<P> The seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race began airing on March 2, 2015 . RuPaul and Michelle Visage returned as judges, while the space previously occupied by Santino Rice was filled by new additions Ross Mathews and Carson Kressley . Matthews and Kressley were only both present for the season premiere and took turns sharing judging responsibilities . Shawn Morales, a member of the Pit Crew since the third season and Simon Sherry - Wood, a member in the sixth season, did not appear this season and were replaced by Bryce Eilenberg . Like the previous two seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race, the season featured 14 contestants competing for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar", a one - year supply of Anastasia Beverly Hills cosmetics and a cash prize of 100,000 dollars . The premiere of season, the show debuted with a live and same - day viewership of 350,000, a 20% increase from the previous season . On March 20, 2015, it was announced that LogoTV had given the series an early renewal for an eighth season . </P> <P> The theme song played during the runway segment every episode was "Sissy That Walk". Season 6 also featured "Sissy That Walk" as a runway song, making Season 7 the only season to reuse a runway song . The song played during the closing credits was "Fly Tonight", both songs from the album Born Naked . </P> <P> The winner of the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race was Violet Chachki, with Ginger Minj and Pearl being the runners - up . </P> <P> Ginger Minj and Katya competed on the second season of All Stars . Ginger placed 8th overall and Katya was runner - up with season 5 contestant Detox . </P>

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