One season ends and Mama Ru is hot on our heels already. Season 15 of RuPaul’s Drag Race finished in mid-April, and by mid-May, the first episode of All Stars 8 was out. This is great news for drag race fans around the world, as it means we are never very far away from some new shady untucked content. So who is in All Stars 8?
What Is All Stars 8?
RuPaul’s Drag Race is an American reality competition show that sees drag queens from around the world compete in various challenge to come out on top. The show first aired in 2009 and is currently on season 15 of just the American version. There have been many international versions of the show from the UK to Thailand, Holland to Italy.
In 2012, RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars aired. This was a spin-off version of the main show, which brings back fan favourites who failed to win on their original season.
The 12 queens on All Stars 8 are playing for a spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame, a year’s supply of makeup and $200,000.
Who Is Fighting For The All-Stars 8 Crown?
For those wondering, who is in All Stars 8, there are 12 contestants this year, all trying to make it out on top. For some, this is their first time back since their original season, however there are a handful of queens for whom this is their second (or even third) time in the Werk Room.
Jaymes Mansfield
Despite being a big name amongst the drag scene, when Jaymes hit the stage on RuPaul’s Drag Race, they ended up going home first.
However, it has to be noted that the challenge was gymnastics related, and who can look gorgeous whilst doing a front roll?
In 2019, Jaymes launched her own wig company.
Heidi N Closet – Season 12
Despite Mama Ru taking a disliking to her name on season 12, Heidi N Closet has stuck to her guns and come back with her original name.
Heidi came sixth on her season, taking the title of Miss Congeniality.
Alexis Michelle – Season 9
Alexis Michelle is the in-house Broadway encyclopaedia with big ideas and even bigger hair. She came 5th in her original season, just missing out on the top four spot.
Darienne Lake – Season 6
We have not seen Darienne Lake since she came fourth on season 6. That top four, which consisted of Adore Delano, Bianca Del Rio, Courtney Act and Darienne Lake ended up going on tour together, calling it the ABCD tour – aptly named after themselves.
Darienne has lost over 200 pounds since season 6.
Jessica Wild – Season 2
Coming from season 2, Jessica has spent the longest time away from the show. Season 2 aired back in 2010 and drag has evolved a lot in the past 13 years, so it is no wonder she was hesitant to return.
Despite her long time away from the show, Jessica has stepped her drag up and says that she has improved her English which she notes as impairing her on season 2.
Jimbo – Canada’s Drag Race, UK vs the World
Amazingly, this is Jimbo’s third time on a drag race. We first met Jimbo the first season of Canada’s Drag Race, hosted by Drag Race runner-up Brooke Lynn Hytes. Jimbo’s odd and enticing style made her a fan favourite which earnt her a spot on UK vs the World.
Now, coming back for another swing at the title, Jimbo has flown across the pond to be the only Canadian contestant on the series.
Kahanna Montrese – Season 11
Coming from the house of Montrese, we all had high hopes for Kahanna when she appeared on season 11. However, after failing to make a real impact, they went home on the second episode.
Since then, Kahanna has homed in on the Vegas scene. She has also had significant plastic surgery, of which she is vocal about.
Kandy Muse – Season 13
Kandy Muse made waves on season 13 coming in with strong looks and opinions. She almost took the crown, losing out only to Symone.
Since then, Kandy has appeared in a music video alongside Drag Race alumni Eureka O’Hara as well as in a music video for All Stars 2 winner Alaska.
LaLa Ri – Season 13
Also coming from season 13, LaLa Ri didn’t make it as far in the competition as Kandy, but she did make her name known. In a design challenge, LaLa created a bag look that has gone down as one of the worst looks in drag race history.
LaLa Ri won Miss Congeniality for season 13.
Mrs Kasha Davis
Proving that age is no limit, Mrs Kasha Davis is hitting the Werk Room at age 51, being the oldest queen on this season of All Stars. Kasha came in 11th on her original season, but is back and better than ever, showing everyone that age is nothing but a number.
Naysha Lopez – Season 8
Naysha had a bumpy ride in season, being the first queen eliminated and the brought back only to go home again. She was the first queen to the eliminated twice in one season, which is a feat in itself.
Despite not making it that far in her season, Naysha is a firm fan favourite and is well-respected in the community, having been crowned Miss Continental in 2013.
Monica Beverly Hillz – Season 5
Monica has not been on the show for several years and ultimately went home 12th on season 5, however she has made her name known. After coming out as transgender on the show, Monica has since been a fierce activist for trans rights. She was included in the Windy City Times “30 Under 30” for “best LGBTQIA activism, business, culture, non-profit work and more”.
