Theories About The Mystery Queen On 'RuPaul's Drag Race'

If the shocking twist at the end of the first episode of RuPaul's Drag Race's Season 9 is anything to go by, then this season's queens are going to need a fresh batch of tea served up, pronto. That's right, ladies — it's time to figure out the question of the hour: Who's the 14th queen on RuPaul's Drag Race? Because though Ru told the queens earlier that for the first time in Drag Race herstory, none of them would be sent home that episode, there was another twist waiting in the wings. And it wasn't revealed until the final few seconds of the episode that a fourteenth queen would be joining the competition, and it was someone from a previous season.

The episode then ended with a teasing glimpse of just who this queen could be. And though the close-up of their glitter boots didn't reveal a whole lot, the tight shot revealing the queen's derriere and the dark hair certainly seems like a clue as to the returning queen's identity. So please, throw on your finest sleuthing cloak and prepare to start spilling some tea, because there are some theories about who the 14th queen is on this season of Drag Race that we need to discuss.

Ready? Let's dive right in.

Cynthia Lee Fontaine

If you happen to find yourself falling into the rabbit hole of Drag Race chatter online, then you're likely to discover that this Season 8 queen is the internet's current favorite theory. In fact, Reddit user SapphireJolie speculated five months ago that Cynthia would be returning to Drag Race, due to her voice apparently being audible in the background of an NPR interview with RuPaul. And come to think of it, we certainly may have seen her cucu at the end of that first episode.

Shangela

As the three time champion of surprise Drag Race returns on the show, it wouldn't be too surprising to discover that Shangela was in fact the mystery queen that we all saw at the end of the episode. But hold up for a second, because if Shangela is the 14th queen, then I suspect it's part of a whole other twist done to throw us off the scent of the actual returning contestant.

That's right, my own personal theory is that Shangela will simply be there to make us speculate about her. But then Drag Race, in all its stunt filled glory, will have another returning queen sashaying forth in her place.

April Carrión

When April left Drag Race at the start of Season 6, it felt like we didn't get to see her fulfill her potential. And now could be the time for her to reveal it in full. Not only does April's aesthetic fit in perfectly with the Season 9 Drag Race queens, but it's also easy to see her rocking those glittery boots, and damn if that wig doesn't totally look like one of hers.

Laila McQueen

Giving Cynthia a run for her money is her fellow Season 8 queen, Laila, who is also a popular theory. While there's no doubt that she definitely has plenty more to give (and a look that would mesh perfectly with the aesthetic of this season), there's one subtle clue that could indicate that she's returning in Season 9.

Observant Reddit user PoppyFields666 commented within a thread that Laila may be returning to Drag Race as she disappeared online "from about August 14th to September 5th," possibly because of filming the show, and also "seems to completely have upgraded her looks." Personally, I would live to see this.

Serena ChaCha

Similarly, Reddit user guillerico also noticed that Serena ChaCha may have been filming for Season 9, as she was notably absent social media between Aug. 9 and Sept. 16. It's interesting to note that Serena has a similar skin tone as the queen that was teased at the end of the episode, but also that she's known for her brown wigs. Interesting.

Whoever the 14th queen happens to be, I've got a feeling that RuPaul's Drag Race will have plenty more twists, turns, and surprises waiting in the wings no matter what.

Editor's Note: This article has been updated from it's original version.