Drag Race fans think All Stars 5 is ‘being held hostage’ after complaints of ‘burnout’

Manila Luzon and Latrice Royale in handcuffs

RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 5 is yet to rear its head two full days into the new decade, and the internet would like answers.

So far this year (all two days of it), the Drag Race fandom is bereft of new content to consume.

As the series’ popularity soared throughout the 2010s, RuPaul’s response was to up the ante – throwing out new series, All Stars spin-offs and international editions in quick succession.

In 2019 we were treated to All Stars 4 and season 11 back-to-back, with Drag Race UK arriving later in the year to kick off – we assumed – a never-ending assault on our senses.

And yet since the British edition wrapped up in November, the Drag Race machine has gone curiously quiet, leading to much speculation as to why.

We know that All Stars 5 and season 12 are in the bag, with many presuming that they’d slot into the usual winter and spring release dates.

Some have suggested that the fandom is to blame for the delay, after widespread complaints of Drag Race burnout.

Is this the Drag Race All Stars 5 line-up?

Traditionally the All Stars line-up has been announced at least a month prior to the show’s release, suggesting that we’re still in for a wait.

However on Reddit, usually a reliable source of tea, the rumoured cast list includes Derrick Barry, Shea Couleé, Miz Cracker, Mayhem Miller, Blair St Clair, Jujubee, Ongina, Mariah Paris Balenciaga, Alexis Matteo and India Ferrah.

Elsewhere on Reddit, speculation is rife that Celebrity Drag Race will be first to air in 2020.

This would be followed by season 12 with All Stars 5 shunted to a late spring release date. Later in the year, we’re also expecting Drag Race UK season 2, as well as Australian and Canadian editions.

Celebrity Drag Race ‘will cancel Drag Race‘.

Celebrity Drag Race will see 12 celebrities made over by a bevy of drag royalty, including Alyssa Edwards, Asia O’Hara, Bob the Drag Queen, Kim Chi, Monét X Change, Monique Heart, Nina West, Trinity the Tuck, Trixie Mattel, and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo.

Trixie told PinkNews: “It’s basically the ‘magic of makeover’ episode, but with super A-list celebrities.”

The All Stars 3 winner called the spin-off “the most fun I’ve ever had on Drag Race”, and suggested that the format will “cancel” the civilian series.