Buckle your seat belts, because in 2019 the TV network BBC 3 will air a UK-version of RuPaul’s Drag Race with 10 contestants vying to become “The UK’s Next Drag Superstar.”
The show’s legendary host RuPaul told The Sun, “I am beyond excited to celebrate the massive charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent of the Queen’s queens. And before anyone asks, yes, we would be thrilled to have Meghan Markle join us, as we are already preparing a ‘Royal-Mother-To-Be’ runway challenge.”
The show will be filmed in London and nearly identical to the American version, except with a few British cultural twists (and of course, local celebrity judges). It seems like Michelle Visage will join Ru as a judge, but it’s unclear whether or any of the other current Drag Race judges will join the UK version.
Related: It’s official: The cast of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars” season 4 has been Ruvealed
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The real question for American fans is whether VH1 or the World of Wonder streaming app will ever air the episodes in the US — no word on that yet.
This UK version of Drag Race was actually long in the making. In August 2017, Visage told the DragWorld UK convention in London, “It’s going to happen, just don’t know when.” Now is apparently when.
This is actually the third international Drag Race spin-off. Drag Race Thailand hosted by Art Arya and Pangina Heals aired earlier this year. In 2015, Chile aired The Switch Drag Race. Its first season featured queens from Argentina, Uruguay and Chile, but its second season had queens from Japan, France, the US, Brazil, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Spain.
UK drag fans have already started talking about the show on Twitter.
Drag race uk will be so weird cause the uk is so tiny like we all know each other and like if they don’t let trans/afab queens on the show they’ll run out of people that actually want to do it in like a couple of seasons
— Amber?Cadaverous (@AmberCadaverous) December 5, 2018
Honestly if Drag Race UK is filled with young hot Insta queens and there isn't a single ropey old broad from Blackpool with a red feathery wig and blue eye shadow up to her hairline, I shall sue.
— Richard Butler (@rmdbutler) December 5, 2018
Really not looking forward to drag race UK bc it’s gonna be even harder for uk queens to get themselves out there now
— ???????? (@r0saryb33) December 5, 2018
the UK is a lot smaller than the US and I don’t know how we’ll cope with a drag race, a hierarchy of ru girls will be made and idk how I feel about that
— fern (@ferndelance) December 5, 2018
Drag Race UK was just announced and I think I know the perfect personality who is currently out of a hosting gig… pic.twitter.com/NSlg4Sx88a
— just an italian girl from new york (@ttxao) December 5, 2018
Okay I said sarcastically something about Attenborough voicing over UK drag race in a group chat and now I low-key want it to happen.
"and here we have, shade"
— Matt (@Matt_Collis) December 5, 2018
A few have shown excitement for a UK Dragrace. All we ask is that you also make lots of noise that an entirely inclusive & diverse show is what you want. Where ALL types of drag and gender are actually included.
That is modern drag, drag is punk, and it’s how the UK does it ?????? pic.twitter.com/U5ppLyM0D1
— Dragpunk (@drag_punk) December 5, 2018
If there are very few Scottish queens on UK Drag Race I will be ragin we are overflowing with talent
— f (@frasernyx) December 5, 2018
sorry but this is how I imagine Drag Race UK pic.twitter.com/6YYJ5BXAxU
— Lee Dawson (@LeeDawsonPT) December 5, 2018
The drag community in the UK has worked very hard to have diversity, inclusion and politicality, and to offer a space for kings, queens, trans and non-binary voices. I’m fearful that the UK drag race is going to erase all this work, privilege cis queens, and divide our community.
— Amrou Al-Kadhi (@Glamrou) December 5, 2018
It seems a handful of commenters are worried that Drag Race will dramatically alter the UK drag scene.
Drag performers in the US have complained that Drag Race has made it harder for local drag queens to gain recognition or decent pay (even if they’re massively talented). They say gay bars will pay thousands to Drag Race queens, leaving less money for local talent.
Also, Drag Race tours will often play at non-gay venues, neglecting the gay bars that helped cultivate drag in the first place.
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Polaro
I love a good entertainer at a show and it is irrelevant what their gender is or what they think it is, but Drag Race is a competition of men in dresses. No, women cannot compete. There are thousands of competitions for women to compete in, hands off this one. Proud CIS gay man – without whom you’d all still be in closets.
Crystix
“I wish gay people were more accepted, but I don’t us to become mainstream.”
All these people complainin, yet Drag Race has brought drag to the forefront of mainstream American culture. More money is being poured into drag shows than any other time in American history. When more people come to drag shows, more money is paid to queens, whether its tips or bookings. In a time when gay bars are dying for the simple fact that grindr means people can hook up from their couch, this promotion of gay culture should be welcomed by all.
But alas, its the internet. You can always find someone to rain on a sunny day.