It goes without saying, but 2021 was the year of Drag Race. After the US original and UK edition kicked off the year with a bang – and a bing and a bong! – domination extended worldwide with returning seasons in Canada and Holland, as well as brand new iterations in countries such as Spain and Italy. 2021 also made herstory for trans representation when season two’s Kylie Sonique Love sashayed away with the crown on All Stars 6, becoming the first trans contestant to do so on a season hosted by RuPaul, which was later followed by Vanessa Van Cartier sweeping the competition on Drag Race Holland. Expect more herstory-making achievements this year because 2022 consists of all of the aforementioned shows and brand new series, as well as the international edition of All Stars and the first ever all-winners season. Read below for all of the Drag Race that will be sashaying onto our screens this year.
RuPaul’s Drag Race season 14 (7 January)
Where can I watch it? VH1 (US), WOW Presents Plus (International)
Cast: Alyssa Hunter, Angeria Paris VanMicheals, Bosco, Daya Betty, Deja Skye, Jasmine Kennedie, Jorgeous, June Jambalaya, Kerri Colby, Kornbread ‘The Snack’ Jeté, Lady Camden, Maddy Morphosis, Orion Story
The 14th season of the flagship series premiered 7 January in the United States on VH1, and made herstory with the franchise’s first ever straight cis male contestant in the form of Maddy Morphosis, and for featuring five openly trans women in Bosco, Jasmine Kennedie, Kerry Colby, Kornbread “The Snack” Jeté and Willow Pill. (The only other seasons of Drag Race to include more than one trans woman are the sophomore season of Drag Race Thailand and All Stars 6.) For the first time since season four, the prize money was increased from $100,000 to $150,000, while the runner-up received $50,000. In April, Willow was crowned the winner, while Lady Camden and Kornbread earned second place and the title of Miss Congeniality, respectively.
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World (1 February)
Where can I watch it? WOW Presents Plus (US and International), BBC iPlayer (UK)
Cast: Baga Chipz, Blu Hydrangea, Cheryl Hole, Janey Jacké, Jimbo, Jujubee, Lemon, Mo Heart, Pangina Heals
The first ever international edition of All Stars saw the queens of Drag Race UK go head-to-head with some of the most talented performers from other global editions of the franchise, including the original US version, Canada’s Drag Race, Drag Race Holland and Drag Race Thailand. One of the most chaotic Drag Race seasons of all time (facts are facts) culminated with a fierce lip-sync smackdown for the crown, with Blu Hydrangea conquering over Baga Chipz, Jujubee and Mo Heart to become the first ever Queen of the Mothertucking World – making her the first ever Irish queen to win a season of Drag Race. Blu won a crown and sceptre, as well as an all-expenses paid trip to Hollywood to record a duet with RuPaul.
Drag Race España season 2 (27 March)
Where can I watch it? WOW Presents Plus (International), ATRESplayer Premium (Spain)
Cast: Ariel Rec, Diamante Merybrown, Drag Sethlas, Estrella Xtravaganza, Jota Carajota, Juriji Der Klee, Marina, Marisa Prisa, Onyx, Samantha Ballentines, Sharonne, Venedita Von Däsh
Drag Race España returned to even further critical acclaim this year, with the sophomore season’s second episode, Supremme Elegant Talent Extravaganza, becoming the highest-rated episode of the entire franchise on IMDB. After 12 episodes, Sharonne triumphed over Estrella Xtravaganza and Venedita Von Däsh and usurped Carmen Farala as España’s Next Drag Superstar, becoming the oldest queen to win a Drag Race title in the process. Shortly after the season aired, it was renewed for a third set to air in 2023.
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 7 (20 May)
Where can I watch it? VH1 (US), WOW Presents Plus (International)
Cast: Jaida Essence Hall, Jinkx Monsoon, Monét X Change, Raja, Shea Couleé, The Vivienne, Trinity the Tuck, Yvie Oddly
Following years of rumours and anticipation as to which former champion would conquer over them all, Quarter Quell-style, the first ever winners’ season in RuPaul’s Emmy Award-winning empire premiered in May and reintroduced eight of the fiercest entertainers in the franchise’s herstory: Jaida Essence Hall (season 12), Jinkx Monsoon (season five), Monét X Change (season 10, All Stars 4), Raja (season three), Shea Couleé (season nine, All Stars 5), The Vivienne (UK season one), Trinity the Tuck (season nine, All Stars 4) and Yvie Oddly (season 11). For the first time, no queen will have to hear the dreaded “sashay away” from RuPaul. Instead, the top two All Stars of the week will be awarded a Legendary Legend Star and the winner of the lip-sync for your legacy will, as per, earn a $10,000 tip and the power to “block” one of the six safe queens with the Platinum Plunger; meaning she’ll be prevented from winning a star the following week – even if she wins the challenge. The season will culminate with the four queens who have collected the most Legendary Legend Stars lip-syncing for the crown, the title of “Queen of Queens” and the series’ highest cash prize ever at $200,000.
Drag Race France season 1 (25 June)
Where can I watch it? WOW Presents Plus (International), France.TV SLASH (France)
Cast: Elips, Kam Hugh, La Briochée, La Big Bertha, La Grande Dame, La Kahena, Lolita Banana, Lova Ladiva, Paloma, Soa de Muse
Hosted by Drag Race season 12 alum Nicky Doll, the first season of the French spin-off will introduce 10 fierce new competitors to the franchise who will, as per, compete in a variety of maxi-challenges, runways and lip-sync smackdowns for the title of France’s First Drag Superstar. The queens are as follows: Elips, Kam Hugh, La Briochée, La Big Bertha, La Grande Dame, La Kahena, Lolita Banana, Lova Ladiva, Paloma and Soa de Muse. (You can read their official bios here.) Nicky, who makes herstory as the second former contestant to host a season of Drag Race after Canada alum Brooke Lynn Hytes, will be joined on the judging panel by actress and TV host Daphné Bürki and French DJ/activist Kiddy Smile. In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, Nicky said she’s “honoured and thrilled to be the mistress of ceremonies” of the latest international spin-off, saying the series will “revolutionize” French drag and “give prominence to incredible queer artists”.
