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RuPaul's Drag Race season 18

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RuPaul's Drag Race
Season 18
RuPauls-Drag-Race-S18.jpg
Promotional poster for season eighteen
Hosted by RuPaul
Judges
No. of contestants14
Companion show Untucked!
No. of episodes7
Release
Original network MTV
Original releaseJanuary 2, 2026 (2026-01-02) –
present
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 17
List of episodes

The eighteenth season of the American television series RuPaul's Drag Race premiered on MTV on January 2, 2026. [1]

Contents

Development

On August 20, 2024, MTV announced the series renewal for Season 18 along with its companion series RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked . [2] Casting for the eighteenth season began on September 30, 2024 with a deadline of December 6, 2024. [3]

Marketing

Season 17 winner Onya Nurve presented the contestants through the series official YouTube channel on December 2, 2025. [1] An official trailer was released on December 9, 2025, which featured the contestants and the season's celebrity guest judges. [4]

Contestants

RuPaul's Drag Race season 18 contestants and their backgrounds [a]
ContestantAgeHometownOutcome
Athena Dion 37 Miami, FloridaTBA
Darlene Mitchell34 Los Angeles, California
Discord Addams 34 St. Petersburg, Florida
Jane Don't32 Seattle, Washington
Juicy Love Dion24Miami, Florida
Kenya Pleaser27 Sumter, South Carolina
Mia Starr39 West Palm Beach, Florida
Myki Meeks29 Orlando, Florida
Nini Coco29 Denver, Colorado
Vita VonTesse Starr37 Montgomery, Alabama 10th place
Ciara Myst 31 Indianapolis, Indiana11th place
Briar Blush 25 Boston, Massachusetts12th place
Mandy Mango 28 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania13th place
DD Fuego 36 New York City, New York14th place
Notes
  1. ↑ All ages, names, with hometowns, and outcome are stated at time of filming. [5]

Contestant progress

Legend:

  WIN indicates that the contestant won the challenge.
  TOP2 indicates that the contestant was one of the two best performing in the challenge, but lost the lip sync to win it.
  SAFE indicates that the contestant was declared safe by the judges.
  BTM (Bottom) indicates that the contestant was up for elimination.
  ELIM (Eliminated) indicates that the contestant was eliminated.
  Guest indicates that the contestant remained or returned as a guest.
Contestants progress with placements in each episode
ContestantEpisode
1 [6] [a] 2 [7] 3 [8] 4 [9] 5 [10] 6 [11] 7 [12]
Athena DionSAFESAFESAFESAFEGuestWINSAFE
Darlene MitchellSAFESAFESAFESAFESAFEGuestSAFE
Discord AddamsSAFESAFESAFESAFEGuestSAFESAFE
Jane Don'tSAFEWINSAFESAFEGuestTOP2SAFE
Juicy Love DionSAFESAFEWINSAFEWINGuestBTM
Kenya PleaserBTMSAFESAFEBTMGuestSAFESAFE
Mia StarrSAFESAFESAFESAFEWINGuestSAFE
Myki MeeksSAFESAFESAFESAFEGuestBTMWIN
Nini CocoWINSAFESAFESAFESAFEGuestSAFE
Vita VonTesse StarrTOP2SAFESAFEWINSAFEGuestELIM
Ciara MystSAFESAFESAFESAFEBTMELIM
Briar BlushSAFESAFEBTMELIM
Mandy MangoBTMBTMELIM
DD FuegoSAFEELIM
Notes
  1. ↑ In episode 1, Kenya Pleaser and Mandy Mango were announced as bottom two of the week. However, it was later announced that there would be no eliminations.

Lip syncs

Legend:

