Fans react hilariously as Katy Perry surprises RuPaul's Drag Race contestants in the Season 17 premiere

RuPaul's Drag Race Season 17 premiered on January 3, 2025, and had 'fireworks.' The show had a surprise guest, and, well, everyone was pleasantly surprised. Katy Perry graced the stage as a celebrity judge, and the contestants could not keep calm.

In an iconic move, she entered the Werk Room with duct tape when the contestants were getting ready. She walked toward them in slow motion and asked if anyone needed some tape. In her style, she gave them a nice pep talk, saying:

"The way to win is to play with your alter ego, but don't be afraid to take the mask off and show the real person in there."

Mother was indeed mothering.

It was the premiere episode of RuPaul's Drag Race, and Perry was invited to be a guest judge alongside regular judges RuPaul and Michelle Visage. As she entered, there was a stir in the Werk Room, and everyone ran around to gather themselves, all the while screaming her name. One contestant was even seen panicking because they couldn't find their wig.

Katy even found a familiar face among the contestants and had a little heartfelt reunion. Social media exploded with funny comments and reactions on the episode with many commenting on Katy herself. Some comments were supportive, some were harsh, but many of them were funny.

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Fan reaction to Katy Perry's appearance on RuPaul's Drag Race

Fans reactions were interesting to the premiere episode of RuPaul's Drag Race and Katy's appearance. Some were happy to see her on the show and cheered on. It went as far as calling her things like 'Mother' and 'Icon.' Many users also noticed that she wasn't received with as much enthusiasm as a pop star should receive.

Others, however, were critical of Katy's stint as guest judge, with one user @DamonStrong commenting, "Look at them all excited over a has-been who hasn't had a hit song in years." Katy's appearance on RuPaul's Drag Race may or may not have inspired people, but it certainly brought out the comedian in many. Here are some reactions.

This looks like a look a drag queen could do on the show.

A meme shared by @steviewildcards is a morphed photo of Katy Perry from her "California Gurls" video portraying the shock of contestants on seeing her.

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They weren't given the script yet

A meme shared by @sethspov portrays RuPaul's contestants being as shocked and confused to see Katy Perry as Elizebeth Debecki is in the GIF.

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There have been many

A meme shared by @toxic_rayan portrays Ariana Grande's appearance on RuPaul's Drag Race season 15 premiere.

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She should have come during the Teenage Dream time

A meme shared by @posittionxs is from an old clip of Katy Perry during a BTS video shoot.

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No one has ever seen a normal video of her

A meme shared by @katycatsUnidoss is a clip from Katy Perry's "I'm His, He's Mine" music video.

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Maybe they were told to (via @lothariosis/X)

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Let's agree to disagree (via @fametrilogy/X)

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They tried so hard and got this far, but in the end, Katy doesn't even matter. (via @unfaggyz/X)

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Correction: The most excited these people have been (via theMalcolmBlacc/X)