M1ss Jade So banners Philippines in 1st 'Drag Race Down Under vs. the World'
MANILA, Philippines — There will be Filipino representation at the upcoming inaugural spin-off special of "Drag Race Down Under," the Australian version of the US reality show "RuPaul's Drag Race."
"Drag Race Down Under vs. the World" will see several Australian drag queens face off against representatives from other international "Drag Race" editions.
This will be the third "vs. the World" concept in the "Drag Race" franchise, following editions in the United Kingdom and Canada.
Bannering the Philippine flag is M1ss Jade So, who previously finished joint third on the second season of "Drag Race Philippines."
At the time, she made history alongside fellow contestants Bernie and Captivating Katkat as the first trans women to compete on the series, making it all the way to the finals, where Katkat was crowned the winner.
"With her commanding presence as a 'body' queen, and a fierce advocate of her 'doll domination' philosophy of trans power, this self-confessed 'power top na bratzy' is ready to take on the whole world one queen at a time," read a description for Jade.
She will be the first "Drag Race Philippines" alumna not from the show's inaugural edition to compete in an international "Drag Race" edition, not including "Slaysian Royale," which the Philippines hosted.
Previously representing "Drag Race Philippines" were Marina Summers on "UK vs. the World" Season 2, where she finished joint-third; Eva Le Queen on "Global All Stars," where she finished 10th; and Minty Fresh on "UK vs. the World" Season 3, where she finished ninth.
The "Drag Race Down Under" competitors having a so-called home court advantage are:
- Art Simone, runner-up of Season 1
- Coco Jumbo, ninth place in Season 1
- Flor, third place in Season 3
- Vybe, runner-up of Season 4
- Nikita Iman, fifth place in Season 4
Five international queens join Jade as "The World" contingent:
- Raven, "Drag Race" Season 2 and "All Stars" Season 1 runner-up
- Nicole Paige Brooks, "Drag Race" Season 2 contestant and "All Stars" Season 10 11th-place finisher
- LaLa Ri, "Drag Race" Season 13 10th-place finisher and "All Stars" Season 8 fifth-place finisher
- Estrella Xtravaganza, "Drag Race España" Season 2 runner-up
- Michael Marouli, "Drag Race UK" Season 5 runner-up
Raven is arguably the highest-profile name competing on the new series, being RuPaul Charles' makeup artist, an Emmy winner, a frequent guest on the main show and co-host of the companion series "Fashion Photo RuView."
This will be Raven's first time competing since "All Stars" Season 1, which aired in 2012.
"Drag Race" co-host, "Drag Race Down Under" main judge and RuPaul's best friend Michelle Visage will host "Drag Race Down Under vs. the World" alongside Australian comedian Rhys Nicholson, another main judge on "Drag Race Down Under," and "Drag Race Down Under" Season 4 winner Lazy Susan.
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