What is Drag Race UK vs. The World?
Ever since international iterations of RuPaul’s Drag Race began – starting with Drag Race Thailand in 2018 – fans of the show have been clamouring for an ‘International All-Stars.’ Now it seems the drag gods and goddesses (or just RuPaul Charles and World of Wonder) have answered those prayers. Taking the premise of the established All Stars spinoff format, which pits stand out participants from various seasons of the original American series against one another for a chance to enter the Drag Race Hall of Fame, Drag Race UK vs. The World brings together nine contestants from the American, British, Canadian, Dutch and Thai versions of the show to do pretty much the same thing.
Other than the name and premise, there’s something else distinctly different about Drag Race UK vs The World, and that’s the implication of a revolving door of ‘host nations’ in the title. While this inaugural season takes place in the UK, after this, Drag Race [insert country here] vs The World will see main judge Michele Visage tour other countries in the Drag Race family. This is where the Eurovision of it all factors in, as not only is there national pride at stake, but potentially these host nations will be decided by which queen wins.
The fact that Drag Race UK vs The World even exists could also further fan the flames of the ‘Winners’ season of Drag Race candle that fans have been keeping burning for quite some time. The power of manifesting, or just wavelength thinking between consumer and producer? Maybe both! An ‘International Winners’ season also has a nice ring to it…
Meet the cast of Drag Race UK vs. The World
Baga Chipz (UK)
One of three queens from the first season of Drag Race UK, Baga Chipz was a strong contender for the title… right up until an unfortunate (and controversial) makeover challenge with her mum lost her significant steam. Up until that point, Baga gave us classic British comedy queen energy, a really fabulous fur coat and an organically created catchphrase (“Much betta!”) – one that she’s rightfully milked to death and will no doubt continue to do so for UK vs. The World. If she doesn’t lose confidence in herself again, she could easily dominate this time around.
Blu Hydrangea (UK)
The second Drag Race UK Season 1 queen, Blu Hydrangea was one of the show’s most underestimated contestants, eventually finishing in a respectable fifth place. The Irish performer is perhaps most memorable – not only for their immaculate makeup and runway presentations – but also for coming out with absolute filth, despite a falsely-projected sweet and innocent aura. Blu is also one-third of iconic girl group The Frock Destroyers along with Baga and Season 1 runner up Divina De Campo. They’ve certainly got a shot at getting further in the competition this time.
Cheryl Hole (UK)
Back for another season of no longer being “mediocre” is the third and final Drag Race UK Season 1 queen, and holder of one of the best celebrity pun names ever, Cheryl Hole. Despite Cheryl’s struggles to get on top of the competition, her sheer charisma – and lip-syncing skills – saw her cling on to finish in fourth place in front of Blu. And though her track record wasn’t great, her knowing underdog status made her a firm fan favourite and an obvious pick for a comeback series such as UK vs. The World for redemption.
Jujubee (US)
This will be American queen Jujubee’s [checks notes] 356th time competing on a Drag Race or drag-related show, and apparently, neither World of Wonder or we, the viewing public, can get enough of her because she’s always a welcome addition anywhere. Her time as a Ru girl goes all the way back to Season 2 of the US show, though she’s perhaps best remembered for that showstopping Robyn lip sync against BFF Raven in the first-ever All Stars season. She’s going into UK vs. The World fairly fresh off of an All Stars return just two years ago which she nearly won. Can she keep the momentum up and go all the way this time?
Mo Heart (US)
Formerly known as Monique Heart, America’s sweetheart is also a well-seasoned contestant, having competed in Season 10 of US Drag Race, All Stars 4 and appeared in Secret Celebrity Drag Race. Mo is also another catchphrase flogger after being called out by Michelle Visage on her original season for mistaking giraffe print for cow (“brown cow, stunning!”), but she’s also distinctive for her motormouthed, effervescent charm, particularly during confessionals, which were often presented, hilariously, like presidential addresses to the nation (“Facts are facts, America!”). A hair’s breadth away from taking a title in All Stars, Mo is fierce competition.
Jimbo (Canada)
Jimbo the ‘drag clown’ is one of the most unique performers any iteration of the show has ever had. Combining busty, Pam Anderson-inspired sexuality with deranged performance art, Jimbo is the kind of straight-up weirdo who brings some much-needed unpredictability to a franchise straining to remain interesting thanks to its own tired formula and meddling producers. What let the ‘bodacious, bizarre and intoxicating’ queen down towards the end of Canada’s Drag Race Season 1 was an unwillingness to take criticism. She finished just outside of the Top 3 and has hopefully grown a bit since then.
Lemon (Canada)
Jimbo’s fellow Season 1 queen from Canada, Lemon is a model, dancer and ‘rapstress’ who’d only been doing drag for a year before making it onto the show. They’re also well-travelled, being part of the same New York drag family as previous US competitors Alexis Michelle, Rosé, Jan, Brita and Dusty Ray Bottoms while All Stars 2 winner Alaska first put them in drag. Though clearly prodigious, Lemon’s time on Canada’s Drag Race was rocky, with the high points being their verse in “Not Sorry Aboot It” and Snatch Game Jojo Siwa impression. They placed fifth in the end and will likely have been getting more polished in the intervening years since.
Janey Jacké (Netherlands)
Viewers probably won’t be too familiar with the Holland spinoff, which, like all of the non-English language series, weren’t as widely accessible to international audiences. What you need to know about Janey is that she was the runner-up of Drag Race Holland’s first season and that she’s part of an extensive Dutch drag house, House of Galore. Janey had a fairly spotless record, winning three challenges in total and only landing in the Bottom Two once. More importantly, she was voted ‘shadiest’ queen by her fellow contestants, so if nothing else, expect some winning put-downs from her here.
Pangina Heals (Thailand)
Pangina’s inclusion as a contestant for Drag Race UK vs. The World is curious considering she’s one of the hosts of Drag Race Thailand – a career move that’s basically a reverse Brook Lynn Hytes. After spending some time studying in the US, Pangina shot to fame as a celebrity drag queen in Southeast Asia, to the point that she was named as Taipei’s travel ambassador to her native Thailand, sharing both Thai and Tai ethnicity. Pangina isn’t a stranger to these kinds of competitions, however, having won T Battle, Thailand’s previous take on Drag Race, but UK vs The World will be the first time most of us will get a taste of what she’s made of.
The judges of Drag Race UK vs. The World
Drag Race mainstay and Anglophile Michelle Visage will be taking over the main hostessing duties, joined by regular UK judges Alan Carr and Graham Norton. Extra special celebrity guest judges will be Spice Girl Mel C, TV personality Katie Price, actress Michelle Keegan, Little Mix member Jade Thirlwall, actor Jonathan Bailey, dancer Johannes Radebe, actress Daisy May Cooper and radio presenter Clara Amfo.
When is Drag Race UK vs. The World being released?
Imminently! The first episode will air on Tues 1 Feb at 9 pm. Just like a regular season of Drag Race UK, it’ll be available to watch on BBC Three, coinciding with the channel’s return to broadcast television – a relief to British audiences after the unpopular decision to move the US show from Netflix to the WowPresents streaming app.
words HANNAH COLLINS