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RuPaul’s Drag Race Is Back With Its Biggest Cast and Prize Yet

Photo: World of Wonder

They say size doesn’t matter … but not when it comes to RuPaul’s Drag Race, henny. The show is returning next year for what’s shaping up to be its biggest season ever: It’s moving up to a new network, MTV, with the most queens ever at 16. And it has the biggest cash prize yet, of $200,000. (Let’s just hope this doesn’t bloat the episode count too much.) The season’s kicking off with two episodes on the unfortunate date of January 6 at 8 p.m. ET. So let’s get right to werk with everything you need to know about Drag Race season 15, starting with the trailer.

Who are the Season 15 queens?

Like every season of Drag Race, our cast includes some firsts and some familiar faces. There’s, as rumored, our first twins, the TikTok-famous Sugar and Spice, who even make an entrance together, per the season’s trailer. (Instagram queens, move over: We’re casting TikTok queens now — and they’re far from the only ones.) According to the trailer, this season also includes a pair of exes, so start snooping around now. And somehow, in 15 seasons, we finally have our first queen from Miami, Malaysia Babydoll Foxx. Season 14 finalist Bosco’s drag sister, Irene Dubois, is here, as is Kerri Colby’s legendary drag mother, Sasha Colby. Oh, and somehow a full 25 percent of our racers have connections to Connecticut. Move over, New York! Get to know season 15’s queens with their official bios below — and good luck keeping all 16, uh, straight.

Amethyst | IG: @thatssoamethyst, TikTok: @thatssoamethyst | West Hartford, CT
A mix of pop princess and meme queen, Amethyst is here to make it crystal clear: She’s pretty, witty and … she came to slay. Her kooky comedy has scored her millions of views on TikTok, and now she wants to show the world why she’s the jewel in the crown of the Connecticut drag scene!

Anetra | IG: @iamanetra, TW: @iamanetra | Las Vegas, Nevada
Straight outta Sin City, Anetra is a self-described stunt queen who can deliver splits, dips, and all the tricks to slay the stage. She may seem low key at times, but still waters run deep. Plus, with serious tae kwon do skills, she’s ready to take all the other queens out one by one. Chop ’til ya drop!

Aura Mayari | IG: @auramayari, TW: @AuraMayari, TikTok: @auramayari | Nashville, TN
It’s time to get caught up in the electrifying aura of Aura Mayari! This high-kicking, high-energy Filipina goddess is known for slaying the stages in Nashville. And watch out — she brings a little sexy swagger to her drag.

Irene Dubois |IG: @irenethealien, TW: @queenirenehunty, TikTok: @irene_the_alien | Seattle, WA
Attention, Earthlings: The Alien Queen has landed! Outspoken and out of this world, Irene Dubois combines Texan glam with Seattle wit and grit! Plus she’s Bosco’s drag sister, so expect eclectic, extravagant drag with a touch of high drama!

Jax | IG: @getjaxed, TW: @thatbitchjax, TikTok: @getjaxed |Queens, NY
Get ready for flips and twirls galore because Jax is here to get things jumpin’! The self-described Simone Biles of drag grew up doing gymnastics and competitive cheer, and now she’s ready to go for the gold in the Olympics of drag! Originally from Connecticut, her style is a mix of banjee meets haute hip-hop honey. Bam!

Loosey LaDuca | IG: @looseyladuca, TW: @LooseyLaDuca, TikTok: @looseyladuca | Ansonia, CT
Construction worker by day, singing-and-dancing drag diva by night … Loosey LaDuca is ready to use all her tools to make it to the top! A perfectionist powerhouse performer with killer curves and 12 years in the Connecticut drag scene, Loosey’s the ultimate mix of showgirl sass and campy charisma. She’s a queen who has it all. Now she just needs a crown.

Luxx Noir London | IG: @luxxnoirlondon, TW: @luxxnoirlondon, TikTok: @luxxnoirlondon | East Orange, NJ
Who ordered the diva-licious dazzler? Luxx Noir London is an effervescent ingénue whose stunning style is matched only by her no-holds-barred attitude. She’s always ready to tell it like it “t-i-s!†And while Luxx may be this season’s youngest queen, she’s got the confidence to take her all the way. Just ask her!

Malaysia Babydoll Foxx | IG: @foxxy_doll, TW: @foxxy_doll | Miami, FL
Believe it or not, the sensational and motivational Malaysia Babydoll Foxx is the first-ever Miami queen to grace the Drag Race main stage! A professional makeup artist and hair stylist to the stars, this opinionated foxy mama is bringing veteran skills and thrills to the competition, and she is not afraid to show these younger queens what real drag is!

Marcia Marcia Marcia |IG: @marciax3nyc, TW: @marciax3nyc, TikTok: @marciax3nyc | New York, NY
OMG, she’s the most popular girl in school — and mom’s favorite! It’s Marcia Marcia Marcia! This NYC ingénue sings, dances, and brings Broadway chops to the main stage. And she’s got much more than a hunch; she’s ready to go all the way!

