Atlanta drag legends Nicole Paige Brooks and Phoenix will be competing for the crown in the upcoming season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.”
The queens both return to the franchise after more than a decade, Brooks since she placed 11th in season two and Phoenix since placing 12th in season three.
They join “All Stars” alumni Aja, Ginger Minj, and Jorgeous; two-time “Drag Race” competitor Cynthia Lee Fontaine; and returning queens Acid Betty, Alyssa Hunter, Bosco, Daya Betty, Deja Skye, Denali, Irene the Alien, Kerri Colby, Lydia Butthole Kollins, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, Olivia Lux, and Tina Burner on the cast.
For “Drag Race” fans, “All Stars” 10 will look a lot different than season past. Along with the cast, a major format change was announced: the eighteen contestants – the largest cast in the franchise’s history – will be divided into three groups of six in the first ever “Tournament of All Stars,” each competing in their own bracket across three episode.
At the end of each bracket, the top three queens with the most points will advance to the semi-finals and go head-to-head with the top queens of the other two groups. This competition will span two episodes, culminating in a Lip Sync Smackdown for the crown in the final episode, where the winner will take home $200,000 and a place in the Drag Race Hall of Fame.
Brooks will take on Jorgeous, Kollins, Burner, Mistress Isabelle, and Colby in the pink bracket. Phoenix will compete against Lux, Bosco, Aja, Skye, and Irene in the orange bracket.
Brooks and Phoenix are active in Atlanta’s drag scene. Phoenix is the host of Dragnificent, a competition platforming new drag performers, and can often be seen at Future. Brooks is a mainstay of Wussy Mag’s “Drunk Drag Broadway” at City Winery and recently performed at a Sip ‘n’ Shop drag show sponsored by Starship Sexual Health and Wellness.
Season 10 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” premieres Friday, May 9 at midnight on Paramount+. Lore will host watch parties every Friday night, hosted by Nicole Paige Brooks.
