Drag Race Down Under

New Zealand-Australian reality competition web television series

For the most recent season, see Drag Race Down Under season 4. For the franchise, see Drag Race (franchise).

Drag Race Down Under

Also known as| RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under
Genre| Reality competition
Based on| RuPaul's Drag Race
Presented by|

* RuPaul (s. 1–3)
* Michelle Visage (s. 4–)

Judges|

* RuPaul
* Michelle Visage
* Rhys Nicholson
* Isis Avis Loren
* Kita Mean
* Spankie Jackzon

Theme music composer| RuPaul
Opening theme| RuPaul's Drag Race theme
Ending theme|

* "I'm a Winner, Baby (Skeltal Ki Remix)" (season 1 - 3)
* "A Little Bit of Love" (season 4)

Country of origin| New Zealand
Australia
Original language| English
No. of seasons| 4
No. of episodes| 32
Production
Executive producers|

* RuPaul Charles
* Fenton Bailey
* Randy Barbato
* Tom Campbell

Producer| Amanda Pain
Production location| New Zealand
Editors|

* Kermath
* Cameron Pouesi
* Lachlan Wilson
* Jake Tattersall

Camera setup| Multi-camera
Running time| 60 minutes
Production companies|

* World of Wonder
* Warner Bros. International Television Production New Zealand

Original release
Network| Stan (AU)
TVNZ 2 & TVNZ+ (NZ, 2021–2023)
WOW Presents Plus (International)
Release| 1 May 2021 (2021-05-01) –
present
Related
Drag Race franchise

Drag Race Down Under (formerly RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under) is a reality competition television series based on the American television series of the same name produced by World of Wonder and Warner Bros. International Television Production New Zealand. The show documents Michelle Visage and a panel of judges' search for "Down Under's next drag superstar". Contestants of Drag Race Down Under are either from Australia or New Zealand. In series first three seasons, RuPaul played several roles on the show including host, mentor, and head judge for the series, with the contestants given different challenges to participate in each week. The show has also employed Michelle Visage and Rhys Nicholson as judges. The series premiered on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ OnDemand in New Zealand, Stan in Australia,[1] and on WOW Presents Plus internationally on 1 May 2021.[2] The series is also streaming on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom,[3][4] and broadcast by both Crave and its associated streaming service in Canada.[5]

Drag Race Down Under is the sixth international adaptation of the American reality competition series RuPaul's Drag Race, following Chilean, Thai, British, Canadian, and Dutch versions. It has been followed by Spanish, Italian, French, Filipino, Belgian, Swedish, Mexican, Brazilian, German, and South African iterations.

The ten drag queens from season one compete for the title of the "Down Under's first Drag Superstar", a one-year supply of Revolution Beauty Cosmetics, and a cash prize of A$30,000. The winner of the first season was Kita Mean. In September 2021, the series was renewed for a second season.[6] Casting closed on 5 October 2021.[7] It premiered on July 30, 2022. The winner of the second season was Spankie Jackzon. Casting for season three opened on 24 October 2022.[8] It aired from 28 July to 15 September 2023. Isis Avis Loren won.

On March 11, 2024, WOW announced that RuPaul had stepped down as host and judge of the show, but would remain on as executive producer. Michelle Visage took over as host and main judge from the fourth season, which premiered in November 2024. Because of RuPaul’s exit as host and judge, the show was renamed to Drag Race Down Under, similar to other Drag Race franchises where RuPaul is not the main host and judge. The fourth season of Drag Race Down Under premiered on 1 November 2024. The winner of the fourth season was Lazy Susan.

## Format

[edit]

See also: List of Drag Race Down Under episodes

Like the American version, RuPaul has several roles within the show, acting as host, coach, and judge. As the host, RuPaul introduces celebrity guests, announces the challenges the queens will take part in each week, and reveals who will be leaving the competition. For his role as a coach, RuPaul offers guidance to the contestants through each challenge, and as a judge he critiques the queens on their overall performance of the challenge. The show uses progressive elimination to reduce the number of drag queens in the competition from the initial field of ten contestants (series 1), down to the final four. Each episode follows a format consisting of a mini challenge, a maxi challenge, a runway walk (where the contestants model fashion on a runway, usually with a theme based on the main challenge), the judging panel, a lip sync battle, and the elimination of a contestant.

