Start your engines for the final “RuPaul’s Drag Race”…WHO will be the next drag superstar?

For RuPaul’s Drag Race fans it’s a bittersweet time of year…the final competitive episode airs Monday night, April 25 on Logo and the winner of RPDR Season Three will be crowned…will it be the Super Model Raja, or Pageant Queen Alexis Mateo, or All Around Entertainer Manila Luzon? (As for all you NON “Drag Race” fans, you can breathe a sigh of relief that your long, national nightmare is over…at least until RuPaul’s Drag U starts in June…)

Alexis, Manila and Raja are the Final Three on Season Three of "RuPaul's Drag Race".

And, it also means that it’s going to be a big party at Lobby Bar Monday night since Lobby is the “Official Viewing Party” for RPDR Season 3 and co-hostesses Glamazonia Jolie-Pitt and Lily Armani will be on hand as the next Drag Superstar is crowned. Also on hand: globs of Absolut Vodka drinks (uh, they’re a sponsor), Absolut drink specials, AND a chance to win an Ipad if you BUY Absolut drinks. All that, plus the usual giveaways (t-shirts, calendars, iPod speakers, iPod earbuds, posters and pom poms) as well as the usual amounts of hijinks and fun. It starts at 8pm (two hours before the Logo telecast) so you can be a dick/dickette and find out who wins and immediately jump online and announce it on FB/Twitter and irritate the hell out of your friends who didn’t go to Lobby for the party! (Though of course, the East Coast will see the winner @ 7:50ish our time so it’s certain word will quickly leak out thanks to East Coast dicks/dickettes…)

(Psst…also wish Glamazonia and Lily Happy Five Year Anniversary! Yes, they are a “Ki Ki” Couple! And, if you have to ask what that means, you’re not a real fan of RPDR….)

As for WHO will win, well, here’s what I think…

Raja Gemini

Raja...the Fashion Queen of Los Angeles.

Strengths: Incredibly strong sense of high fashion, design, and art that’s original, daring, and always fascinating to watch. By far, the Queen of the Drag Race Runway. Also, arguably the most popular contestant on the show, both for her fashion and articulate banter behind the scenes.
Weaknesses: Raja is ALL fashion and many argue it’s more haute couture than drag. Other than the runway walk, the performances have been inconsistent, nailing the “live” music performance, but not doing particularly well with anything requiring comedy. Comes across as a bit brittle and cold on stage.

Manila Luzon

The Thrilla from Minneapolis: Manila Luzon.

Strengths: Manila excels in all the categories of Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent. She has consistently high marks for her fashion/design sense (though not as high as Raja), she excels in performance challenges with excellent comedy timing, and she has a charming, quick witted stage persona that comes across as natural and witty. And, she’s not afraid to push buttons with her funny takes on Asian stereotypes.
Weaknesses: Sometimes overdoes the make-up a bit, especially with her Asian looks.

Alexis Mateo

The Pride of Puerto Rico and Central Florida: Alexis Mateo!

Strengths: Flawless pageant style presentation. Very strong in performances with good comedic timing as well as a sense of drama. Knows how to play to her audience. Seems sweet and genuine, but with a biting wit.
Weaknesses: Comes across as very “Pageantry” at times, resembling a “Quinceanera Barbie”. Persona on stage can also come across as a bit forced and pageant ready. Not a lot of variety with hair/make-up.

So, who is gonna win?

I’m guessing Manila just because she’s the package deal…she does it all equally well.

But, I won’t be that shocked if Raja wins…Ru is known for valuing the “look” over content…for proof of that, remember who won last year, the flawlessly made up but completely inarticulate Tyra.

We’ll see…