Despite all odds, the RuPaul's Drag Race season 13 finale was a huge hit in ratings for VH1. In the middle of a suffocating pandemic, Drag Race's finale was reported to be the most-watched episode of the series since the season 10 finale in 2018. The factors that led to season 13's success include the charm of America's Next Drag Superstar, Symone, an inspiring group of runner-ups, as well as Drag Race's determination to give fans a satisfying season 13 finale.

After the longest season on record with a staggering 16 episode arc that lasted from January 1 to April 23, RuPaul's Drag Race season 13 finale featured an effective ending to an epic drag journey. On top of the record-breaking 772,000 viewers who tuned in for the grand finale (via Deadline), the proof of fans' investment in the season 13 finale is evident in that Drag Race is the "most social cable program of 2021 thus far, having earned 9.2M engagements across 16 episodes." From hundreds of thousands of viewers to millions of social media engagements, the RuPaul's Drag Race's season 13 finale proved that Mam Ru is still capable of casting strong talent and putting together an exciting show.

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It is fair to say that Symone, a.k.a. the fans' top pick for America's Next Drag Superstar, played the largest part in drawing viewers into watching the culmination of the reality competition. Throughout her performance in season 13, Symone proved herself to be the full package that RuPaul and the fans look for in a winning queen. The Arkansas-originated queen set herself apart from the jump with her gorgeous features and effervescent lip-sync to Janet Jackson's "The Pleasure Principle." Symone went on to stomp every runway in unforgettable looks, like her stylish homage to Black culture with her do-rag train and her garment which read "Say Their Names" in tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Going into the finale, fans and celebrities like Rihanna and Lizzo were desperate to see Symone achieve her deserved triumph as America's Next Drag Superstar. On top of Symone's likability, the three runner-ups for the crown each held their individual appeal to compel fans to tune into the season 13 finale. Gottmik's performance on Drag Race establishes her as one of the most memorable competitors to lose the crown. Moreover, Gottmik's journey as the first transgender man to compete on Drag Race made her story on the competition series very inspiring. While Kandy Muse was not as universally beloved as Gottmik, her role as the villain of the season makes for great television nonetheless. Whether fans were tuning in to show their support for Kandy or to hope she trips on stage, by including a personality as controversial as Kandy's in the finale, RuPaul assured that the ratings would be off-the-charts.

Finally, the season 13 finale delivered the finale Drag Race fans wanted and deserve. Due to the pandemic, season 12's Zoom-formatted finale left much to be desired. Even if fans found this finale's set of lip-syncs underwhelming, this lip-sync smackdown formula of narrowing down the winner of the season has become an anticipated part of the Drag Race experience since Sasha Velour poured petals out of her wig. By returning to a live finale arrangement, fans received a satisfying conclusion along with a much-needed sense of normalcy. The success of season 13's finale proves Drag Race is still a force to be reckoned with. By celebrating fan-favorite Symone and the other queens of the top four, along with promising fans a familiar fulfilling finale, RuPaul's Drag Race continues to break barriers.

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