NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 09: The queens pose for a photo together 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)
SHARE
On Tuesday (December 9, 2025) night at New York’s Aqua Roma, glamour and fabulousness were in the air for the red carpet premiere event celebrating the upcoming launch of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18.
The premiere event took over Aqua Roma in New York City and was hosted by Drag Race mainstay judges Ross Mathews and Ts Madison, alongside Variety’s Senior Culture and Events Editor, Marc Malkin. For the first time ever, 16 past Drag Race winners and franchise royalty surprised guests at the event for a gagworthy reunion before the 18th season kicks off – including 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)
The 14 queens who are competing for the $200,000 cash prize and the coveted title of America’s Next Drag Superstar were all in attendance – 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. Season 18 of RuPaul’s Drag Race premieres Friday, January 2 on MTV.
Photo Highlights From the RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 Premiere Event
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: BRUNO ALCANTARA attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Morphine Love Dion attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Isaiah Brooks (L) and Kandy Muse attend 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Monét X Change 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Law Roach attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Ciara Myst attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Vita VonTesse Starr attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Kevin Aviance attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Dr. Wellington Garcia-Mathews and Ross Mathews attend 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Aquaria 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Sasha Colby attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Chrystal Envy attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Myki Meeks attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Juicy Love Dion attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Bruno Alcantara attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Jimbo attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Kori King attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Ginger Minj attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Kylie Sonique Love attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: BeBe Zahara Benet attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Darlene Mitchell attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Nymphia Wind attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Sasha Velour attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Yvie Oddly attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Willow Pill attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Bronwyn Newport attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Mandy Mango attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Marc Malkin attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Kenya Pleaser attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Discord Addams attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: DD Fuego attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Jane Don’t attends 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)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Pit Crew attends 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)
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Connect with
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