### Mini challenges

[edit]

In mini challenges, each contestant is asked to perform a different task with varying requirements and time limitations. Certain mini challenges are repeated from series to series, or repeated from the original American season. For instance, the first mini challenge is a photo shoot with a photographer or RuPaul himself, that includes a special twist (such as being doused with water while in full drag, having a high-powered fan turned on during the shoot, or being photographed while jumping on a trampoline). One recurring mini challenge is dedicated to "reading", a drag term for making insulting observations about one's peers for comedic effect, inspired by Paris Is Burning. The winner of a mini challenge is sometimes rewarded with an advantage in the main challenge. Though most episodes have a mini challenge, select episodes do not.

### Maxi challenges and runways

[edit]

The requirements of the maxi challenge vary across each episode, and can be individual or group challenges. The winner of the maxi challenge also receives a special prize for their win. The final maxi challenge consisted of the queens taking part in an all-singing and all-dancing routine to one of RuPaul's songs.

The goal of each maxi challenge involves a new theme and outcome. Contestants are often asked to design and construct a custom outfit, sometimes incorporating unconventional materials. Other challenges focus on the contestants' ability to present themselves on camera, perform with music, or perform humorously. Some challenges became a tradition across seasons, such as the "Snatch Game" (in which the contestants impersonate celebrities as a parody of Match Game), a ball or a makeover, in which the contestants create drag personas for other people. The contestants walk down a runway presenting outfits. If the maxi challenge involves the creation of an outfit, that outfit is presented to the judges in the runway. Otherwise, a theme is assigned and the contestants must put together a look that fits the theme, which is presented to the judges. The runway looks and presentation are judged along with the maxi challenge performance.

### Judging panel

[edit]

A panel of judges cast opinions about the challenge performances and runway looks, first to the contestants onstage, and then again with them offstage.

Judges on Drag Race Down Under[9] Judge  | Season

|

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
RuPaul | Main |
Michelle Visage | Main | TBA
Rhys Nicholson | Main | TBA
Isis Avis Loren |  | Main | TBA
Kita Mean |  | Main | TBA
Spankie Jackzon |  | Main | TBA

RuPaul acted as both the host and main judge, with Michelle Visage and Rhys Nicholson as supporting judges.

The show made an unsuccessful attempt to book New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for some form of appearance, either as a guest judge or making a cameo appearance in the workroom.[10] Ardern declined, citing scheduling issues.[10]

### Companion series

[edit]

There are web series also accompanying each episode of Drag Race. How's Your Head, Queen?, features Michelle Visage checking in with the newly eliminated queen from RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under to chat about their experience, their passions, the future, and more.[11] Fashion Photo RuView, aired for the first season, co-hosted by Raja and Raven who evaluate the runway looks of the main show. Binge Queens with Kita Mean, Angeria Paris VanMicheals, Jasmine Kennedie and June Jambalaya who threw a couch kiki for a weekly watch party for RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under (season 2).[12][13]

Companion series  Show  | Hosts  | Season

|
|

1 | 2 | 3
Fashion Photo RuView | Raja and Raven |  |
How's Your Head, Queen? | Michelle Visage |  |
Bring Back My Girls | Ts Madison |  |
Binge Queens | Kita Mean & Angeria Paris VanMicheals
Jasmine Kennedie & June Jambalaya |  |  |

## Series overview

[edit]

Season| Contestants| Episodes| Originally released| Winner| Runner(s)-up

|
|
|
|
|

First released| Last released
1| 10| 8| 1 May 2021 (2021-05-01)| 19 June 2021 (2021-06-19)| Kita Mean| Art Simone
Karen from Finance
Scarlet Adams
2| 10| 8| 30 July 2022 (2022-07-30)| 17 September 2022 (2022-09-17)| Spankie Jackzon| Hannah Conda
Kween Kong
3| 10| 8| 28 July 2023 (2023-07-28)| 15 September 2023 (2023-09-15)| Isis Avis Loren| Gabriella Labucci
4| 10| 8| 1 November 2024 (2024-11-01)| 20 December 2024 (2024-12-20)| Lazy Susan| Mandy Moobs
Vybe

### Season 1 (2021)

[edit]

Main article: RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under season 1

The first season of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under began airing on 1 May 2021 on Stan in Australia, TVNZ 2 in New Zealand and World of Wonder's WOW Presents Plus streaming service internationally, and ran for 8 episodes. The judging panel included RuPaul, Michelle Visage and Rhys Nicholson. The cast was announced on 6 March on YouTube. Art Simone, Karen from Finance, Kita Mean and Scarlet Adams made it to the final, with Kita Mean being crowned Down Under's first Drag Superstar.

