'Surreal': M1ss Jade So to represent the Philippines in first 'Drag Race Down Under vs. The World'
Filipino drag will again go on the world stage when Drag Race Philippines Season 2 joint-third-placer M1ss Jade So represents the country in the upcoming Drag Race Down Under vs. The World.
The first spin-off of Drag Race Down Under, the Australian version of the US reality show RuPaul's Drag Race, will pit Australian drag queens against former contestants in international Drag Race spin-offs. It's the third spin-off in Drag Race's "vs The World" series, coming after similar editions in the UK and Canada.
On June 24, Drag Race Philippines made the announcement on Instagram, with So introducing herself on video.
"It feels surreal to be back here. And now I'm able to show my evolution from dollification to goddessification," she said.
"Being able to travel around the world with the help of Drag Race is such a blessing for me," she added. "Only a few queens get this opportunity. I am so happy to do it and represent the Philippines."
"I really want to show the talent of Filipino drag; and not just the talent, the heart of the Filipinos," the drag queen added.
So will be competing against 10 other queens.
Aside from her, five others will make up "The World" delegation:
- Raven, Drag Race Season 2 and All Stars Season 1 runner-up
- Nicole Paige Brookes, Drag Race Season 2 contestant and All Stars Season 10 11th-placer
- LaLa Ri, Drag Race Season 13 10th-placer and All Stars Season 8 fifth-placer
- Estrella Xtravaganza, Drag Race España Season 2 runner-up
- Michael Marouli, Drag Race UK Season 5 runner-up
The Australian Drag Race contingent includes:
- Art Simone, Season 1 runner-up
- Coco Jumbo, Season 1 ninth-placer
- Flor, Season 3 third-placer
- Vybe, Season 4 runner-up
- Nikita Iman, Season 4 fifth-placer
So will be the fourth Filipino representing Drag Race Philippines in international Drag Race editions. Marina Summers competed in UK vs The World Season 2 and finished joint-third; Eva Le Queen finished 10th in Global All Stars Season 1; and Minty Fresh ended her UK vs The World Season 3 run at ninth place.
She will be the first Drag Race Philippines contestant who will be competing in an international Drag Race edition without having appeared in the show's inaugural season, excluding Slaysian Royale, which was hosted by the Philippines.
Drag Race Philippines Season 2, where So competed, marked the first time in the country's drag scene where transwomen made it all the way to the finals. Raising this banner, aside from So, were Bernie, a fourth-placer, and Captivating Katkat, who emerged as the overall winner.
The judges for Drag Race Down Under vs The World will be Drag Race Down Under main judge Michelle Visage, Australian comedian Rhys Nicholson, and Drag Race Down Under Season 4 winner Lazy Susan.
Drag Race Down Under vs The World will premiere on July 24.
