"Hated each other" — RuPaul's Drag Race contestant Jewels Sparkles opens up about cast tensions during season 17 filming

RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 is set to premiere on January 3 at 8 p.m. ET on MTV, and the drama is already stirring between the cast. In an Entertainment Weekly interview on January 1, Jewels Sparkles, one of the contestants, candidly shared insights about the on-set dynamic, revealing,

"All of us just kind of hated each other and loved each other, and battled, fought, and made love."

The interview covered tensions among the cast, romantic connections in the Werk Room, and surprising reactions to guest judge Katy Perry.

The new season of RuPaul's Drag Race promises a mix of drama, humor, and romance, with queens spilling tea about cast cliques, personal feuds, and even some hookups. The interview also teased potential highlights, including controversial runway looks, behind-the-scenes fights, and Perry's "scandalous" appearance as the premiere episode's guest judge.

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RuPaul's Drag Race: Queens dish on drama and romance

Jewels Sparkles wasn’t the only queen to address cast tensions. Lucky Starzzz hinted at a "hot and steamy" season, and Lexi Love confirmed rumors of romantic encounters in the Werk Room, telling EW,

"You are reading between the lines now, honey. Tea, baby. Tune in."

Hormona Lisa also revealed her surprising choice in a playful "kai-kai, marry, or eliminate" game, sparking shock and laughter from her castmates. Adding to the drama, Arrietty was unanimously labeled the season's "villain" by her fellow queens during individual interviews.

Addressing the title, Arrietty quipped, "All these girls do want their viral moment," while Hormona Lisa sarcastically praised her as "angelic, a sweetheart, misunderstood." The dynamic between the two sparked heated exchanges, previewing what fans can expect in Untucked.

New York City's Lana Ja'Rae, daughter of season 15 finalist Luxx Noir London, also addressed the issue of cliques on set, defending the mentality and the bonds formed. Meanwhile, folk singer-songwriter Acacia Forgot reacted to criticism of her earlier music from Drag Race alums Bob the Drag Queen and Monét X Change, laughing it off and pointing to her new work.

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Katy Perry's guest appearance sparks mixed reactions

Katy Perry’s guest judge stint in the premiere episode of RuPaul's Drag Race has already generated buzz. Boston-based queen Joella, who previously performed under the name Joella Perry as a nod to the singer, teased fans about whether Perry recognized her during filming, saying,

"We'll see when we tune in on MTV on Jan. 3."

Kori King, another contestant, shared her excitement, stating simply, "Loved Katy Perry," while others hinted at a more complex reaction to the pop star’s presence.

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Runway looks and catchphrases to watch

RuPaul's Drag Race Season 17 is also set to deliver runway moments. Lydia B Kollins teased one look that may even require censorship due to its provocative design, saying,

"If it looks how it looks, I feel like there's no way they can cut around it and make it look presentable."

The queens also previewed some catchphrases likely to become fan favorites, including “Piggy”, Crystal Envy explained, "It's a compliment."

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Escapism and inspiration

While the interview focused heavily on the season’s drama and humor, queens Sam Star and Suzie Toot took a moment to highlight the significance of RuPaul's Drag Race as a source of escapism and inspiration. Addressing the political climate as Donald Trump prepares to take office again, Suzie stated, "Supporting art is more important than ever," while Sam added,

"Growing up in the conservative south in Alabama, drag was such escapism for me. I’m hoping that the show airing at this time can be escapism for everyone."

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RuPaul's Drag Race season 17 premieres Friday, January 2, 2025, at 8 pm on MTV.