### Season 2 (2022)

[edit]

Main article: RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under season 2

The second season was confirmed and casting was opened on 9 September 2021.[14] Casting closed on October 5.[7] TVNZ said that the network would be partnering with Stan, World of Wonder, Passion Distribution, and Warner Bros. International Television Production New Zealand for another season of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under due to film in New Zealand and premiere in 2022."[15]

According to media reports, the season began filming on 18 January and was scheduled to run through to 14 February 2022. Season 1 judges Michelle Visage and Rhys Nicholson were spotted in south Auckland around this time, leading to speculation that both would be returning to judge season 2.[16] The winner of the second season was Spankie Jackzon, with Hannah Conda and Kween Kong as runners-up.[17][18]

### Season 3 (2023)

[edit]

Main article: RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under season 3

The third season was confirmed and casting was opened on 24 October 2022.[19] Casting closed on 13 November 2022.[7] Isis Avis Loren was the winner and Gabriella Labucci was a runner-up.

### Season 4 (2024)

[edit]

Main article: Drag Race Down Under season 4

The fourth season was confirmed and casting was opened on 24 October 2023. Casting closed on 11 November 2023.[20] Lazy Susan won the season, with Mandy Moobs and Vybe were the runners-up.

## Contestants

[edit]

Main article: List of Drag Race contestants § RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under

There has been a total of 30 contestants featured in RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under.

## Discography

[edit]

List of singles  Title  | Season

|

"Queens Down Under" (Team "Three and a Half Men" & Team "Outback Fake Hoes")  | 1
"I'm a Winner Baby" (Cast Version)
"Bosom Buddies" (Team "BAB'Z" & Team "The Hung Divas")  | 2
"Who Is She" (Cast Version)
"BMX Bitches" (Team "F.A.B. International" & Team "Sexy N Stupid")  | 3

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

Year  | Award ceremony  | Category  | Nominees  | Results  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

2021  | New Zealand Television Awards | Television Personality of the Year  | RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under season 1 — Anita Wigl'it | Nominated  | [21][22]
2022  | Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards | Best Entertainment Program  | RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under season 2 | Nominated  | [23]
2023  | TV Week Logie Awards | Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent  | RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under season 2 — Kween Kong | Nominated  | [24]
Most Outstanding Entertainment Program  | RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under season 2 | Nominated

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Reich, Hannah (30 April 2021). "Rupaul's Drag Race Down Under: A guide to the Australian version of the drag queen reality TV competition". ABC. Archived from the original on 8 July 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
2. ^ Earp, Catherine (8 April 2021). "RuPaul's Drag Race announces premiere date for Australian spin-off". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 8 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
3. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under". BBC Three. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
4. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under: When is it on? And everything else you need to know". 29 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
5. ^ "April 29 – May 5: Crave Weekly Streaming Overview". 28 April 2021. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
6. ^ Sim, Bernardo (9 September 2021). "RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under Season 2 Officially Renewed For 2022". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 10 September 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
7. ^ a b c "RuPaul's Drag Race Casting". Archived from the original on 29 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
8. ^ "G'day, g'day, g'day~ 🦘🥝 Casting has officially begun for #DragRaceDownUnder Season 3!". Instagram. 24 October 2022. Archived from the original on 31 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
9. ^ Barry, Anna (30 April 2021). "Meet the RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under judges". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
10. ^ a b Ethan Sills, "Jacinda Ardern turned down cameo role in RuPaul's Drag Race" Archived 27 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine. The New Zealand Herald, 4 August 2021.
11. ^ "How's Your Head, Queen?". Archived from the original on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
12. ^ "SPOILER ALERT: Binge Queens - RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under Season 2, Episode 1". YouTube. 3 August 2022. Archived from the original on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
13. ^ "Binge Queens". Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
14. ^ "'RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under' Season 2 Is Coming and Casting Begins Now!". Twitter. 9 September 2021. Archived from the original on 9 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
15. ^ Season 2 tvnz.co.nz Archived 19 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine
16. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under Season Two Filming to Commence This Week". GayNation.co. 18 January 2022. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
17. ^ Wong, Justin (17 September 2022). "Can Palmerston North drag queen keep RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under title in NZ?". Stuff. Archived from the original on 17 September 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
18. ^ Brooks, Sam (17 September 2022). "RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under power rankings: And the winner is…". The Spinoff. Archived from the original on 17 September 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
19. ^ "G'day, g'day, g'day~ 🦘🥝 Casting has officially begun for #DragRaceDownUnder Season 3!". Instagram. 24 October 2022. Archived from the original on 31 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
20. ^ "G'day, g'day, g'day! 🦘🥝 Casting is NOW OPEN for #DragRaceDownUnder S4!". Instagram. 24 October 2022. Archived from the original on 31 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
21. ^ "NZ TV Awards Names 2021 TV Legend And TV Personality Of The Year Finalists". Scoop Media. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
22. ^ "This year we had over 36,000 votes cast for the coveted New Zealand Television Personality of the Year 2021 award. The public has spoken and our winner is…Terei Tonight's Nix Adams!". Twitter. 1 March 2022. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
23. ^ "WINNERS & NOMINEE". 31 October 2022. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
24. ^ Kelly, Vivienne (30 July 2023). "2023 Logie Award Winners (FULL LIST)". Variety Australia. Retrieved 29 August 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website (Australia)
* Official website (New Zealand)

