Season 17 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” premiered on MTV last week, giving viewers a first look at contestant Kori King, the self-proclaimed “Black Barbie from Boston.”
King an animator and manga artist who hails from the Hub, made her “Drag Race” debut in style, hitting the runway in a bodycon pink and orange dress, an homage to Boston’s beloved Dunkin’. King, wearing a flowing blonde wig, walked out while carrying an iced coffee cup in her bling-covered hand before greeting the judges with “Good morning, kingdom!”
“It’s time to shake things up,” King said during her “RuPaul’s Drag Race” debut.
In a recent Instagram post shared on King’s profile, the season 17 contestant explained the inspiration behind her look, teasing that “America runs on Kori!” According to King, the orange and pink palette was a nod to both her Boston roots and the colors of the lesbian flag, with the dress also combining elements from a Barbie toy and a previous look from the show’s 15th season.
“I use to be a Barbie collector so the pattern is inspired by the 1959 swimsuit Barbie,” King wrote on Instagram.
King, along with 13 other queens, are competing for $200,000 and the honor of being crowned as “America’s Next Drag Superstar.” This season features queer icon and television star RuPaul back as host, along with judges Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, Ross Mathews, and Ts Madison. Meanwhile pop star Katy Perry joined as a guest judge for the season 17 premiere, while other big names set to appear as guest judges this season include Quinta Brunson, Doechii, Hunter Schafer, Adam Lambert, Whitney Cummings, Sam Smith, Jerrod Carmichael, and Tracee Ellis Ross.
New episodes of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” air Fridays at 8 p.m. on MTV.
Marianna Orozco can be reached at marianna.orozco@globe.com.