What Qualifies Marissa Jaret Winokur to Be a RuPaul's Drag Race Judge? 'Hello! I Am a Drag Queen!'

Marissa Jaret Winokur has joined the search for America’s next drag superstar! The Tony winner will appear as a celebrity judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race on Logo TV on Monday, April 12, 2010 at 9PM/8PM Central.

“I loved being on the show,” Winokur told Broadway.com. “By far, my favorite part was when the contestants had to ‘Lip Sync For Your Life,’” she added, referring to the final contest on each episode of the show that requires the bottom two contestants to compete in a lip syncing face-off. “I was blown away by it. It was all done in one take...ready set GO!”

So what makes Winokur an expert on drag queens? “Hello! I am a drag queen!” she laughed. “I have a lot in common with them. I know a good wig! I know how to create curves with undergarments. And my make-up is never 'Cover Girl clean.' Give me glitter, rhinestones and feathers over a simple black dress any day!”

On RuPaul’s Drag Race, now in its second season on Logo, RuPaul acts as host, mentor and inspiration for a bevy of outrageous drag queens fighting for the title of America’s next drag superstar. The season’s 12 contestants have been whittled down to just four finalists: Jujubee of Boston, MA, Raven of Riverside, CA, Tatianna of Falls Church, VA and Tyra Sanchez of Orlando, FL.

Winokur won the 2002 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for originating the role of Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray. She was also seen on Broadway in Grease. Recent Hollywood credits include competing on season six of Dancing With the Stars and hosting Dance Your Ass Off. Winokur is also the proud mom of 20-month-old Zev Isaac Miller.

Incidentally, Winokur's a hot Hollywood blonde these days! See for yourself.