The iconic reality competition series RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars has returned with its landmark tenth season, introducing a revolutionary new format that has fans and queens alike gagging.
Premiering on May 9, 2025, exclusively on Paramount+ in the United States and WOW Presents Plus internationally, this milestone season features the largest cast in the franchise’s herstory with 18 returning queens battling for the crown.
The Revolutionary Tournament Format
For the first time ever, All Stars 10 introduces the “Tournament of All Stars” format. The 18 queens are divided into three groups of six, each competing in their own bracket across three episodes.
At the end of each bracket, the top three queens with the highest point totals advance to the semi-finals where they go head-to-head with the top queens from the other groups.
The tournament culminates in an epic Lip Sync Smackdown for the Crown grand finale episode, where the finalists will battle it out for a grand prize of $200,000 and a coveted place in the Drag Race Hall of Fame.
The Brackets Breakdown:
- Orange Bracket: Aja, Bosco, DeJa Skye, Irene the Alien, Olivia Lux, and Phoenix
- Pink Bracket: Jorgeous, Kerri Colby, Lydia B. Kollins, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, Nicole Paige Brooks, and Tina Burner
- Purple Bracket: Acid Betty, Alyssa Hunter, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Daya Betty, Denali, and Ginger Minj
The Iconic Cast of 18 Queens
This season features a diverse mix of fan favorites and underrated queens from various seasons:
- Acid Betty (Season 8) – The unapologetic iconoclast returns to kick ass and take names
- Aja (Season 9, All Stars 3) – The ballroom goddess makes her third Werk Room appearance
- Alyssa Hunter (Season 14) – The polished pageant queen is ready for redemption
- Bosco (Season 14) – Seattle’s demon queen is back with a monster appetite for the crown
- Cynthia Lee Fontaine (Seasons 8 & 9) – The beloved queen with the cucu returns
- Daya Betty (Season 14) – The punk rock powerhouse is hungry for the crown
- DeJa Skye (Season 14) – The pastel princess brings humor and talent
- Denali (Season 13) – The ice-skating lip-sync assassin is ready to slay
- Ginger Minj (Season 7, All Stars 2 & 6) – Making her fourth appearance, this glamour toad is cooking
- Irene the Alien (Season 15) – Formerly Irene Dubois, she’s ready to prove herself
- Jorgeous (Season 14, All Stars 9) – Fresh off All Stars 9, making history as the first to return immediately
- Kerri Colby (Season 14) – The daughter of Sasha Colby is here to extend the dynasty
- Lydia B. Kollins (Season 17) – Making an immediate return after just appearing on Season 17
- Mistress Isabelle Brooks (Season 15) – The most congenial queen in Drag Race herstory (she’s lying)
- Nicole Paige Brooks (Season 2) – From Atlanta, Georgia, she’s back to prove herself
- Olivia Lux (Season 13) – Now Olivia Lux Mugler, the divalicious diva returns
- Phoenix (Season 3) – Rising from the ashes for her All Stars debut
- Tina Burner (Season 13) – Ready to turn it and burn it on the All Stars stage
Semi-Finals Drama and Format Change
The semi-finals brought a major twist to the competition. After nine weeks of preliminary rounds, the show returned to classic Drag Race elimination rules.
The MVQ points system was wiped clean, giving all nine semi-finalists a fresh start. For episodes 10 and 11, one queen wins each challenge and receives $10,000, while the bottom two lip sync for their lives.
Episode 10 featured the iconic Snatch Game, where Cynthia Lee Fontaine was eliminated after losing her lip sync against Mistress Isabelle Brooks.
Notable Semi-Finals Transformations
Due to a nine-month gap between filming the preliminary rounds (July 2024) and the semi-finals (April 2025), many queens showed dramatic transformations:
- Ginger Minj showcased an incredible weight loss journey
- Mistress Isabelle Brooks also transformed her physique
- Several queens sported new hairstyles and looks
Star-Studded Guest Judges
Season 10 features an impressive lineup of celebrity guest judges:
- Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo (Wicked stars)
- Chappell Roan
- Ice Spice
- Colman Domingo
- Kate Beckinsale
- Sarah Michelle Gellar
- Adam Shankman
- Orville Peck
- Devery Jacobs
Memorable Moments and Challenges
The season has delivered iconic challenges including:
- “Murder on the Dance Floor” – An improv whodunit challenge
- Basketball Player Makeovers – Queens transformed college athletes
- “Starrbooty: The Rebooty” – A movie rusical performance
- The Golden Bitchelor – A dating show parody
- Snatch Game – The beloved celebrity impersonation challenge
- Talent Show – Queens showcase their unique abilities
Runway Themes That Gagged
The season has served spectacular runway categories:
- MET Gala Eleganza
- Slits and Tits
- Coming and Going
- Drag Family Resemblance
- Eight Ball Eleganza
- Little Shop of Whores
- Wild, Wild West
- Good Witch and Wicked Witch
- Night of a Thousand Miley’s
- Tear-A-Me-Suit
In Memoriam
Episode 1 was dedicated to Jiggly Caliente, who passed away on April 27, 2025. The Drag Race family continues to honor her memory and contributions to the franchise.
The Road to the Crown
As the competition heats up, the remaining queens continue to battle for their spot in the finale. The unique lottery twist promises that one eliminated queen will return for the final Lip Sync Smackdown, selected by the judges.
Each regular judge (Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, Ross Mathews, and Ts Madison) will select one eliminated queen, and one name will be drawn at random to join the finale.
The Impact and Legacy
All Stars 10 represents a major evolution for the franchise, with its tournament format bringing fresh excitement to the competition. The mix of recent queens and early season favorites creates dynamic interactions and unexpected alliances.
As RuPaul says, “Winner slays all!” – and these 18 queens are proving they have what it takes to earn their place in the Drag Race Hall of Fame.
