‘RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 10' Returns With 18 Queens
To commemorate its milestone tenth season, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars is set to air on May 9th, 2025, with the franchise's largest cast to date, coming in at a record-breaking 18 queens returning from seasons past for another shot at the crown, and an all-new tournament-style format for the queens to compete in. While fans have clamored to the internet to place their bets on which queen they think will be inducted into the All Stars Hall of Fame, others have pointed out that, while 18 queens – the most ever – have returned, many of them are repeat All Stars competitors.
With its first season airing in October 2012, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars has never had a cast that exceeded 13 returning queens. Now, with 18 contestants, showrunners can use the new tournament-style format to balance screen time, contestant confessionals, and story arcs uniquely to allow fans to stay engaged in what might be an oversaturated cast for any other franchise.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 15: RuPaul and Ginger Minj at the 1000th performance of the "RuPaul's ... More Drag Race Live!" production at Flamingo Las Vegas on March 15, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo byfor Live Nation Las Vegas)
Even with several queens returning for their second, third, or even fourth time in the case of fan favorite Ginger Minj, the landmarked tenth season of All Stars marks a turning point in how the franchise utilizes its returning talent. For example, Lydia B Kollins, who only recently finished filming the seventeenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, where she placed 7th place, has already returned for All Stars. With her addition, the show can redefine how quickly a queen can be considered ready or eligible for legacy status, and redefine the previous use of All Stars seasons for contestants to achieve 'redemption' in the eyes of fans and shift it instead to relevance, with her being top of mind with fans who watched her latest season – a move that shows that showrunners are growing and adapting in the ever changing streaming era.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 13: Dida Ritz attends the 4th Annual RuPaul's DragCon at Los Angeles ... More Convention Center on May 13, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Santiago Felipe/FilmMagic)
While Drag Race's latest announcement has fans buzzing, several fans have taken to social media to express their fatigue at seeing certain queens have additional chances after having already competed in previous All Stars seasons. At the same time, fans also discussed their interest in the return of other queens that have yet to appear on the All Stars franchise, with queens like Dida Ritz of RuPaul's Drag Race season 4 still not appearing on the show despite clear interest from fans.
Ten seasons for any show is a huge achievement and shows that the franchise didn't just survive, but it clearly resonated with its audience and thrived. Now, with a new format, a new roster, and new stakes, Drag Race All Stars has a chance to reenergize the narrative and reengage fans by presenting them with a cast of both new and familiar faces. All Stars 10 is more than just a celebration of the show's legacy; it's also a smart reset. Whether fans think the show is focused on honoring icons from a franchise that has lasted nearly 15 years or is too involved with reusing talent, it sparks conversation, and that is exactly what a show like this needs to stay top of mind in an industry that's constantly changing.
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Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
'King of Drag's Dr. Wang Newton says the kings' moment is now: 'we're no longer chasing approval'
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7 hours ago
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A Guide to Eating and Drinking Through D.C. Pride
The month of June has always been an exciting time in D.C., with Capital Pride Alliance putting on fun events and an exuberant parade; gay bars planning wild parties ; and restaurants around D.C. putting out their rainbow flags and hosting extravagant drag brunches. The list of events and specials is even longer this year, with World Pride bringing an even bigger parade and street festival to the District. This guide includes the best LGBTQ+ Pride-themed events across D.C. in the month of June. (And if you're looking for one-time drag brunches, scroll to the bottom.) For D.C.'s best gay bars, go here . Barrel House Cafe & Bar 1341 14th Street NW The June pop-up at this new Logan Circle spot is fairy garden-themed, with plenty of cabaret nights, live music events, and late-night dance parties to celebrate Pride all month long. Check out the second night of ElixHER World Pride Cabaret on Sunday, June 8 and a perfect seat to view the World Pride parade on Saturday, June 7 from Barrel House's new patio with live DJs, a parade live stream, and even bottle service. A special Pride menu will also be available for all of June in collaboration with Absolut Vodka. Aslin Beer 1740 14th Street NW Aslin is also a fantastic spot to watch the start of the World Pride parade in a huge beer garden overlooking 14th Street NW. The brewery is also collaborating with Rainbow Families again to serve a special double IPA beer called Now More Than Ever, with flavors of stone fruit and citrus with a bit of coconut. A percentage of