The cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 took on London on Thursday, ahead of the fourth RuPaul’s DragCon UK this weekend.
Theย 14 new queens posed up a storm at luxury hotel Corinthia London, after their season of the beloved reality series premiered last week.
Looking nothing short of sensational were new stars Arrietty, Joella, Jewels Sparkles, Lexi Love, Lana JaโRae, Sam Star, Kori King, Lydia B Kollins, Hormona Lisa, Suzie Toot, Acacia Forgot, Crystal Envy and Onya Nurve.
The group’s appearance in the capital comes just days ahead of RuPaul’s annual drag convention, which is returning for its fourth year in the UK on Friday and Saturday at ExCel London.
However, the legend himself RuPaul, was not pictured with the cast as he continued to grieve the shocking loss of former champion The Vivienne.
The performer, whose real name was James Lee Williams, tragically died on Sunday at the age of 32, devastating fans and their fellow queens.

The cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 took on London on Thursday, ahead of the fourth RuPaul’s DragCon UK this weekend (Arrietty, Joella, Jewels Sparkles, Lexi Love, Lana JaโRae, Sam Star, Kori King, Lydia B Kollins, Hormona Lisa, Suzie Toot, Acacia Forgot, Crystal Envy and Onya Nurve L-R)

However, the legend himself RuPaul, was not pictured with the cast as he continued to grieve the shocking loss of former champion The Vivienne (pictured together at 2020 DragCon UK)

The 14 new queens posed up a storm at luxury hotel Corinthia London, after their season of the beloved reality series premiered last week.
James’ distraught father found his son unresponsive at home, with Cheshire Police stating officers were called to an address in Chorlton-by-Backford at 12.22pm on Sunday and in an update, confirmed they had found โno suspicious circumstancesโ.
The Viv, who used they/them pronouns, had been one of the breakout stars of the UK version ofย RuPaulโs Drag Race, winning the first series in 2019 with a successful combination of honesty, catty putdowns and an excellent impersonation of Donald Trump.
The Mail revealed yesterday that the shocking tragedy has also cast doubt of the future of Drag Race UK, with host RuPaul debating stepping back from the show.
The icon, 64,ย was said to be โabsolutely devastatedโ by The Vivโs death and has been โin bitsโ about the sudden loss.
Breaking his silence on The Vivienneโs death on Monday, RuPaul told his six million Instagram followers: โWith a broken heart, I join the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Vivienne โ an incredibly talented queen and a lovely human being.โ
Alongside the post was a throwback photo of James, out of drag, and posing next to his idol.
But, the tragedy has weighed so heavily on RuPaul that he is now โseriously consideringโ stepping away from his hosting duties on the show.
A friend of the star told the Mail: โThis has come like a bolt out of the blue for Ru. The Vivienne was one of his brightest stars and everyone knows what a soft spot he had for them.ย ย

The group’s appearance in the capital comes just days ahead of RuPaul’s annual drag convention, which is returning for its fourth year in the UK on Friday and Saturday at ExCel Londonย

The Vivienne, whose real name was James Lee Williams , tragically died on Sunday at the age of 32, devastating fans and their fellow queens (pictured in 2023)

The Viv, who used they/them pronouns, had been one of the breakout stars of the UK version of Drag Race, winning the first series in 2019 with a successful combination of honesty, catty putdowns and an excellent impersonation of Donald Trump (pictured on Dancing On Ice)

The Mail revealed yesterday that the shocking tragedy has also cast doubt of the future of Drag Race UK, with host RuPaul debating stepping back from the show as he is โabsolutely devastatedโย and has been โin bitsโ about the sudden loss (pictured in September)
‘He has been left absolutely devastated by their passing and is now weighing up his own future. Ru is now seriously considering standing down from hosting the UK franchise, which will always be associated with The Viv.โ
For some time RuPaul has confided in those close to him that his filming schedule is packed and he โisnโt getting any youngerโ.
Whatโs more, he believes the show is in โgood handsโ with his co-presenters Michelle Visage, Alan Carr and Graham Norton.
But, without its eponymous host, fans of the show are sure to question how long it can continue โ if at all.
Meanwhile, RuPaul and best friend and co-host Michelle, 56, are said toย planning a โvery special tributeโ to The Viv at DragCon this weekend,ย to โcelebrate and not just mournโ the performer.
There will also be a memorial booth on the โpinkโ carpet where attendees can pay tribute, with an insider saying:ย โThey want to fill the room with love’.
Thousands are expected to attend the convention – the biggest in the UK โ with RuPaul travelling 5,000 miles from his Beverly Hills mansion to London to attend with Michelle at his side.
American singer Michelle, who is a key pillar of the UK drag scene, was a close friend of The Vivienne and is expected to take the reins of Drag Race if RuPaul steps down.ย

Breaking his silence on The Vivienneโs death on Monday, RuPaul shared throwback photo of James, out of drag, and posing next to his idol (pictured left)

But, the tragedy has weighed so heavily on RuPaul that he is now โseriously consideringโ stepping away from his hosting duties on the show (pictured on series one)

Meanwhile, RuPaul and best friend and co-host Michelle, 56, are said to planning a โvery special tributeโ to The Viv at DragCon this weekend, to โcelebrate and not just mournโ the performer (Michelle pictured atย DragCon UK 2024)
In a tribute to The Vivienne this week, she wrote: โYour laughter, your wit, your talent, your drag. I loved all of it but I loved your friendship most of all. You were a beacon to so many.
โIโm the lucky one to have known you and to have laughed together with you so many times. I love you my darling.โ
James adopted The Vivienne as a drag name from a love of Vivienne Westwood clothing and had been on the verge of a superstar career.
TV chiefs hoped to make The Vivienne the next Lily Savage, the alter ego of the late Paul OโGrady, due to both starsโ quick wit and Liverpudlian roots.
And than two weeks before their death, the artist had appeared as a panellist on Blankety Blank โ the game show on which Lily Savage became famous.
The Viv was also being lined up for the new series of Celebrity Big Brother in March after coming third on last yearโs Dancing on Ice.
While last year, they made a critically acclaimed debut in the West End, performing as the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz and the Childcatcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
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