  The contestant won the lip sync to win the challenge.
  The contestant was eliminated after their first time in the bottom.
  The contestant was eliminated after their second time in the bottom.
  The contestant was eliminated after their third time in the bottom.
EpisodeTop contestantsSongWinner
1 [6] Nini Cocovs.Vita VonTesse Starr"Enough (Miami)"
(Cardi B)		Nini Coco
EpisodeBottom contestantsSongEliminated
2 [7] DD Fuegovs.Mandy Mango"Too Much"
(Dove Cameron)		DD Fuego
3 [8] Briar Blushvs.Mandy Mango"Love in Real Life"
(Lizzo)		Mandy Mango
4 [9] Briar Blushvs.Kenya Pleaser"Lights Camera Action"
(Kylie Minogue)		Briar Blush
EpisodeTop contestantsSongWinner
5 [10] Juicy Love Dionvs.Mia Starr"Pretty Ugly"
(Zara Larsson)		Juicy Love Dion
Mia Starr
6 [11] Athena Dionvs.Jane Don't"Jerkin'"
(Amyl and the Sniffers)		Athena Dion
Bottom contestantsSongEliminated
Ciara Mystvs.Myki Meeks"Toxic"
(Britney Spears)		Ciara Myst
7 [12] Juicy Love Dionvs.Vita VonTesse Starr"Houdini"
(Dua Lipa)		Vita VonTesse Starr

Guest judges

RuPaul and Michelle Visage remained as the regular judges, with Carson Kressley, Law Roach, Ts Madison, and Ross Mathews reappearing as alternating judges. Various celebrity guest judges set to appear were revealed on December 9, 2025. [13] Starring celebrity guest judges are listed below in order of episode appearance. [14]

Special guests

Special guests who appeared in episodes, but did not judge on the main stage.

Episode 1
Episode 2

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal release date
2391"You Can't Keep a Good Drag Queen Down!"January 2, 2026 (2026-01-02)

Fourteen new queens enter the workroom. For the first mini-challenge, the queens act as a scream queen along with masked dancers. Kenya Pleaser wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens design and create outfits using leftover materials from previous seasons.

On the runway, category is Reclaim, Renew, Rejoice. Jane Don't, Nini Coco, and Vita VonTesse Starr receive positive critiques. Juicy Love Dion, Kenya Pleaser, and Mandy Mango receive negative critiques. It is then announced that Kenya Pleaser and Mandy Mango are the bottom queens of the week, and that there will be no elimination, and instead, Nini Coco and Vita VonTesse Starr are the top two queens of the week and will lip-sync for the win. Nini Coco and Vita VonTesse Starr lip-synced to "Enough (Miami)" by Cardi B. After the lip-sync, Nini Coco is announced as the winner of the challenge.

  • Guest Judge: Cardi B
  • Alternating Judge: Carson Kressley
  • Mini-Challenge: Act as a scream queen with masked dancers
  • Mini-Challenge Winner: Kenya Pleaser
  • Mini-Challenge Prize: $2,500 cash tip
  • Main Challenge: Create an outfit made out of leftover materials from previous seasons
  • Runway Theme: Reclaim, Renew, Rejoice
  • Top Two: Nini Coco and Vita VonTesse Starr
  • Lip-sync Song: "Enough (Miami)" by Cardi B
  • Challenge Winner: Nini Coco
  • Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
  • Eliminated: None
2402"Q-Pop Girl Groups"January 9, 2026 (2026-01-09)

For this week's main challenge, the queens write, record, and perform verses as 70's and 80's girl groups.

  • Team Studio 50-Whores - Athena Dion, DD Fuego, Darlene Mitchell, and Mandy Mango performing "Funk Almighty"
  • Team Glam! - Ciara Myst, Kenya Pleaser, Mia Starr, Myki Meeks, and Nini Coco performing "Go-Go-Go!"
  • Team The Tucked Aways - Briar Blush, Discord Addams, Jane Don't, Juicy Love Dion, and Vita VonTesse Starr performing "Cherries"

On the runway, category is Your Neck, Your Back, Your Pussy, and Your Crack. Mia Starr and Jane Don't receive positive critiques, with Jane Don't winning the challenge. Team Studio 50-Whores is the losing team. Athena Dion, DD Fuego, Darlene Mitchell, and Mandy Mango receive negative critiques, with Athena Dion and Darlene Mitchell being safe. DD Fuego and Mandy Mango lip-sync to "Too Much" by Dove Cameron. Mandy Mango wins the lip-sync and DD Fuego is the first queen to sashay away.

