Overview
It has been 12 years since RuPaul's Drag Race first premiered in the US, and its mission to unearth the next drag superstars shows no signs of stopping. Currently, the original series is airing its thirteenth season, while international versions also exist in the UK — also hosted by RuPaul — plus Thailand, Holland, Chile and Canada. Next, it's finally making the leap to Australia and New Zealand.
RuPaul's Drag Race already airs locally, but, in exciting news, it's now it's being made here as well — courtesy of the aptly titled RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under. Announced back in January, the eight-part series will focus on Aussie and NZ drag queens battling for supremacy, and will air on Stan in Australia and TVNZ OnDemand in New Zealand sometime later in 2021.
And, while not all overseas iterations of Drag Race are hosted by RuPaul, RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under definitely will be. RuPaul will also take on judging duties with show veteran Michelle Visage and Australian comedian Rhys Nicholson. If you're wondering just who'll be competing, too, that was unveiled on Saturday, March 6 during the 2021 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Ten contenders will strut their stuff for drag supremacy, spanning seven Australians and three New Zealanders. So, prepare to see plenty of Art Simone from Geelong, Melbourne's Karen from Finance, and Sydney's Coco Jumbo, Etecetera Etcetera and Maxi Shield. Newcastle's Jojo Zaho and Perth's Scarlet Adams round out the Aussie queens, while Auckland's Kita Mean, Anita Wigl'it and Elektra Shock comprise the NZ contingent.
Fans already know the format, which features fashion challenges, workroom dramas and lip sync battles aplenty. If you're a newcomer to all things Drag Race, you'll watch these Australian and NZ competitors work through a series of contests to emerge victorious, and join the likes of US contenders Jinkx Monsoon, Sasha Velour and Sharon Needles in being crowned the series' winner.
Check about the RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under cast reveal video below.
RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under will hit Stan and TVNZ OnDemand sometime later in 2021 — we'll update you with an air date once further details are announced.
Top image: RuPaul's Drag Race.