RuPaul’s Drag Race is strutting into its 17th season with a fabulously chaotic spoof of Squid Game. And let me tell you, it’s less “life or death” and more “glitter and pies.” Yes, pies. Stick with me here.
In the first ten minutes of the season (because who has the patience to wait?), MTV treated us to the “Squirrel Games.” Picture Squid Game, but swap out the creepy dolls with drag queens serving campy realness. Oh, and the first challenge? “Ru Light, Green Light.” A classic game, now with extra sass.
Here’s the tea: 14 queens from this season face off against Drag Race alumni and a sprinkle of drag stars from across the country. But instead of deadly lasers or traps, what happens to those who fail? They get a face full of pie. Yes, pies are the weapon of choice in this drag-tastic dystopia. Queens were dropping left and right, covered in whipped cream and broken dreams. The drama! The dairy!
And then there’s Lil’ Poundcake. Remember that chaotic puppet from Season 5, brought to life by Alaska Thunderf–k and Lineysha Sparx? Well, she’s back – and she’s bigger, literally. Like, “towering over queens and serving unhinged menace” big. Also, let’s not forget the pit crew, who were probably wondering how they ended up in a glitter-covered reenactment of Squid Game.
But the pièce de résistance? RuPaul herself, working the controls for the game like a campy evil genius before revealing a Babadook-inspired lewk that we didn’t know we needed but now can’t live without. Ru just casually reminding us why she’s the queen of reinvention.
Season 17 of RuPaul’s Drag Race officially premieres TOMORROW (January 3) at 8 PM ET/PT on MTV, immediately followed by RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked at 9:30 PM ET/PT. Oh, and Katy Perry is the first celebrity guest judge of the season, so prepare for fireworks, literally and metaphorically.
Grab your wigs, your glitter, and maybe a pie for good measure – this season is going to be a ride!