Stan has unveiled the cast and premiere date for “Drag Race Down Under vs the World,” marking the first time queens from across the global “Drag Race” franchise will compete against alumni from Australia and New Zealand in a dedicated format.
The new series will premiere on July 24th on Stan, with new episodes released weekly. The competition will be hosted by Michelle Visage, who returns to the franchise’s “Down Under” edition alongside returning judge Rhys Nicholson and season four winner Lazy Susan.
Eleven queens will compete for the title, including five representatives from “Drag Race Down Under” and six contestants drawn from international versions of the franchise.
Representing Down Under are Melbourne performer Art Simone, Fijian-Australian queen Coco Jumbo, Guatemalan-born New Zealand representative Flor, Auckland queen Nikita Iman and Sydney-based finalist Vybe.
The international contingent features Spanish runner-up Estrella Xtravaganza, American fan favourite LaLa Ri, Filipino star M1ss Jade So, British finalist Michael Marouli, veteran US competitor Nicole Paige Brooks and franchise icon Raven.
The competition will introduce a format change from the standard “Drag Race Down Under” structure. Rather than judges determining who leaves the competition, the top two queens each week will decide which of the bottom contestants faces elimination. Following a final lip-sync battle, the winning queen will reveal who has been sent home.
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Several contestants arrive with significant “Drag Race” pedigrees. Raven remains one of the franchise’s most recognisable figures after reaching the finals of both “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season two and the inaugural “All Stars” season, later earning a Primetime Emmy Award as RuPaul’s makeup artist. LaLa Ri returns after previously competing on both the flagship US series and “All Stars,” while Michael Marouli finished runner-up on the fifth season of “Drag Race UK.”
For Australian audiences, the cast also includes some of the most recognisable names from the local franchise. Art Simone was runner-up on the inaugural season and has since appeared on shows including “The Bachelor Australia,” “Spicks and Specks” and “Would I Lie To You?,” while Coco Jumbo and Vybe are both fixtures of Sydney’s drag scene.
“Drag Race Down Under vs the World” is produced by World of Wonder in collaboration with Stan and WOW Presents Plus. Executive producers include Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell and RuPaul Charles.
The eight-episode season will premiere exclusively on Stan on July 24th.