The ego is all concerned with identity, and drag is saying your identity can be manipulated...it's ever changing." And entertaining to no end!

Besides the incredible personalities that RuPaul assembles for each show cycle, the pressure is always on for the ladies to think out of the box (so to speak) and face treacherous weekly tasks that really push the limits of their imagination. "So much depends on the challenges," insists RuPaul. "Some really fierce queens fall short in other areas, and if they don't make it through that challenge, they don't make it through the end." Not that RuPaul and her series of judges are any closer to choosing a winner yet for this year's finale. "But that's why they were chosen - because they are amazing queens!"

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Watch RuPaul's video of "Supermodel":

Living in the moment

To the casual viewer, Drag Race is simply competitive-reality entertainment, but at its core it is a statement and a reminder of the importance of being present for your life. "It's a tall order forcing a person to be more reflective," RuPaul insists. "And we live in a world where few people want to be present." This is the distinct impression Ru has of today's multi-media obsessed culture. "I was at a Britney Spears concert," Ru elaborates, "and all the kids were watching it [the show] through their cell phones. They weren't actually looking at Britney." The audience was apparently more determined to capture the concert to impress their over-eager minions on YouTube, than to be in the experience of the live show... living for the moment.

I understand what RuPaul is referring to and admit that I also see that often myself, but I also suggest to Ru that the crowd at Britney's concert probably didn't miss much anyway - as usual Britney Spears probably phoned in her performance as well. We have a good laugh, if but for minute at Britney's expense, but let me carefully remind our readers that it was I who joked on Britney, and not RuPaul. She's too much of a lady for such trivialities.

I reminisced with RuPaul for a moment (not expecting of course that she'll remember) I once served her peach cobbler, years ago when I waited tables at Food/Bar, a once very popular restaurant in the heart of Chelsea in New York City. Ru kindly snickered and asked: "Is that place still around?" Alas, no - unlike RuPaul who continues to flourish and reinvent herself.

It began with a single non-to-subtle declaration: "You Better Work!"

"I've always loved to do music." RuPaul won the adulation of fans all over the dance scene with the 1993 hit single "Supermodel (You Better Work)". "In every business," RuPaul says, "especially today you have to be multi-textured and multi-layered; the consumer wants value! If you want to stay in business for a good long time, you have to do a lot of different things - and that goes for every business! Not just show business." This wisdom does not fall on deaf ears; not when it's coming from someone who has walked the walk - in designer shoes no less.

RuPaul has done morning radio, where the chemistry between herself and Michelle Visage (this season's newest and most vocal Drag Race judge), first blossomed. "Oh my God, to finally have her onboard is great. She was meant to be a part of the show from the beginning, y'know," RuPaul reveals. "Michelle isn't just steeped in gay culture. She's a drag queen trapped in a woman's body." The duo reunited for RuPaul's historic VH-1 talk show - undoubtedly the only talk show in television history to have ever sported such an expensive wig and wardrobe budget. "We have such great chemistry." Between the two, we've had the most LOL moments of the show's season!

And although RuPaul is cheerfully living in the moment, I can't help but poke a nod or two in the direction of what's next for Drag Race. Me - I'm already suffering Pit Crew anxiety. "Hopefully there are young kids around the world practicing their routines!"

RuPaul tells me Drag Race is now televised to more than 30 different countries. "We are looking for kids that are showgirls; who know drag." And before I skirted myself off to the back of my closet, wildly searching for last year's Halloween cast-off colored wig, stiletto pumps, and feathered boa, RuPaul eased my throttle, sating my ambition for Drag Race stardom. "It's more than just dress up! It takes more than that." Like an eager, young Jedi, I hang on to every one of Ru's masterful words. "You have to know the craft, and you have to create something out of nothing. You have to pull from your own creative resources." So perhaps a little more practice on my part is in order. After spending some time with RuPaul I'm inspired and confidant that whatever my dreams, they are all within my reach. "That's the point," RuPaul tells me. "You have to be flexible, not only in business, but in life. Fascinating things transcend."

Don't miss the eagerly anticipated finale of Season 3 of RuPaul's Drag Race airing soon on LOGO. Check your local listings. For more of RuPaul's divine inspiration pick up the book Workin' it! RuPaul's Guide to LIfe, Liberty and the Pursuit of Style in bookstores now.

Watch RuPaul's video of "Looking Good, Feeling Gorgeous":