  • Guest Judge: Dove Cameron
  • Alternating Judge: Ts Madison
  • Main Challenge: Write, record, and perform verses as 70s and 80s inspired girl groups
  • Runway Theme: Your Neck, Your Back, Your Pussy, and Your Crack
  • Challenge Winner: Jane Don't
  • Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
  • Bottom Two: DD Fuego and Mandy Mango
  • Lip-sync Song: "Too Much" by Dove Cameron
  • Eliminated: DD Fuego
  • Farewell Message: "DIVAS, HATE THIS FOR ME. BUT LOVE ALL OF YOU. ¡gracias! XO DD Fuego"
2413"RDR Live Returns!"January 16, 2026 (2026-01-16)

For this week's main challenge, the queens perform in a sketch comedy of RDR Live.

  • Host/Monologue - Athena Dion and Briar Blush
  • Tuckahoe County Fair - Darlene Mitchell, Discord Addams, Mandy Mango and Mia Starr
  • Lipstick Lovers - Athena Dion, Kenya Pleaser, Nini Coco and Vita VonTesse Starr
  • QNN News - Briar Blush, Ciara Myst and Jane Don't
  • Young Michelle - Juicy Love Dion and Myki Meeks

On the runway, category is Animal Attraction. Darlene Mitchell, Jane Don't and Juicy Love Dion receive positive critiques, with Juicy Love Dion winning the challenge. Briar Blush, Mandy Mango and Vita VonTesse Starr receive negative critiques with Vita VonTesse Starr being declared safe. Briar Blush and Mandy Mango lipsync to "Love in Real Life" by Lizzo. Briar Blush wins the lipsync and Mandy Mango sashays away.

  • Guest Judge: Sarah Sherman
  • Alternating Judge: Ts Madison
  • Main Challenge: Perform in a sketch comedy of RDR Live
  • Runway Theme: Animal Attraction
  • Challenge Winner: Juicy Love Dion
  • Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
  • Bottom Two: Briar Blush and Mandy Mango
  • Lip-sync Song: "Love in Real Life" by Lizzo
  • Eliminated: Mandy Mango
  • Farewell Message: "HAVE FUN LIKE A FILIPINA STAY SWEET LIKE A MANGO. BUT DON'T FORGET M BABY! Take care of yourself and LOVE YOURSELF. Love you all so much. Thank you for everything 💋 XOXO Mandy Mango"
2424"Red Carpet Mash Up"January 23, 2026 (2026-01-23)

For this week's main challenge the queens must create show-stopping looks inspired by a mash-up of two different legendary red carpet looks. The queens have to partner up with their best friend in the competition, to be compared for their looks later by the judges. The mash-up's and pairings are:

On the runway, category is Red Carpet Mashups. Athena Dion, Ciara Myst, Jane Don't, Juicy Love Dion, Nini Coco and Vita VonTesse Starr all win each of their battles. Ciara Myst, Jane Don't and Vita VonTesse Starr receive extra positive critiques for their looks, with Vita VonTesse Starr winning the challenge. Briar Blush, Discord Addams, and Kenya Pleaser receive negative critiques with Discord Addams being declared safe. Briar Blush and Kenya Pleaser lipsync to "Lights Camera Action" by Kylie Minogue. Kenya Pleaser wins the lipsync and Briar Blush sashays away.

  • Guest Judge: Annaleigh Ashford
  • Alternating Judge: Law Roach
  • Main Challenge: In rival pairs create a show-stopping look inspired by a mash-up of two different legendary red carpet looks.
  • Runway Theme: Red Carpet Mashups
  • Challenge Winner: Vita VonTesse Starr
  • Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
  • Bottom Two: Briar Blush and Kenya Pleaser
  • Lip-sync Song: "Lights Camera Action" by Kylie Minogue
  • Eliminated: Briar Blush
  • Farewell Message: "Actually I change my mind, Keep recording me. PS.. I like you guys♡ Briar"
2435"The Rate-A-Queen Talent Show, Part 1"January 30, 2026 (2026-01-30)

For this week's main challenge the queens split up into two groups, with six of them performing in the Rate-A-Queen Talent Show.

  • Ciara Myst - Spoken Word Poetry
  • Juicy Love Dion - Original Song/Dancing
  • Nini Coco - Lip Sync Performance
  • Vita VonTesse Starr - Original Song
  • Darlene Mitchell - Comedy Performance
  • Mia Starr - Original Song/Dancing

On the runway category is Not Today, Satin. The queens who didn't perform in this episode rank the performances using Rate-A-Queen. It is then announced that Juicy Love Dion and Mia Starr are the top two queens of the week and will lipsync for the win. The other group of queens ranked Ciara Myst the lowest, meaning that she will lipsync for her life next episode. Juicy Love Dion and Mia Starr lipsync to "Pretty Ugly" by Zara Larsson. After an outstanding lip sync RuPaul declares that it's a tie, with both Juicy Love Dion and Mia Starr winning the challenge.

