How to Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 Live for Free to See Katy Perry, Hunter Schafer, & More Guest Judges
Katie Decker-Jacoby
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RuPaul’s Drag Race is back, with Season 17 already getting tons of buzz. Who could’ve predicted a Katy Perry guest judge cameo? That’s just the first episode, which means fans can expect even more exciting surprises, celebrity appearances, and maybe even a twist or two.
RuPaul’s Drag Race is an American reality competition television series that’s run for 16 seasons and is currently on its seventeenth. The first season premiered in February 2009 and films in Los Angeles and other locations. RuPaul Andre Charles (RuPaul) produces, hosts, and judges the show all with the ultimate goal of finding “America’s Next Drag Superstar.” Contestants participate in challenges each week and get judged by a panel. Season 17 sees RuPaul himself, Michelle Visage, and one of three alternating judges (Carson Kressley, Ross Mathews, or Ts Madison), on the judging panel. Guest judges, like Perry, sometimes appear, as well. Doechii, Adam Lambert, Law Roach, Sam Smith, and Quinta Brunson are just a few of the other stars set to appear as guest judges this season.
How to Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 at a Glance:
- Streaming Services: DirecTV Stream, Fubo, and Philo
- TV Channel: MTV
- When it airs: Fridays at 8 p.m. ET
Season 17 is the third season to air on MTV and keeps the same cash prize amount of $200,000 for the winner. The format also remains the same from the previous season, where contestants rank each other’s performances for the main challenge. There are mini challenges, smaller assignments, at the beginning of the episode, while maxi challenges test contestants on several different skills. Some are group challenges, while others are solo. These challenges can involve anything from singing, acting, and comedy to dancing, makeovers, and more. Maxi challenge winners typically get a material or money as the prize. Occasionally, the winner receives immunity from being eliminated the following week.
This format has resonated with viewers across the globe, winning many awards. RuPaul received eight consecutive Emmy Awards (2016 to 2023) for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program, and the show itself received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program four consecutive times (2018 to 2021). These are just a handful of the awards RuPaul and the show has won since the series’ inception.
RuPaul’s Drag Race has gained quite the cult following and has inspired several spin-offs. If you’re part of this fandom are want to join in, keep scrolling to find out how to watch RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 so you don’t miss out on any of the challenges, performances, makeovers, and more.
When does RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 air?
RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 airs on Fridays at 8 p.m. ET, with each episode running for 90 minutes. The new season premiered on Friday, January 3, 2025.
How to watch RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 on MTV for free
RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 will air on MTV, which is available to stream live on services like DirecTV Stream, Fubo, and Philo. DirecTV Stream offers a five-day free trial and starts at $87 per month after the trial ends. Philo offers a seven-day free trial and costs $28 per month after the free trial ends. Fubo offers a seven-day free trial and starts at $75 per month after the trial ends. All plans include MTV.
- Best Overall Pick to Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17: DirecTV Stream’s Free Trial
- Best Budget Pick to Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17: Philo’s Free Trial
- Best Free Trial Pick to Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17: Fubo’s Free Trial
Best Overall Pick to Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race Seaason 17: DirecTV Stream’s Free Trial
Direct TV is our best overall pick to watch the RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 free for its free trial, price, and channel selection. DirecTV Stream offers a five-day free trial. DirecTV offers four plans: Entertainment, which costs $87 per month; Choice, which costs $95 per month with the first two months at $88.99 per month; and Ultimate, which costs $110 per month. Along with MTV, all plans also include MTV2. MTV Classic is also included in Ultimate and Premiere to watch RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17.
As for other differences between the plans, Entertainment includes more than 75 channels, the ability to stream on unlimited devices in your home, unlimited cloud DVR storage, and a special offer on premium channels. Choice, which is the most popular plan, includes more than 105 channels, regional sports networks, and everything included in Entertainment. Ultimate includes more than 140 channels and everything included in Entertainment and Choice. Premiere includes more than 150 channels including premium channels like HBO and Starz and everything included in Entertainment, Choice, and Premiere. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 with DirecTV Stream’s free trial.
- Visit streamtv.directv.com‘s packages page
- Click “Try It Free” for the plan of your choice
- Enter your information and payment method
- Search for MTV and start watching RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17
Best Budget Pick to Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17: Philo’s Free Trial
Philo is our best free trial pick to watch RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 for its price and free trial length. Philo offers a seven-day free trial and costs $28 per month after the trial ends. Along with MTV, Philo also offers similar channels like MTV Classic, MTV Live, MTV2, VH1, and Logo. As for what else it includes, Philo offers more than 70 channels, as well as an unlimited DVR service. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 with Philo’s free trial.
- Visit Philo.com
- Click “Start Free Trial”
- Enter your information and payment method
- Search for MTV and start watching RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17
Best Free Trial Pick to Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17: Fubo’s Free Trial
Fubo is our best free trial pick to watch RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 for free based on what it offers. Fubo offers a seven-day free trial (two days longer than DirecTV Stream) and offers three plans: Essential, which costs $75 per month; Pro, which costs $80 per month; and Elite, which costs $90 per month. Along with MTV, all three plans also VH1.
As for the difference between the plans, Pro includes 180 channels, 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR, and the ability to watch on up to 10 screens at once. Elite includes everything in Pro, as well as a total of 256 channels and 4K resolution. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 with Fubo’s free trial.
- Visit Fubo.TV
- Click “Start Free Trial”
- Enter your information and payment method
- Search for MTV and start watching RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17
RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 Cast
RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17’s cast includes 14 members coming from all over the country. Here’s the full cast list, including their names, ages, and cities:
- Acacia Forgot, 28, Los Angeles, California
- Arrietty, 28, Seattle, Washington
- Crystal Envy, 27, Asbury Park, New Jersey
- Hormona Lisa, 30, Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Jewels Sparkles, 22, Tampa, Florida
- Joella, 25, Los Angeles, California
- Kori King, 24, Boston, Massachusetts
- Lana Ja’Rae, 22, New York City, New York
- Lexi Love, 33, Louisville, Kentucky
- Lucky Starzzz, 26, Miami, Florida
- Lydia B Kollins, 23, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Onya Nurve, 31, Cleveland, Ohio
- Sam Star, 24, Leeds, Alabama
- Suzie Toot, 24, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 Judges
RuPaul and Michelle Visage are back as regular judges who will appear in every episode of Season 17. Carson Kressley, Ts Madison, and Ross Mathews will appear as rotating judges throughout the season. Perhaps the most exciting part is the list of guest judges (in chronological order):
- Katy Perry – Singer and Television Personality
- Doechii – Rapper and Singer
- Sandra Bernhard – Actress, Comedian, and Singer
- Julia Schlaepfer – Actress
- Adam Lambert – Singer and Actor
- Betsey Johnson – Fashion Designer
- Hunter Schafer – Actress and Model
- Jerrod Carmichael – Actor, Comedian, and Writer
- June Diane Raphael – Actress and Comedian
- Law Roach – Retired Stylist
- Paul W. Downs – Actor and Writer
- Quinta Brunson – Actress and Comedian
- Sam Smith – Singer
- Tracee Ellis Ross – Actress
- Whitney Cummings – Actress and Stand-up Comedian
