Is a new administration potentially about to roll back LGBTQ+ rights? Are we having flashbacks to 2017? We might be. And when that horror began, there was one show that none other than John Oliver admitted got him through that election, “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” And judging by the string of Emmy wins that began that year, he wasn’t the only one. Much has changed on the reality competition show in the eight years since, but the Paramount and, now, MTV staple is ready to once again be a much-needed distraction to those who need it. Season 17 drops on Friday, January 3, and to whet your appetite, the new cast has finally been revealed.
READ MORE: “RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars” is finally here and features the return of Alyssa Edwards
The 14 new contestants include queens from Chattanooga, Tampa, Pittsburg, Seattle, Miami, Cleveland, and, surprise, Leeds, Alabama. Oh, yes. Two Los Angeles and two New York Metro area divas, too.
MTV reveals that in the first episode, the new cast of queens will compete in “Drag Queens Got Talent” (ie, a talent show). This season will also bring back the gag-worthy “Rate-A-Queen” scoring system but with an all-new twist (and it may be tied into the promo’s water theme).
“America’s Next Drag Superstar” will receive a cash prize of $200,000 that has a new sponsor, TodayTix, the theater ticket app. The show is also brought to you by ViiV Healthcare, and if it means that more contestants get more prize money, bring those sponsors on.
“Drag Race” will return with 90-minute episodes to MTV on Friday, January 3rd, at 8:00 PM ET/PT. It will be followed by “RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked” (an Emmy-winner in its own right) at 9:30 PM ET/PT. No doubt, RuPaul Charles and Michelle Visage are returning, but will regular judges Carson Kressley, the “hilarious” Ross Matthews, and T.S. Madison have a new colleague behind their perch? If so, Paramount isn’t revealing that yet. In the meantime, you can check out the Meet the Queens in the video embedded at the bottom of this post.
This season’s contestants include:
Acacia Forgot – Los Angeles, CA | @acaciaforgot
This honky-tonk diva puts the country in California. Glitzy, glamorous, and with a penchant for blonde hair, Acacia Forgot has never met a rhinestone she didn’t like. Musically talented, as well as being a singer-songwriter, Acacia plays the guitar, piano, banjo and ukulele. Will this aspiring country star also become America’s Next Drag Superstar?
Arrietty – Seattle, WA | @arrietty_theelf
Arrietty hails from the House of Dubois – her drag mother is none other than Drag Race season 15’s Irene (The Alien) Dubois. Obsessed with the fantasy genre, this uniquely creative queen designs and sews her own outfits, often with a “futuristic elf” aesthetic. Add in the ability to beat a mean mug when needed, and this talented, twisted queen is ready to go all the way in the competition!
Crystal Envy – Asbury Park, NJ | @thecrystalenvy
With looks so polished, it’s hard to believe this makeup artist and drag queen has only been performing for 3 years. In New Jersey, Crystal swiftly dominated the club scene. Crystal Envy’s name comes as a mixture of their birth name Chris, and the fact that every outfit she wears is bedazzled and sparkly. This pageant princess commands a club crowd, but can Crystal hold that same command over the judges this season?
Hormona Lisa – Chattanooga, TN | @hormona_lisa
This Southern bubblegum babe was infamously plucked from the crowd by RuPaul on the Atlanta stop of his “The House of Hidden Meanings” book tour, and invited to Hollywood. Now officially a part of the season 17 cast, this campy queen – inspired by Disney princesses and vintage screen sirens – hopes to catch the eye of RuPaul again, this time where it counts the most: on the main stage of RuPaul’s Drag Race!
Jewels Sparkles – Tampa, FL | @thejewelssparkles
Out of drag, this youthful queen has a sweetness and an innocence, and is a self-described “ditzy clumsy bimbo.” But don’t be fooled – Jewels intends to enter the competition with intention and strategy. With influences that range from Ariana Grande to Priscilla Presley, to her Puerto Rican and Cuban heritage, you’d be foolish to underestimate this talented doll as merely a “look queen.”
Joella – Los Angeles, CA | @thejoelladynasty
Joella calls herself “The Slaysian Diva,” and with her own unique style of drag, mixing traditional Chinese costume with street fashion and pop culture, you can see why. Having already won local West Hollywood drag bar contests, Joella is now ready to represent plus size queens in the biggest drag competition in the world.
Kori King – Boston, MA | @koriking 
This boisterous queen has rapidly risen to the top of the Boston scene, amassing a respectable TikTok following along the way. Only in the drag game for 2 years, Kori has already been awarded Boston’s Best New Performer To Watch award, and is the name on everybody’s lips. She is season 16 finalist Plane Jane’s drag sister, so expect a razor sharp wit, and somebody who tells it like it is!
Lana Ja’Rae – New York, NY | @lanajarae
Lana’s drag mother is Luxx Noir London, from season 15 of Drag Race, so expect a level of fierceness from this fashionista! Luxx saw Lana competing in a New York drag competition and was so impressed, she approached her backstage and asked if she could adopt her on the spot. Bringing legs and body to the main stage, Lana is ready to strut away from this competition with a crown!
Lexi Love – Louisville, KY | @mslexilove
Lexi Love is a full-time “playmate” at Play, Louisville: a bar known for its high-energy drag excellence. As a performer, Lexi knows how to turn the party up – but she’s also someone you’d love to kick it with. Having survived a period of homelessness and drug addiction, she has emerged a stronger and more independent queen, and is ready for the re-birth of Lexi to take over the world!
Lucky Starzzz – Miami, FL | @theluckystarzzz
Born in Havana, Cuba, Lucky Starzzz is an expressive, colorful, living cartoon! Lucky’s drag meets at the intersection of club kid and camp, and this resourceful queen uses as much paper and spray paint as she does sequins and rhinestones. Lucky describes her drag as “a venus fly trap in a room full of roses.” Can Lucky’s eye-catching creativity catch the eyes of the judges this season and win her the crown?
Lydia B Kollins – Pittsburgh, PA | @foreheadbrows
To understand this absurdist, unique queen you only need to know that the “B” stands for b*tthole. Named after Winona Ryder’s character in Beetlejuice, Lydia Deetz, and inspired by Tim Burton, John Waters and David Lynch, Lydia B Kollins is a queen who values creativity over perfection. Will the judges find Lydia’s looks BOOTYful, or will her time on Drag Race be a disASSter? 
Onya Nurve – Cleveland, OH | @onyanurve
Smashburger cook by day, enchanting and in-demand drag artist by night. Onya Nurve got bitten by the performance bug in high school, and took an artistic career path to drag via a BFA in Painting from the Cleveland Institute of Art. A comedic actress as well as being able to belt out a tune, Onya represents a real threat in this competition!
Sam Star – Leeds, AL | @samstarqueen
Stunning, stylish, SOUTHERN! Sam is quite the Renaissance queen, having trained in musical theater, and being a retired gymnast / cheerleader who can do back handsprings! With polished makeup skills and a gorgeous mug, Sam has gone on to win an impressive number of pageant titles for such a young queen: it’s no surprise to learn that Trinity The Tuck is her drag mother and mentor. 
Suzie Toot – Fort Lauderdale, FL | @suzie.toot
Suzie’s uniqueness is her greatest strength in drag. A professional tap dancer, with a look rooted deeply in 1920s and 30s fashions, Suzie describes herself as the “cross section between Betty Boop and Lucille Ball.” A skilled actor with a wild sense of humor and excellent comedic timing, Suzie hopes to wow the judges with her quirky take on drag!