RPDR:3 is basically what happens when you take the bastard child of America’s Next Top Model, Project Runway and American Idol, throw a wig on it and let it run free in size 12 heels on subscription cable.

Last night’s episode, “The Queen Who Mopped Christmas”  introduced us to the 13 queens who would compete for the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar.”

Before they could even put down their purses, Ru showed up to give them their first challenge: a photo shoot with super hunky photog  and A-Lister Mike Ruiz. The queens had to jump for their love, posing on a trampoline while making it look both easy and sexy. The winner of the challenge was Raja, a lanky lady whose style will make you go Gaga.

Tyra would be proud.

The contestants were then given $50 and 10 minutes at a thrift store to find pieces that would go into creating their best holigay couture. Amidst a sea of shade and despite a breakdown or two, the queens got their tucks together in time for the runway.

Wilhelmina Slater herself, Vanessa Williams joined PJ Runway alum Santino Rice, Michelle Visage (Ru’s old co-host on 90′s relic, The RuPaul Talk Show) and Mike Ruiz (with guest Santa, Bruce Villanch) to judge the queens on who best embodied the principles of CUNT – Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent.

Raja won again, this time with a look reminiscent of Vivienne Westwood and a walk that would put most supermodels to shame. Meanwhile Venus D-Lite and season 2 cast-off Shangela had to lip-synch for their lives to Vanny Williams’ own “The Right Stuff.”

Things got a little ugly — eyelashes and wigs flying everywhere — and though Shangela was the first to be eliminated the last time she hit the stage, she proved the better woman this time around and Venus had to sashay…away.

Raja is clearly the front-runner for RPDR:3, but my money might be on one Ms. Manila Luzon who gives epic face.

This promises to be a fierce season, full of the backstabbing, weave-pulling and bitch-slapping that the best of reality TV can only aspire to. Welcome back, Ru. And may the best tranny…

WIN!

Link Love: RuPaul’s Drag Race

Former Project Runway contestant Santino Rice has been pretty busy since the show. He’s been dressing clients, designing cigarette packs for Camel, AND STARRING IN POST APOCALYPTIC GAY ZOMBIE FLICKS!!!!

That’s right kiddies, the fashion world is going gay-for-pay and Santino Rice is leading the way.

In a turn of events that can only happen in Los Angeles, the designer of one of the tackiest Project Runway collections in history is playing a homeless drifter in a movie filled with blood, boners and flesh raping zombies. According to Santino, he doesn’t have a sex scene in the film, but his bio on the films website which lists the designer as “bisexual” suggests otherwise.

Eitherway, Santino isn’t the only fashion type who makes an appearance. Madonna’s former lover/designer/antimodel Tony Ward also makes an appearance.

I’d be slightly tempted to see this if he just imitates Tim Gunn throughout the whole thing…

We’ve got photos from his guest spot in the gay film by director Bruce LaBruce and you can check out his bio on LAZombie.com.