RuPaul's Drag Race season 16

The sixteenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race premiered on January 5, 2024. The reality competition series, broadcast on MTV in the United States, showcases fourteen drag queens competing for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar" and a cash prize of $200,000.

This season introduced a LaLaPaRuZa Lip-Sync Smackdown competition for the eliminated queens that took place before the finale. Morphine Love Dion, who placed 5th in the main competition, won the smackdown and the title of Queen of She Done Already Done Had Herses.

The winner of season 16 was Nymphia Wind, the first ever East Asian winner, with Sapphira Cristál as the runner up and the series' first tied winner of Miss Congeniality, shared with Xunami Muse.

Production
In August 2023, the competition series and its companion series, RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked, were officially renewed and would remain on MTV. RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars was also renewed for a ninth season by Paramount+. In November, a teaser was released from MTV featuring RuPaul in various promos from past seasons. Sasha Colby, the winner of season fifteen, presented the Meet the Queens via the series official YouTube channel on December 6, 2023. The Meet the Queens video included an 8-minute clip from the season premiere, where the fourteen contestants entered the Werk Room set.

Contestants


Ages, names, and cities stated are at time of filming.


 * Notes

Lip syncs
Legend: {{legend|gold|The contestant won the lip sync to win the challenge.}} {{legend|lightblue|The contestant was eliminated after their first time in the bottom.}} {{legend|lightgreen|The contestant was eliminated after their second time in the bottom.}} {{legend|lightpink|The contestant was eliminated after their third time in the bottom.}} {{legend|tomato|The contestant was eliminated after their fourth time in the bottom.}} {{legend|plum|The eliminated contestant won the first round of the LaLaPaRuza Lip Sync Smackdown and advanced to the next round.}} {{legend|violet|The eliminated contestant won the second round of the LaLaPaRuza Lip Sync Smackdown and advanced to the next round.}} {{legend|fuchsia|The eliminated contestant won the third round of the LaLaPaRuza Lip Sync Smackdown and advanced to the final round.}} {{legend|darkblue|The eliminated contestant won the final round of the LaLaPaRuza Lip Sync Smackdown and was declared Queen of She Done Already Done Had Herses.}} {{legend|#D4AF37|The contestant won the Lip Sync for the Crown and was declared the winner of the season.}}

Guest judges

 * Charlize Theron, actress and producer
 * Becky G, singer and actress
 * Isaac Mizrahi, fashion designer
 * Sarah Michelle Gellar, actress
 * Icona Pop, electropop musical duo
 * Law Roach, retired stylist
 * Adam Shankman, director, writer, producer, dancer and choreographer
 * Kyra Sedgwick, actress
 * Kaia Gerber, model
 * Jamal Sims, choreographer
 * Joel Kim Booster, actor and comedian
 * Mayan Lopez, actress
 * Kelsea Ballerini, singer
 * Ronan Farrow, journalist

Special guests
Guests who appeared in episodes, but did not judge on the main stage.

Episodes 1–2
 * Derrick Barry, contestant on season eight and All Stars season five
 * Love Connie, drag performer and actor

Episode 6
 * Charo, singer, actress, musician and comedian

Episode 7
 * Melissa McCarthy, actress and comedian

Episode 8
 * Chad Michaels, contestant on season four and winner of All Stars season one

Episode 10
 * Leland, music producer
 * Freddy Scott, composer and actor

Episode 12
 * Claudia "Norvina" Soare, president of Anastasia Beverly Hills

Episode 14
 * Albert Sanchez, photographer
 * Matt Rogers, comedian, podcaster and television host

Episode 16
 * Sasha Colby, winner of season fifteen
 * Malaysia Babydoll Foxx, Miss Congeniality of season fifteen
 * Cassandra Peterson, actress