  • Guest Judge: Zara Larsson
  • Alternating Judge: Ross Matthews
  • Main Challenge: Perform in the Rate-A-Queen Talent Show Part 1
  • Runway Theme: Not Today Satin
  • Top Two: Juicy Love Dion and Mia Starr
  • Lip-sync Song: "Pretty Ugly" by Zara Larsson
  • Challenge Winners: Juicy Love Dion and Mia Starr
  • Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize ($2,500 for each)
  • Eliminated: None
2446"The Rate-A-Queen Talent Show, Part 2"February 6, 2026 (2026-02-06)

For this week's main challenge the remaining five queens perform a Talent in the Rate-A-Queen Talent Show Part 2.

  • Myki Meeks - Comedy Burlesque
  • Athena Dion - Original Song
  • Kenya Pleaser - Original Song/Color Guard
  • Jane Don't - Original Song/Comedy Performance
  • Discord Addams - Original Song

On the runway category is Shake, Shake, Shake. The queens who didn't perform in this episode rank the performances using Rate-A-Queen. It is then announced that Athena Dion and Jane Don't are the top two queens of the week. They lipsync for the win to "Jerkin'" by Amyl and the Sniffers. Athena Dion wins the lipsync and thus the challenge. Myki Meeks was ranked the lowest by the other queens, meaning that she will lipsync for her life against the bottom queen from the week before, Ciara Myst. Ciara Myst and Myki Meeks lipsync to "Toxic" by Britney Spears. Myki Meeks wins the lipsync and Ciara Myst sashays away.

  • Guest Judge: Amy Taylor
  • Alternating Judge: Ross Matthews
  • Main Challenge: Perform in the Rate-A-Queen Talent Show Part 2
  • Runway Theme: Shake, Shake, Shake
  • Top Two: Athena Dion and Jane Don't
  • Lip-sync Song: "Jerkin'" by Amyl and the Sniffers
  • Challenge Winner: Athena Dion
  • Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
  • Bottom Two: Ciara Myst and Myki Meeks
  • Lip-sync Song: "Toxic" by Britney Spears
  • Eliminated: Ciara Myst
  • Farewell Message: Hey Divas! Well... they got me gal!?! Guess you all are going to need another therapist while, I'm gone. You all are stars, but consider bigger lips! <3 CIARA
2457"Drag Queens for Change"February 13, 2026 (2026-02-13)

For this week's main challenge the queens create twisted parodies of political ads by taking a stand on political propositions. They are divided into pairs, with one queen arguing in support of the proposition, and the other arguing against it.

  • Proposition C - Jane Don't and Kenya Pleaser
  • Proposition DD - Juicy Love Dion and Mia Starr
  • Proposition 4Real - Darlene Mitchell and Vita VonTesse Starr
  • Proposition 6969 - Athena Dion and Myki Meeks
  • Proposition Kiki - Discord Addams and Nini Coco

On the runway category is I Can See Right Through Ha. Darlene Mitchell, Jane Don't and Myki Meeks receive positive critiques, with Myki Meeks winning the challenge. Juicy Love Dion, Mia Starr and Vita VonTesse Starr receive negative critiques, with Mia Starr being declared safe. Juicy Love Dion and Vita VonTesse Starr lipsync to "Houdini" by Dua Lipa. Juicy Love Dion wins the lipsync and Vita VonTesse Starr sashays away.

