Nicki Minaj Was One of the Best Judges in 'Drag Race' Herstory

Maybe it should be 'Nicki Minaj's Drag Race.'

This post contains spoilers from RuPaul’s Drag Race season 12’s premiere episode.

Since RuPaul’s Drag Race has moved to VH1, the caliber of their celebrities has certainly upgraded. That’s no shade to those who were featured on the show before, it’s just accurate. In the past the show honed down on gay icons who were just out of their prime, or big names with niche followings, but these days we are being served with headlining names, still in the biggest moments of their careers. And for the season premieres, the network has been going all in with names like Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera, and now Nicki Minaj.

We did not doubt that Miss Young Money herself came to truly have a good time at Drag Race. She has been quite vocal in her support for her queer and trans fans — even though when she was coming up she made a few questionable, and even homophobic rhymes — and with how her persona is set up, it all seems right up her speed. It’s no offense, but at one point in her career, Minaj could have been a bio queen herself! What we did not expect, was for the rapper and business woman to come in and go all in, providing commentary and criticisms that was just as witty and insightful as literally any permanent judge on the show.

She even took the time out to write her own verse for the challenge, positioning herself as one of the competitors, and read it on-air. Talk about commitment!

For the maxi challenge’s start, she pretend to take RuPaul’s place, doing the official welcome to the main stage. When she finally scurried to her seat, to allow Ru to re-do the introduction, the reigning queen of drag altered his words. 

“Welcome to the main stage of Nicki Minaj’s Drag Race,” Ru says. “I’m so glad you’re here, Young Money in the house.” Maybe that truly is the rightful order of things? 

Of course, that’s if Asia O’Hara’s Drag Race doesn’t work out — but given RuPaul’s Drag Race Live in Las Vegas, that is completely plausible too!

Let's see if she gets to come back for part 2 of the premiere.

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