12 EMERGING, VETERAN DRAG QUEENS TO COMPETE IN 'DRAG RACE PHL' 2
Paolo Ballesteros will return as the show’s host and main judge, while Jiggly Caliente and KaladKaren will remain as the show’s regular judges
World of Wonder, producer of RuPaul’s Drag Race, has revealed on 11 July the much-anticipated contestants on the second season of Drag Race Philippines, the local version of the phenomenal american drag reality series.
the 12 drag performers, both emerging and established names, are arizona Brandy, astrid Mercury, Bernie, Captivating KatKat, deedee Marié Holliday, Hana Beshie, Matilduh, M1ss Jade So, nicole Pardaux, ØV CÜnt, tiny deluxe, and Veruschka levels. three of them identify as transgender women, a first for the show.
they were introduced to the public through a video and photos, released on social media platforms, donning their bright promo looks inspired by tropical getaways and parties, much to the delight of the growing young fanbase of drag in the Philippines.
these queens will be serving sickenin’ looks and displaying gagging talents to clinch the title of drag Race Superstar of the Philippines and the crown of the second season, which is set to premiere on 2 august on streaming platform HBo go.
actor Paolo Ballesteros will return as the show’s host and main judge, while RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Jiggly Caliente and popular television personality KaladKaren will remain as the show’s regular judges.
Produced by Fullhouse asia Production Studios, in conjunction with World of Wonder Productions, inc. and with Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, tom Campbell, and RuPaul Charles serving as executive producers, Drag Race Philippines will air together with Drag Race Philippines: Untucked, the spinoff program that shows the behind-the-scenes drama.
Know more about the queens:
ARIZONA BRANDY
With a pedestrian-chic style, arizona Brandy is an adele impersonator, who regularly performs at Rapture, a popular drag bar in Cubao, Quezon City. the drag mother of the Rapture Royalties, she would shout, “Shot puno!” (bottoms up!), her iconic catchphrase, as she downs a bottle of beer, showing her brand of humor.
She wrote on twitter (@arizonabrandy): “Hello
mga MAOYs! Alam kong uhaw na uhaw na kayo. Finally, i can officially say that I AM A RUGIRL! lets go Drag Race Philippines Season 2!... i can’t wait for the world to see what CUBAO DRAG is! CUBAO REPRESENT!”
on her promo look, she said, “i wanted to stay true with my ‘brand’ which is i LOVE to DRINK. My partner and i came up with the concept of cocktail since it suits the theme of the promo. i did not want the outfit to be cocktail inspired, i wanted to look like i am the DRINK!”
Astrid Mercury
She is a former cheerleader and a stunt queen, and thus fearless in delivering gagging performances. By day, she works as a call center agent, but at night, she performs at nectar, Club level and Chelu. She admitted that she almost quit drag.
“Dun sa MTQ interview ko, even i started doing drag 7 years ago. i still consider myself a baby queen bc before pandemic happened, wala pa akong 1 year as a drag entertainer then i almost quit doing drag kasi nawawalan na ako ng passion and i was focused sa day job ko,” she wrote on twitter (@astridmercuryyy). “then @dragraceph S1 premiered, i challenged myself that if i joined S2, this will be the comeback of astrid Mercury and it happened. i thought wala nang makakapagpamotivate sa akin to pursue what i really want. thank you sa mga nagpush sa akin sumali dito.”
Bernie
a transgender woman, Bernie is one of the established queens in Manila with more than 16 years of experience in the drag scene. She regularly performs at o-Bar.
CAPTIVATING KATKAT
Captivating Katkat, a proud trans woman, has been garnering accolades in drag. Her claim to fame is a viral video of her rendition of “let it go,” catching attention of the world. She currently performs at the one 690 entertainment Bar.
“Finally!!! no more hiding, no more lying and no more denials! i am now officially a RU GIRL!!!” she wrote on twitter (@itsmekatkat). “it’s time for me to show the world my charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent. and it’s time for you to know who Captivating Katkat really is!”
DEEDEE MARIÉ HOLLIDAY
deedee Marié Holliday is another notable figure in the world of Philippine drag with over a decade of experience. She is also known for her advocacy on aidS awareness and lgBtQ+ rights. during the first years of the pandemic, she temporarily withdrew from the world of drag and sought solace in the United States. now, returning to the Philippines, she rekindles her passion for drag with the show.
HANA BESHIE
an architect based in Cagayan de oro City, Hana Beshie belongs to the Haus of laFeya and part of the queer events managing team g-Spot.
MATILDUH
Hailing from the ilocos region, Matilduh proclaims herself a “Multimedia drag Superstar.” She is also an
M1SS JA DE SO
M1ss Jade So, a fashion design student and proud transgender woman, is a fierce advocate of doll domination, and describes herself as a “power top na bratzy.”
“Fucciana! i’m finally a Rugirliana in Drag Race Filipiniana! im shakening boots, gaggining, glitchining, tweakining. Flapping my Seashell so hard i’m about to BoogSH!” she gushed on twitter (@m1ssjadeso).
NICOLE PARDAUX
Nicole Pardaux represents the drag scene of Cebu. She started doing drag at the onset of the pandemic.
ØV CÜNT
Born in Cavite, ØV CÜnt describes herself as the “enigmatic Provocateur,” and her drag as edgy. She is in the company of Drag Race Philippines Season 1 queens eva le Queen, Marina Summers, and Prince.
TINY DELUXE
With two years of experience, tiny deluxe is a relative newcomer to the drag. She is the drag daughter of Drag Race Philippines Season 1 contestant Viñas deluxe.
VERUSCHKA LEVELS
Based in Hong Kong, Veruschka levels is also a photographer and makeup artist, who has worked with Rita ora, nicky Hilton and gretchen Barretto.