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RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 Premieres with Star-Studded Celebration

12/11/2025

45 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Queens Compete Again

The 18th season of RuPaul's Drag Race premieres January 2 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on MTV, with 14 new queens competing for the title and a $200,000 prize.
The New York City premiere gathered 16 past winners, including Alyssa Edwards and Bebe Zahara Benet, at a single celebration for the first time.
The event was hosted by Ross Mathews and Ts Madison, judges, and it highlighted the show's cultural impact.

History

Historical Context

RuPaul's Drag Race premiered in 2009, revolutionizing LGBTQ+ representation on television. The show, which has featured over 200 contestants, has significantly influenced mainstream acceptance of drag culture. RuPaul, recognized as a leading figure in this movement, has won multiple Emmy Awards, highlighting the show's impact on societal attitudes towards gender expression and diversity in entertainment.

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Queens Compete Again

The 18th season of RuPaul's Drag Race premieres January 2 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on MTV, with 14 new queens competing for the title and a $200,000 prize.
The New York City premiere gathered 16 past winners, including Alyssa Edwards and Bebe Zahara Benet, at a single celebration for the first time.
The event was hosted by Ross Mathews and Ts Madison, judges, and it highlighted the show's cultural impact.

1 / 2