Mama Ru, Michelle & Raven went Down Under for a third time, I'm still living for 'Gabriella Labucci!' The elusive chanteuse herself, Ms. Mariah has had us feeling emotions forever! Drag Race Philippines returned for a second series, serving not one but three Trans queens! London, England? Yes, you already know that city is a whole mood! Drag is life! Yesss!
Back with a bang, 'RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under' Ru-turned for a third series in July 2023. I was especially excited to see contestants from a diverse background because such 'tokenism' seems to be the 'category' quite a lot these days. Bursting onto the 'main stage' with a 'Mardi Gras' extravaganza really put the cat amongst the pigeons, it was camp and utterly chaotic in the best way! Lip syncs had to be reconvened, queens lost their minds and one queen even lied about her age to Ru! Muriel's Bedding had me laughing, that design challenge possessed the best name! The acting challenge had flow, it wasn't thrown together like Series 2! I loved the 'Fake Housewives of Down Under!' The same studio remained, I personally would love a glow up within regards to production for this part of the Drag Race franchise. Jesus Christ was served in the Snatch Game, truly a class performance from 'Ashley Madison'. BMX Bitches made sense even when the concept of queens dancing with bikes seemed bonkers, that's pure 'Down Under!'
'Amyl' bowed out of the competition first, her 'Mardi Gras' performance didn't impress Mother Ru all that much. Fainting on the dancefloor, 'Ivory Glaze' made her final moments on the Race count for something, it was pure drama! Making a now awkward call to her then partner 'Anita Wiglit', I actually would love to see 'Ivanna Drink' on a future 'Down Under Vs The World' screening. Lip syncing for her life three times, 'Rita Menu' was only just getting started after she found herself in the bottom once again. The competition was heating up, after saying goodbye to 'Ashley Madison' and 'Bumpa Love', we got to know the final four. Originally hailing for Guatemala, 'Flor' opened up about a tragic story. 'Hollywould Star' told RuPaul a bare faced lie about her age, it never pays to lie to Mother RuPaul! Making us laugh the whole way through, 'Gabriella Labucci' had Ru in stitches with her camp humour! 'Isis Alvis Loren' became the third winner, her dance performance told me that she would take the crown like Kita and Spankie!
I remember as young boy playing a song that went something like 'Emotions' and from there on I knew that I'd have time for Mariah Carey! There's no other singer who can hit those high pitch 'whistle tones', prove me wrong because Ms. Carey takes her vocals to the next level. Never revealing her age, Mariah has been in the business for an uncountable amount of years with a continually youthful appearance. 'Always Be My Baby' will always be an anthem, a classic Mariah Carey classic for sure! Everlasting, Mariah Carey keeps her frenemies closer because she claims she 'doesn't know them'. Jennifer Lopez, who? Mariah doesn't know her! Call me wrong but we still haven't seen Mariah Carey take one of the judging seats over at RuPaul's Drag Race because she has been impersonated on Ru's Snatch Game on several versions of the format internationally. The Lambs live in hope, well I live in hope that Ms. Carey will accept Ru's judging invitation in the future. Mariah Carey is the definition of Drag! Judging? Oh, Mariah!
Mimi impressed us with her award winning performance as part of the judging panel one year on American Idol, she played a blinder with her humor and jibes as she sat next to Nicki Minaj. For me, my first Mariah Carey album purchased was 'The Emancipation of Mimi' with 'We Belong Together' as the lead single. 'E=MC²' brought us 'Touch My Body', how that stands as one of my favorite songs from Carey. The unrivaled 'Queen of Christmas', Mariah's timeless 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' makes its rounds every single year! I love how Mariah makes such noise after Halloween finishes, she is back breaking out of the ice for another circuit of Christmas appearances. Commanding her stage, Mariah has never been shy about her backing singers singing her lyrics at the wrong time! Her divaship will never ever be questioned ever! Ahead of my East Coast, USA comeback trip in Decemeber 2019, I knew I was going to channel Mariah how she was in the video for 'A No No' from her album 'Caution'. Forever Our Mariah!
Drag Race Philippines first brought us some much needed Asian Power to the Drag Race Franchise in August 2022, we deserved S2! Storming back onto our screens through 'WOW Presents Plus' for us international viewers, I had waited patiently for the highly anticipated second installment of this reality series. Our 'Ru Girl' from Laguna returned, that has to be Jiggly Caliente? Yes bakla! Serving Trans Visibility, S2 saw three Trans Women as part of the cast. We got the first Pinoy Drag Race Rusical! Leaving the pagent in the previous series, I loved seeing those Pinoy queens do something different! 'BOOGSH' packed a punch with a double premier episode showcasing that song twice, 'Pop Off Ate' was a tough song to top! Mamwa Pao came back with a fiercer nature, her looks were memorable for sure! A legendary makeover challenge had us all crying, it was truly a heartwarming moment for the queens and judges alike. Of course, those Philippine queens would find some drama to stir up! Oh, the acting challenge!
But first, 'Sirena: The Rusical' served a Drag version of 'The Little Mermaid' with a lot to unpack, the judges critiques were something! Overacting for their lives in 'Pangako Sa'Yo, Mula sa Puso... Magkaribal sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan ng Kadenang Ginto... The Second Installment!' I cannot stress how over the top that Drag Race Philippines acting challenge was, it was truly something else! It was evident to see a political message coming through from the queens, several times the 'SOGE' bill of legislation was mentioned and featured in runway looks. The queens who I loved were 'Arizona Brandy', 'OV Cunt', 'Captivating KatKat' and 'Miss Jade So'. Those final episodes kept us fed, the 'Reading Challenge' turned into a rap battle. I didn't like the tone of one early out queen, no shade but that one Hong Kong based Visayan queen was all mouth and no runway! Making her the first Trans Pinoy Drag Race Superstar, 'Captivating KatKat' proudly claimed her crown, sceptre and prize money! Of course, I can't wait for 'Drag Race PH' Series 3!
Like a female phenomenon, London is a true 'Glamazon!' London calls us all, she takes us on a ride and doesn't ask questions! The city of my birth has a severe personality with a whole lot of history to tell, her story has turned into a state of mind! Bombed severely during both World Wars, London has stayed resilient throughout the test of time. Sure, Lady London brushed shoulders with the Romans and even recovered from a devastating fire! Drag is everywhere in London, that English city embodies cultures and communities that span the globe with international love permeating from every angle. London stands above the likes of New York City and other capital icons, breaking out those ultimate landmarks like a true tourist hotspot should! From Brixton to High Barnet with Southall and Woolwich clocked, London doesn't discriminate, she embraces! London goes Underground like no other, keeping her people moving like a powerhouse should! London continues to fight for her capital situation, serving!
A cultural icon London will always be, her Drag has changed over the years but many legendary mainstays will remain. From theater revues to concert shows, London keeps her public entertained. I remember walking through Soho with family as a child, only when I visited as an adult then I knew why that part of London switched a light bulb on in my head! The waters of the Thames River always takes me back, embodying a sense of something I hold close. London teaches me something new each time I visit her, I always see something undiscovered each time. When I'm good and ready I will return to London with much to scout, London has more in store for me! Drag can be a place and for me, London has what it takes to be a whole living spirit with a multi-faceted personality to boot! Through the dark and into the light, serving Royal Highness to the High Street! LDN knows how to Drag her city up good and proper! London will tell you to 'Get Out Of My Pub!' London won't ever stop calling, no she won't! Drag is all over the world!
God Save Drag!
Desperately Seeking Adventure