* v
* t
* e

Drag Race (franchise)

Americas|

* Brazil
* Canada
* vs. the World
* Chile†
* Mexico

| United States|

* RuPaul's Drag Race
* All Stars
* Global All Stars
* Holi-slay Spectacular
* Live Untucked
* Untucked
* Vegas Revue
* RuPaul's Drag U†
* episodes
* RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race

|

Africa|

* South Africa

Asia–Pacific|

* Australia and New Zealand
* Philippines
* Thailand

Europe|

* Belgium
* France
* All Stars
* Germany
* Italy
* Netherlands
* Spain
* All Stars
* Sweden
* United Kingdom
* vs. the World

Related|

* Contestants
* Discography
* Girl groups
* Pit Crew
* Producer Entertainment Group
* RuPaul's DragCon
* LA
* NYC
* UK
* Rusical
* Snatch Game
* Terminology
* Tongue popping

Key: † No longer in production

* v
* t
* e

Drag Race Down Under

Seasons|

* 1
* 2
* 3
* 4

Contestants|

| Winners|

* Kita Mean
* Spankie Jackzon
* Isis Avis Loren
* Lazy Susan

|

* Amyl
* Anita Wigl'it
* Art Simone
* Ashley Madison
* Aubrey Haive
* Beverly Kills
* Brenda Bressed
* Bumpa Love
* Coco Jumbo
* Elektra Shock
* Etcetera Etcetera
* Faúx Fúr
* Flor
* Gabriella Labucci
* Hannah Conda
* Hollywould Star
* Ivanna Drink
* Ivory Glaze
* Jojo Zaho
* Karen from Finance
* Karna Ford
* Kween Kong
* Mandy Moobs
* Maxi Shield
* Minnie Cooper
* Molly Poppinz
* Olivia Dreams
* Pomara Fifth
* Rita Menu
* Scarlet Adams
* Vybe
* Yuri Guaii

Related|

* Episodes

* v
* t
* e

Stan original programming

Original series|

| Current|

* Drag Race Down Under (since 2021)
* The Tourist (since 2022)
* Love Triangle (since 2022)
* Black Snow (since 2023)
* Totally Completely Fine (since 2023)
* Ten Pound Poms (since 2023)
* Year Of (since 2023)
* C*A*U*G*H*T (since 2023)
* Scrublands (since 2023)
* Prosper (since 2024)
* Gray (since 2024)
* Population 11 (since 2024)
* The Tattooist of Auschwitz (since 2024)
* Thou Shalt Not Steal (since 2024)
* Critical Incident (since 2024)

|

Ended|

* No Activity (2015–2016)
* Wolf Creek (2016–2017)
* Romper Stomper (2018)
* The Other Guy (2017–2019)
* The Commons (2019)
* Bloom (2019–2020)
* The Gloaming (2020)
* After the Night (2020)
* Bump (2021–2024)
* Eden (2021)
* Wolf Like Me (2022-2023)
* Show Me The Money (2022)
* Last Light (2022)
* Bali 2002 (2022)
* Dawn of the Dolphins (2023)
* Bad Behaviour (2023)
* Exposure (2024)

