The queens to compete in the upcoming season 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race have been released, reported Forbes. Two of the queens make history, many come from iconic drag families, and one might just give you déjà vu.
Mercedes Iman Diamond and Brooke Lynn Hytes make history as the first Muslim queen and Canadian queen, respectively, to compete on the award-winning reality show, according to Gay Star News. Mercedes was born in Kenya but is known as drag royalty currently in Minneapolis. Brooke Lynn has toured the world as a professional ballet dancer, making her fierce competition.
Miss Vanjie is back! Fan-favorite Vanessa Vanjie Mateo was the first eliminated in season 10, but her iconic exit went viral, securing her spot in this season.
The Davenport name has major representation this season with A’keria Chanel Davenport, Honey Davenport, and Ra’jah D. O’hara. A’keria is a Texas queen with titles like Miss Black Universe and Miss International Vogue under her belt. Honey is the drag mother of season 10’s Monet X Change and is a huge name is the NYC drag scene. Ra’jah keeps the Davenport name abbreviate but is still from the dynasty. She’s a painter and has won several regional Texas pageants.
Other queens with connections to well-known drag families are Plastique Tiara and Kahanna Montrese. Plastique comes from Alyssa Edwards’ Haus of Edwards (along with Gia Gunn, Laganja Estranja, and Shangela) and Kahanna is the drag daughter of Coco Montrese from season 5 and All Stars season 2.
Comedy queen Nina West will also grace the main stage. Nina has been writing and producing her own shows while also being a vocal advocate for LGBTQ organizations. Yvie Oddly, the self-proclaimed “commodity of drag oddity” is sure to slay the competition and turn some abstract and artistic looks.
Soju is a Korean queen, born in Chicago, who is best known for her YouTube show “Shot with Soju,” where she talks to past Drag Race queens. Ariel Versace is an Instagram queen who calls herself New Jersey’s life-sized Bratz doll.
Shuga Cain is New York City queen who is new to the drag scene, but some serious talent is to thank for a rise to stardom as quick as hers. Fellow NYC queen Scarlet Envy will also compete. Scarlet graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology before working as a drag queen and calls herself the “cheapest woman with the highest price tag.”
Silky Nutmeg Ganache rounds out the competition. Silky can play the piano, has competed in over 100 pageants, and is working on becoming a Doctor of Philosophy.
In the words of Ru herself, “this might be the most sickening season of all time.”