Fred van Leer has discussed the importance of Drag Race Holland.
The renowned Dutch presenter stepped into RuPaul’s heels for the latest spin-off in the franchise, which sees ten drag entertainers taking part in weekly challenges to earn the title of Netherlands’ First Drag Race Superstar.
In addition to the crown, the winner of Drag Race Holland will receive a cover shoot in the Dutch magazine Cosmopolitan Nederland, and a one-of-a-kind haute couture dress by the Dutch designer Claes Iversen.
Speaking to GAY TIMES, Fred describes the series as “fun, edgy, and most of all a very beautiful, comprehensive and an urgent program,” and “a really nice representation of drag in the Netherlands, and maybe more diverse in the kind of drag than we have seen before.”
“But the stars of the show are of course the queens,” he admits.
“So much talent! The program has a lot of Dutch twists in the challenges, and we have a different presenter, Dutch judges and I think you will see a lot of the Dutch realness and humour throughout the show.”
In the 90s and 00s, Fred was one of the most prominent drag queens in the Netherlands. He says it was a time where “tucking or padding was not done at all,” and “completely different from now.”
“We just did something, while this art form has developed rapidly over the years,” he continues. “Every time I see a beautiful drag queen, I’m completely out of my mind. We have so many talented queens in the Netherlands, all with their own backstory, talent and uniqueness.
“It is a vibrant scene is especially Amsterdam, but also my hometown Rotterdam has a lot talented queens, but nowadays they really come from everywhere in the Netherlands. “
Although Fred hails the Netherlands as “progressive” he says violence towards the LGBTQ+ community and drag entertainers is still prevalent in the country, so is hoping to “contribute to the acceptance of drag with this show.”
The queens making HERstory on Drag Race Holland’s first ever season are: Miss Abby OMG, Chelsea Boy, Envy Peru, Janey Jacké, Madame Madness, Ma’Ma Queen, Megan Schoonbrood, Patty Pam-Pam, Roem and Sederginne.
(You can check out the profiles of each contestant here).
Joining Fred on the judging panel is fashion designer, actress and model Nikkie Plessen, writer Sanne Wallis de Vries and Iversen.
Drag Race Holland continues weekly on Thursdays at 11pm on WOW Presents Plus, for more information visit: http://uk.wowpresentsplus.com/
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