Although it’s only been a few days since RuPaul crowned a winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16, Mother already has more in store for us. World of Wonder just announced RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 9, and it’s right around the corner. There is literally no off-season for this show.
Eight former contestants are sashaying back into the Werk Room, and this time, there’s a twist. No one is getting eliminated, and they’re competing for charity. Racers, start your engines!
Meet the Queens of All Stars 9
The drag queens competing in All Stars Season 9 are:
- Angeria Paris VanMichaels (Season 14)
- Gottmik (Season 13)
- Jorgeous (Season 14)
- Nina West (Season 11)
- Plastique Tiara (Season 11)
- Roxxxy Andrews (Season 5, All Stars 2)
- Shannel (Season 1, All Stars 1)
- Vanessa Vanjie Mateo (Season 10, 11).
This season, the queens will compete to earn a spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame. Plus, the charity of their choice wins a donation of $200,000. If you’re wondering what’s in it for the performers, they actually already got paid. Unlike previous seasons, Drag Race generously paid the All Stars Season 9 contestants to compete in the season, plus they received a budget for their costumes.
This isn’t the first time that Ru has attempted a non-elimination format. All Stars Season 7 featured all previous winners of the franchise, and they opted not to eliminate anyone. They didn’t want to tarnish the legacies of any of their champions.
Previously, on All Stars Season 8, multiple contestants tried to quit the competition. This change should help alleviate some of those behind-the-scenes frustrations. Heidi N Closet, who self-eliminated at the halfway point in All Stars 8, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to react to the updated format.
With no eliminations and no cash prize, the stakes have never been lower. However, you can tell just by the promo pictures that the drag will be bigger than ever. That’s what we tune in for anyway, right?
Season 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars premieres with two episodes on Paramount+ on May 17.
TELL US – WHO ARE YOU ROOTING FOR IN AS9? WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE NON-ELMINATION FORMAT?