Mistress Isabelle Brooks | IG: @mistressisabellebrooks, TW: @MistressIBrooks | Houston, TX
Houston, we do not have a problem! Hailing from the great state of Texas, Mistress Isabelle Brooks is the epitome of classic southern drag! She calls herself “Houston’s Heavyweight Champ,†and trust, she came to pack a punch. Gutsy, glamorous, and full of attitude, our Miss Brooks was raised in the spangled world of Texas drag, and now she’s ready to rule the school.

Princess Poppy | IG: @poppyprincesspoppy, TikTok: @poppyprincesspoppy | San Francisco, CA
Straight out of a fairy tale — by way of San Francisco — Princess Poppy brings both beauty and an eccentric edge to the competition. She sings, raps, acts, and dances … All served up with a twisted sense of humor. She’s already been a TikTok sensation, but now this powerful young Princess wants a new crown.

Robin Fierce |IG: @therobinfierce, TW: @TheRobinFierce, TikTok: @therobinfierce | Hartford, CT
Make way for Connecticut’s grand diva, the Robin Fierce! A mix of Beyoncé sass and Diahann Carroll class, this proudly bougie beauty is ready to shine her light for the world! She may sometimes have a chill vibe, but when she hits the stage, expect kicks and cartwheels for days!

Salina EsTitties | IG: @estitties, TW: @SalinaEstitties, TikTok: @estitties | Los Angeles, CA
¡Hola! Salina EsTitties is a brassy, sassy Latinx diva repping L.A., baby! A fiery self-described combo of chola street style and campy comedy, Salina is a take-no-prisoners performer. From the bar scene to TV, film, and commercial work, this saucy sister stays booked and busy! She’s got a mouth, big drag, and big plans to win.

Sasha Colby | IG: @sashacolby, TW: @sashacolby, TikTok: @sashacolby | Los Angeles, CA
The iconic queen of the House of Colby has arrived! Known worldwide for her memorable reign as Miss Continental and as Kerri Colby’s drag mother, Sasha is a queen to be reckoned with. This Hawaii-born goddess has been slaying drag stages for 20 years, so she’s got to live up to her legendary reputation. Serving body, beauty, and bodacious all-around talent, Sasha is fierce. Officially.

Sugar | IG: @sugarsworld, TW: @sugarsworld_, TikTok: @sugarandspice | Los Angeles, CA
Hope you’ve got a sweet tooth because social-media superstar Sugar has arrived! She and her TikTok twin sister, Spice, may have come as a package deal, but when it comes to snatching the Drag Race crown, Sugar’s ready to taste victory all on her own. But how can you tell these twins apart? “It’s easy,†says Sugar. “I’m the prettier one.â€

Spice | IG: @callmespice, TW: @callmespice_, TikTok: @sugarandspice | Los Angeles, CA
Making herstory as one-half of Drag Race’s first-ever identical twin contestants, Spice has arrived with her TikTok-superstar sister, Sugar! These living dolls may be new to performing, but they’re ready to double the fun and the drama this season. Take note: Spice is the edgier diva of the duo, and she’s ready to prove she’s got plenty of flavor to stand on her own!

And who are the guest judges?

The usual suspects are back: Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, and Ross Mathews will once again judge, and of course, it’s still RuPaul’s Drag Race. And another familiar face will be spending some more time around, as Ts Madison — now of Renaissance and Bros fame! — joins Kressley and Mathews as a rotating judge. As for this season’s guest judges, it’s once again a who’s who of queer culture — no, culture, period. Ariana Grande returns for the first episode, and Ali Wong, Amandla Stenberg, Harvey Guillen, Hayley Kiyoko, Julia Garner, Janelle Monáe, Maren Morris, Megan Stalter, and Orville Peck will also sit in at the judge’s table throughout the season.

So, where can you watch it?

VH1 is sashaying away. RuPaul’s Drag Race is moving to MTV after six seasons on its sister network, the show announced December 12. Sorry to everyone looking for their Friday-night fix of Ridiculousness! Drag Race did a test run with MTV in 2021, when the season-13 premiere set a ratings record after being simulcast on MTV, MTV2, the CW, and other channels. And it’s just the latest shift for the franchise after Drag Race moved from LogoTV to VH1 for season nine in 2017 and All Stars later moved to Paramount+ for season six in 2021. (Can’t keep up? WOW Presents Plus has your back.)

And surely that’s not the only new Drag Race coming, right?

Don’t you know it. In RuPaul’s continued quest for world domination, Drag Race franchises in Brazil, Mexico, and Germany have also been announced for MTV and Paramount+. Yes, Drag Race is coming to Brazil! And on top of it all, Paramount+ plans to spice up the All Stars format with Drag Race Global All Stars. Plus RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race is also set to return next year — but that one’s staying on VH1.

Drag Race Is Back With Its Biggest Cast and Prize Yet