Just because the RuPaul’s Drag Race All Star Season 9 queens haven’t been in the Werk Room for a few years (12 if you’re Shannel), doesn’t mean they haven’t been working. In fact, since the were each asked to “sashay away,” the eight queens returning for Season 9 have been doing very little BUT working. From club gigs and tours to fashion shows and podcasts, the alumni of RuPaul’s Drag Race are BUSY, which will be a good things for anyone who loves good TV.
On May 17, 2024, All Stars 9 will premiere exclusively on Paramount+ and its new cast will enter the Werk Room for the second (and in some cases third) time. And in addition to thousands of dollars’ worth of wigs, makeup and costumes, they’ll also be bring plenty of new skills and years’ worth of experience with them. These are not the same queens you’e seen before. They’ve been upgraded.
Prior to the premiere of All Stars 9, Parade had the opportunity to sit down with the cast, who teased what they were looking forward to sharing with the world on this season.
What RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 9 queen’s are excited to show America
Angeria Paris VanMichaels
“I think I’ve improved the most in the versatility of my drag,” said Angeria, who originally appeared just two years ago on Season 14. “On my season I feel like I was very like in my pageant box. And since the show, I’ve tried so many things. I’ve been doing the gigs, and I’ve been working with different designers and trying more styles of drag, not just pageantry. I’ve tried everything from alternative to campy. So when I went back I was like, “I’m gonna show more. I don’t want it to feel like I’m one note.”
Gottmik
Gottmik, who placed third on Season 13, credits her near-constant touring for her evolution. “I’m really excited to show everyone how much I’ve grown as a performer,” she said. “I went in to Drag Race the first time a little hesitant about what I was able to do, and I’ve been on the road pretty much every day since being on Drag Race. It’s been years now, and I’ve learned who I am as an artist and learned how I can control an audience and perform.”
Jorgeous
Appearing on Season 14 along with Angeria, Jorgeous made her Drag Race debut at just 21. Two years in the spotlight has given her plenty of time to grow up. “I would definitely say the comedy is there now,” she said regarding her glow up. “It took myself watching Season 14 to realize like, ‘Oh my god. I could have done so much fucking more.’ You know what I mean? So now we’re on All Stars 9. I came back full force.”
Nina West
Nina West, who originally appeared on Season 11, and has since starred in a national tour of Hairspray among other things, has five years of new talents to show. “I did my season and then I went off, and I did a couple of really awesome projects and I came back with those skills,” she said. “I think it just made me a more polished professional queen who’s done real work in the performance space. I also think I bring a heightened aesthetic with some financial ability I didn’t have on Season 11.”
Plastique Tiara
Nina’s Season 11 sister Plastique, who has become the most popular Drag Race alum on TikTok, is certainly a new queen as well. “Throughout the past five, six years, I’ve learned so much,” she said. “I’m a completely new, different person. I’ve learned so many new things about life, about drag, about myself.”
Roxxxy Andrews
Roxxxy Andrews is one of two old-school queens returning to compete against much greener competitors. After nearly winning Season 5, she returned on All Stars 2, but that was way back in 2016. “Something I’m excited for people to see is the caliber of drag that we brought this season,” she said. “It’s out of this world, and I know a lot of people like tend to try and say that, but I feel for the bad for the girls that are coming behind and for their banks. Baby they’re gonna need credit cards and loans to try to back this up.” Her Balenciaga promo looks certainly speak to the amount of money she spent on the season.
Shannel
Shannel, who appeared on both the first seasons of Drag Race and All Stars hasn’t competed since 2012 in a completely different era of drag. “I’ve always loved makeup, and I think I’ve always been good with makeup,” she said, “But I have evolved significantly with my makeup. I paint a lot heavier, so the makeup for sure.” Her makeup certainly isn’t the only part of her drag that’s experienced a glow up.
Vanessa Vanjie Mateo
Miss Vanjie appeared on back-to-back seasons after she was eliminated first on Season 10 only to return for a redemption arch on Season 11. “I feel like I’ve improved in all aspects of drag,” she said. “Like I know who I am. I’m not doing the one, two step with drag. Yeah, no swimsuits. I just know more who I am. I think overall as a person I grew. So my drag has grown as well.” Hopefully we get at least one more of Vanjie’s signature swimsuit looks though.