Shake the dice, and throw the rice... Santino Rice!

He's the man who Pandora felt hated her style. He's the wit who made season 2 of Project Runway so watchable! And he's the tall drink of water who hold nothing back when he's judging the queens weekly on RuPaul's Drag Race. He's fashion designer/TV-personality Santino Rice!

Today, as we careen toward tonight's big RuPaul's Drag Race Finale, he's sharing (a lot) of his insight about being a reality show judge, why he loves RuPaul and drag queens, and he sounds off about each of the Season 2 contestants. And you might just be surprised about who he loves...

And BONUS: He also shares all of his backstage photos from the RuPaul's Drag Race set. Smiiiiiiiiiiiile!!!!

Ladies & Gentleman, in his own words (and there are a lot of them)... SANTINO RICE!!!!

--Ruth Schneider

Here come da judges: Santino and his counterpart, Merle Ginsberg, visit the workroom during tonight's finale episode.

You’ve been around the reality show block – do you prefer to be the contestant or the judge? Why?

I prefer the contestant role. Sure, there are certain overwhelming sacrifices one has to make when taking this risk. But as a fashion designer and artist, I'm happiest when I'm creating. I love a good challenge and I love imagining what I would do for each challenge on RuPaul's Drag Race. I'm loving all of the mini-challenges too this season! As a contestant you get dealt these really interesting cards, and it's totally up to you how you play them. As a judge, I'm looking for concepts and trying to figure out each queen's thought process. I'm also looking for similarities of what I would do in the same situation.

That being said, I think no one is better or more serious about the responsibility of being a judge than myself. I'm a champion of progressive thought and aesthetics. I'm well-read and current. I'm obsessive about music and all things associated with the arts, entertainment, and pop culture.

I hate critics and I personally hate most other people's opinions. Most people's critiques and judgements mean nothing to me. So although I'm a judge, I feel like I'm the Anti-judge.

I can recognize talent at a distance and through my critiques I would rather push and encourage, rather then discourage or beat someone down. What comments that air for viewers are completely disproportionate to the plethora of information that is given to each queen during the runway questioning. I'm responding to the nuances, and personal points-of-view, and the attention to detail. Everything has the ability to be done well and high-art or completely naff and inconsequential. There's purpose behind everything I put out into the world, and I hold everyone else up to these same standards.

Santino and Drag Race's hunky guest photo-man, Mike Ruiz

Outside of the show, I could really care less about commenting on everything that's bad in the world. I don't have time for that shit! Plus, I've trained my eye to look and respond to beauty. I'm not one of those types trying to read everybody about what they have on and what kind of car they're driving. I despise those types of people. Sure, I have my opinions about horrible trends that the herd of masses are consuming, but I know that my opinion is only good if the person I'm directing it to is receptive of the constructive criticism.

I'm a creator, and I can be objective about my own work. I understand that my work isn't for everybody, and I would never want it to be. My work, like me, is an acquired taste. But coming from this perspective as a judge on RuPaul's Drag Race is so essential and necessary. If someone can't separate my constructive critiques from the way I feel about them as a whole- that's their problem. You don't have to agree with me, but I'm still right! You need to listen to all of the judges and make allowances for the feedback that you're given.

It's not a competition between you and me, or you and the judges. It's mostly between you and yourself! When queens get into that mindset where they think their displaced anger should be aimed at me, they're just fucking themselves because then they really start second guessing their choices and they stop being true to themselves.

Some queens enter the competition with fully realized drag personas; Others are still works-in-progress that need to labor even harder to pull things together.

Listening to the varied judges critiques allows you to gauge your ranking among the other queens. If you can't absorb and comprehend the information from the judges here on RuPaul's Drag Race- then you can't do it in the real world either. Be that as it may, in the real world no one of the caliber of these judges are going to give you the time of day, much less free advice. Trust!

With episode 2's fresh guest judge, Kim Coles!

What differences do you see between Seasons 1 and 2?

For the 12 queens entering Season 2, it was more than obvious of what this show would do for them. They all watched Season 1 so they had a bit more insight on what was going to be asked of them. Career wise it's a huge platform for a portion of artists that have been marginalized and sidelined. These queens came to win and not just pick up some beauty tips! The competition was very strong and it was really tough to tell who was going to go home first.

As for the queens themselves, I never compared any of them to Season 1's queens because every drag queen I've ever met is completely unique to themselves and their stories. Having been on a reality show myself and hearing people compare me to the new crop of designers each season gets old. "Who's the next Santino?" Project Runway is now going into it's 8th Season and people are still trying to find the next Santino. I hate to break it to them, but there's only one Santino! If Project Runway was anything like RuPaul's Drag Race people might still be watching it! I also think it's unfair to try to compare another designer's work to mine. Let people share their ability and their stories not constantly be compared to what came before! Hearing the obviousness of people comparing JuJuBee to Ongina because they're both Asian is so pathetic that I just have to laugh and roll my eyes. Oh, and hearing Tatianna is the new Rebecca Glasscock because they've been deemed by some "just a pretty face." There's definitely far more differences than similarities there.

