'RuPaul's Drag Race' Unveils Ariana Grande As Special Guest Judge For Season 15

Popular competition show "RuPaul's Drag Race," is pulling out all the stops for its biggest season yet. The critically acclaimed reality show broke the internet with the release of its new season's promo and "meet the queens" video.

"Drag Race" Season 15 boasts a cast of sixteen highly talented drag queens, its largest so far, set to battle it out for the title of America's Next Drag Superstar. To add to the new season's incredible hype, pop music sensation Ariana Grande has been unveiled as the guest judge for the show's premiere episode, which airs on January 6th, 2023.

The new season of the ever-expanding reality show also made a major move by leaving its longtime home, VH1, for MTV. 

Keep on reading to learn more.

Grammy award-winning artist, Grande, has been unveiled as the guest judge for the premier episode of the new season of "RuPaul's Drag Race."

MTV announced that the "Side To Side" singer would appear as a judge for the show's double premiere episodes alongside host RuPaul and the other mainstay judges Michele Visage and Ross Matthews.

Grande's appearance on the show's 15th season would make it her second time being a "Drag Race" guest judge. The star previously featured on the 9th season back in 2015, so her return has been hugely anticipated by the fanbase. The singer's songs are also among the most lipsynced to.

Grande's return as a guest judge is one that the "Drag Race" fanbase has hugely requested, considering how much the artist has grown since her last appearance. 

The superstar has left a major mark on the show, with some of her songs being integral to key moments in "Drag Race" her-story. 

A very "excited" fan wrote, "It was about time to have her back! She is in another point of her career now, compared to the first time she was invited as a guest. So excited!"

Another fan said, "It's truly nice to see [Ariana Grande] back‼️ it's clear by her attitude and interactions with the girls off the show that she actually cares and values Drag, rather than some of these other judges, who are clearly there for exposure and a check."

It's safe to say that Grande's unveiling as a guest judge has left the fanbase even more excited for the upcoming season.

Along with season 15's cast reveal has come news that the popular tv show would be making a new home on MTV after airing on VH1 for five years. "Drag Race" has also revealed a major expansion for the coming year, with new international editions of the show confirmed. 

Brazil, Germany, and Mexico will be getting their own version of the popular show. Fans can also look forward to a new all-star edition called "Global All Stars," which is expected to feature a wide range of drag queens from international iterations of the show competing. The new all-star edition will reportedly air exclusively on Paramount+.

"RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race," a version of the show which features celebrities competing for their preferred charity, has also been renewed for a third season.

Per Variety, a statement from Chris McCarthy, president, and CEO of MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks, reads, "With the global expansion of 'RuPaul's Drag Race,' we're thrilled to bring the franchise into three new Paramount+ territories — Germany, Brazil and Mexico — and are very excited that 'RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race' will return for a third season with our partners at VH1/BET."

For many reasons, the upcoming season of "Drag Race" is already set to be the biggest ever. Besides its large cast of 16 queens, the show has unveiled a mouthwatering increase to the cash prize.

Per Variety, the winner of "Drag Race" will take home a hefty $200,000. This is double the amount from the previous seasons, with the exception of season 14, which awarded the winner $150,000. 

Season 15 will begin airing on January 6th on MTV and will feature a stellar cast of talented drag queens, including drag legend and Miss Continental 2012 winner, Sasha Colby.