The drag revolution rolls on. MTV has ordered a 19th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, while Paramount+ has given the green light to additional installments of the All Stars spinoff, extending a franchise that continues to dominate reality television.
The renewals arrive on the heels of a landmark 18th season, which saw Myki Meeks crowned America’s Next Drag Superstar. That season also delivered double digit growth over its predecessor and set a new franchise record for premiere viewership, according to the network.
Awards season has been just as kind. RuPaul’s Drag Race picked up 11 Emmy nominations this year, with RuPaul earning his 11th consecutive nod for outstanding host for a reality or reality competition program. The series itself has won the Emmy for best reality competition program five times, a dominant run that ended only when The Traitors claimed the trophy in 2024.
The All Stars wing of the franchise recently wrapped its 11th season on Paramount+ in July, with Crystal Methyd taking the crown and becoming the first person of Mexican descent to win the mainstay competition. The renewal announcement also included fresh orders for Untucked, the behind the scenes companion series that airs alongside both Drag Race and All Stars.
All four shows, RuPaul’s Drag Race, RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked, RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars: Untucked, are produced by World of Wonder Productions. In a statement, the production company reflected on the journey from its earliest days to its current global reach.
“Nearly twenty years later, what began as a dream has become an extraordinary global movement,” World of Wonder said. “We owe endless thanks to our partners at MTV and Paramount+, along with every queen, judge, crew member, and fan who has built RuPaul’s Drag Race. Drag brings people together in powerful ways, and we are honored to keep celebrating new voices and sharing iconic moments with the world.”
Michelle Visage, a longtime judge and executive producer, told The Hollywood Reporter that reclaiming the top reality competition Emmy this year would carry a potent symbolic weight. “I think it would be a championship in a way that voices are being heard without saying things. It’s a statement without saying it’s a statement, do you know what I mean?” Visage said. “Especially with what’s going on in the political climate. But, we are grateful just being in that class of people that we’re in; being nominated, being included, being thought of is truly an honor. We spread the love. We’re still celebratory, but if we did [win], it’s definitely a ‘We’re not going anywhere’ type of statement.”
With Season 19 now in the works and All Stars continuing to expand its footprint, RuPaul’s Drag Race shows no signs of slowing down nearly two decades after it first aired. The franchise’s blend of competition, artistry and activism remains as potent as ever.