each purchase of the fruity beer will go towards Rainbow Families' mission of supporting LGBTQ+ families and prospective parents. After a few beers you might even want to buy some of their Pride merch, including bright T-shirts and beer glasses. Via Sophia 1001 14th Street NW This Italian restaurant in the Hamilton Hotel is another great parade viewing spot, with an extra special World Pride Parade Viewing Party featuring RuPaul's Drag Race Season 13 winner Symone and Drag Race All Stars Derrick Barry and Miz Cracker. The Via Sophia patio peers directly into the parade route and the kitchen will be serving up themed cocktails and brunch bites amid DJ sets. Fashion icon Nigel Barker will also be serving up tastings of his signature Barker Martinis at the hotel's micro-bar, Society, during the parade. Café Riggs 900 F Street NW This elegant restaurant in the bottom of the Riggs Hotel has rolled out a thoughtful Pride Icons cocktail menu for June to pair with the contemporary French-American cuisine. The Harvey Milk is a bourbon and maderia drink that actually includes clarified milk and maple, inspired by Milk's favorite breakfast of matzoh meal pancakes, while a zero-proof Elton John spritz celebrates the musician's 34th year of sobriety. All four of the thoughtful cocktails include playful illustrations of each icon, drawn by LGBTQ artist Diego Blanco. Pair them with an order of french fries plus caviar and creme fraiche. Atlas Ivy City 2052 West Virginia Avenue NE The Atlas Brewery location up in Ivy City is throwing an LGBTQ Benefit Show on Saturday, June 14 from 2 to 8 p.m., with seven musical acts from across the Northeast. All ticket proceeds will benefit The Trevor Project, SMYAL, and HIPS. The $15 tickets are available on Eventbrite. Love, Makoto 200 Massachusetts Avenue NW If you'd rather watch the parade from a sunny spot or celebrate Pride in a park, this Japanese food hall is selling picnic packs for two with a Rainbow Roll, kale soba salad, two rainbow vanilla doughnuts, and two yuzu lemonades. The $45 picnic can be ordered at Love on the Run in-person or on Love, Makoto's website, plus you can get delivery through Uber Eats and DoorDash. Make it a boozy picnic by switching out the lemonades for Makoto margaritas or Chika Sake Cups, with the Party Pack version costing $65. Plus, all proceeds from any heart-shaped, rainbow vanilla doughnuts sold during June will go towards The Trevor Project. Lulu's Winegarden 1940 11th Street NW A special Love is Love at Lulu's cocktail menu is being served at this U Street-adjacent wine bar, with drinks like a purple-hued Taste the Rainbow gin, creme de violet, and fresh raspberry, and a strawberry-coconut daiquiri called Come to My Window. A dollar from each Pride cocktail and rainbow bottles of True Colours Cava sold will go towards the Human Rights Campaign. 1785 Florida Avenue NW The essential pupusas place at the foot of Adams Morgan unleashes a new lineup of summer cocktails just in time for Pride Month. Every $1 from each one sold goes to Ayuda in support of immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities in the DMV. In addition, a new Taco Tuesday revamp calls for 10 tacos and three sauces for $40 and a marg carafe-and-taco trio combo for $35. MXDC 1610 14th Street NW Located right along the Capital Pride Parade route, MXDC by Todd English invites attendees to celebrate with a one-day burrito stand on Saturday, June 7. Swing by during parade hours to grab a $15 burrito (chicken, steak, or mushroom), $12 margs, $8 Coronas, and more. Grab a burrito and margarita for $25 (or by the bottle for $40). A limited number of prime-time outdoor VIP tables are available by reservation. A speedy drag brunch round-up There are plenty of fabulous year-round drag brunches in D.C., but a few restaurants are throwing one-off drag brunches to celebrate Pride this weekend. Here are a few highlights: Arrels is throwing an unlimited tapas brunch on Sunday, June 8, with performances by De'ior Kouture, Nadia Cole, Jalah Nicole, and Ervena Chloe, hosted by Bombalicious Eklaver. The $60 brunch goes from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. RSVP on the Arlo Hotels website. (333 G Street NW) Lyle's famous drag brunch has a special visitor this weekend, with Miss Leggs Benedict returning for a very special Pride Drag brunch on Saturday, June 7. She and Hennessey will be hosting the bottomless cocktails brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Make a reservation on SevenRooms. (1731 New Hampshire Avenue NW) Hotel Monaco's Dirty Habit is hosting a drag brunch with Drag Race star Alyssa Edwards, along with Utica, Mercedes Iman Diamond, Crimsyn, and Druex Sidora, on Sunday, June 8. A $150 ticket includes access to a brunch buffett and two drinks, while a $239 ticket also includes a meet and greet with the drag queens. Tickets are available on Etix. (555 8th St NW) star Alyssa Edwards, along with Utica, Mercedes Iman Diamond, Crimsyn, and Druex Sidora, on Sunday, June 8. A $150 ticket includes access to a brunch buffett and two drinks, while a $239 ticket also includes a meet and greet with the drag queens. Tickets are available on Etix. Newcomer Willowsong hosts a Brunch Out Loud event on Saturday, June 7, that includes a three-course brunch, bottomless brunch cocktails, and plenty of drag performances. Two seatings are available, starting at either 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. Reservations start at $75 a person and are available on OpenTable. (801 Wharf Street SW) Sign up for our newsletter.