Upcoming|

* Invisible Boys (2025)
* Good Cop/Bad Cop (2025)
* The Geography of Friendship (TBA)
* Ironside (TBA)
* Sunny Nights (TBA)
* Watching You (TBA)

Original films|

| Released|

* A Sunburnt Christmas (2020)
* I Am Woman (2020)
* Relic (2020)
* The Second (2018)
* True History of the Kelly Gang (2020)
* Nitram (2021)
* Gold (2022)
* Nude Tuesday (2022)
* Poker Face (2022)
* Christmas Ransom (2022)
* Transfusion (2023)
* The Portable Door (2023)
* Windcatcher (2024)

|

Upcoming|

* The Surfer (TBA)
* Nugget (TBA)

* v
* t
* e

Drag

Performers‎|

* Drag kings
* list
* Drag queens
* list
* Exóticos
* list
* AFAB queens

History|

* Drag in Africa
* Drag Isn't Dangerous
* Drag panic
* Pansy Craze
* Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
* Tennessee drag ban

Culture|

* Ball culture
* Grand Ducal Council of San Francisco
* Hot Peaches
* International Drag Day
* Tranimal
* Trannyshack

Shows|

| Pageantry|

* La Femme Magnifique International Pageant
* Miss Continental
* Miss Gay America
* Miss'd America
* San Francisco Drag King Contest

|

* Battle of the Seasons
* Best in Drag Show
* Death Drop
* A Drag Queen Christmas
* Drag Queen Story Hour
* Drive 'N Drag
* Mrs. Doubtfire
* Everybody's Talking About Jamie
* Haters Roast
* RuPaul's Drag Race Live!
* Werq the World
* Wigstock
* Wild Side Story

Groups|

* The AAA Girls
* After Dark
* The B-Girlz
* Boulet Brothers
* Cissie and Ada
* DWV
* The Fabulous Wonder Twins
* Frock Destroyers
* Great Garlic Girls
* Hinge and Bracket
* Kiki and Herb
* The Kinsey Sicks
* Lesburlesque
* Queentastic
* Sestre
* She-Dick
* Stephanie's Child
* Sugar and Spice
* Toxice
* Trixie and Katya

Media|

| Books|

* Of Drag Kings and the Wheel of Fate
* Trixie and Katya's Guide to Modern Womanhood

|

Film|

* The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
* The Bitch Who Stole Christmas
* Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud
* Drag Kids
* Huluween Dragstravaganza
* Hurricane Bianca
* From Russia with Hate
* Kiki
* Mrs. Doubtfire
* Outrageous!
* Too Outrageous!
* Over the Garden Wall
* Paris Is Burning
* The Queen
* The Rocky Horror Picture Show
* Some Like It Hot
* The Belles of St. Trinian's
* Blue Murder at St Trinian's
* St Trinian's
* St Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold
* To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
* Trixie Mattel: Moving Parts
* Victor and Victoria
* Victor/Victoria

Music|

* Are a Drag
* Drag Is Magic
* Drag Trap

Television|

* AJ and the Queen
* The American Music Show
* The Boulet Brothers' Dragula
* Call Me Mother
* Canada's a Drag
* Cover Girl
* Dancing Queen
* Drag Den
* Drag Heals
* Drag Latina
* Drag Race
* Belgium
* Brazil
* Canada
* France
* Germany
* Italy
* Mexico
* Netherlands
* Philippines
* Spain
* Sweden
* The Switch
* Thailand
* Drag Queens of London
* Dragnificent!
* Generation Drag
* God Shave the Queens
* House of Drag
* La Más Draga
* Solo Las Más
* Pose
* Queen of the Universe
* Queens
* Queens on the Run
* RuPaul's Drag Race‎
* All Stars
* Down Under
* Drag U
* Secret Celebrity
* UK
* Sketchy Queens
* Super Drags
* The Trixie and Katya Show
* Tongue Thai'd
* Trixie Motel
* UNHhhh
* Vanjie: 24 Hours of Love
* "Werking Mom"
* We're Here

Related|

* Cross-dressing
* Cross-dressing ball
* Cross-dressing in film and television
* Gender variance
* Gender bender
* Red dress party
* Transvestism

* Category

Portals:

* Australia
* LGBTQ
* New Zealand
* Television

*[No.]: Number
*[TBA]: To be announced
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