The Shocking Truth About RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 10: Winner, Cast, And The 'Tournament' Format That Changed Everything

Contents

The tenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, officially dubbed the Tournament of All Stars, delivered one of the most unpredictable and high-stakes competitions in the franchise's history. Airing in 2025, this milestone season fundamentally altered the competition structure, pitting an unprecedented 18 returning queens against each other in a bracket-style battle for a coveted spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame. The season, which premiered on May 9, 2025, and concluded in a dramatic finale on July 18, 2025, on Paramount+, is still a major talking point among fans today, December 22, 2025.

The sheer scale of All Stars 10, combined with a cast of fan favorites and queens eager for their redemption arc, ensured that every single episode was packed with shocking eliminations, runway triumphs, and legendary lip-syncs. Ultimately, the competition crowned a queen whose journey was defined by resilience, comedy, and undeniable star power.

The Queens: Full Cast List and Biographical Snapshot

This season featured the largest cast in All Stars history, with 18 queens returning to the Werk Room. The queens were initially divided into three distinct groups of six, each competing within their own bracket during the first phase of the "Tournament of All Stars." The cast brought a wide range of talents and experience, from early-season legends to recent fan-favorites.

Here is the complete list of the 18 queens who competed on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 10:

  • Acid Betty (Season 8)
  • Aja (Season 9, All Stars 3)
  • Alyssa Hunter (Season 14)
  • Bosco (Season 14)
  • Cynthia Lee Fontaine (Season 8, 9)
  • Daya Betty (Season 14)
  • DeJa Skye (Season 14)
  • Denali (Season 13)
  • Ginger Minj (Season 7, All Stars 2, All Stars 6)
  • Irene The Alien (Season 15)
  • Jasmine Kennedie (Season 14)
  • Jiggly Caliente (Season 4, All Stars 6)
  • Kerri Colby (Season 14)
  • Lydia (Season 17)
  • Mistress Isabelle Brooks (Season 15)
  • Olivia Lux (Season 13)
  • Phoenix (Season 3)
  • Plastique Tiara (Season 11)

The ‘Tournament of All Stars’ Format Explained

The most defining feature of All Stars 10 was the introduction of the "Tournament of All Stars" format, a major shake-up from the traditional competitive structure. This new system was designed to increase the stakes and ensure a relentless pace of competition right from the start.

How the Bracket System Worked

The 18 queens were split into three initial groups, or "brackets," of six. For the first nine episodes, each group competed exclusively against the other queens in their own bracket over three episodes. This meant that the queens only had three chances to prove themselves before the first major cut.

  • Points System: Queens earned points based on their performance in the maxi-challenges.
  • Double Winners: Unlike previous seasons, every episode featured two maxi-challenge winners, who then competed in a Lip Sync for Your Legacy.
  • Elimination: One queen was eliminated in each of the first nine episodes, meaning the bottom-scoring queen in each group after their three episodes was sent home. This high-stakes elimination process quickly whittled down the massive cast.

This format created intense rivalry within the smaller groups, forcing queens like Bosco, Kerri Colby, and Olivia Lux to showcase their best work immediately to avoid an early exit. The competition was fierce, with the queens having to adapt quickly to the new system, which rewarded consistency over a single standout performance.

A Star-Studded Judging Panel and The Final Showdown

As with any All Stars season, the guest judge lineup for Season 10 was nothing short of spectacular, adding a layer of celebrity glamour and critical insight to the competition. The roster included some of the biggest names in music and film, emphasizing the show's cultural impact.

The Iconic Guest Judges

The panel featured a mix of pop culture icons and Broadway legends, including:

  • Ariana Grande (Co-star of the film Wicked)
  • Cynthia Erivo (Co-star of the film Wicked)
  • Ice Spice (American rapper)
  • Chappell Roan (Pop artist)
  • Colman Domingo (Actor, playwright, and director)
  • Kate Beckinsale (English actress)
  • Susanne Bartsch (Swiss nightlife icon)

The presence of stars like Ariana Grande and Ice Spice underscored the mainstream appeal of the season, while the recurring judges, Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, and Ross Mathews, provided the familiar, sharp critiques that fans have come to expect.

The Path to the Crown and The Winner

The "Tournament of All Stars" format eventually led to a dramatic final round, where the top queens from the initial brackets faced off in a series of challenges and lip-sync battles. The final episode featured a highly anticipated face-off, where the remaining contenders fought for their place in the Hall of Fame.

In a truly memorable finale, the ultimate battle for the crown came down to a thrilling lip-sync between two powerhouse competitors, including fan-favorite Kerri Colby. However, in a historic moment on July 18, 2025, Ginger Minj was crowned the winner of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 10.

This victory was particularly significant for Ginger Minj, marking her fourth appearance in the franchise (Season 7, All Stars 2, All Stars 6, and All Stars 10). Her win cemented her legacy as one of the most persistent, talented, and funniest queens in Drag Race herstory, finally securing her a spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame after years of dedication and impressive runs. Her combination of comedic timing, polished runways, and emotional vulnerability resonated with the judges and fans, proving that sometimes, the fourth time’s the charm.

Legacy and Impact of All Stars 10

RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 10 will be remembered as a pivotal season for several key reasons. The "Tournament of All Stars" format, while polarizing for some fans, successfully injected a new level of urgency and drama into the competition, demonstrating that the show is willing to evolve its structure to keep the queens and the audience on their toes. The season also provided major career boosts for several queens, including Kerri Colby, who solidified her status as a fashion icon, and Bosco, who proved her versatility across multiple challenge types.

The crowning of Ginger Minj was a celebratory moment that honored a drag veteran's long-fought journey. By bringing 18 queens together and experimenting with the bracket system, All Stars 10 successfully raised the bar for future seasons, ensuring that the quest for the crown will never be the same again. The season's success further solidified RuPaul's Drag Race as a global entertainment powerhouse, continuing its legacy of showcasing exceptional drag talent.

rupaul's drag race all stars season 10
rupaul's drag race all stars season 10

Detail Author:

  • Name : Austyn Bosco
  • Username : madisen37
  • Email : walter38@bode.biz
  • Birthdate : 1995-11-29
  • Address : 768 Deborah Park Margeville, AL 90707-6498
  • Phone : +18385648239
  • Company : Jacobs-Kessler
  • Job : Welding Machine Tender
  • Bio : Est quod rem eveniet commodi. Voluptatem et perferendis cupiditate. Sed repellat perspiciatis aut at velit.

Socials

linkedin:

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/pollichn
  • username : pollichn
  • bio : Corrupti maxime omnis aspernatur consequuntur neque officiis dolore. Est molestiae sit ex tempore cupiditate sed. Dolorem quibusdam cum et sit.
  • followers : 3899
  • following : 1220

facebook:

  • url : https://facebook.com/norene2762
  • username : norene2762
  • bio : Qui temporibus quibusdam voluptas earum tenetur praesentium.
  • followers : 3227
  • following : 920

tiktok:

  • url : https://tiktok.com/@pollichn
  • username : pollichn
  • bio : Facere tenetur iusto similique dicta error.
  • followers : 6832
  • following : 2057