Who stars in 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 16? Meet the cast of MTV's drag show
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: MTV's 'RuPaul's Drag Race Season 16 is all set to launch on January 5, 2024. In the two-part series premiere, the queens will show off their talent.
This year a new feature is also added to the show called, 'Rate A Queen' where the fellow contestant will rank their fellow queens based on their performances.
In this show which first premiered in 2009, talented drag queens compete in challenges to impress RuPaul and other judges to win crown, title, and cash prizes. With an IMDb rating of 8.5/10, this Emmy award-winning show is a treat to watch.
A stellar array of celebrities, including music mogul Becky G, Buffy the 'Vampire Slayer' alum Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Oscar winner Charlize Theron, have been announced for 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 16 as guest judges.
This season will also have a few more guest judges such as Adam Shankman, Icona Pop (Caroline Hjelt + Aino Jawo), Isaac Mizrahi, Jamal Sims, Joel Kim Booster, Kaia Gerber, Kelsea Ballerini, Kyra Sedgwick, Law Roach, Mayan Lopez, and Ronan Farrow.
'RuPaul's Drag Race' will feature returning judges such as Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, Ross Mathews, and Ts Madison.
There will be fourteen queens vying for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar" and a $250,000 cash prize.
Cast members of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 16
The drag queens competing for the crown are Amanda Tori Meating, Dawn, Geneva Karr, Hershii LiqCour, Megami, Mhi'ya Iman LePaige, Mirage, Morphine Love Dion, Nymphia Wind, Plane Jane, Plasma, Q, Sapphira Cristal and Xunami Muse.
They will be judged by a brilliant panel of OG judges such as Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, Ross Mathews, and T S Madison, and a panel of guest judges too.
Michelle Visage
Born on September 20, 1968, Michelle Lynn Shupack also known as Michelle Visage is an American singer, television personality, broadcaster, producer, and actress. She is a three-time Emmy, three-time Producer's Guild, MTV Movie and TV, Critics Choice Award-winning renowned personality.
On television, Michelle can be seen as a judge on multiple Emmy Award-winning VH1 shows, 'Ru Paul's Drag Race' alongside Ru Paul, Carson, Ross, and Madison. She is married to David Case and has two children.
Carson Kressley
Born on November 11, 1969, Carson is an American TV personality, actor, and designer. His career started in 2003 when he appeared in the Bravo series 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy'. He was also a contestant in Season 13 of 'Dancing With The Stars'.
Since 2015, Carson has been an important part of 'Ru Paul's Drag Race'. He also featured in a Bravo series 'Get a Room with Carson & Thom' where he teamed up with former colleague, Thom Filicia.
Interestingly, he began his career as a stylist working under Ralph Laurem from 1994 to 2002 for menswear and corporate advertising.
Ross Mathews
Born on September 24, 1979, Ross is an American television host and personality. He first rose to fame with 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno'.
He later appeared on shows such as 'Celebrity Fit Club, The Insider, Celebrity Big Brother, and many more. He is a prominent judge of 'RuPaul's Drag Race'. He also has been a co-host on Live from E!.
Ross got married to Garcia at a ceremony in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in 2022.
T S Madison
A well-known American TV personality, was born on October 22, 1977, in Miami, Florida, USA. She is an excellent actress and American TV personality.
She became the first black trans woman to star in and executive produce her own reality series. She is well known for 'T S Madison Experience' (2021), 'Zola' (2020), and 'Bros' (2022).
Meet the guest judges of 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
Becky G
Rebecca Marie Gomez also known as Becky G is an American singer and actress known for her versatility in music. She has won numerous awards which include two American Music Awards, an iHeartRadio Music Award, nine Latin American Music Awards, and more.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
She is an American actress who made her debut when she was just six in a television movie called 'An Invasion of Privacy' (1983).
Her most talked about appearance was Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but she decided to leave the series after the seventh season.
Charlize Theron
Charlize Theron is a South African and American actress, born on August 7, 1975. She is a recipient of the Academy Award and Golden Globe award too. She was also one of 2016's 100 most influential people in the world.
Adam Shankman
Adam Shankman is an American film director, producer, writer, dancer, and author. He was a permanent judge on Seasons 6-7 of the television program 'So You Think You Can Dance'.
Icona Pop (Caroline Hjelt + Aino Jawo)
This Swedish synth-pop duo was formed in 2009 and is well known for its electro-music and indie pop.
Isaac Mizrahi
Born on October 14, 1961, Mizrahi is an American fashion designer, actor, and singer. He is the chief designer for Xcel Brands.
Jamal Sims
He is a well-known choreographer, executive, producer and director. He regularly appeared in 'RuPaul's Drag Race' as a choreographer and a guest judge since 2014.
Joel Kim Booster
Joel Kim Booster is an American actor, comedian, producer and writer. He is known to co-produce 'Big Mouth' and 'The Other Two'.
Kaia Gerber
A well-known American model and actress, she is the daughter of Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber.
Kelsea Ballerini
Kelsea Ballerini is an American country pop singer and songwriter. Her albums include 'The First Time' (2015), 'Unapologetically' (2017) and many more.
Kyra Sedgwick
Kyra Sedgwick is a notable American actress, producer and director. She starred in the 1992 Emmy-awarded TV series called 'Miss Rose White'.
Law Roach
A well-known American stylist who is well known for his work with Zendaya and Celine Dion. He is a permanent judge of the HBO Max show 'Legendary'.
Mayan Lopez
Mayan Lopez is an American actress, producer, content creator, and daughter of George Lopez.
