RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 Cast Unveiled: Meet the 14 New Queens Vying for the Crown

MTV has officially revealed the cast for RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18. Fourteen new queens will compete for the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar. The new season premieres on January 2.

This marks a new chapter for the flagship reality competition. The grand prize is $200,000 and a makeup collaboration. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the cast includes queens with direct links to famous alumni.

A Dynasty Enters the Werk Room

The new cast creates a historic first for the series. Athena Dion and Juicy Love Dion are competing as a mother-drag-daughter duo. This is the first time such a pair has entered the competition together.

Athena Dion is a legendary figure from Miami. She is the drag mother to previous competitors Morphine Love Dion and Plane Jane. Her drag daughter, Juicy Love Dion, is a powerhouse dancer from the same city.

Other queens have strong ties to the Drag Race family tree. Seattle’s Jane Don’t counts Bosco and Irene the Alien as drag sisters. This creates immediate drama and connections within the new group.

The cast represents a wide range of drag styles and backgrounds. From pageant queen Vita VonTesse Starr to prosthetic artist Ciara Myst, the talent pool is deep. Each contestant brings a unique point of view to the main stage.

Premiere Details and Thematic Challenges

Season 18 begins on MTV on January 2 at 8 p.m. ET. The companion series, RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked, will follow at 9:30 p.m. This season continues the show’s move to the MTV network.

The first challenge will pay tribute to past queens. New contestants must use leftover materials from the “Drag Race vaults.” Their task is to create a signature look from these previous materials.

This theme honors the legacy of the series. It also tests the new queens’ creativity and resourcefulness immediately. The challenge is a classic Drag Race test of fashion and concept.

The season follows the recent All Stars 10, won by Ginger Minj. The main Season 17 winner was Onya Nurve. The new cast must now carve their own path in the show’s extensive history.

The RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 cast promises a mix of legacy, fierce new talent, and high-stakes drama when the competition kicks off in January.

Thought you’d like to know

How many queens are in the Drag Race Season 18 cast?

There are 14 new queens competing in RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18. They were officially revealed by MTV and The Hollywood Reporter in December 2024.

Are any drag relatives competing this season?

Yes. Athena Dion and Juicy Love Dion are competing as a mother-drag-daughter duo. This marks the first time such a pair has been on the show together.

When does Drag Race Season 18 start?

The season premieres on January 2, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET on MTV. The Untucked after-show will air immediately afterwards at 9:30 p.m.

What is the prize for the winner?

The winner will receive $200,000. They also win an official makeup collaboration with Anastasia Beverly Hills Cosmetics and the coveted title.

Which cities do the new queens represent?

The cast comes from across the United States. Cities include Miami, Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Denver, and Montgomery.