Featured art by Bhernn Saenz. Images via Drag Race Philippines, IG and YouTube.
MANILA, Philippines — New season, new battlefield! Asian drag artists across the globe will sharpen their weapons as they combat for the inaugural season of Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale.
A first of its kind, the Drag Race Philippines Franchise gathers five Filipina drag queens, from previous seasons of the franchise in an All-Star season unlike any other. Slaying the Five-Filipina warrior line-up are Brigiding and Viñas Deluxe, from the pilot season, Arizona Brandy and Bernie, bringing the flag of the second season, and fresh from the latest season of the Philippine franchise, the girl with a K, Khianna, who are all set to battle head-to-head with one another and seven other queens from Drag Race from franchises around the globe for what is touted as a complete Asian Drag Domination.
As they face a battle of uniqueness and pride with other queens, what’s inside their arsenal to win the first-ever crown of this All-Asian war?
A representation of a “mother”, Brigiding holds the power of her experiences through years of doing drag. “Branding” might have been the ultimate “identifier” affixed to her stay in her season (for no basis whatsoever, if we’re being honest), but she is now more than ready to redeem herself and showcase a whole new, fully-realized queen. A comrade of hers in Divine Divas will now see each other from the other side of the battlefield, Viñas Deluxe, who, to many is one of the campiest queen brought to the franchise. With her towel dress entrance in her season, she will enter this clash with no ceasefire in mind, with camp multiplied, dare we say.
There’s Bernie, bringing the pride of the transgender community in her arsenal. Strutting the drag stage for more than a decade brought her high respect and reputation. Stories of helping and supporting her family fuel her drive to win this All Stars season. Another contender, is Arizona Brandy who is armed with her out-of-this-world gags. Almost clinching the second season crown, the queen of the “shot-puno!” and known advocate to shine a light on lesser known bars like Rapture in Quezon City, will make sure to end the war with the crown.
From a provincial queen to now competing in an All-Asian cast, Khianna with a K serves an enormous amount of representation and inspiration. Making noise from the latest season, Khianna is for sure dropping her body on the floor with grace and sass, strutting the runway with her mind-blowing looks and performances.
Completing the Asian warriors are Ivory Glaze, a Chinese-Dutch queen who competed in the third season of Drag Race Down Under. Kitty Space, who is Vietnamese in heritage, graced the stage of Drag Race France Season 2. Fellow Vietnamese queen is Madam Yoko, who served power in the second season of Drag Race Belgique. Thailand’s very own Siam Phusri, who finished 7th place in Drag Race Thailand is also in contention, along with French-Canadian and her season’s Miss Congeniality, Suki Doll of Canada’s Drag Race Season 2. From Drag Race UK, a British-Chinese-Vietnamese Sum Ting Wong will carry her heritage on her way to battle royale. And lastly, Yuhua Hamasaki, a Chinese-American queen who battled in the 10th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
The much-awaited Slaysian Royale will be hosted by the same icon who brought to life the first three seasons of Drag Race Philippines, Paolo Ballesteros. We are just counting weeks for us to witness another history in the Asian drag books.
The first episode premieres on August 13, exclusively on WOW Presents Plus. This all new stake for Asian Drag domination will be a bloodshed of looks, performances, lip syncs, but a wealth of stories of hope, grit, and power.
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