Meet the Cast of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 16
'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 16 will be a glittering extravaganza of charisma, nerve and talent. Here's your first look at the new cast.
As the world eagerly anticipates the arrival of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16 on MTV, fans and enthusiasts are buzzing with excitement about what promises to be another dazzling display of talent, charisma, originality, nerve, and talent. The iconic reality competition show, created by the legendary RuPaul, has captivated audiences worldwide and become a cultural phenomenon. Season after season, Drag Race continues to push boundaries, redefine drag, and showcase the diverse and multifaceted world of drag performers. Let's delve into what we can expect from the upcoming Season 16 and why it's sure to be a glittering extravaganza like never before. To watch the season premiere on Friday, Jan. 5 at 8pm ET on Sling TV, use the link at the bottom of this page to subscribe to Sling Orange or Blue and add the "Entertainment Extra" pack with MTV!
RuPaul's Drag Race has played a pivotal role in the evolution of drag, elevating it from underground subculture to mainstream entertainment. With each passing season, the show introduces audiences to a new crop of talented queens, each bringing their unique style, story, and artistry to the runway. Season 16 is poised to continue this tradition, celebrating the ever-expanding spectrum of drag expressions and identities.
Drag Race is renowned for its inventive and sometimes outrageous challenges that push the queens out of their comfort zones and showcase their versatility. Whether it's sewing challenges, acting challenges, or the iconic Snatch Game, each episode presents an opportunity for the queens to shine or face the dreaded lip-sync for their lives. Season 16 is sure to bring new and exciting challenges that will test the queens' creativity, wit, and adaptability.
No Drag Race season is complete without its fair share of drama, catfights, and memorable one-liners. The competition is fierce, and as the queens vie for the coveted title of America's Next Drag Superstar, tensions run high. Viewers can expect alliances to form, friendships to be tested, and the unexpected twists and turns that have become synonymous with the Drag Race brand. The werk room is a pressure cooker of emotions, and Season 16 is poised to deliver the drama that fans crave.
At the heart of Drag Race is the incomparable RuPaul, whose charisma, wisdom, and wit have made him an icon in the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. As the head judge and mentor, RuPaul provides guidance and encouragement to the queens, challenging them to be their best selves and embrace their uniqueness. Season after season, RuPaul's wisdom resonates not only with the contestants but also with viewers around the world, leaving a lasting impact on the cultural conversation.
Beyond the glitz and glamor, RuPaul's Drag Race has had a profound impact on society by promoting inclusivity, acceptance, and the celebration of diversity. The show has become a platform for drag queens to share their stories, advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and inspire others to embrace their authenticity. Season 16 is sure to continue this legacy, fostering a sense of community and empowerment among drag performers and fans alike.
As the countdown to RuPaul's Drag Race Season 16 begins, fans can't help but feel the anticipation building for another season of laughter, tears, and jaw-dropping runway moments. The show's ability to continually reinvent itself while staying true to its core values is a testament to its enduring appeal. So, get ready to sashay, shantay, and celebrate the magic of drag in all its fabulous glory!
One of the most anticipated aspects of any Drag Race season is the reveal of the queens who will sashay into the werk room. Let’s check out the lineup this year; to be fair, we'll go through the cast by alphabetical order.
Amanda Tori Meating | Los Angeles, CA
Camp and comedy queen through and through. We’re expecting a ton of entertainment from this one. They’re giving sexy, witchy theater kid in all the right ways.
Instagram: @amandatorimeating
Dawn | Brooklyn, NY
Ethereal goddess energy? Sign us UP! Such a unique look with inspiration from cosplay and animation. Dawn says she’ll bring us into her delusional fantasy. The energy is very Valentina, so we’re interested to see how this goes.
Instagram: @upuntil.dawn
Geneva Karr | Brownsville, TX
Take a seasoned queen with a ton of pageant experience while channeling the over-the-top classic drag elements and you get Miss Geneva Karr. We can sense the absolute mother energy coming from this one, so we’ll see how the girls in the werk room react.
Instagram: @geneva_karr
Hershii LiqCour-Jeté | Los Angeles, CA
Sharing drag blood with the famous Cornbread, this glamorous auntie channels camp in everything she does. With a name that plays on gender pronouns, we’re expecting to see some creativity coming from this one. Instagram: @hershiiliqcour
Megami | Brooklyn, NY
High-fashioned GAYmer bringing sheik-geek to the runway. Yes. Very yes. This queen speaks to the newer drag generation. When you blend that with the talent and energy of New York queens, it’s easy to assume Megami will be a heavy hitter.
Instagram: @megaminyc
Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige | Miami, FL
Did someone order a side of uppers? This high energy queen holds nothing back and that’s bound to make incredible television. We know she’ll slay any challenges with choreography, but will her TikTok fame help, or hinder? (Calling Sugar and Spice to the front office please.)
Instagram: @queenofflipss
Mirage | Las Vegas, NV
Let’s get ready for the legs of Las Vegas! Sure Naomi Smalls is our forever “legs” queen, but after so many years, let’s let another set claim the werk room, shall we? Mirage, named after the character in The Incredibles, owns her villain energy like no other. We’ll be expecting this one to really shake things up.
Instagram: @mirage_amuro
Morphine Love Dion | Miami, FL
Give us MORE of this Latina goddess. The face is right, the energy immaculate and her showgirl qualities are sure to stand out in this cast - at least on the runway. Let’s see how she handles the challenges that don’t specifically rely on glamor.
Instagram: @morphinelovemua
Nymphia Wind | New York, NY
Let’s give it up to our first ever Taiwanese queen to STOP on this runway. Sporting her signature yellow theme, her energy really speaks to the younger drag generation while feeling classic all at the same time.
Instagram: @66wind99
Plane Jane | Boston, MA
Misleading name, to be sure. While her Russian energy may remind us of our classic queen, Katya, Jame reminds us that Katya is a fake Russian at the end of the day. She claims Katya's character is appropriating her culture… so let’s see what Plane Jane does to set the record straight.
Instagram: @the_planejane
Plasma | New York, NY
Much like our one and only Jinkx Monsoon, this queen is a 65-year-old woman trapped in a snatched 24-year-old’s body. While this could hold a queen's creativity back in some ways, it’s all about how you use this energy. While old-school may seem lackluster at first, it could be just what the judges and fans are looking for this season - a callback to classic drag.
Instagram: @plasmanyc
Q | Kansas City, MO
Describing herself as “beyond,” Q only needs a single letter to explain herself. The odd-one-out of the pack with a clear identity. The face is beat and the style is superior. This queen and her blend of positive and confident energy really may be a front-runner in the 16th season.
Instagram: @living4q
Sapphira Cristál | Philadelphia, PA
Bigger is ALWAYS better with this one. The opera singing diva found drag to be the perfect way to showcase all of their talents at once. There’s almost a “Jan” quality about them. Not in energy levels, but in the fact that they check all the boxes for talent. Absolutely one to keep an eye on.
Instagram: @sapphiracristal
Xunami Muse | New York, NY
Another queen from the Muse family tree - but the drag is so much different. When we heard a Muse would be on this season, the assumptions started flying. This queen took us by surprise with her ‘90s supermodel energy and we are absolutely here for it.
Instagram: @xunamimuse
Now that you’ve met the queens, all that’s left is tuning in on Friday, January 5th at 8pm ET and see how this incredible cast gets through their first episode. Yes, Ru is bound to throw some twists in there. But, let’s be real – the twists and turns of this show make the competition memorable and entertaining in all the right ways. - James Anthony