The highly-anticipated fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars finally premieres tonight, and if you're feeling conflicted about the excitement for the show, especially in these very serious, uncertain, and trying times, then you're not alone—even the stars of the show are having complicated feelings about it. But if the powerful words from queens like Shea Coulée and Mayhem Miller are anything to go by, then maybe All Stars 5 is exactly the kind of thing we need right now.
In a statement written by season 9 finalist and returning AS5 queen, Shea Coulée talks about how the show has given her a renewed sense of hope and that she wants to use the show as a means to amplify Black voices, especially since so many amazing people of color put so much hard work into it.
"If there was one thing that I wish the fandom truly had the opportunity to see, it would be the AMAZING family/community that World of Wonder built to help create the show," she said. "Shout out to all of the amazing women (who were majority Black and Brown) talent managers that literally took care of us as if we were their own flesh and blood."
Shea continued:
"I say all of this to express that my experience on AS5 was nothing short of pure MAGIC. It challenged me, inspired me, renewed my love of drag in a deep and meaningful way, but most of all it gave me HOPE. Hope that I feel so many of us need right now."
Season 10 contestant and Shea's All Stars 5 co-star Mayhem Miller shared similar sentiments in a statement on her Instagram account, where she talked about how proud she is of all of the work that went into the new season of the reality drag competition.
"My experience took me on a journey of personal growth and the shared experiences with the cast I will always remember," Mayhem said. "As a Black, queer artist I feel our voices need to be amplified. Our stories need to be told. Especially right now. More than ever."
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 5premieres tonight at 8pm on VH1.