How to watch 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 18 for free: Premiere date, time, cast
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Get ready, drag enthusiasts, as the quest to crown America’s next drag sensation is set to ignite once more.

The ever-popular show, RuPaul’s Drag Race, is making its much-anticipated return to MTV with the premiere of Season 18 airing tonight, January 2nd.

This new season introduces 14 fresh-faced queens from all corners of the nation, each vying for the coveted title, a dazzling crown, and a grand prize of $200,000.

Kicking off with Episode 1, the contestants will dive into a design challenge aptly named, “Reclaim! Renew! Rejoice!” Tasked with crafting unique outfits, they must creatively utilize leftover gems from the Drag Race archives.

Fans can also look forward to new episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked, which will air immediately after each main episode.

You’ve got questions about the new season, and of course, we have answers. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know before tuning in to RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18.

RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 Premiere Date

RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 premieres tonight, Jan. 2.

RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 Time

RuPaul’s Drag Race is on every Friday at 8:00 p.m. ET.

The 90-minute episodes will be followed by new episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked at 9:30 p.m. ET.

What Channel is RuPaul’s Drag Race On?

RuPaul’s Drag Race and Untucked air exclusively on MTV.

RuPaul’s Drag Race Streaming Info and How to Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race for Free

The only way to watch shows airing live without cable is by using a live TV streaming service. Our favorite is DIRECTV, which comes with a five-day free trial before payment begins.

DIRECTV offers a number of flexible subscription options, including Genre Packs, so you can best choose which streaming plans fit your needs and budget. Plans that include MTV start at $29.99/month.

Will RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 be on Paramount+?

Unfortunately, no; you won’t be able to watch RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 on Paramount+ until the entire season has aired.

Last year, Season 17 premiered on Paramount+ in late July, so it’s likely the timing will be similar for Season 18.

Is RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 on Prime Video?

If this season follows past seasons’ models, then yes, new episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race will be available to purchase on-demand for $1.99 per episode from Prime Video on Saturday mornings.

Check Out the RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 First Look:

Who is in the Cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18?

Meet the Queens of Season 18 below by clicking through to their respective Instagram pages.

  • Athena Dion (38, from Miami, Florida)
  • Briar Blush (25, from Boston, Massachusetts)
  • Ciara Myst (32, from Indianapolis, Indiana)
  • Darlene Mitchell (34, from Los Angeles, California)
  • DD Fuego (37, from New York City, New York)
  • Discord Addams (35, from St. Petersburg, Florida)
  • Jane Don’t (32, from Seattle, Washington)
  • Juicy Love Dion (24, from Miami, Florida)
  • Kenya Pleaser (27, from, Sumter, South Carolina)
  • Mandy Mango (29, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
  • Mia Starr (39, from West Palm Beach, Florida)
  • Myki Meeks (29, from Orlando, Florida)
  • Nini Coco (29, from Denver, Colorado)
  • Vita VonTesse Starr (38, from Montgomery, Alabama)

Who Are the RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 Guest Judges?

Rapper Cardi B will be the extra special guest judge in tonight’s season premiere. Throughout the rest of the season, you can expect to see Teyana Taylor, Benny Blanco, Dove Cameron, Zara Larsson, Brooke Shields, Iman, Atsuko Okatsuka, Jamal Sims, Amy Taylor, Annaleigh Ashford, Danielle Pinnock, Sarah Sherman, and Leland behind the judges’ desk.


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This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Decider, the New York Post, and Page Six. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, how to watch your favorite sports teams and movies on each streaming service and the very best in tech, like soundbars, to enhance your viewing experience. Not only does Angela test and compare the services, devices and merch she writes about, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech and pop culture. Prior to joining Decider and the New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews. 


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