Other differences between Seasons 1 and 2 is MONEY! Now that RuPaul's Drag Race is eclipsing everything in the ratings game we are all shopping more! Look at the set this season too! When it rains it pours. Rumor has it we will shoot Season 3 on the Moon.

Santino and glitzy-lit legend Jackie Collins

RuPaul says she is looking for people with charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent. What are the traits that you look for in picking the next drag superstar?

Ultimately, I'm looking for the one who does the most, the best! That acronym spells out C.*N.T. by the way - don't get it twisted! I'm looking for all those c*nty qualities as well as brains and imagination. Personal style and a depth of references. A self-awareness, newness, unconventionality. Heart and enthusiasm, someone to push barriers. Give me extremes! If you can't be say, "Sexy" surprise me with being completely grotesque. If you're not fashionable whatsoever, then be effectively unfashionable and anti-fashion! Break all of the rules in one ensemble and top it off with a huge wig made up of shredded Ed Hardy trucker caps! Needless to say, a queen needs to know the rules before she can break them.

I'm looking for a queen that's doing it in a new way with a complete acuity for this moment in time, with regards and appreciation for the art form and the queens that came before her.

Contrary to some people's perceptions, I consider femininity and "realness" points pretty inconsequential in my overall judgment of one's drag persona. Sure, if you've got it flaunt it, but having a sense of purpose behind your illusion is far more important to me. Any concept can be executed in a remarkable way. Take it to another level completely. Let there be no comparisons to you. Come out and surprise everyone with being half-unicorn and half-woman! Drag has no limits, just as Fashion has no limits, just as the life I choose to live has no limits!

You're all here for a reason. You all have a story to tell, so tell it! This experience can be whatever you want it to be! This life can be whatever you want it to be! Exaggerate it and turn it out, cause if you don't someone else sure as hell will!

Photograph by Mathu Andersen.

On the show, it appears, the final decision is RuPaul’s... How much does your input as a judge count?

My opinion counts for 20% if there are 5 judges and around 16% if we have 6 judges on the panel. I do find it funny when "Fans" start hurling insults my way after their favorite queen gets eliminated. As if I'm completely responsible for controlling the entire competition! The ironies of Reality TV!

I do take exhaustive notes on each queen's runway and overall challenge performance. I look at everything and I compare and contrast each queen to another. I ask questions of the queens and play the devil's advocate at times. I ask questions of the other judges during deliberation and express my honest opinions. I act like the decision is completely up to me! I'm dedicated to making sure that the best queen wins!

After weighing out every one's pros and cons, we all agree upon a winner and decide on which 2 queens are in the bottom, who will have to lip-sync for their lives. After the bottom 2 queens have battled it out, the decision is RuPaul's alone to make. I must add that after 2 seasons of episodes, Ru and I have always been in agreement with regards to the final Sophie's choice. And it is a Sophie's choice- the viewers watch an edited, abbreviated performance to the final song, but watching these 2 queens try to out perform the other for 6 minutes is exhausting just to watch it! We feel all of the exuded tension, and passion, and desire, and well, it's always tough seeing someone sent home.

So how much does my input count? It's PRICELESS bitches! The detractors and haters come with the territory, I'm really not bothered. I'm living this, I'm watching this live, I'm witnessing everything. If you don't get "why" a particular verdict was made, that's not my problem, it's your's motherfuckers! So go jump on your computer to clickity-clack some inarticulate comprehension about what you think should have happened, and make sure to comment about how "mean" I am and how I suck and I didn't even win Project Runway, and whatever else, and then go sit on a traffic cone and take it to the base!

With his rock-n-roll episode fellow judges, Merle Ginsberg, Henry Rollins, RuPaul and Terri Nun.

Your creations on Project Runway frequently seemed over the top. But, your criticisms of Pandora Boxx in general were not taken well by fans. How do you respond to that?

Yes, proudly, my designs might be deemed "over the top" and "directional" in description. My work is imaginative and purposeful and I'll be the first to let you know that it's not for everyone. My criticisms of Pandora Boxx however, were due to a lack of imagination, a lack of creativity, and a lack of taste in regards to her personal style. Your style is another extension of what you are trying to communicate. Pandora often looked like she was wearing old pageant gowns from Cross-Dress For Less. Pandora's visual message was not in-sync with her amazing comedic timing and sense of humor.

