Huge guest judge set to return to RuPaul's Drag Race 😮

It's a special Ru-nouncement

RuPaul's Drag Race
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 15th Dec 2022

In less than a month, RuPaul's Drag Race will return for season 15 in the USA, and continuing the trend of their huge premiere guest judges, another massive name has been announced.

Previous guest judges for season premieres have included the likes of Lizzo, Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera, and Miley Cyrus, and this time around it will not disappoint, with Ariana Grande being announced.

Taking to social media, the official RuPaul Drag Race account shared a promo video tweeting: 'pov: your fave is guest-judging the #DragRace season premiere ☁️✨ Ariana Grande joins us Friday January 6 at 8/7c – NOW ON @MTV👑'.

As to be expected, fans have been left super excited at the news, with one commenting: 'omg iconic' (sic), another saying: 'THE QUEEN', and a third writing: 'OMG I CANT WAIT TO SEE IT'. (sic)

Since the announcement was made, Ariana posted a pic on her Stories saying: 'i'm not sure who this brown haired/eyebrowed/cone tittied woman is but she is verrrrrrrry excited to be a guest judging the season 15 premier of @rupaulsdragrace 🤎'. (sic)

Ariana Grande

As fans of the series will know that this isn't the first time Ari has appeared on the show, in fact it was way back in season 7, in 2015, that Ariana was on the show alongside RuPaul, Michelle Visage and Ross Mathews.

Meanwhile, as viewers are waiting for the season to premiere early next year, the Queens have been revealed, with 16 glamorous girls taking to the stage, with names such as Aura Mayari, Luxx Noir London and Mistress Isabelle Brooks.

When does RuPaul's Drag Race season 15 start?

The next season of RuPaul's Drag Race is set to start in the US on 6th January 2023 on MTV.

Take a look through the TV shows and films Ariana Grande has been on:

Victorious (2010 - 2013)

Ariana's big break on the box was her role in Nickelodeon's Victorious. She starred as the quirky red-headed Cat Valentine, with the show running from 2010 to 2013.

iCarly (2011)

In true Nickelodeon style, 2011 saw an iconic cross-over episode of huge shows iCarly and Victorious. With the episode aptly named iParty with Victorious, it combined both shows, seeing Carly Shay, Sam Puckett and Freddie Benson's world collide with the likes of Tori Vega, Andre Harris and Cat Valentine.

Swindle (2013)

In 2013, Ariana featured in the film Swindle alongside other Nickelodeon stars such as Noah Crawford, Chris O'Neal, Jennette McCurdy and Noah Munck. Ariana played the popular and peppy Amanda Pitch Benson.

Sam & Cat (2013 - 2014)

Following the end of Victorious, Ariana next starred in a spin-off series combining two main characters from Victorious and iCarly. In the show, Ari continued to star as Cat, and was joined by fellow Nickelodeon star Jennette McCurdy, who played Sam.

Underdogs (2013)

Alongside other famous names such as Shawn Mendes and Rupert Grint, Ariana voiced the character Laura in 2013 film Underdogs.

Family Guy (2014)

Yep, just like a lot of her fellow celebs, Ariana Grande actually leant her vocals to the popular cartoon Family Guy. Ari can be heard featuring as 'Italian Girl' in the 2014 episode Mom's The Word.

Scream Queens (2015)

In 2015, Ariana appeared in Fox's satirical black comedy slasher series Scream Queens as Chanel #2. Ari starred alongside huge names such as Emma Roberts, Jamie Lee Curtis, Billie Lourd and Keke Palmer, despite her character's time in the series coming to a rather brutal end...

RuPaul's Drag Race (2015)

Although this one isn't an acting role, Ariana did appear on RuPaul's Drag Race as a guest judge! Fans will have spotted her on the box back in 2015.

Zoolander 2 (2016)

Ariana also made an appearance in the Zoolander sequel, which was released in 2016. Although her role was brief, it paid homage to Ari's 'Dangerous Woman' latex look.

excuse me, i love you (2020)

In 2020, Ariana had her very own documentary released on Netflix, titled excuse me, i love you. Granted this isn't an acting role, the documentary gets up close and personal as it follows the singer on-stage and behind the scenes, as she takes on the Sweetener World Tour in 2019.

Don't Look Up (2021)

Fast forward a year, and fans saw Ariana star in Netflix's Don't Look Up, as pop princess Riley Bina. The film had an all-star cast, featuring the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Timothée Chalamet, Jonah Hill, Chris Evans and Meryl Streep. Ari even recorded the soundtrack with Kid Cudi, which features in the film as her character Riley performs on stage.

RuPaul's Drag Race (2023)

Ariana Grande has been announced as a guest judge on the season 15 premiere of RuPaul's Drag Race due to start on 6th January 2023.

Wicked movie (2024 and 2025)

Although this one hasn't yet been released, Ariana Grande is set to star in the upcoming movie adaptation of Wicked! Ari will play Glinda, alongside Cynthia Erivio who will be playing Elphaba. Since her role was announced, it has been revealed that the adaptation will be released in two parts - with one film in 2024 and the other in 2025.


Ariana got her fans VERY excited when she shared some behind-the-scenes pics to her Instagram page, showing off her make-up looks and costumes, as well as a sweet picture alongside Cynthia as the pair rehearse! The first film is set for release on 22nd November 2024, with the second on 26th November 2025. We now have an official trailer for the film, as well as Ariana teasing a make-up collection inspired by the film with her brand r.e.m. beauty!
Find out all the details we have on the films.

Now read:

All of the past winners of RuPaul's Drag Race

RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner announced for Dancing On Ice

All the things you ever needed to know about Ariana Grande 🎶 💖

Ariana Grande's rise to fame: From school plays to Platinum albums

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