The fierce competition of RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars is back and the queens did not come to play! The eleventh season of the reality competition is set to premiere on Friday, May 8th on Paramount+ and will feature fan-favorite queens returning to dominate in the Tournament of All Stars.
At The Lawn Club in NYC, GLAAD’s Yolanda Lenge joined the cast to talk about the surprises fans can expect this season and the vital importance of protecting the art of drag.
Competing for a $200,000 grand prize and a spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame are A’Keria C. Davenport, April Carrion, Aura Mayari, Crystal Methyd, Hershii LiqCour-Jete, Jasmine Kennedie, Joey Jay, Kennedy Davenport, Lucky Starzzz, Dawn, Morphine Love Dion, Morgan McMichaels, Mystique Summers, Salina Es Titties, Sam Star, Shuga Cain, Silky Nutmeg Ganache, and Vivacious.
Aura Mayari reached out directly to LGBTQ youth, reminding them that despite the frightening global climate and legislative attacks, they have a “big community that’s always behind you.” Emphasizing that while drag is inherently fun, Aura noted it is also deeply political, with artists ready to represent and “fight this administration” without retracting. Dawn added a simple and unifying message: “Hang in there. Shit is rough out there, but we are stronger together.”
Vivacious further illuminated the vital role of the medium, describing drag as a “force of nature” and a “call higher than our physical presence.” By bringing art to life, drag performers force a new perspective on those who may not have known such creativity existed, inviting the public to let down their egos and hatred to identify with “happiness and fun.”
Joey Jay concluded the sentiment by calling out the misaligned priorities of lawmakers who use the LGBTQ community as a “distraction to work on their other agenda.” Pointing to pressing issues like food insecurity and youth homelessness. Joey Jay urged for leaders who prioritize “the entire community” rather than focusing on “how many pairs of tights” a performer owns.
This season the queens will be divided into three groups of six, each competing in their own bracket across three episodes. At the end of each bracket, the top two queens with the highest point totals will advance to the semi-finals and go head-to-head with the top queens from the other groups in another round of fierce competition.At the end of the tournament, 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 place in the coveted Drag Race Hall of Fame.
RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars season 11 premieres on Friday, May 8 on Paramount+!