Ironically, I have more love for Pandora Boxx than I do for a good 90% of the World's population, so I don't know what the fuck the "fans" are thinking, but they're not being objective, much less fair, to the other queens who had spectacular, fully-realized, drag personas. I don't hate Pandora! I hated her style on the show! Can you wrap your brains around that without turning my critiques into something that they are not?

It's unfortunate that much of what aired of my critiques toward Pandora were about her fashion choices when we all know she has much more to offer in other areas. Unfortunately, much of Pandora's wardrobe that she brought with her to participate on RuPaul's Drag Race was unexciting, dated, and tacky-as-fuck. I rather liked her look that she created during the "Gone With The Window" challenge, but for most presentations she choose to wear clothes that were too horrible not to mention.

"But Santino it's not a Fashion Show!", Yes, it's not a "fashion show" just as much as it's not a show about expert "make-up" application. But guess what? We judge on style too! And if you've got a sloppy hand and bad technique and can't beat a face, prepare to hear about that as well! If you're personal style does not jive with your drag persona, then what are you saying? If you're told that your fashion choices are boring and lame, do something now! Change it, alter it, re-work it!

I'm comparing and contrasting all of the queens within the parameters of the show and within the guidelines of each week's challenge. If "fans" think that Pandora Boxx had the best style out of all of the queens this season, then "fans" are smoking crack. As brilliant as Pandora is in other areas, I could not excuse her horrendous style missteps. The judges over-all could not, in good conscience, give Pandora Boxx a "Free Pass" just because she's quirky and funny.

Now, after the show, Pandora Boxx is thinking about her appearance. She's hyper-sensitive about how she expresses herself through her personal style, as she should be. Possible she wants to spite me and everyone else who thought she was tacky, Great! It's unfortunate that there had to be so many hard feelings in order for Pandora to re-invent herself but the last couple of times that I've seen her, Pandora looked young, and current, and her style reflected someone who has a sense of humor. I'm happy that she's taken her personal style to a level that matches her wit and comedic stylings.

The one and only RuPaul

How long have you known RuPaul? Did you know her before the show?

Well, I've known of RuPaul since 1990 and of course was a huge fan of his hit "Supermodel" around 1992 which broke while I was just beginning Fashion School. Ru continued to be a huge source of inspiration for me and still is today. RuPaul met me through my appearance on Project Runway 2 which he watched and was really captivated by. During the Finale of my season, I was receiving equal parts, fan-mail and death threats from viewers. It's 2005, I was in New York City showing my collection and I'm snowed in. I receive the sweetest, most supportive e-mail from Ru. I thought, "WOW" this can't be happening to me! It meant so much to me and I derived from his message that it wouldn't matter to me if the whole fucking World hated me, but the fact that RuPaul was a fan and an admirer of my talent, Well the whole World could burn!

I don't need for everyone to like me, I only need the right ones to love me! Needless to say, it doesn't get any more righteous than RuPaul. Ru is one of the most amazing and sincere human beings I have ever known.

So we finally met, in-person, about 4 years ago in Los Angeles. No show yet, or even talk of a show, just hanging out, talking, hiking, roller-skating, and getting to know each other. I have the best times with Ru. Anyway, one day my agents call me and tell me that I was offered a spot as a permanent judge on a reality competition show about drag queens starring RuPaul. Well, I didn't need to hear any more, I was on-board without hesitation and the rest is her-story! RuPaul is truth and beauty personified and he's become a dear friend to me.

How much time did you actually spend in the studio?

Eliminations happen about every other day for 5 weeks. I relish every moment of the experience and I leave the studio each day with my sides hurting from laughing so hard!

Will you be returning for Season 3?

Yes, of course. RuPaul's Drag Race is the most significant show on television. I'm in it for the long haul or for as long as they'll have me. I've learned to never take anything for granted. I adore working with Ru and everyone at World of Wonder and LOGO. I can't wait!

Judging alongside burlesque queen Dita Von Teese.

Do you have a favorite competitor? What makes that person shine for you?

Honestly, they all have their moments! I'm really amazed by the 3 queens left going into the finale. JuJuBee, Raven, and Tyra are each, individually, bursting at the seams with Star-Power! Each has so much to offer the world.

Who were you glad to see go?

I'm never happy about seeing anyone go home. I know it's difficult for whoever has to leave. I make an effort not to get personally invested by the judges decision. Again, after you watch 2 queens lip-sync for their lives to the best of their ability; It's pretty devastating to say good-bye to one. I focus on enjoying the moment with the queens that are still left in the competition rather than mourning those that are asked to Chante away. Things happen for a reason and making an impact is far more important than "winning" I'm a testament to that! You can leave the show and go on to "Win" in life.

