Season 18 Plot
This season, 14 sickening new queens enter the Werk Room to compete for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar," an official makeup collaboration with Anastasia Beverly Hills Cosmetics and a cash prize of $200,000 courtesy of the popular video game RuPaul's Drag Race Match Queen.
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 aired on January 2nd, 2026.
Season 18 Episodes
1. You Can't Keep A Good Drag Queen Down!
In shady times, let there be light! A dazzling new cast of queens navigate the first challenge of the season: “Reclaim! Renew! Rejoice!” The queens must repurpose leftover treasures from the Drag Race vaults to create their own signature drag look. Superstar Cardi B guest judges.
2. Q-Pop Girl Groups
The queens sing and dance in rival “Q-Pop” girl groups: the “Q” standing for quintessentially queer, with tracks inspired by Sylvester, Wham! and The Runaways. Actress and singer Dove Cameron guest judges.
3. RDR Live Returns!
Live from Tuckahoe, RDR Live returns! The queens must once again serve up laughs in the hilarious send-up of the iconic sketch comedy show. Actress and comedian Sarah Sherman (Saturday Night Live) guest judges.
4. Red Carpet Mash-Ups
The queens must create show-stopping looks inspired by a mash-up of two different legendary red carpet looks. Broadway star Annaleigh Ashford (Wicked, Legally Blonde) and superstar stylist Law Roach guest judge.
5. The Rate-A-Queen Talent Show, Part 1
It’s judgement day, as half of the queens take the stage to perform a show-stopping talent number, while the other half watch and rate the performances. Swedish singer Zara Larsson guest judges.
6. The Rate-A-Queen Talent Show, Part 2
Alliances form and schemes are hatched, as the other half of the cast takes to the stage for their talent show, and to be rated by their sisters. Musician Amy Taylor (Amyl and the Sniffers) guest judges.
7. Drag Queens For Change
The queens are tasked with creating twisted parodies of political ads. Choreographer Jamal Sims (Aladdin), and singer-songwriter Leland guest judge.
8. Snatch Game of Love: Island Edition
RuPaul throws the queens a curveball by giving the classic celebrity impersonation game show a format twist. Actress and model Brooke Shields guest judges.
9. Fannie: The Hard Knock Ball Rusical
This season’s Rusical is inspired by a mashup of the classical Broadway musical Annie, and New York City ballroom culture. Record producer Benny Blanco guest judges.
10. Drag in a Bag
RuPaul throws a spectacular curveball at the queens with the third design challenge of the season. Supermodel Iman guest judges.
11. A Toast to Alyssa Edwards
The queens pay a comedy tribute to tongue-popping Drag Race legend Alyssa Edwards. Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka guest judges.
12. Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Drag Queens
The queens make over queer cowboys. Actress and comedian Danielle Pinnock (Ghosts) guest judges.
13. Karens Gone Wild
The queens face off with RuPaul in a chaotic improv challenge inspired by viral “Karen” meltdowns. Actress Julianne Nicholson (Paradise; Hacks) guest judges.
14. Good Morning Bitches
The queens take over the 8th and 9th hour of a morning show, testing their hosting skills with interviews and banter. Actress Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another) guest judges.
15. All RuPaul-A-Paruza Smackdown
All of the eliminated queens return to battle it out in a Lalaparuza lip sync smackdown, featuring all RuPaul songs, and a $50,000 cash prize.
16. Grand Finale
The top queens face off in an epic evening of performances and lip syncs, as they compete for a grand prize of $200,000. Superstar Miley Cyrus joins RuPaul on stage.
