“RuPaul’s Drag Race” is a reality competition TV series showcasing drag queens that returns for a 17th season . This series seeks to crown “America’s Next Drag Superstar,” while showcasing a diverse group of artists. As new queens battle each week there is always new elements of high creativity to follow.
Premire Details
Season 17 will premiere Friday, January 3, 2025 on MTV at 8 PM ET/PT. All episodes will be 90 minutes in length with the episodes dropping each Friday. It can also be found on many streaming platforms such as Paramount+ and Hulu which provides new avenues for fans to stay engaged.
Ways to Watch
This show has created a strong streaming audience. Fans can view live through services such as DirecTV stream YouTube TV as well as Fubo and other streaming platforms making the series accessible to many viewers across multiple locations .
Season 17: A Mix of New and Familiar Faces
The newest season has fourteen drag queens competing who will have different and diverse drag personas and locations. The queens come from a variety of locations which have both big city as well as hometown talent included in the new season.
Guest Appearances and Judges
This show brings previous winners of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” such as Trinity the Tuck, and celebrity guest judges Katy Perry, and Quinta Brunson which also include some new judges who bring new takes as they rate queens. Carson Kressley, Ross Matthews, and Ts Madison serve as consistent rotating judges.
Format of the Competition
This season introduces a twist by having a talent show for their first week. During the first week each contestant chooses one of two groups where they will get ranked by their peer group that was not performing that night. After which, top winners will be rewarded and bottom contenders will face off in the challenge for elimination. This adds both competition with character exploration for audiences to view.
The “Squirrel Games” Challenge
a parody of Squid Games has been added which features “Red Light Green Light”, where past contestants take part in pushing girls for creative and challenging experiences. Also the incorporation of special details such as “lil Poundcake statue” created more elements which allow creativity to continue with the series’ long legacy and traditions.
Meet the Queens of Season 17
The group of 14 queens include individuals who share different elements of drag experience including established stage talent, creative personas and all forms of individual expression.
Diverse Group of Talent
A wide spectrum is apparent from Lexi Love’s polished drag to Lucky Starzz’s Craft Queen style. Sam Star and Onya Nurve have become a focal point of both persona and polished skills showing multiple forms of creative influence through the series. From those who were directly asked by RuPaul to be on the show like Hormona Lisa all were able to get to this platform with great commitment.
Exploring Character
The drag queens that are chosen for the season have interesting names, unique drag stylings, and also stories behind why they had gotten to the point of being considered for a competition such as "Rupaul's Drag Race" showcasing another deep element. Examples such as Kori King a Plane Jane relative as well as Suzie Toot an old school 1920’s jewish drag queen. These two were immediately recognized among many others for their ability to make big impressions to the viewers as they had begun the series.
First Episode: Performances and Runway
Each queen has to adapt to new twists and also the challenge is showcased in different phases. They have a main focus with talent show along with runway category which is "Masc 4 Masked Singer" requiring interesting masked presentations.
Runway Looks
Runway moments this season will incorporate everything from a pizza, different style aliens to high fashion with historical looks which allow a space for creativity in expressing the personalities of each competitor and showcasing what they had decided was the direction of their performance on the show.
"Untucked" and Additional Content
The after show has been a series staple known for offering personal, and raw moments and can be found streaming online. In addition viewers often like the challenges in which they see the most raw aspects of those participating. With new added challenges and many twists, it will offer an insight into what viewers may love about drag culture and art forms.
Key Takeaways
- "RuPaul's Drag Race" season 17 has a premiere on January 3 on MTV and on various streaming platforms.
- The new season has brought 14 new queens with varied styles from all over America.
- This season has returning judges and well known special celebrity guest which provide diverse feedback for those who participate.
- This season features unique themes, and a different opening including a “Squid Game” element along with new takes for an old format that helps bring in new viewers.
- The show provides ongoing opportunities for each performer to explore the creativity that drag has to offer within each person.