M1ss Jade So all set to conquer ‘Drag Race Down Under vs The World’

From being a fan favorite and finalist in “Drag Race Philippines” Season 2, Filipina drag queen M1ss Jade So is now set to conquer the international stage, represent the country in “Drag Race Down Under vs the World” Season 1 and win the crown.

M1ss Jade is grateful to learn more about the art of drag and even heal her inner child after her run on the show.

“Pinagpala ako na maging fan favorite from my season. Bihira lang maging fan favorite… I’m really, really grateful sa support ng fans. Kung hindi dahil sa kanila, hindi ko makukuha ‘yung success na mayroon ako ngayon. Thankful ako na tinulungan nila ako sa craft ko na hindi lang hard work ko, hard work din nila ‘yung binigay nila para sa akin,” the drag queen told The STAR in an exclusive interview.

“I’ve been traveling for provincial shows and international shows. Nagkaroon din ng music videos, music projects, nagulat ako, na-invite akong mag-TED Talk, the biggest TED Talk in the Philippines sa Davao. Sobrang daming opportunities, kaya ko nang bumili ng concert tickets, na-heal ko ‘yung inner child ko, na-meet ko ‘yung mga idols ko,” she added.

Initially pegged to join her fellow Filipina queens at “Slaysian Royale,” M1ss Jade took a pause and set her sights on representing the country at an international franchise, and then she later got the call to compete on “Drag Race Down Under vs the World” Season 1.

“Nag-isip ako ng isang araw. Nagtanong ako sa mga friends ko, sa team ko. I really, really love the invitation, but I want to see it for my sisters in ‘Drag Race Philippines.’ I want to compete internationally. I want to represent the Philippines and the vortex of citizens. My citizens on my planet,” the drag queen said.

“Sobrang saya, sobrang fulfilling kasi I’ve been waiting for this for three years. Ang mga work na nakuha ko, anything about my career, ginawa ko siyang training ground,” she added.

Dollification

While financially challenged to prepare for the competition, her determination to compete took over and made her push through the season.

“Sobrang hirap kasi nung tinawagan ako, wala akong ipon. Nag-travel talaga ako, nag-concert ako. Doon ko talaga nilaan lahat para i-heal ang inner child. Tuloy-tuloy ‘yung shows kaya okay naman. Nanghingi na ako ng tulong sa mga sisters ko, sa family ko,” M1ss Jade said.

“Naitawid naman. Kailangan lang talagang gawan ng paraan. Diniskartehan ko siya nang bongga. Mahirap siya, but at the same time, ‘yung adrenaline rush ko, hindi ko na naisip na mahirap siya, parang kaya ko ‘to, eh. Ito ‘yung hinihintay ko,” she added.

While getting advice from US winners Nymphia Wind, Sasha Colby and her drag mother Kerrie Colby, it was her fellow Filipina sister, Marina Summers, who competed in “Drag Race UK vs The World” Season 2, which really helped her prepare for the show.

Asked what advice stuck to her, M1ss Jade said, “Just enjoy the camera. Do not overthink what will be the outcome or edit. People are thinking that it’s the edit. Kaya nga may song si RuPaul na Blame It On The Edit. Hindi ‘yon mangyayari ‘yon sa akin… ‘yong magiging villain kasi kung ano ‘yung binibigay ko, ‘yan ‘yung lalabas sa camera.”

M1ss Jade was glad to meet her fellow queens on the show, saying and said, “Sobrang bait nila. Sobrang sweet. I felt welcomed. Hindi ako na-intimidate mag-English. Minsan, mali-mali ‘yung grammar ko, pero okay lang sa kanila.”

“Throughout the season, I was living my world, but I’m letting it live, too. Parang binibigay ko sa sisters ko. I’m not just a narcissist b***h. I’m giving them airtime or knowledge that I have,” she added.

Goddessafication

Known for her branding of “Dollification,” M1ss Jade said that her new brand of “Goddessafication” will show how much she has grown since her last season in 2023.

“Dollification is actually like my child self. Bata pa lang kasi talaga ako nu’n, eh. I was 23. Dollification is the child self na nag-ta-transition into a doll. She’s doing physical cosmetic surgeries, gender-affirming surgeries, and also to look like a doll. I love dolls in general. Bata pa lang ako ito na ‘yung gusto kong maging. Sobrang ganda, mahubog ‘yung katawan, ang ganda ng skin, and ginawa ko siya,” the drag queen said.

“For the Goddessafication, it’s all about the mind, body, soul and spirit to learn all of it so that you’ll gain your self-awareness, awakening to the spiritual realm, hindi ka nakakatapak ng tao sobrang aware mo sa sarili mo kung ano ‘yung binibigay mo at ni-re-receive mo. Also, an upgrade to the visuals from the word goddess. It’s an elevation like, wow, a beautiful, gorgeous, stunning goddess. At the same time, I put my stint on it. It’s esoteric that’s out of this world,” she added.

M1ss Jade admitted that it’s also a pressure to her to represent the Philippines, but Marina advised her to be her authentic self and represent who she is in the competition.

“May pressure siya to represent the Philippines, pero sinabi sa akin ni Marina na huwag mo masyadong isipin ‘yung representation kasi mas importante na ni-re-represent mo ‘yung sarili mo,” the Filipina star said.

As a trans woman, it is also important for M1ss Jade to represent her fellow dolls on the show: “Being here to represent the trans community also is such a responsibility, but I will take it as important as my craft. Lagi ko siyang i-ni-incorporate, ‘di ko siya kinakalimutan. Lagi dapat may pinaglalaban,” she added.

At the end of the day, M1ss Jade takes to heart the value of representing the country: “It’s very important because (it’s) not just the visibility, it’s the awareness of the world that the people in the Philippines have talent. Even if we are a third-world country, may ibubuga tayo. Hindi hadlang ‘yung government or ‘yung status natin sa country compared to the international ones, ‘di hadlang ‘yun.

“As the first Filipina international winner, it would be such an honor and an ultimate blessing. Sobrang grabe ‘to ‘pag sa akin binigay. I will teach ‘I am you, you are me, we are we are all one within,’ infinitely. Papalawakin ko pa siya, i-su-spoon-feed ko pa siya. Hihimayin pa natin siya. Aanuhin pa natin siya kasi naa-ano pa ‘yung mga tao na, ‘ano sinasabi niya?’ Pero 50-50, ‘yung mga tao naiintindihan naman. ‘Yan ‘yung magiging mission, if I will get the crown.”

In jest, M1ss Jade makes a plea to her supporters: “My message to my fans, to my Susos, believe in me so that you’ll believe in yourself, too.”