The eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race began airing on March 7, 2016, with returning judges RuPaul and Michelle Visage, and Carson Kressley and Ross Matthews alternating as they did in Season 7. Twelve queens will be competing for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar" and a cash prize of $100,000 this season, which was the fewest amount of contestants since Season 2. The cast members were revealed during the NewNowNext Awards on February 1st, 2016.
