RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 Cast List and 2026 Premiere Date

RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 new queens, premiere date and details

Get ready to sashay back to the Werk Room, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” is officially returning in January 2026 with a fierce new batch of queens for Season 18, and the show is coming in hotter than ever. Along with the cast reveal, the series has also dropped its powerful new tagline: “In shady times, let there be light.”

The upcoming season will air once again on MTV and feature 14 brand-new drag queens competing for the coveted crown of “America’s Next Drag Superstar” and a massive $200,000 cash prize.

 

 

 

 

 

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A Premiere Challenge Rooted in Drag History

The very first challenge of the season is titled “Reclaim! Renew! Rejoice!” — and it’s already being called one of the most meaningful openings in recent Drag Race history. The queens will dive into the legendary Drag Race vaults, using leftover treasures from past seasons to create fresh, signature looks as a tribute to the icons who came before them.

 

 

 

 

 

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It’s a powerful mix of nostalgia, creativity, and competition — exactly what fans love about the show.

Meet Some of the Standout Queens

Among the newly announced contestants, a few names are already creating major buzz:

• Athena Dion (Miami, FL) — A respected drag mother whose daughters include fan favorites Morphine Love Dion and Plane Jane.

• Jane Don’t — Connected to the Drag Race family with drag sisters Bosco and Irene the Alien.

• Juicy Love Dion (Miami, FL) — Athena’s drag granddaughter and a talented dancer who previously appeared on So You Think You Can Dance.

• Darlene Mitchell (Los Angeles, CA) — Making a bold return after a five-year hiatus with her signature Peg Bundy-inspired style.

• Mia Starr (West Palm Beach, FL) — A powerhouse hip-hop dancer who has toured with Rihanna and Britney Spears and appeared on The Voice.

• Nini Coco (Denver, CO) — A former engineer turned high-fashion drag diva.

Other confirmed queens include Briar Blush, Ciara Myst, DD Fuego, Discord Addams, Pleaser Mandy, Mykieks, and Vita VonTesse Starr, promising a season packed with style, drama, and unforgettable performances.

There's no such thing as too much @BriarBlush ☺️ #DragRace premieres FRIDAY JAN 2 at 8p on @MTV! ???? pic.twitter.com/LbdpYpeyQH

— RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) December 2, 2025

In the presence of a Greek glam goddess ????️ #DragRace premieres FRIDAY JAN 2 at 8p on @MTV! ???? @worshipathena pic.twitter.com/lsqRtF8cuH

— RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) December 2, 2025

Untucked Is Back Too

As always, the drama won’t stop when the runway ends. “RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked” will air immediately after each episode at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on MTV, giving fans an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at the queens as they wait for their fate and tensions rise backstage.

A Season Filled With Light, Legacy, and Competition

She's a Starr, baby! ⭐️ #DragRace Season 18 premieres FRIDAY JAN 2 at 8p on @MTV! ???? pic.twitter.com/gJaGhxZJHv

— RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) December 2, 2025

With a historic mother-daughter-granddaughter drag lineage in the cast, a vault-inspired premiere, and one of the biggest cash prizes in the show’s history, Season 18 is shaping up to be one of the most emotional and high-stakes seasons yet.