Canada’s Drag Race season 3 (14 July)
Where can I watch it? WOW Presents Plus (International), Crave (Canada)
Cast: Bombae, Chelazon Leroux, Gisèle Lullaby, Halal Bae, Irma Gerd, Jada Shada Hudson, Kaos, Kimmy Couture, Lady Boom Boom, Miss Fiercalicious, Miss Moço, Vivian Vanderpuss
Canada’s Drag Race will sashay onto our screens for a third season this year with a new crop of contestants vying for the title of Canada’s Next Drag Superstar and a cash prize of $100,000. The queens hoping to join Priyanka and Icesis Couture in the winners’ circle with their charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent are: Bombae, Chelazon Leroux, Gisèle Lullaby, Halal Bae, Irma Gerd, Jada Shada Hudson, Kaos, Kimmy Couture, Lady Boom Boom, Miss Fiercalicious, Miss Moço and Vivian Vanderpuss. Season three will also see the return of Brooke Lynn Hytes, Brad Goreski and Traci Melchor on the judging panel.
RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under season 2 (30 July)
Where can I watch it? WOW Presents Plus (US), BBC iPlayer (UK)
Stan, the show’s network in Australia, confirmed on 21 June that another batch of Australasian talent will make their mark on the ever-expanding franchise on 30 July. “I am thrilled to produce and host a brand new season of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under,” RuPaul said in a statement. “We’ve only just begun to shine a worldwide spotlight on the charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent of Australasian queens.” The guest stars and queens competing for the title of Down Under’s Next Drag Superstar are yet to be confirmed, but Michelle Visage and Rhys Nicholson will once again join Ru on the panel. Season one premiered last year and saw Kita Mean conquer over Art Simone, Karen from Finance and Scarlet Adams, winning a one-year supply of Revolution Beauty Cosmetics and a cash prize of $30,000. The series boasted a plethora of iconic guest stars such as Taika Waititi, Kylie Minogue, Dannii Minogue, Troye Sivan, The Veronicas, Dame Olivia Newton-John, Raven and Rena Owen.
Canada vs the World (Quarter 4)
Where can I watch it? WOW Presents Plus (International), Crave (Canada)
Canada has been confirmed to host the next international series of RuPaul’s Drag Race. On 9 June, Canada’s Drag Race host and judge Brooke Lynn Hytes announced that the country will follow in the footsteps of UK vs the World with a cast of fan-favourite contestants from all corners of the Emmy Award-winning franchise. “The world is your runway,” said Brooke. “We’re excited to announce that Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs the World is coming this year to Crave.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season 4 (Quarter 4)
Where can I watch it? WOW Presents Plus (US), BBC iPlayer (UK)
Weeks before Krystal Versace was crowned the UK’s Next Drag Superstar, the BBC confirmed a fourth season of the critically-acclaimed British spin-off on their Instagram account. Casting opened on 27 October, with a deadline of 10 November. We foresee a similar release strategy as season two and three for season four, so expect a September/October premiere for this one.
Drag Race Holland season 3 (Quarter 4)
Where can I watch it? WOW Presents Plus (US, UK)
Although Drag Race Holland hasn’t been confirmed for a third season, and its second instalment received a more mixed reception to the first, we’re fully expecting the brilliant Fred Van Leer to return as Holland’s answer to RuPaul later this year. With season one premiering in September 2020 and its follow-up in August 2021, it seems likely that season three will air at the end of quarter three or the start of quarter four.
Drag Race Philippines season 1 (TBA)
Where can I watch it? WOW Presents Plus (US, UK)
In 2021, a Filipino edition of Drag Race was announced with World of Wonder co-founders Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey stating at the time: “The Drag Race franchise has shined a spotlight on so many incredible queens from around the world and we are so excited to introduce audiences to the dazzling queens of the Philippines. WOW Presents Plus was created to serve as a springboard for underrepresented voices, so we are thrilled to exclusively premiere Drag Race Philippines on the platform for our global viewers.” Alongside the announcement, World of Wonder released a video of Mama Ru calling on the sickening queens of the Philippines to submit for casting. The host, judges, cast and premiere date will be ruvealed at a later date.
Drag Race Italia season 2 (TBA)
Where can I watch it? WOW Presents Plus (US, UK)
Drag Race Italia flew under the radar when it premiered in November due to incredible returning seasons in the UK and Canada, and was widely criticised by viewers for the lengthy runtime – some episodes, for example, clocked in at one hour 45 minutes. The decision to crown a queen, Elecktra Bionic, with zero challenge wins – a first for the franchise – when runner-up Farida Kant had two wins under her belt was also met with harsh reviews. A second season was announced earlier this year, and is expected to premiere in the latter half of 2022.
Drag Race Thailand season 3 (TBA)
Where can I watch it? WOW Presents Plus (US, UK)
It’s been three years since Angele Anang conquered the second season of Drag Race Thailand, making herstory in the process as the franchise’s first ever trans winner. The series embarked on a hiatus in 2020 and 2021, but will finally – we repeat, finally! – make a comeback later this year with host Art Arya and co-host Pangina Heals. Both seasons aired in the first quarter of their respective years, but with no information about the season – other than its confirmation – this could drop anytime this year. We’ve waited three years, so what’s a few more months?
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