The drag world is moving a mile a minute these days! If you’re worried you might have missed some of the week’s biggest stories, we understand. That’s where The Week in Drag comes in, your weekly look at the biggest stories unfolding in the drag scene. From shocking moments that unfold in the RuPaul’s Drag Race franchise to what’s going on in your local scene, we’ve got you covered!
The cast of Drag Race Down Under showed off their improv chops
Season 2 of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under is currently airing on the WOWPresents+ app and it’s a season not to be missed. This weekend, the cast showed off their best celebrity impersonation skills on everyone’s favorite challenge, the Snatch Game! Some highlights from the hilarious event were Hannah Conda’s incredible performance as the legendary Liza Minnelli. Other highlights were Kween Kong as the iconic Real Housewives of Atlanta star, NeNe Leakes. However, some impressions were not up to the bar, like Minnie Cooper who took on the difficult task of performing as Ellen DeGeneres. She would sashay away.
A Season 1 contestant is dropping off of the Down Under tour
The cast of the inaugural season of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under is set to hit the road in Australia on a tour put on by Voss Events. However, not every queen who was slated on the lineup will be hitting the road. Etcetera Etcetera announced on Twitter that she would not be joining the tour after all. She stated that she made it clear to Voss that she would not join the tour if a specific queen was to join. Though she did not name names, fans have concluded she is likely talking about Scarlett Adams, who had been caught up in several allegations of racism.
“I believe drag artists should act in solidarity with marginalized communities and not stand by when a problematic artist continues to get cast for huge opportunities,” Etcetera wrote. “They made the choice to ignore the concerns of myself and other cast members. I don’t believe someone who performed racist acts for years – even after being called out – should be given a paid spot at EVERY show on a national tour.”
Scarlett is on the tour, which kicks off in Sydney on September 28th.
Jiggly Caliente’s Drag Race Philippines debuted
Another installment of Drag Race hit WOW Presents Plus soon. Drag Race Philippines features Season 4 and All Stars 6 contestant, Jiggly Caliente as the lead judge. She will be the first transgender woman to lead the competition reality show. Episode one recently dropped and it’s definitely worth a watch!
“I am overjoyed in a major major way to be joining the judge’s panel for Drag Race Philippines,” she told Entertainment Weekly. “There is a fierce Filipino drag scene and I am proud to be returning to my home country in this new role as a Drag Race judge to shine a spotlight on these incredible artists to the world — or the universe, rather. Pak! Mabuhay, Drag Race!”
In episode 1, the queens brought it in a talent show. The new Drag Race series streams on Wednesdays on WOW Presents Plus.
There is more Dragula on the horizon
Recently, it was announced that the Boulet Brothers, the twisted masterminds behind the hit competition reality show Dragula, have signed a new deal with the streaming service Shudder to bring fans even more content. Not only will there be a new season of the show, but also a spin-off series and a special. While details are unknown at this time, fans of the dark and grungy drag series are in for a treat, likely around Halloween time.
The fourth season of Dragula was Shudder’s most popular series of 2021. It’s no surprise that the platform is looking to expand the franchise.
A Drag Race producer spilled the beans on how the lip sync songs are chosen
How many times have you been watching RuPaul’s Drag Race and wondered how they selected the song the bottom queens face off to? I know I have a million times. Tom Campbell, an executive producer on RuPaul’s Drag Race recently shared just how the decision is made.
He shared with the WOW Report that there is a music team who selects the songs on the show, but they are definitely not the final say. RuPaul herself is in the driver’s seat when it comes to the selection.
Campbell said, “He[RuPaul] will reject songs because they’re the wrong tempo, they don’t build, there’s all of these factors he’s thinking about. Back in the iPod days, when RuPaul gave you an iPod that he had loaded with music, it was a gift from god.” Adding, “He is truly a Ph.D. in pop culture, especially when it comes to music.”
Of course, there’s that whole licensing agreement and technical side to it, but Ru does play a huge role in what songs are featured during the lip syncs!
Show Biz!
Are you in the Washington DC area and looking to attend a killer local gig? Look no further than the new weekly show, Daddy Issues, at Kiki! Hosted by Crystal Edge, the inaugural show is on September 7th at 9 PM. The opening cast includes Cake Pop, Crimsyn, Druex Sidora, and Indiana Bones! Support local drag!
Now you’re caught up on The Week in Drag! Did you see an amazing pageant and want to share the results? Did you see a show that had you shook as the kids say? Is there a big story in your local drag scene you want share? Send us an email (contact@werrrk.com) and it might be featured in a future edition of The Week in Drag!
