Bangkok queen Pangina Heals will be hosting Drag Race Thailand

17th January 2018

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“I hope I bring in something new and relevant. Drag is a passion, something that should be spread – like a disease!”

Yaaas! Half Thai-half Taiwanese queen Pangina Heals has been announced as the co-host of Thailand’s highly-anticipated debut season of Drag Race.

The drag star will host the RuPaul’s Drag Race spin-off alongside stylist and designer Art Arya.

Heals is best known for winning Thailand’s first ever drag competition, T Battle, and for competing on Thailand Dance Now and Lip Sync Battle Thailand.

In an interview with NewNowNext, she said: “I want to bring a lot of culture from the Thai side and the craft and nitty-gritty details we’ve been trained to see.

“I also understand the Western side of drag after four years in L.A., so merging those two cultures together I hope I bring in something new and relevant. Drag is a passion, something that should be spread – like a disease!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd7mDIXBVB1/?taken-by=panginaheals

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd7OZkEB2N6/?taken-by=panginaheals

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd440weB9_P/?taken-by=panginaheals

Can we get a ‘yaaas kween’?

Be prepared to say it one more time for her co-host Art Arya, who is slaying in this promotional photoshoot.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd7Vpe8jGgh/?taken-by=art_arya

Fenton Bailey of World of Wonder said: “We’re totally excited about Drag Race Thailand. Drag is part of the Thai culture, in some ways more than it has been in the US, historically speaking. Even though they are following the format, I want them to bring their own inimitable style and characteristics.”

On comparisons with the original version, Bailey said: “They should being their own creativity, uniqueness, nerve, and talent. And I think they are doing that!”

He continued: “Thailand’s known as ’the land of smiles, and that’s perfect… because, ultimately, joy is in the DNA of Drag Race.”

Last week, we were given a sneak-peek of Drag Race Thailand’s logo, runway and workroom, and hunties, it looks ah-mah-zeng, and doesn’t stray too far from the original version. See here.

While we wait, take a look at the trailer for RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 3 – starring fan favourites such as Trixie Mattel, Milk, Kennedy Davenport, Chi Chi DeVayne and BenDeLaCreme.

https://twitter.com/RuPaulsDragRace/status/941322619332173824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fcd-gaytimes.j.layershift.co.uk%2Fculture%2F96493%2Fheres-first-look-rupauls-drag-race-thailand%2F

RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 3 premieres on 25 January on VH1.