Talk about a dirty dozen. Paramount+ on Thursday revealed the 12 queens returning to compete in RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, which kicks off its eighth season with back-to-back episodes on Friday, May 12.
The big Ru-veal went down live on Drag Race‘s YouTube channel (which you can watch in the video above), as a parade of familiar faces reintroduced themselves to fans.
And this is one eclectic crew: a Broadway baby who slayed her Rusical as Kris Jenner, a comedy queen fresh off a “transformative” weight-loss journey, a supple-skinned stunner who’s both “blessed and highly favored,” a wiggy pin-up girl who went on to become a YouTube star, a “wild” one from the show’s second season, and a busty clown from the Great White North.
We also have a Las Vegas showgirl who underwent a major glow-up, a runner-up with plenty of “star quality,” a Miss Congeniality famous for crafting one of the show’s worst looks of all time, a “trans trailblazer” from California, a kindhearted storyteller, and a “gorgeous glamazon” from the Windy City.
In addition to a new season of All Stars, we’re also getting more All Stars: Untucked. New episodes of both shows will drop every Friday.
Read on to find out which 12 Drag Race veterans are returning for All Stars 8, then vote in our poll and drop a comment with your thoughts: Which queen(s) are you already rooting for?
PREVIOUS PLACEMENT: Fifth place (Season 9)
HER DEAL: “Curtain up! Light the lights! New York City’s Alexis Michelle is ready to take the stage — again! This singing and dancing Broadway baby made it to the top five on season nine, and now she’s ready for her encore — and to claim her spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame!”
PREVIOUS PLACEMENT: Fourth place (Season 6)
HER DEAL: “It’s time to take another dip into the cool, refreshing waters of Darienne Lake! This pretty and witty comedy queen made a big splash in season six, going all the way to the top four. Now, after a transformative weight loss journey, she’s ready to show the world she’s the fiercest queen of all!”
PREVIOUS PLACEMENT: Fifth place (Season 12)
HER DEAL: “The blessed and highly favored Miss Congeniality of season 12, Heidi N Closet, is back to snatch the All Stars crown! This former small-town girl has hit the big time, and is ready to prove that she’s got the ssssoft and ssssupple star power to take her all the way to the Drag Race Hall of Fame.”
PREVIOUS PLACEMENT: 14th place (Season 9)
HER DEAL: “Season nine’s bubbly, blonde bombshell – Jaymes Mansfield – is bringing classic showbiz sparkle to All Stars! She’s taken the internet by storm with her hilarious online beauty tutorials, and caused a commotion in The Bitch Who Stole Christmas. Now she’s got her sights on the Drag Race Hall of Fame.”
PREVIOUS PLACEMENT: Sixth place (Season 2)
HER DEAL: “From season two, it’s the original golden child Jessica Wild. The lovable and talented Puerto Rican powerhouse is back to prove that she can sing, dance and crack your padded ass up! Baby, things are about to get Wild! Escándalo!”
PREVIOUS PLACEMENTS: Fourth Place (Canada’s Drag Race Season 1) and seventh place (UK vs. the World Season 1)
HER DEAL: “What’s big, bouncing and may be used as a floatation device? Canada’s drag clown, Jimbo! This bodacious queen is stacked – with talent! And after gagworthy seasons on Canada’s Drag Race and UK vs. the World, she’s ready to bring home the bologna. And a crown!”
PREVIOUS PLACEMENT: 14th place (Season 11)
HER DEAL: “Did someone say ‘glow-up’ from the floor up? Here comes Kahanna Montrese! This showgirl from Sin City has been wowing crowds at RuPaul’s Drag Race Live in Las Vegas, and now she’s doubling down on the ultimate jackpot — the All Stars crown!”
PREVIOUS PLACEMENT: Second place (Season 13)
HER DEAL: “The queen of the Badonka-donk Bronx is back to give you a sugar rush! After coming ‘this close’ to winning the Season 13 crown, this outspoken and outrageous Kandy Muse is ready to remind the world what ‘star quality’ is all about!”
