Honestly, if you told me a couple of years ago that we’d be watching a season of drag where 18 queens were split into brackets like a college basketball tournament, I would’ve laughed you out of the room. It sounded like a mess. Pure chaos. But here we are in 2026, looking back at Drag Race All Stars Season 10, and it’s kinda wild how much that "Tournament of All Stars" format actually saved the franchise from the "non-elimination fatigue" that almost killed the vibe during Season 9.
We all remember the discourse. Fans were basically screaming for blood—or at least a little bit of stakes. Season 9 was sweet and all, but without anyone going home, the competitive tension sort of evaporated by week four. Then Season 10 happened. It premiered on May 9, 2025, and it felt like World of Wonder finally listened to the fans who wanted the drama of a goodbye without losing the "celebration of drag" feel.
The Bracket Breakdown: What Most People Get Wrong
People keep thinking the bracket system was just a gimmick. It wasn’t. It was a logistical necessity because the cast was absolutely massive. 18 queens. That’s more than some regular seasons.
The show split them into three groups of six. Each group got three episodes to prove they weren't just filler. If you weren't following closely, the math was basically this: top three point-getters from each bracket moved to the semi-finals. It felt more like an actual sport, which is hilarious given that most of us watching probably skipped gym class to practice death drops.
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The groups were stacked, too.
- Bracket 1: Featured the return of Bosco, who honestly should’ve been on All Stars years ago.
- Bracket 2: Had Jorgeous. Yes, Jorgeous again. Ru clearly has a favorite, and while the fandom had a minor meltdown about her returning so soon after Season 14 and AS9, she proved the "point system" was designed for queens like her who can eat a stage alive.
- Bracket 3: This was the heavy-hitter group. Ginger Minj, the ultimate "always a bridesmaid" of the Hall of Fame, finally made her move here.
Why Drag Race All Stars Season 10 felt different
There was this weird, somber energy right at the start because of the passing of Jiggly Caliente just days before the premiere. The first episode was dedicated to her. It shifted the tone. It made the competition feel a bit more precious, I think.
But then, the "Tournament" aspect kicked in and things got cutthroat. We saw the first-ever "S17" queen, Lydia B. Kollins, jump onto All Stars before her original season had even finished airing. Talk about a risk. Most fans were confused—I was too—but she held her own against legends like Nicole Paige Brooks (from Season 2!) and Phoenix.
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The numbers don't lie. According to internal data shared by TheWrap, the Season 10 finale actually scored the best ratings the show had seen in three years. Viewership on Paramount+ was up about 15% compared to Season 9. People actually cared again because the "Tournament of All Stars" format brought back the one thing we were missing: consequences.
The Ginger Minj Redemption Arc
Let's talk about the crowning. July 18, 2025. Ginger Minj finally did it. After four tries (Season 7, AS2, AS6, and AS10), she joined the Hall of Fame. It felt right. She beat out Jorgeous in the final Lip Sync Smackdown, which, let’s be real, is a feat in itself.
Ginger’s win wasn’t just a "lifetime achievement award" either. She dominated the comedy challenges in her bracket and basically showed the younger girls that while a TikTok following is great, theatrical timing is what wins a crown. Speaking of TikTok, the social media landscape for these queens is getting insane. Plastique Tiara actually surpassed Trixie Mattel as the most-followed Drag Race star on Instagram in mid-2025, hitting over 4.3 million followers. The scale of this show is just... it's a different beast now.
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The Global All Stars shadow
We can't talk about the current state of Drag Race All Stars without mentioning the "Global" experiment. Honestly, it was a bit of a cluster. Fans were pretty vocal about the "riggory" involved in Global All Stars 1. The judging seemed to heavily favor the English-speaking queens like Alyssa Edwards and Kween Kong, while international powerhouses like Nehellenia from Italy felt sidelined.
That backlash is exactly why the US All Stars Season 10 format felt so refreshed. It moved away from the "Ru's Favorites" narrative and leaned into a points-based system that, while not perfect, felt a lot more transparent. Even if Ru still clearly loves a "stunning" queen, the brackets forced a level of meritocracy we hadn't seen in a while.
What's actually next for the franchise?
As we move into 2026, the rumors for All Stars 11 are already bubbling. The big question is whether they keep the tournament style or go back to basics.
If you’re a fan trying to keep up with the ever-expanding "Drag Race Cinematic Universe," here is what you actually need to do to stay ahead:
- Watch the "Versus the World" series: Specifically, keep an eye on UK vs. The World and Canada vs. The World. They are increasingly becoming the "minor leagues" for the big US All Stars seasons.
- Track the "First Outs": The "Early Outs" season has been rumored for half a decade. With the success of the tournament format, 2026 might finally be the year we see a bracket dedicated entirely to queens who left in episode one or two.
- Support local drag: The "Drag Race effect" is real. While World of Wonder is busy helping small-town Prides fill budget gaps left by fleeing corporate sponsors, the best way to ensure more All Stars seasons is to keep the local ecosystem alive.
The reality is that Drag Race All Stars isn't just a TV show anymore; it's a massive economic engine for the queer community. Whether it's Ginger Minj finally getting her $200,000 or a Season 17 queen like Lydia getting a platform before she's even "famous," the stakes have never been higher. The tournament format proved that the show can evolve without losing its soul. Now, we just wait to see who Ru decides to call back for the next round of chaos.