Gipsy Nightclub's Drag Royale is back for a second season, and the competition is already serving looks, laughs, and a whole lot of Las Vegas realness. Twelve queens are vying for the crown — and a cover shoot in QVegas magazine. We caught up with every contestant on photo night for a quick word. Get to know your Season 2 royalty.

Empress the Aries

"She, DIY-fashionable — that's three words as one."

The name came from a Filipino soap opera actress her mom used to watch. "She wasn't that great of an actress, but the name stuck," Empress laughs. A self-described country Asian girl, she calls her drag she, DIY, and fashionable — and yes, she will absolutely choose a booted heel over flats any day of the week.

Akasha L'Statt

"Nobody can do an Akasha like Akasha does an Akasha."

Akasha arrived with an answer for everything — and a signature that she says speaks for itself. "My signature is me, sweetie. You're gonna remember me when I walk in, when I'm on stage, and when I walk out." On the strip-vs.-fruit-loop debate: "Aren't they the same thing?" Honey, they are not.

Kourtney La Roux

"Gipsy's Nightclub. That's what Vegas drag has that nowhere else does."

Born in the ballroom scene in Detroit, Michigan, Kourtney came up through ball culture before finding her footing on the Las Vegas stage. Her go-to after-show snack? A fruit roll-up. Her most-played lip sync track? Beyoncé's "Single Ladies." A classic for a reason.

Xanadu

"It requires aliens, meat, and abduction."

Xanadu's pre-show ritual is delightfully specific: an herbal refreshment, a lot of moisturizer, and a sugar-free Red Bull. What scares her about the stage? "Nothing — I'm blind in my left eye, so no fears, honey." Her dream number, still unrealized, involves elements she's not quite ready to explain. Her most-played track: "Inmcuts" by Ashnikko. Beyoncé or Gaga? "Gaga."Kalli Mauri

"I wanted a name that was gonna be kind of fishy — remind people there's still tentacle at the end of the day."

Ten years into drag, Kalli says the art form helped her find her trans identity. "I've sacrificed my family, but I've had to put myself first — and I have drag to thank for that." Her drag is fun, quirky, and spontaneous. Brunch or midnight show? "Brunch. Next question."

Dunkentext

"Low key, in the beginning, I didn't take it that serious. The name was available, so I took it."

Nine years in and still going strong, Dunkentext traces her inspiration to the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race she ever watched — Naomi Smalls walking out and sparking something. Her signature? "Very passable, always." Most-played lip sync: either "Water" by Tyla or "Supernova" by Kylie Minogue. Sickening or comedy? "Sickening, obviously."

Empress Lychi

"Polished, expensive — I'll cut it there."

Empress Lychi keeps it refined and sharp. What does Vegas drag have that nowhere else does? "Showgirls. You can't find performers like Asia, Sage, or Mirage anywhere else." Advice for someone stepping into heels for the first time: "Just do it. You're not gonna look good, but everyone's cheering for you." Most-played lip sync: Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive."

Gia Ferrari

"Three S's before the three P's: shift, shower, and shave before I paint, pad, and perform."

A SoCal girl repping her drag house with pride, Gia credits Raven and Morgan McMichaels as early inspirations. Her goal beyond the competition is simple: inspire people everywhere and travel the world doing it. Heels or boots? "Boots — with a zipper and lace." Beyoncé or Gaga? "Gaga."

Queen Vonni

"I got the nickname from a boy named Bonnie — and I took it."

Queen Vonni came to drag watching RuPaul's Drag Race with her grandmother. She's still loyal to her faves — "don't come for me" — and her dream number is something she's not quite ready to reveal. After-show snack of choice: a cheeseburger and fries. Welcome back to the Jack in the Box cinematic universe.

Plushie

"Describe my drag in three words? Your dad's side piece."

Inspired by retro toys, anime, and video games, Plushie wanted a name that felt nostalgic and cute — "like a little puppy toy." What does Vegas drag have that nowhere else does? "You can eat after the gig." What scares her most about the stage? "I have legs longer than I can even think for — but I'm doing good tonight." Gaga over Beyoncé, boots over heels, and lip sync every time.

Camilla Rayz St. James

"Do you see me? I'm expensive, I'm gorgeous, and I'm fucking fat as fuck."

Originally from Idaho, Camilla has two drag mothers — one from her home state and one from Spokane, Washington — and she carries the St. James name with full authority. She's always dreamed of performing in Las Vegas, and now she's here. Comedy or sickening? "Sickening." Beyoncé or Gaga? "Beyoncé." Most-played lip sync: whatever's on when she gets home and starts cleaning.

Rita Bitch

"Where Is My Husband by Ray — that's the most-played lip sync song. Don't ask questions."

A Drag Royale Season 1 returnee, Rita Bitch knows exactly what this competition can do for a queen. "Getting to compete last year pushed me so much further than I thought I could ever go." Her transformation ritual involves a shower, running 10 minutes behind, eating dinner halfway through her eye makeup, and listening to Reddit story podcasts "because it makes me feel like my life is normal." She speed-drives to Gipsy and somehow arrives ready. After-show snack? A taco truck she holds very dear. Live vocals or lip sync? "Did anybody say live vocals?"

Drag Royale Season 2 is underway at Gipsy Nightclub in Las Vegas. The winner receives a QVegas magazine cover shoot. Follow along each week as queens are eliminated and the competition heats up — this crown isn't going to claim itself.