PREVIOUS PLACEMENT: 10th place (Season 13)
HER DEAL: “Season 13’s fierce fan favorite is back to bag a spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame! Can this former Miss Congeniality prove that nice girls finish first? Get ready for the LaLa Ri Experience 2.0!”
PREVIOUS PLACEMENT: 12th place (Season 5)
HER DEAL: “Monica Beverly Hillz made herstory on Season 5 when she shared her truth on the mainstage. Now, the trans trailblazer is back to serve face and fashion on her way to the Drag Race Hall of Fame. 9021-OMG!”
PREVIOUS PLACEMENT: 11th place (Season 7)
HER DEAL: “There’s always time for … Mrs. Kasha Davis! Season seven’s international celebrity housewife and Drag Story Hour hostess is here to turn a new page and demonstrate that reading — and kindness — are fundamental!”
PREVIOUS PLACEMENT: Ninth place (Season 8)
HER DEAL: “Hola, the beauty is back! Chicago’s hardest-working pageant queen, Naysha Lopez, is ready for the biggest contest of them all! Gone too soon from Season 8, this gorgeous glamazon – and former Miss Continental – will thrill drag fans all over again!”
Now that you’ve met all 12 returning queens, vote for the ones you’re already rooting for:
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So many great queens! I’ll have to deal with Kandy until she gets booted. Hopefully quickly for being too annoying.
Kind of a weird cast. A lot of early outs. Going into it rooting for Heidi and darrianne
I think it’s really good to have early outs. Some contestants have a bad week, some aren’t in the right headspace the first time. Others are victims of production meddling. They’re all extremely talented and should get another chance to show it.
Jimbo!!! 🇨🇦
Here for Jimbo!
I’ll start watching once Kandy had gone.. can’t watch her….
As much as I love Heidi, I don’t think I can watch because I find Kandy beyond insufferable. I literally quit watching all RPDR until s15 because of her; I needed a break.
I want Heidi to win so badly but I think Jimbo will end up winning it.
Two episodes coming out the same day I’ll be waiting for Tears of the Kingdom to arrive? That’s some good timing.
Rooting for MKD and Jimbo! MKD was so underappreciated in season 7 and I’ll always love Jimbo’s brand of crazy.
I was hoping to never see Kandy ever again
Tbh I only watched seasons 2-5 heavily. I did catch S12 with Heidi. I’m rooting for her, as she was seen kinda as an underdog in her season and she showed them in the end that she was fierce. But to all the other queens you are there because you are best of the best so wishes for all of you good luck have fun and for gosh sakes don’t f**k it up.
That’s a lot of personalities who caused drama in past seasons… (or online)
I’ve said this for years now. Drag Race should be an All-Stars of nothing but queens who came in second place. Not third. Not 8th… just second place.
I’ve seen every season, but aside from a few queens this was a lot of …who? from me.
Like 12th place and 9th place from long ago seasons? They’re really stretching the definition of All Stars
Still, I guess it might be fun to see some queens who left too early given a second chance. Weird combination here, though.
The point of All Stars to to come back to redeem yourself
In the beginning, it was definitely “All-Stars” with powerhouse lineups from previous seasons. Personally, I think WoW learned they were going to burn out early if they used all the high-placing queens from previous seasons, and I”m guessing some just didn’t want to come back. So they changed the direction of the show, like Fernando said. However, the name “All Stars” still resonates with the ideas of high-placing queens. I love the idea of “Ru-demption” though. I think it’s a smart move for the franchise. Plus, Kylie Sonique Love proved that a low-placing queen the first time around can grow, learn and come back to win All-Stars!
If they do this like they did the last season (which was the best ever) I am not nearly as interested. Very few top queens in this collection at all, and if you were eliminated so early in your season are you really an ALL star?
Was so engaged with the preview … until I saw Kandy Muse. Ugh. Why?
I’m debating to get a 2-month subscription to Paamount+, but not sure if I want to deal with Kandy for an entire season. Maybe she’ll get the stilleto sooner than later. >:P
#LaLa was here lol
Sorry to the other Qeens but hands up for LaLa you had me the first time I saw you on RPDR .. “they should do it where the judges have to vote for the bottom each time that would be a good twister “