RuPaul's Drag Race Season 5 Launch Party intros New Cast

The long-awaited introduction of the queens participating in Season 5 of RuPaul's Drag Race was underway in New York City at the already legendary XL Nightclub in Times Square. Lining up at the starting gate for Season 5 was an impressive mix of glamour girls and pageant ladies all hungrily in pursuit of the title and cash winning prize. Hosting the evening were none other than the Jersey Shore's own MTV reality stars Snooki and Jwoww.

Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Jenni "JWoww" Farley were immediately impressed by the assembled new pantheon of rising talent and thrilled at the honor to finally participate in the competition introducing the new contestants. "There was no question," Snooki said. "When we heard that RuPaul called and wanted us to host tonight...we said YES! We were so excited!" Enjoying their Girls Night Out, JWoww couldn't contain her enthusiasm. "I am impressed," she said. "I think we can learn a thing or two from the ladies --�including how to apply our make-up."

The new queens appear as colorful as ever and are featured from all walks of life. They include drag acts with solid pageant chops and cabaret girls that blend in packing incredible "realness" on the runway. Coco Montrese is one of the girls thrilled by the excitement of joining the show. "I feel like I made it to the Super Bowl of Drag." Coco began her drag career while in college. "I started doing drag as a way not to call home and ask for money." Coco Montrese promises that the Season 5 challenges will be among the best audiences have seen. "Everyday is a twist and turn."

The Race is On!

The room was electrified as media was presented with the opportunity to get up close and personal with Season 5's Alyssa Edwards, Detox, Ivy Winters, Monica Beverly Hillz, Jade Jolie, Jinkx Monsoon, Lineysha Sparx, Penny Tration, Vivienne Pinay and all-ready favorite stand-outs including Honey Mahogany and Serena ChaCha.

"I love it. I love the rush!" Roxxxy Andrews said of the competitiveness among the cast. Roxxxy who represents one of the several pageant girls in this year's competition is guaranteeing that fans will gain a new respect for contestants on the pageant circuit. "We all represent all different levels of pageants, so you can expect a lot of eyelashes to go flying."

Finally joining the class of Season 5 is last season's winner Sharon Needles' paramour Alaska, who fans met via video messages that the two shared on-air. "I have the biggest blonde hair this side of RuPaul," Alaska revealed, "but I'm also the queen of taking trash and turning it into treasure. I take my nonsense where ever they'll have me."

The "New" Must See TV!

Past season competitors including Carmen Carrera, Manila Luzon, Phi Phi O'Hara and winners "The Other" Tyra Sanchez and BeBe Zahara Benet were also on hand taking pictures and sizing up the new cast. Also making an appearance were Mob Wives Big Ang and Drita D'Avanzo who mingled among the party goers as fans whipped out camera phones going snap happy.

All the ladies revealed that Season 5 will have its share of drama, but that it's their individual stories that will keep fans interested in what looks to be another very hot and creative competition on what some are calling "the best reality show on TV."

Don't miss the launch of RuPaul's Drag Race when the new cast embark on their path to greatness. The new season takes off with a "RuPaul Sized" 90-minute premiere on Monday, January 28 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Logo, immediately followed at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT by a new episode of Untucked: RuPaul's Drag Race.