RuPaul's Drag Race assembles 16 past winners to ring in season 18

All 14 queens vying for the title of America's Next Drag Superstar on RuPaul's Drag Race season 18 were celebrated alongside a herstoric reunion of 16 past winners from the main U.S. franchise — from the first-ever crowned queen BeBe Zahara Benet to the current-reigning season 17 winner, Onya Nurve.

The shade-defying cast of Drag Race season 18 queens includes competitors Athena Dion, Briar Blush, Ciara Myst, Darlene Mitchell, DD Fuego, Discord Addams, Jane Don't, Juicy Love Dion, Kenya Pleaser, Mandy Mango, Mia Starr, Myki Meeks, Nini Coco, and Vita VonTesse Starr. On Tuesday, November 9, those 14 drag stars in the making were celebrated with a herstory-making reunion of 16 past winners from the main Drag Race franchise hosted by Emmy Awards recordist RuPaul Charles.

This extra special event was hosted by Drag Race judges Ts Madison and Ross Mathews, alongside Variety's Marc Malkin, in New York City. Below, the full list of Drag Race winners who attended the event and welcomed the season 18 queens to Mama Ru's queendom.

BeBe Zahara Benet — 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 1 Winner

BeBe Zahara Benet, crowned on March 23, 2009 as the first-ever winner of RuPaul's Drag Race, was among the 16 fierce winners who attended this herstoric event in the lead up to Drag Race season 18.

Born in Douala, Cameroon, BeBe had been residing in Minneapolis when she competed and won Drag Race — a journey that was explored in great detail in the queen's must-watch 2021 documentary feature Being BeBe.

BeBe was an Out100 honoree in 2009, the year she was crowned America's Next Drag Superstar.

Sasha Velour — 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 9

Upon reaching the season 9 finale and pulling off a herstoric rose pedal reveal that changed the trajectory of her life, drag career, and even of the Drag Race series itself, Sasha Velour was crowned on June 23, 2017 and became the first winner of the show's VH1 era.

Over the years, Velour has joined the ranks of drag icons celebrated in the Out100, created a lane of her own through the NightGowns drag revue, wrote and published The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag, and has continued to tour the world.

During this special event for Drag Race season 18 that reunited 16 legendary winners, Velour paid tribute to her "The Crown Becomes Her" look made by the one and only Diego Montoya.

Aquaria — 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 10

From social media fame and New York City notoriety to some of the biggest stages in the world, Aquaria was 21 years old when she was crowned a Drag Race champion on June 28, 2018. Eight years later, Aquaria was also present for this iconic event held prior in support of Drag Race season 18.

Between Aquaria's crowning, Miss Vanjie's iconic exit line, Mo Heart's next-level confessional interviews, and the beginning of Monét X Change's path to becoming an All Stars winner, the landmark 10th season of Drag Race signaled the worldwide expansion of Mama Ru's queendom.

With Billy Porter as its cover star, the 2018 Out100 list included Aquaria as one of its honorees.

Monét X Change — 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Season 4

A legendary legend tie determined that All Stars 4 would end with not one, but two crowned winners: Monét X Change and Trinity The Tuck.

Though this was initially treated as a pretty confusing and not-entirely-happy-ending for the season, the legacy of the "Twinners" aged well, and that changing perspective was further solidified as both Monét and Trinity returned to compete in the all-winners season of Drag Race.

Monét is one of the most experienced Drag Race competitors of all time, and she had the chance "soak up" her legacy yet again in this reunion of winners.

Yvie Oddly — 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 11

Yvie Oddly brought her signature "Queen for the Queerdos" aesthetic to the season 18 event. Since defying the odds and gravity itself as one of the best lip sync assassins in Drag Race herstory, Yvie has released a memoir, launched a podcast, and werq'd the world quite a few times.

As she stood alongside other fellow winners and interacted with the queens competing on season 18, Yvie stayed true to her oddball self — and the fans were living for it.

Oh, and did we mention that Yvie delivered a bloody reveal in her "victory lap" walk following the reveal of Drag Race winners at the event? Sickening, and fabulous!

Jaida Essence Hall — 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 12

Jaida Essence Hall won Drag Race "from her living room, via Zoom," as the queen herself has joked in the past.

The following year, Jaida appeared at the grand finale of season 13 not only as the queen stepping down from her reign — passing the scepter onto Symone — but also as a "special correspondent" from a drive-in set-up featured in that grand finale in particular due to lockdown restrictions that still prohibited a live audience from being in front of the queens. The legendary legend "look over there" queen herself returned to compete on the all-winners season of Drag Race, otherwise referred to as All Stars 7. Alas, All Stars seasons also don't have finales with live audiences.

In many ways, this event felt extra special for Jaida to finally claim her rightful spot, physically and in person, among every other Drag Race winner that didn't have to experience the roller-coaster ride of season 12. And we love that for our sis!

