2023 Rewind: 'Drag Race' Pit Crew Member Bruno Alcantara Steals the Show

This piece is part of EDGE's 2023 Rewind series. We're reaching into our archives and sharing some of our favorite stories from the past year.

It must have been cold for "RuPaul's Drag Race" Pit Crew member, the dreamily-named Bruno Alcantara, on a recent episode where he sat shirtless on the show's panel. Not only did the hot, blue-eyed Brazilian-born Pit Crew member take part in the challenge, this season's "LaLaPaRUza," but he also joined the judging panel, where he sat shirtless.

In a 2020 interview with Closet Magazine, he talked about what it is like to appear in just designer underwear on the set. "Does it look cold? Yes, it is freezing. We try to keep warm with our robes until it's time to show off. Luckily, we have all the support we need to help with this too."

The "LaLaPaRUza" pits the queens in lipsynch challenges in which they pair off until only two remain. This season's match-up led to the inexplicable battle between two of the top lipsynchers, Anetra and Jax. It was the third time they were lipsynching on the episode, so both were clearly tired; but Anetra's prowess (and her ability to virtually tap dance on her knees) led to her victory. Though clearly slick at the craft, this was the third time Jaxx was in the bottom, so that may have contributed to her demise.

But what made this "Gladiator" meets "RPDR" all the more fun to watch was the inclusion of Bruno on the panel instead of a guest judge. One of the most popular Pit Crew members, Bruno also participated in the challenge by picking the names of who was going to lipsynch. The chosen one got to choose whom they would perform against.

Bruno first appeared on the show in 2018 as part of Season 4 of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars." He made the connection through a friend who knew Michelle Visage. After his audition, he joined the show for a few episodes that has stretched to a five-year run.

He called himself "100% Brazilian," having moved to Los Angeles in 2014. "I was born in Brazil in a small town called Ilheus/Bahia. I was raised with so much love and my whole life my mom told me that in order to be successful you gotta be happy. When I was 7, I told her, I need to study English because when I grow up I will travel the world and I will talk to everybody. I moved to LA six years ago from Brazil with the dream of being fluent in English, the plan was to stay for 3 months and go back but life is full of surprises and gifts. I consider myself a big dreamer and as such, I learned that we gotta be able to love, accept, and support ourselves in this journey. I like people and I am really curious to understand other perspectives. I am passionate about the things I do, I really enjoy life, and the freedom we have to choose, change and grow. I am a happy person who is learning everyday about myself and trying to bring a good energy and smiles around me."