RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, a spin-off edition of the original RuPaul’s Drag Race, started airing in 2012. The reality TV show documents drag queen RuPaul inviting past queens that proved themselves to have had the most successful careers after leaving the original show. Like the original show, contestants get different challenges every week. Also, a panel of judges critiques their progress throughout the competition. Now, over a decade after the show first premiered, All Stars season 8 is about to hit the screens. Here is everything to know about the newest season.
Who Are the Show’s Cast Members?
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 8 will see 12 queens compete against one another to earn a spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame and win the grand prize money of $200,000. The drag queens include Alexis Michelle, who made it to the top five in the original show’s ninth season, and Darienne Lake, the comedy black queen who landed the fourth position in RuPaul’s Drag Race season 6. Viewers will also see Heidi Closet prove herself after winning the Miss Congeniality crown in season 12. Not to be left out of All Stars season 8 are RuPaul’s Drag Race season 9 contestant Jaymes Mansfield and season 2’s Jessica Wild. Also contesting are Season 12’s Kahanna Montrese, season 13’s Kandy Muse, and LaLa Ri. Season 5’s Monica Beverly Hillz, season 7’s Mrs. Kasha Davis, season 8’s Natasha Lopez, and Canada’s Drag Race season 1’s Jimbo complete the cast.
What To Expect From Season 8
While RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season 8 will feature 12 queens taking on new challenges, there will be a twist — the queens can win the competition in two ways. One winner will be crowned by the judges, while the second will be decided by the audience. For the latter, eliminated queens will showcase their looks and appeal for votes each week on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars: Untucked. In the end, one contestant will be crowned the Queen of the Fame Games and win the $50,000 prize money.
Who Are the Season 8 Judges?
From actors to comedians to musicians, the All Stars season 8 judges panel will see a lineup of celebrities. Firstly, 12-time Emmy award winner RuPaul will return to the show as the host and main judge. Joining RuPaul as the other main judges are the fabulous foursome Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, Ross Matthews, and TS Madison. The five main judges will be joined on the panel by guest judges Maude Apatow, Adam Shankman, and Bowen Yang. Others include Brandon Boyd, Javicia Leslie, Jojo Siwa, Ego Nwodim, Matt Rogers, Idina Menzel, Robin Thede, Thom Filicia, and Zooey Deschanel.
When Will Season 8 Premiere and How Can Viewers Watch It?
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season 8 is set to premiere on May 12, 2023. The show will air exclusively in the US on Paramount Plus and in the UK on Wow Presents Plus. To watch the show, viewers will need to subscribe to the platform.
Who Will Win RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 8?
As RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 8 premiere date draws closer, predictions on who will win the show have started pouring in. On May 9, 2023, Matthew Huff, a Parade reporter, shared his predictions. In the order of rankings from first to twelfth for Huff is Jimbo, Closet, Muse, Lake, Michelle, and Wild. Beverly Hillz, Ri, Davis, Montrese, and Lopez, follow, while Mansfield comes in 12th place.
How Will the Elimination Work at RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 8?
For the first time in two years, the popular lip-sync assassin twist to the All Stars format will return. Each week, RuPaul will pick one top all-star. The All Star will face off against a secret lip-sync assassin who isn’t on season 8. If the top all-star wins, she’ll decide which of the bottom queens will go home. However, if the top all star loses, the remaining safe queens will secretly vote for who to send packing.
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 8 Filming Location
Sunset Las Palmas Studios was the location for the 15 seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race and the first 7 seasons of All Stars. Similarly, it is the location for the newest season in the franchise. Meanwhile, it is only a few hours until the show premieres, and the queens are ready to keep viewers entertained. May the best queen win!
