KALADKAREN IS 'DRAG RACE PHILIPPINES' JUDGE
With KaladKaren’s addition, Drag Race Philippines marks a milestone by having two trans women as permanent judges
World of Wonder (WOW), producer of Drag Race Philippines, revealed that Jervi Li, popularly known as KaladKaren, as one of the regular judges in the maiden season of the Philippine version of hugely popular American drag competition RuPaul’s Drag Race (RPDR) on 20 July on WOW Present Plus’ Twitter account (@wowpresentplus).
The comedian, host and celebrity impersonator also shared the development on her Facebook page, saying, “Super proud to announce that I will be one of your permanent judges on Drag Race Philippines!... Mabu-heyyyy ang Philippine drag and LGBTQIA+ community!!!”
The announcement came after the revelations of Paolo Ballesteros as host and head judge of the highly anticipated reality show on 12 July and of RPDR alum Jiggly Caliente as one of the regular judges on 15 May.
Drag Race Philippines marks a milestone with two transgender women as regular judges.
“The beautiful power of two strong transwomen judging on Drag Race Philippines,” wrote Caliente on her Twitter account, Jiggly Caliente Official (@JigglyCaliente4).
“The future is trans. @kerricolby
(Kerri Colby) flicked her fingers and made two trans women main judges on a franchise. @jervijervi (KaladKaren) brings such a richness in knowledge of the Philippines drag industry to table that I’m excited for you all to see. This is girl power,” said Caliente, a Filipino-American drag queen who appeared in the fourth season of RPDR
and the sixth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, in another post.
On the other hand, KaladKaren on Twitter (@jervijervi) enthused: “Two trans women on the judging panel of Drag Race Philippines! Let’s take up space! The time is now! Mabuhay ang mga (Long live) LGBTQIA+ Filipinos!”
KaladKaren rose to prominence when her video in which she impersonated broadcaster and news anchor Karen Davila became viral. Her screen name is a portmanteau of Karen and the Filipino word “kaladkarin”
meaning “easy to get tagged along,” which can imply being “loose.”
She is now regularly hosting live events and shows such as Umagang Kay Ganda, I Can See Your Voice and The Voice of the Philippines.
Other judges and contestants of Drag Race Philippines are yet to be unveiled. The show will premiere worldwide on 17 August on WOW Presents Plus and Crave in Canada. In addition, Discovery+ and, HBO Go will also be streaming the show. The show is produced in the Philippines by Fullhouse Asia Production Studios along with World of Wonder Productions. Randy Barbato, Fenton Bailey, Tom Campbell, and RuPaul Charles serve as executive producers of the series.