There are people born the year RuPaul‘s drag race premiered who are now able to vote. People who have had the show their entire existence. What a wonderful world.
New York City celebrated the 18th season of the show with a star studded soirée featuring 14 Brand New queens vying for the crown – Athena Dion, Briar Blush, Ciara Myst, Darlene Mitchell, DD Fuego, Discord Addams, Jane Don’t, Juicy Love Dion, Kenya Pleaser, Mandy Mango, Mia Starr, Myki Meeks, Nini Coco, and Vita VonTesse Starr.
Aqua Roma hosted a night that was full of surprises and nostalgia, a mix of old and new, as our fresh-faced competitors were joined by 16 previous winners from both regular season and all stars franchises – Alyssa Edwards (Global All Stars winner), Angeria Paris VanMicheals (All Stars season 9 winner), Aquaria (season 10 winner), Bebe Zahara Benet (season 1 winner), Ginger Minj (All Stars season 10 winner), Jaida Essence Hall (season 12 winner), Jimbo (All Stars season 8 winner), Kylie Sonique Love (All Stars season 6 winner), Monét X Change (All Stars season 4 winner), Nymphia Wind (season 16 winner), Onya Nurve (season 17 winner) , Sasha Colby (season 15 winner), Sasha Velour (season 9 winner), Symone (season 13 winner), Willow Pill (season 14 winner), and Yvie Oddly (season 11 winner).
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Alyssa Edwards, Nini Coco, Ts Madison, and Kylie Sonique Love appear during RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Premiere Event at Aqua New York on December 09, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Santiago Felipe/Getty Images for MTV)
Hosts Ross Matthews, TS Madison and Variety’s Senior Culture and Events Editor Marc Malkin kicked off the night hyping up the crowd for some of these queens’ first public appearance since the new season was announced.
One by one, they strutted their stuff in front of a ravenous and frankly thirsty crowd. Sheer madness in our eyes.
It’s so tough for me to guess which of these queens is a front-runner because they all felt like stars. Though I can’t help but root for Kenya Pleaser basked on vibe alone. Hey auntie!
A mother daughter dance of sorts ensued, as our new queens were paired with the veterans in a runway presentation befitting one of the show’s fabulous finales.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Yvie Oddly appears during RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Premiere Event at Aqua New York on December 09, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Santiago Felipe/Getty Images for MTV)
Then, from the shadows: ‘We’re from the same place.’
‘The Bronx?’
‘The world.’
The ever outspoken, iconic and inspirational law roach appeared from the wings to join our queens and hosts in the final toast before we turned the night fully over to our DJ. Making his entrance while quoting the year’s best meme? Legendary.
Electricity hung in the air as we saw the start of 14 new careers being launched into the stratosphere.
I’m a drag race is superfan and will be tuned into every episode, and I suggest you join me. Viva la dieciocho!