  • Guest Judge: Leland and Jamal Sims
  • Main Challenge: In pairs, create comedic political ads for political issues
  • Runway Theme: I Can See Right Through Ha
  • Challenge Winner: Myki Meeks
  • Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash prize
  • Bottom Two: Juicy Love Dion and Vita VonTesse Starr
  • Lip-sync Song: "Houdini" by Dua Lipa
  • Eliminated: Vita VonTesse Starr
  • Farewell Message: Love all you! VITA VITA VITA
2468"Snatch Game of Love: Island Edition"February 20, 2026 (2026-02-20)
2479"Fannie: The Hard Knock Ball Rusical"February 27, 2026 (2026-02-27)

Ratings

Viewership and ratings per episode of RuPaul's Drag Race season 18
No.TitleAir date Rating
(18–49)		Viewers
(millions)		Ref.
1"You Can't Keep a Good Drag Queen Down!"January 2, 20260.22TBD [16]
2"Q-Pop Girl Groups"January 9, 20260.14TBD [17]
3"RDR Live Returns!"January 16, 20260.16TBD [18]
4"Red Carpet Mash Up"January 23, 20260.18TBD [19]
5"The Rate-A-Queen Talent Show, Part 1"January 30, 20260.17TBD [20]
6"The Rate-A-Queen Talent Show, Part 2"February 6, 20260.17TBD [21]

Footnotes

    References

    1. 1 2 Tangcay, Jazz (December 2, 2025). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Reveals 14 New Queens for Season 18". Variety. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
    2. ↑ "RuPaul's Drag Race Renewed For Season 18 At MTV & Paramount+ Picks Up RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars For Season 11". IMDb . August 20, 2025.
    3. ↑ "Calling all queens! Casting for #DragRace Season 18 beings TODAY". Facebook . September 30, 2024.
    4. ↑ Rude, Mey. "RuPaul's Drag Race season 18 drops guest judges and trailer | Out.com". www.out.com. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
    5. ↑ Nolfi, Joey (December 4, 2024). ""RuPaul's Drag Race" season 18 cast of queens revealed — and they're 'out for blood'". Entertainment Weekly . Dotdash Meredith . Retrieved December 2, 2025.
    6. 1 2 "You Can't Keep a Good Drag Queen Down!". RuPaul's Drag Race. Season 18. Episode 1. January 2, 2026. MTV / WOW Presents Plus.
    7. 1 2 "Q-Pop Girl Groups". RuPaul's Drag Race. Season 18. Episode 2. January 9, 2026. MTV / WOW Presents Plus.
    8. 1 2 "RDR Live Returns!". RuPaul's Drag Race. Season 18. Episode 3. January 16, 2026. MTV / WOW Presents Plus.
    9. 1 2 "Red Carpet Mash-Ups". RuPaul's Drag Race. Season 18. Episode 4. January 23, 2026. MTV / WOW Presents Plus.
    10. 1 2 "The Rate-A-Queen Talent Show, Part 1". RuPaul's Drag Race. Season 18. Episode 5. January 30, 2026. MTV / WOW Presents Plus.
    11. 1 2 "The Rate-A-Queen Talent Show, Part 2". RuPaul's Drag Race. Season 18. Episode 6. February 7, 2026. MTV / WOW Presents Plus.
    12. 1 2 "Drag Queens for Change". RuPaul's Drag Race. Season 18. Episode 7. February 14, 2026. MTV / WOW Presents Plus.
    13. ↑ Rude, Mey (December 9, 2025). "RuPaul's Drag Race season 18 drops guest judges and trailer". Out . Retrieved January 4, 2026.
    14. ↑ Tinoco, Armando (December 9, 2025). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 18 Judges Photos: Cardi B, Teyana Taylor, Benny Blanco & More". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved January 4, 2026.
    15. ↑ Hirst, Jordan (January 3, 2026). "Cardi B is one of the best Drag Race judges ever, producer says". QNews. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
    16. ↑ Berman, Marc (January 6, 2026). "Friday Ratings: The Password is Lackluster". Programming Insider. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
    17. ↑ Berman, Marc (January 13, 2026). "Friday Ratings: Under 9-Million Viewers for the 5 Broadcast Networks Combined". Programming Insider. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
    18. ↑ Berman, Marc (January 21, 2026). "Friday Ratings: 'Happy's Place' on NBC Tops Scripted Series". Programming Insider. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
    19. ↑ Berman, Marc (January 27, 2026). "Friday Scorecard: 'Happy's Place' on NBC Most-Watched; CBS in All Repeats". Programming Insider. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
    20. ↑ Berman, Marc (February 3, 2026). "Friday Scorecard: Reba McEntire's Just Renewed 'Happy's Place' on NBC Tops Night in Viewers". Programming Insider. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
    21. ↑ Berman, Marc (February 10, 2026). "Friday Ratings: NBC is Off and Running with the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony". Programming Insider. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
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