With Episode 2's full cast of judge fabulousness: Kim Coles, Merle, Ru, Santino and Dita Von Teese

Did you have a favorite challenge?

The 2nd Episode with Dita Von Teese and Kim Coles was a riot! The queens having to sell cherry-pie gift certificates on Hollywood Blvd. was beyond hysterical and challenging. I also thought that so much knowledge was bestowed to the queens during the Rock & Roll challenge. I would say we saw the most growth from the queens during their live performances as well. Terri Nunn and Henry Rollins were so generous and smart with their critical observations, that I think, just on that level, was my favorite episode deliberation.

With hot mama and Hollywood legend, Debbie Reynolds

Watching the entire episode of the Golden Girl Challenge at home was possibly the most endearing and poignant moment in television that I've ever experienced. Really touching watching the dynamic between the queens and their drag mothers. I loved Cloris Leachman before we met, but left with a whole new appreciation of her after. And who can touch the unsinkable Debbie Reynolds, my God, it doesn't get any more inconceivable!

Can you give your thoughts on the following competitors?

Certainly, I would love to!

Mystique?

Miss Raggedy Regalness! I loved Mystique's down home humor and her laissez-faire approach to drag. She left an indelible impression on me and the floor so I look forward to seeing where she takes her career. Mystique was such an important part of season 2 and it was a pleasure meeting her.

Pandora Boxx?

Smart and witty with amazing comedic timing! Pandora is well-researched and has an archive of knowledge and references stored in her brain to pull from at the drop of a dime. If Pandora continues to cultivate her drag persona to match her intellect she will have whatever she wants.

Jujubee?

This Exotic beauty is in-tune with the universe. Soulful and expressive, JuJuBee radiates an experienced energy and consciousness. Her relatability and positive attitude solidifies the promise of future for Jujubee.

Raven?

You can't f*ck with her! Tall, dark, and mysterious, a feast for the eyes! Raven's intelligence, sex-appeal, and self-confidence will take her around the world again and again. A consummate performer!

Tyra Sanchez?

Driven Glamazon, provider, baby-women. She's crafty! Tyra is young and has so much to learn but has an instinctual personal style and taste level that either your born with or you ain't! An exquisite beauty with imagination to spare. She should never have to apologize for being The Other Tyra.

Tatianna?

This intriguing young lady will be fought over and sought over. True, this bitch is bad! But don't hate her because she's beautiful, hate her because she's fucking your boyfriend! BOOM! Tati has major potential and you'd be foolish to not keep your eye on this one.

Jessica Wild?

Cantando y bailando, Jessica can do it all! Jessica's enthusiasm and optimistic spirit are what rock stars are made of. I loved her courage and her obvious passion for drag. Jessica Wild is a fearless artist and an boundary-burning entertainer.

All the pretty maids in a row. In curtains.

Morgan McMichaels?

Life of the party and an unforgettable performer. Radical, stimulating, and unpredictable. Spread your wings and take flight Morgan. Any party you crash is cooler for having you!

Sahara Davenport?

Elegance, grace, poise, and discipline all come to mind when I think of soul-sister Sahara. A flawless and consistent queen. It was an honor and a privilege watching you dance and work the runway. Werk you beautiful swan, you're on your way to being Legendary!

Sonique?

Super sexy Sonique! Ultra-feminine and mind-blowing acrobat. Sonique is truly fascinating and the most unlike the others. Immense talent and uniqueness.

Nicole Paige Brooks?

Young Julia Roberts, long and lean. Infectious laugh. An illusion of Southern grandeur. You're journey is your destination. Tell your story Miss Brooks!

Shangela Laquifa Wadley?

I barely got to know Shangela but I hope she keeps stretching and evolving and keeps her genuine personality intact. Yes, you're far too young to be matronly so keep your eye on the details. P.S. You're also too cool and fabulous to go out like that! Watch out for barnacles in Hollywood, some will judge you by the company you keep.

Can you give us any hints at the final episode and what we are in store for?

Everyone will see 3 major talents give their all to become The Next Great Drag Queen Superstar! Something that happens is completely real and scary. In their own right, I believe that each of the queens were worthy of the crown but only one can be the winner. I imagine some will not understand, but I'm certain that the best woman wins!

Thank you to all of the fans of the show. Make sure to send your love and support to your favorite queens! Thank you LOGO for another great season! Much Love!

Yee-haw! It's fantastic guest judge Tanya Tucker! See you next season, Santino!

Ready for tonight's big epic Season 2 Finale of RuPaul's Drag Race? Come to LogoTV.com from 8:30pm ET and join the live blog party, broadcasting online from the finale event here in NYC! Need to do some quick catching up? Watch full episodes from the entire season at LogoTV.com now!