Cardi B Will Judge Season 18 Premiere of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’
Credit: World of Wonder
For the first time ever, Cardi B will be a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race. The Dominican-American rapper will join the panel for the season 18 premiere.
RuPaul’s Drag Race will return with a new season on January 2, 2026. The drag competition is known for bringing in pop stars that are beloved by the LGBTQ+ community to kick off the show each season. Previous season premiere guest judges include Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Miley Cyrus, Robyn, and Christina Aguilera. Now Cardi B will step into the role next.
In the trailer for season 18, Cardi B is shown walking into the Werk Room with an otherworldly outfit. “Dazzling new guest judges, including the drama herself Cardi B,” RuPaul says in a voiceover. That’s a reference to the rap star’s latest album, which is called Am I the Drama? The trailer also shows the contestants losing their minds over Cardi B’s appearance.
The season 18 cast includes three Latina queens. Briar Blush is making history as the first queen of Guatemalan descent to compete on the U.S. series. DD Fuego is the second queen born in Mexico to enter the competition and Juicy Love Dion proudly calls herself “Miami’s Afro-Cuban dancing doll.”
In addition to Cardi B, the trailer also revealed that Selena Gomez’s husband, Benny Blanco, will also be a guest judge this season. Teyana Taylor, Zara Larsson, Dove Cameron, Law Roach, and Jamal Sims will serve as guest judges as well. Season 18 of RuPaul’s Drag Race will premiere on Friday, January 2 at 8 p.m. EST on MTV.