Filipino actor and model Paolo Ballesteros has been confirmed to host Drag Race Philippines.
Best known as a host of Eat Bulaga!, one of the longest-running noontime shows in the Philippines, Ballesteros has appeared in several award-winning films including the acclaimed Die Beautiful, for which he won the award for Best Actor at the 29th Tokyo International Film Festival.
Ballesteros has also received widespread recognition and acclaim for his makeup skills, with impersonations of various celebrities such as Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, Kim Kardashian, Drew Barrymore, Rihanna, Lucy Liu, Katy Perry and Madonna.
The ninth instalment of the Drag Race franchise, the spin-off will introduce fierce queens from the Philippines who will compete in a variety of challenges and lip-sync showdowns to be crowned the country’s first-ever Drag Superstar.
In a previous statement, World of Wonder co-founders Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey said: “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.”
Earlier this year, it was confirmed that Drag Race legend Jiggly Caliente will follow in the footsteps of RuGirls such as Brooke Lynn Hytes and Nicky Doll as a permanent judge on the series.
“I am overjoyed in a major major way to be joining the judges panel for Drag Race Philippines,” Jiggly said at the time.
“There is a fierce Filipino drag scene and I am proud to be returning to my home country in this new role as a Drag Race judge to shine a spotlight on these incredible artists to the world — or the universe, rather. Pak! Mabuhay, Drag Race!”
Drag Race Philippines will premiere exclusively in the UK on WOW Presents Plus on 17 August, with new episodes airing every Wednesday.
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