The stars are out for ‘Drag Race’ season 16!
On Friday, January 5, RuPaul’s Drag Race season 16 is coming back for another lap on MTV.
The 14 queens competing for a grand prize of $200,000 and the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar on Drag Race season 16 include Amanda Tori Meating, Dawn, Geneva Karr, Hershii LiqCour Jeté, Megami, Mhi’ya Iman LePaige, Mirage, Morphine Love Dion, Nymphia Wind, Plane Jane, Plasma, Q, Sapphira Cristál, and Xunami Muse.
As expected, the contestants will be critiqued by Mama Ru, Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, Ross Mathews, and Ts Madison as the main judges. And yet, this upcoming season will also feature plenty of extra special guest judges throughout the competition.
From Academy Award-winning actresses to New York Times best-selling authors to Billboard Hot 100-charting popstars to pop culture icons, get ready for the celebs coming through for Drag Race season 16!
Scroll through to check out the guest judges appearing on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 16, which premieres Friday, January 5 on MTV.
Charlize Theron
Academy Award-winning actress Charlize Theron (Monster, Mad Max: Fury Road) will be an extra special guest judge for the two-part premiere of Drag Race season 16.
Becky G
The two-part premiere of Drag Race season 16 will also feature Becky G, best known for hit songs like “MAMIII,” “Mayores,” and “Sin Pijama,” as well as her starring role as the Yellow Ranger in 2017’s Power Rangers.
Adam Shankman
Producer and director Adam Shankman (Hairspray, Disenchanted) will return as a guest judge on Drag Race. In 2023, he was featured as a choreographer and judge for the “Joan: The Unauthorized Rusical” of All Stars 8. He also cohosted the Drag Isn’t Dangerous telethon with Alaska, which raised funds to fight against anti-drag bills.
Icona Pop (Caroline Hjelt + Aino Jawo)
We don’t care, we love it! Caroline Hjelt and Aino Jawo, the two members of Icona Pop, will be appear as guest judges in season 16. The duo just released a new album in 2023 titled Club Romantech.
Isaac Mizrahi
Fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi, who appeared as a former judge on Project Runway All Stars, will also take a guest-judging spot on Drag Race season 16.
Jamal Sims
Emmy Award-nominated choreographer Jamal Sims (2019’s Aladdin, Grease: Rise Of The Pink Ladies) is already “family” when it comes to the Drag Race judging panel. For season 16, the booked and blessed choreographer/producer will appear as a guest judge.
Joel Kim Booster
Fire Island writer and star Joel Kim Booster, who’s nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards (ceremony delayed to 2024), will be a guest judge in season 16 of Drag Race. This feels like a long time coming, but it’s finally happening, and we can’t wait!
Kaia Gerber
Fashion model Kaia Gerber, whose mother happens to be the legendary Cindy Crawford, is another exciting addition to the cast of guest judges on Drag Race season 16.
Kelsea Ballerini
Season 16 will also welcome Kelsea Ballerini as a guest judge. Ballerini has been one of the very few outspoken country stars advocating in favor of drag performers recently. In fact, her performance at the 2023 CMT Music Awards featured Drag Race stars Manila Luzon, Kennedy Davenport, Jan Sport, and Olivia Lux.
Kyra Sedgwick
Emmy Award-winning actress Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer, Something to Talk About) will grace our screens as a guest judge on Drag Race season 16. Fun fact: Sedgwick is married to Kevin Bacon, whose work in Footloose was honored in season 15 with Wigloose: The Rusical.
Law Roach
We are literally gagging! Fashion stylist superstar Law Roach, best known for working with Zendaya and Céline Dion, is also appearing in the judging panel of Drag Race season 16 as a guest. For three seasons, Roach appeared as a mainstay judge on Max’s ballroom competition series Legendary. Needless to say, we can’t wait for Roach to determine if the season 16 “did what needed to be done!”
Mayan Lopez
Mayan Lopez stars alongside George Lopez on the NBC sitcom Lopez vs Lopez, which is coming back for a second season. Now, the actress will also get to judge the queens of Drag Race season 16.
Ronan Farrow
The New York Times best-selling author Ronan Farrow made his Drag Race debut during the all-winners season of All Stars 7, and is now coming back for another lap with the season 16 queens.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
The true icon herself, Sarah Michelle Gellar of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Cruel Intentions, is finally making her Drag Race debut as a guest judge in season 16. This also feels like a long time coming, and we are literally shaking with excitement.