January 8, 2026 – The Werk Room lights are back on as RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 premiered on MTV January 2, introducing 14 talented queens and delivering instant drama, glamour, and Cardi B’s unfiltered critiques.

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Guest judge Cardi B joined RuPaul, Michelle Visage, and Carson Kressley for the episode “You Can’t Keep a Good Drag Queen Down!” The queens tackled a design maxi challenge, repurposing archived Drag Race treasures into signature looks under the runway theme “Reclaim! Renew! Rejoice!”

Highlights from Episode 1:

• Top Performers: Nini Coco (Denver, CO) and Vita VonTesse Starr impressed the most.
• Lip Sync for the Win: The duo battled to Cardi B’s “Enough (Miami),” with Nini Coco emerging victorious, earning $5,000 and the first maxi challenge win.
• Bottom Placements: Kenya Pleaser, Juicy Love Dion, and Mandy Mango landed in the bottom but were all declared safe in this non-elimination premiere.
• Standout moments included Kenya Pleaser winning the mini-challenge (a “primal scream” photoshoot) for $2,500, and quirky confessionals highlighting the cast’s seasoned experience—many queens are over 30 with decades in drag.

Fans praised the mature, polished cast, contrasting it with Season 17’s younger vibe. Philly’s Mandy Mango, a registered nurse specializing in HIV/sexual health, brought kooky conceptual energy but faced critiques on her burlap-and-flowers look—yet her personality shone through.

Episode 1 Results Table

Episode 2, “Q-Pop Girl Groups,” airs Friday, January 9 on MTV—promising more tears, fights, and fierce competition for the $200,000 crown.

Stay tuned as these queens prove: In shady times, let there be light! ✨