RuPaul's Drag Race season 18


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

Development

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

Marketing

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

Contestants

ContestantAgeHometownOutcome
Athena Dion37Miami, Floridarowspan="11"
Ciara Myst31Indianapolis, Indiana-
Darlene Mitchell34Los Angeles, California-
Discord Addams34St. Petersburg, Florida-
Jane Don't32Seattle, Washington-
Juicy Love Dion24Miami, Florida-
Kenya Pleaser27-
Mia Starr39West Palm Beach, Florida-
Myki Meeks29Orlando, Florida-
Nini Coco29Denver, Colorado-
37Montgomery, Alabama-
Briar Blush25Boston, Massachusetts12th place
Mandy Mango2813th place
DD Fuego36New York City, New York14th place

Contestant progress

Lip syncs

Legend:

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. Starring celebrity guest judges are listed below in order of episode appearance.
Special guests who appeared in episodes, but did not judge on the main stage.
;Episode 1
;Episode 2

Ratings