Drag Race unleashes jaw-dropping season 13 trailer teasing ‘everything you know is about to change’
RuPaul is back for Drag Race season 13. (WOW)
A Drag Race season 13 trailer confirms RuPaul will kick off the competition with a lip-sync extravaganza when it returns on New Year’s Day.
The first proper trailer for the new run was released Monday (14 December) confirming that the Drag Race season 13 cast of queens will be put through their paces in the very first episode with a series of six lip-syncs.
“This season my girls will make you flip,” Ru says in the trailer.
“I hope you like surprises, I’ve got a big one.”
The big premiere switch-up won’t come as news to die-hard fans, as it was leaked on 9 December, hours before the full cast was revealed to the world.
However, with 13 queens entering the competition, it seems likely that there’ll be a final twist revealed on the night.
The 60-second trailer also teases a dramatic runway challenge, and an emotional moment as Tamisha Iman reveals to the judges that she recently fought cancer.
Tamisha will join a sickening cast of queens on 1 January, including her own drag daughter LaLa Ri.
Drag Race season 13 will also welcome the show’s first trans man, Gottmik, who judging by the trailer looks set to be a formidable competitor.
Incredibly, not even a global pandemic could stop the Drag Racemachine from pumping out new seasons.
Season 13 was reportedly completed in September, with a series of changes made to ensure the set was COVID-secure.
According to Variety, the queens, Pit Crew and other on-air talent were tested for COVID-19 three times a week, along with any crew members who interacted with them. Other crew members were tested weekly.
The outlet reported that there will be few visible changes, the off-camera crew members the only ones to wear masks, the queens effectively forming a bubble for the season.
The mainstage, however, will look different. Variety reported that the judges’ table has been extended and glass panels placed in between each seat. It hasn’t yet been confirmed whether guest judges will appear on Drag Race season 13.
One of the biggest issues for the television industry has been hair and make-up, however this has been less of a sticking point on Drag Race, as the contestants are responsible for their own. How RuPaul coped isn’t clear – he famously relies on the talents of Drag Race alum Raven for his make-up.
The same report stated that production on “other Drag Race spin-off series” was still in production, lining up with rumours RuPaul went straight into filming for All Stars 6 following season 13. In recent years, All Stars and the regular edition of Drag Race have aired as one uninterrupted run.
It’s also been confirmed by the BBC that RuPaul and Michelle flew to London to resume filming on Drag Race UK season two, which will air in early 2021 – presumably overlapping with season 13.
