“Drag Race Philippines” host Paolo Ballesteros. Image: Instagram/@dragraceph
“Drag Race Philippines” has revealed the 12 queens who will compete for the title of the country’s drag superstar, as it confirmed that its first episode will premiere on August 2.
The drag-based reality show confirmed that the cast consists of Arizona Brandy, Astrid Mercury, Bernie, Captivating Katkat, DeeDee Marié Holliday, Hana Beshie, Matilduh, M1ss Jade So, Nicole Pardaux, ØV C–T, Tiny Deluxe, and Veruschka Levels, as seen in a series of promo posts on its social media platforms on Tuesday, July 11.
“Drag Race Philippines” season two promo photo. Image: Facebook/Drag Race Philippines
The promo video, which was uploaded on its Twitter page, showed Ballesteros, donning a glamorous purple gown with a plunging neckline, and the contestants introducing themselves at what seemed to be a beach-inspired set.
“Meet The Queens of #DragRacePH Season 2! [tree emoji] @dragraceph is BACK and HOTTER than ever,” the tweet read.
🌴 Meet The Queens of #DragRacePH Season 2! 🌴@dragraceph is BACK and HOTTER than ever! ☀️ Here’s where to watch Season 2 + Untucked, premiering August 2nd: https://t.co/OH56BgscQv
🇵🇭 @wowpresentsplus and @HBOAsia
🇨🇦 @cravecanada
🌎 @wowpresentsplus (worldwide ex. Canada) pic.twitter.com/r26IwXm46r— Drag Race Philippines (@dragraceph) July 11, 2023
The reality show will also feature “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Jiggly Caliente and actress-broadcaster KaladKaren as its permanent panelists, according to a report from U.S.-based media outlet Entertainment Weekly.
Queens revealed
Meanwhile, some of the contestants took to their respective social media platforms to share their official promo looks where they sported glamorous beach-inspired outfits.
“Hello mga MAOYs! Alam kong uhaw na uhaw na kayo (Hello, Maoys! I know you’re all thirsty). Finally, I can officially say that I AM A RUGIRL! Lets go Drag Race Philippines Season 2! AHHHHHHHH! I can’t wait for the world to see what CUBAO DRAG is! CUBAO REPRESENT,” Arizona Brandy’s tweet read.
Are you ready to take a sip of Arizona Brandy? 🍹🍊🧡
Hello mga MAOYs! Alam kong uhaw na uhaw na kayo. Finally, I can officially say that I AM A RUGIRL! Lets go Drag Race Philippines Season 2! AHHHHHHHH!
I can’t wait for the world to see what CUBAO DRAG is! CUBAO REPRESENT! pic.twitter.com/i5P68A4zYH— Arizona Brandy 🧡🥃🔥 (@arizonabrandy) July 11, 2023
Meanwhile, Astrid Mercury expressed her excitement about being a “Rugirl” on Instagram, which is a term used to describe drag queens who are part of the “Drag Race” franchise.
“I’ve been keeping this secret since I started auditioning, pre and post-filming, and now I can finally say, I’M A RUGIRL!! [emojis] Let’s go Drag Race Philippines Season 2,” her caption read.
Astrid Mercury. Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@astridmercuryyy
Bernie re-shared a photo of her promo look on her Instagram Stories.
Bernie. Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@berniebarrantes
On the other hand, Hana Beshie said on Twitter that she kept her “Drag Race Philippines” journey as a “secret for months.”
“I’ve been holding on to this secret for months now and I’m finally able to announce it to the whole world: I’M A F*CK*NG RUGIRL MGA BESHIE BESHIEEEEEEE [sobbing emojis] #TeamHanaBeshie TAYO HAAAAAA HUHU ILY (I love you) ALL,” her caption read.
I’ve been holding on to this secret for months now and I’m finally able to announce it to the whole world: I’M A FUCKING RUGIRL MGA BESHIE BESHIEEEEEEE 😭😭😭 #TeamHanaBeshie TAYO HAAAAAA HUHU ILY ALL
Headpiece: Pinky Maliao
Hair: Hale Demetrio
Custom Dress: Jimboy Vercede pic.twitter.com/wNHzbQHp2p
— Hana Beshie (@hana_beshie) July 11, 2023
Matilduhh also shared her promo photo on Instagram, as she said that the “Philippine heat has never been this hot.”
Matilduhh. Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@matilduhh
A visibly elated M1ss Jade So spoke about being part of the competition on Twitter, saying she’s “shakening boots, gaggining, glitchining, [and] tweakining” as her promo photo was released.
The summit of #DollShenanigans, #DollDomination and #Dollification 🔥🌕
Fucciana! I’m finally a RuGirliana in Drag Race Filipiniana! Im shakening boots, gaggining, glitchining, tweakining. Flapping my Seashell so hard I’m about to BOOGSH! pic.twitter.com/AmYaTZg44m
— M1ss Jade So (@m1ssjadeso) July 11, 2023
Nicole Pardaux pointed out that she’s the “face of Cebu drag” in her tweet.
It’s official! Your favorite MILF and The Face of Cebu Drag is a Ru Girl!#DragRacePhilippines #DragRacePhilippinesS2 #DRP #DRP2 #CebusFavoriteMILF #TheFaceOfCebuDrag#IAmARuGirl #RuGirl #NicolePardaux #CebuanaDragQueen #CebuanaDragQueens pic.twitter.com/hC6Ly64Ovh
— Nicole Pardaux (@nicolepardaux) July 11, 2023
ØV C–T hinted on Twitter that the show’s second season will be the “c***iest ever.”
Are you ready for the CÜNTIEST season ever? 😈@dragraceph Season 2 premieres August 2nd! ☀️ Here’s where to watch #DragRacePH and Untucked:
🇵🇭 @wowpresentsplus and @HBOAsia
🇨🇦 @CraveCanada
🌎 @wowpresentsplus (worldwide ex. Canada)#TeamØVCÜNT #DragRacePH pic.twitter.com/MTimYqTnY9— ØV CÜNT (@OVCUNT) July 11, 2023
Tiny Deluxe, who happens to be the drag daughter of season one alum Viñas Deluxe, said on Instagram that being part of the show is her “desTINY.”
Tiny Deluxe. Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@tinydeluxxe
Hong Kong-based drag performer Veruschka Levels was overjoyed to be part of the reality series, as she said that it’s an “opportunity” to go back to her “roots.”
“From Hong Kong to Cebu to the Philippines and to the world ! She’s going back to her roots! Veruschka Levels is here,” she said in the caption.
Veruschka Levels. Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@veruschkalevels
On the other hand, Captivating Katkat and DeeDee Marié Holliday have yet to speak about being part of the drag show on social media, as of this writing.
Precious Paula Nicole was named as the winner of “Drag Race Philippines” season one in October 2022, while Marina Summers emerged as the runner-up. EDV