Manila Luzon wants ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race Philippines’ to happen
RuPaul Drag Race contestant Manila Luzon shared that she’d like a Philippine version of Drag Race to come to fruition.
ICYDK, Manila Luzon, born Karl Philip Michael Westerberg, is a Filipino-American drag queen who’s served as one of the contestants of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 3. As a fan favorite, she went on to star in two seasons of its spin-off show, RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars.
In an exclusive interview with Isabelle Kliger for Vice Asia, the US-born queen shared her roots as an Asian performer. Dancing to tinikling with her Filipino family, as it turned out, inspired her to be a performer.
“It was fun, not only because it was where I met my Filipino friends, but it was also where I first discovered my love of performance.”
She went on to gush about the drag scene in the Philippines, and how she’d be interested in participating in a Drag Race Philippines when the time comes.
“Oh my God, in the Philippines, the drag scene is outstanding. The queens love the fantasy of drag so much and put on these amazing shows," she shared.
"Filipinos also love pageants and Drag Race is the ultimate drag pageant. We love Miss Universe, girl. We have parties for these things. Jiggly Caliente will get in full geish with rhinestones on her eyes, just to watch it," she added.
Manila Luzon went on to name Filipino queer personalities Vice Ganda, Brigiding “Gigi” Aricheta, and transgender drag queen Katkat Dasalla as her local favorites.