Symone — 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 13

Symone steamrolled the competition in season 13 and subsequently won the all-Britney Spears lip sync for the crown against fellow finalists Kandy Muse, Gottmik, and Rosé.

Of note, Symone's groundbreaking reign as a Drag Race winner included her attendance at the "Camp: Notes On Fashion"-themed Met Gala (all dressed up in Moschino and paying tribute to Mama Ru), an interview on ABC's late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! in an episode guest-hosted by RuPaul, a starring role in Billy Eichner's gay rom-com Bros, and several other accomplishments that have positioned her a standout winner in the Drag Race pantheon.

Symone also attended this iconic Drag Race winners reunion. And, unsurprisingly, looked like the absolute superstar that she's always been.

Kylie Sonique Love — 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Season 6

Kylie Sonique Love expanded her impact as a trans trailblazer even further by returning to compete on All Stars 6 and winning the season — becoming the first out trans queen in Drag Race herstory to win a U.S. season of the series. Kylie was subsequently honored in the Out100 following her herstoric entry into the Drag Race Hall of Fame.

During this event for season 18, Kylie had a legendary reunion with her lifelong friend Sasha Colby (who went on to win season 15) and All Stars 6 costar Ginger Minj (who, most recently, won All Stars 10).

Willow Pill — 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 14

Willow Pill won the 14th season of Drag Race in April 2022, becoming the first out trans contestant to win a flagship season of the show and inadvertently standing as the last Drag Race champion of the VH1 era.

Along with other drag artists and LGBTQ+ icons such as Jinkx Monsoon, Kim Chi, and the Boulet Brothers, Willow Pill appeared as an honoree in the 2022 Out100 list and celebrated her legacy once again during this special event for Drag Race season 18. Needless to say, attendees were excited to see Willow being among these 16 winners, which included her fellow crowned champion from Colorado, Yvie Oddly.

Sasha Colby — 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 15

Who better than the G.O.D.D.E.S.S. herself to bless the new queens in the cast of Drag Race season 18?

Sasha Colby ran the show once again while attending this extra special event. As a trans trailblazer and drag performer who's had incredibly meaningful relationships with fellow winners Sasha Velour and Kylie Sonique Love, it was fabulous to see Colby finally getting a moment with her sisters on an official capacity at a Drag Race event.

Velour said that she would return to compete in an all-winners season as long as she competed in the same legendary legend season as Colby — so our fingers are crossed that last night's dazzling reunion pushed forward a few ideas, let's just say that!

Jimbo — 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Season 8

Canada's Drag Race breakout star won All Stars 8 and became the first-ever queen from a non-RuPaul's Drag Race original season to enter the official Drag Race Hall of Fame.

Jimbo brought her joyous personality and fabulously twisted aesthetic to this event celebrating season 18, and was clearly excited to ring in this next group of fierce competitors who are just getting started on their Drag Race journey.

Nymphia Wind — 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 16

When asked by Out what we should all leave behind in 2025, Nymphia Wind declared "No billionaires!" One can assume that bananas are safe, though.

Nymphia peeled herself during this season 18 event — literally! — and we loved to see it.

Angeria Paris VanMicheals — 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Season 9

Angeria Paris VanMicheals is one of the greatest supporters of the Drag Race franchise. She's consistently kept up with every single international season of Drag Race over the years, shared her platform with other queens from around the world, and has been individually congratulating the winner of each new season — no matter where it takes place — on social media.

Needless to say, the feeling was mutual! The season 18 queens lived for Angie, and so did the audience.

Alyssa Edwards — 'RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars'

Alyssa Edwards got up in her Global gig in 2024 and was crowned the first-ever winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars after competing against a jaw-dropping, stacked cast of fierce queens from around the world.

Between Netflix's Dancing Queen docuseries, starring roles in both Hurricane Bianca movies, cameos on reality TV shows like The Bachelorette, RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race, Drag Race España, and Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale, Alyssa has been carrying herself as a winner for several years, and watching her stand alongside other crowned Drag Race superstars felt absolutely correct.

Onya Nurve — 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 17

Onya Nurve knows a thing or two, or three, or four, about embodying charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent. The current reigning winner in the Drag Race flagship series obviously attended this season 18 event and reminded fans that it do take nerve to stand by your own artistry, your own truth, and your own career.

Watch her cook! The newly inducted queen to the 2025 Out100 is just getting started.

Ginger Minj — 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Season 10

Ginger Minj attended this season 18 event as the most recent inductee to the Drag Race Hall of Fame — not to mention an honoree in the 2025 Out100 list.

This drag titan has worked hard on her way to the crown, and she's more booked and busy than ever before!

RuPaul's Drag Race season 18 premieres Friday, January 2 on MTV.