HOME / ENTERTAINMENT / TV

'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 13: Meet RuPaul Charles, Ross Mathews and rest of the judges coming to the show

Though the showrunners are mum about the guest judges, RuPaul Charles, Michelle Visage, Ross Mathews and Carson Kressley will return to their chairs

'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 13 is all set to welcome 13 new queens and introduce shocking twists. One such twist is the entire batch will have to lip-sync for their lives, meaning viewers can expect multiple eliminations on day one of the show. While that's quite a surprise, the same cannot be said about the judges' panel. 

RuPaul Charles, Michelle Visage, Ross Mathews and Carson Kressley will return. The showrunners are mum about the guest judges though. There's been no update on that front. Even though the judges/ mentors are regulars, let's still take a look at their journey so far.

RuPaul Charles

She is there by the queens' side at all times. Right from introducing them on the world stage to visiting them at the work room to ensure they are able to hold their nerves given the tension, excitement and competitiveness that silently exist among the contestants. RuPaul shoulders an important responsibility, not just because she is one of the producers but also because she understands the challenges the queens go through on a regular basis, a phase she's familiar with. 

"I think the people watching our show, they get that, and they understand that at the core of our show, it's about the tenacity of the human spirit and how you are an extension of the power that created the whole universe," RuPaul told wbur in an interview a few years ago.

Michelle Visage

She has been an integral part of the show since its inception. Although she had to let go of the opportunity to judge a couple of seasons owing to contractual obligations, she has made up for it in the seasons that have aired so far. She has missed filming even the tiniest of segments, majorly because she is so attached to the show. 

“I’ve been called the ‘Simon Cowell’ of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’. To me that’s a compliment,” Visage said of her role on the show to etccanada and added: “So that is my role on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’, you wanna please me! I’m gonna tell you the truth.”

Ross Mathews

He adds that punch to the show with his incredibly-timed quips. But this season, the focus will most definitely be on the 22 kilos that he has shed. It's a new Ross. A decade ago, the comedian-TV personality was struggling with his weight. At 99 kilos, he was at his wit's end when Gwyneth Paltrow gave him a nudge and said "get it together". His weight loss journey began eons ago but he truly transformed in the last one year. 

Carson Kressley

What gets him back on the judges' seat are the queens and the amazing fashion they bring on board. Talking to E!, the fashion expert said that every year the style changes and gets elevated of sorts. There are a handful of designers who love the show and are inspired by the runway looks the queens showcase, Carson dished. "The looks just keep getting elevated. Obviously, some years we have fashion queens, some years we have comedy queens. But every year somebody brings something incredible," he added. 

Catch the new season of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' on VH1 when it premieres on January 1, 2021, at 8/7c. For more information, check your local listings.