Damon Mcknight
RuPaul's Drag Race is a reality competition television series that originated in the United States but has since expanded internationally. The show, hosted by RuPaul, features drag queens competing in various challenges to prove they have what it takes to be a Drag Superstar. In 2021, it was announced that the show would be coming to Australia and New Zealand, with the first season airing on Stan in Australia and TVNZ 2 in New Zealand. The show, renamed Drag Race Down Under, was hosted by RuPaul for its first three seasons before Michelle Visage took over as host and main judge in season four.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| RuPaul's Drag Race in Australia | Drag Race Down Under |
| Host | RuPaul (Seasons 1-3), Michelle Visage (Season 4) |
| Premiere Date | 1 May 2021 |
| Network | Stan, TVNZ 2, WOW Presents Plus |
| Contestants | Australian and New Zealand drag queens |
| Seasons | 4 seasons |
| Winner of Season 1 | Kita Mean |
| Winner of Season 2 | Spankie Jackzon |
| Winner of Season 3 | Isis Avis Loren |
| Winner of Season 4 | Lazy Susan |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under
In the 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, and on WOW Presents Plus internationally on 1 May 2021. The winner of the first season was Kita Mean, with Art Simone, Karen From Finance, and Scarlet Adams placing as the runners-up.
In September 2021, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on July 30, 2022. The winner of the second season was Spankie Jackzon. Casting for season three opened on 24 October 2022, and it aired from 28 July to 15 September 2023. Isis Avis Loren was crowned the winner. On March 11, 2024, WOW announced that RuPaul had stepped down as host and judge of the show but would remain on as an executive producer.
The fourth season, which premiered on 1 November 2024, saw Michelle Visage take over as host and main judge. The winner of the fourth season was Lazy Susan. RuPaul continued to act as host, coach, and judge in the American version of the show.
The Purification Process of Bottled Water in Australia
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Host and judge
RuPaul's Drag Race is a competition reality show where Drag Artists from all over America compete for the title of America's Next Drag Superstar. The show has had several international adaptations, including in Chile, Thailand, Britain, Canada, and the Netherlands.
In 2021, it was announced that RuPaul's Drag Race would be coming to Australia and New Zealand. The first season of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under aired on Stan in Australia and TVNZ 2 in New Zealand, with the first episode premiering on May 1, 2021. RuPaul served as the host and head judge for the first three seasons of the show. In addition to hosting, RuPaul introduced celebrity guests, announced challenges, and critiqued the queens on their performance.
In 2024, it was announced that RuPaul had stepped down as host and judge of the show but would remain on as an executive producer. Michelle Visage, who had previously served as a judge on the show, took over as the new host and head judge. The fourth season, which premiered on November 1, 2024, marked the first time in the 15-year history of the Drag Race franchise that RuPaul was not the host.
Tallest Aussie Animal: Who Takes the Crown?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Conflicting reports on RuPaul's presence
There have been conflicting reports on RuPaul's presence in the Australian version of the show.
On the one hand, there were rumours that RuPaul did not travel to Australia for the show's filming due to the long distance. Some viewers noticed that RuPaul and the queens were never seen in the same shot, and that a blurring effect was used on RuPaul, leading to speculation that he was edited into the shots.
However, others have refuted these claims, stating that RuPaul has properties in Australia and would have been able to expense his trip. Additionally, some people who worked on the set in Auckland claimed to have taken selfies with RuPaul, and that his arrival in New Zealand was always newsworthy.
It was confirmed that RuPaul hosted the first three seasons of the show, but in March 2024, it was announced that he had stepped down as host and judge, remaining only as an executive producer. The fourth season, which premiered in November 2024, was hosted by Michelle Visage.
While there was speculation that a local drag queen would host the Australian version, with Australia's Courtney Act being a possible contender, this was deemed unlikely due to her public criticism of RuPaul. RuPaul himself had also stated that he "cannot wait for everyone to see that Down Under queens have some of the biggest charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talents in the world".
Therefore, while there were conflicting reports about RuPaul's presence in the Australian version, it seems that he was indeed present for the first three seasons, after which he stepped down as host and judge.
Australian Dance Theatre: A Foundation Story
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Local airing rights
In 2021, ITV Studios Australia confirmed that it had secured the rights to air and broadcast RuPaul's Drag Race. The CEO of ITV Studios Australia, David Mott, stated that the company had secured the local airing rights for the show, which was expected to debut in Australia by 2020. The Australian version of the show was described as a hybrid between "Project Runway," "Next Top Model," and "Australia's Got Talent."
The first season of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under premiered on Stan in Australia on May 1, 2021. The show featured contestants from Australia and New Zealand and was hosted by RuPaul himself, with Michelle Visage and Rhys Nicholson as judges. The series was also streamed internationally on WOW Presents Plus.
In 2024, it was announced that RuPaul had stepped down as host and judge of the show but would remain on as an executive producer. Michelle Visage took over as the host and main judge for the fourth season, which premiered on November 1, 2024.
While there was initially speculation about whether RuPaul would host the Australian version of the show due to his busy schedule, he did serve as the host and judge for the first three seasons. RuPaul's husband is Australian, and he has expressed excitement about showcasing the talent of Down Under queens.
With the local airing rights secured by ITV Studios Australia, the show has been a huge success in the country, with all seasons available to stream on Stan, solidifying its position as the unrivalled home of original productions in Australia.
Transfer Money from Australia to a UK Bank Account
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Contestants and judges
RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under is a reality competition television series based on the American television series of the same name. The show documents the search for "Down Under's next drag superstar". Contestants of Drag Race Down Under are either from Australia or New Zealand.
In the first three seasons, RuPaul played several roles on the show, including host, mentor, and head judge for the series. Contestants were given different challenges to participate in each week. RuPaul stepped down as host and judge of the show before the fourth season, remaining on only as an executive producer. Michelle Visage took over as host and main judge from the fourth season.
The judging panel has included RuPaul, Michelle Visage, and Rhys Nicholson. Guest judges have included G Flip, Love Island Australia host Sophie Monk, Sasha Colby, Matt Okine, and New Zealand singer Ladyhawke.
Contestants on the show have included Kita Mean, Art Simone, Karen From Finance, Scarlet Adams, Coco Jumbo, Etcetera Etcetera, and Jojo Zaho.
Australia's National Governing Bodies in Sports Explained
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, RuPaul hosted the first three seasons of 'Drag Race Down Under' which features contestants from Australia and New Zealand.
The show is available to stream on Stan, Australia's home of original productions.
RuPaul was a judge on the show for the first three seasons. Michelle Visage, Rhys Nicholson, and RuPaul were the main judges. In season 4, Michelle Visage took over as host and main judge.
RuPaul's husband is Australian, and they own ranches and properties in Australia.
The show features drag queen contestants competing in an elimination-style contest to prove that they are "Down Under's next drag superstar".