Ronan Farrow
Ronan Farrow is a well-known American investigative journalist. He is the son of actress Mia Farrow and filmmaker Woody Allen.
Meet the cast for 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 16
Amanda Tori, New York, NY
Born on December 13, 1996, Amanda Tori is an American drag queen and wig specialist.
With over 12.5k Instagram followers, Miss Meatings is ready to serve looks this season. Amanda is a vegetarian and was a part of the production of the musical 'Kinky Boots'.
Originally from Ohio, she came to NYC when she grew up. She's a perfect contestant for performance-based challenges. Her drag style is versatile and unique. It will be fun to see what she would bring to the table.
Dawn, Brooklyn, NY
Born on April 8, 1998, the Brooklyn-based star is known for her ethereal fairy queen looks. She is friends with several New York drag queens such as Jay Kay and LaZavaleta from 'Dragula'.
Dawn also hosts Jay Kay 'The Boulet Brothers' Dragula'.
She is expected to bring out-of-the-box performances and it is expected that she would slay in the runway.
Geneva Karr, Brownsville, Texas
Born on August 11, 1993, Geneva Karr is an American drag performer, who owns a wig business, and the first Mexican-born contestant of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 16.
Texas Drag is well known for its pageant girls with drop-dead gorgeous gowns and big hair. Gracing the big wig, it would be interesting to see her perform. She has around 18.7K followers on her Instagram.
Hershii LiqCour, Los Angeles, CA
Hershi is the drag sister of Season 14 Miss Congeniality Konbread 'The Snack' Jete, who seemed like a winner material until an ankle injury pulled her from the competition.
Hershi is back to take the crown for the family. Her comedy antics will surely be a relief to the show.
Megami, Brooklyn, NYC
The season's cosplay queen she calls herself the 'thique geeky gooddess'. Megami means 'Goddess' in Japanese.
Megami started doing drag at cosplay at ComicCon and incorporated high fashion from there. Sasha Velour is one of her biggest drag inspirations. She was crowned the Miss Nerd New York in 2019.
Her social media account is proof that her looks and makeup will be the best. She is expected to kill in design challenge rounds, it would be interesting to watch this plus-size girlie kill the ramp walks too.
Mhi'ya Iman LePaige, Miami, FL
Can also be called the 'stunt queen' of the season, Mhi'ya calls herself the 'Queen of Flips'. She is the drag daughter of All Stars Season 3 runner-up Kennedy Davenport. A self-taught dancer, her inspiration is Beyonce Knowles.
Her social media is filled with her flipping into bars and splits and even flipping into a twerking handstand.
Mirage Amuro, Las Vegas, NV
Born on January 11, 1996, this Vegas Queen is besties with Ru Paul's Drag Race legend Alexis Mateo (BAM). Her guidance certainly benefits her to move forward in the show.
Her drag name comes from the antagonist of the movie 'The Incredibles'. The last name Amuro is named after former singer and actress Namie Amuro who is her drag mother's favourite singer.
Mirage has a nightlife energy in her which would be exciting to watch. Her painting is another thing to look forward to.
Morphine Love Dion, Miami, FL
Morphine is a social media star already she has over 55.4K Instagram followers. Her popularity might become a challenge for other drag stars. She will be infusing Latina and showgirl elements into her style for this season.
Nymphia Wind, New York, NY
Born on July 23, 1995, this Taiwanese drag queen, Miss Wind regularly performs in Big Apple. She served six months in a Taiwanese Fire Brigade instead of her mandatory Taiwanese Military Service and then went to college in England and started doing drag in Taiwan.
She calls her fanbase 'Banana Believers'. She has a goofiness attached to her. Nymphia is suited for both runways and comedy challenges.
Plane Jane, Boston, MA
Previously a contestant on 'Boston Drag Gauntlet Cycle 2' (secured the second runner-up position) and 'All Stars', Plane Jane can be termed a 'Russian Queen'.
Boston has always been tolerant towards drag thus it has a thriving drag population.
Plane Jane seems to be an all-rounder.
Plasma, New York, NY
The youngest contestant of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 16, her mother is drag queen Selma Nilla.
Plasma has an old-time film star aesthetic vibes to her which is unique. Her sense of humor is to look for this season.
Q, Kansas City, MO
Q can be stated as an underdog in the 'Ru Paul Drag Race' Season 16. Q is a drag sister with Cynthia Doll, who competed in Boulet Brother's Dragula Season 5.
She is an artist, designer, and seamstress. Her Instagram feed is a treat to watch. Q also made looks for 'Mo Hearts on UK vs The World', 'Widow Von Du' Season 12, Heidi N Closet for Emmy Red Carpet, and many more.
Sapphira Cristal, Philadelphia, PA
An award-winning entertainer, classically trained composer, and opera singer with a six-octave range, Sapphire is ready to serve her eloquent looks for the 'Ru Paul Drag Race' Season 16.
She is also a pageant queen and won '2023 BEST DRAG QUEEN WHO CAN ACTUALLY SING' by Philly Magazine.
Xunami Muse, New York, NY
Kandy Muses' daughter Xunami Muse is a strong contestant. Xunami describes herself as a knock-off of Naomi Campbell. She is the second contestant of Panamanian descent who will be a part of the Drag race.
Just like her mother, she knows how to use her brush. She is surely a contestant who would be a threat to others in the race.
Do not forget to tune in to MTV on January 5, 2024, at 8 pm ET to watch 14 drag queens compete for the 'America's Next Drag Superstar' title.