Marina Summers. Image: X/@wowpresentsplus
“Drag Race Philippines” Season One runner-up Marina Summers will be the country’s sole representative in the second season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs the World,” which will premiere this coming February.
Summers was confirmed as one of the 11 cast members who are in the running for the all-stars crowns, as seen on production company World of Wonder’s X (formerly Twitter) page last Saturday, Jan. 13.
“Representing the Philippines, it’s @marinaxsummers,” its post read.
Representing the Philippines, it’s @marinaxsummers 🇵🇭 👑#DragRaceUK vs The World is coming soon:
🌍 @wowpresentsplus worldwide ex. UK and Canada
🇬🇧 @bbcthree‼️ Episode 1 premieres FREE on @wowpresentsplus in available territories: https://t.co/joKIhBshHw pic.twitter.com/0ROHtiHLQ3
— WOW Presents Plus (@wowpresentsplus) January 13, 2024
Summers made waves after placing first runner-up in the first season of “Drag Race Philippines.” Precious Paula Nicole was declared the winner after competing in the final lip-sync performance portion with Gloc-9’s “Sirena.”
She is the first Filipina drag queen to compete in “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World” since its launch in 2022.
‘Filipina winnah’
Summers channeled Filipino beauty queen, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, as she took to her X account to show her excitement for the reality competition show on the same day.
“I wanna show the universe, the world rather, that I am a true Filipina Winnah! And baby this time, I’m taking over the Mother-Tucking world,” she said, paraphrasing Wurtzbach’s words during the final question-and-answer round of the Miss Universe competition.
I wanna show the universe, the WORLD rather, that I am a true Filipina Winnah! 👑💙🇵🇭
And baby this time, I’m taking over the Mother-Tucking WORLD! 🇬🇧🌍 #DragRaceUK vs The World is coming to @wowpresentsplus (worldwide ex. UK and Canada) and @bbcthree (UK) on Feb 9th! ✨… pic.twitter.com/jC0R5GwrZ8
— Marina Summers (@marinaxsummers) January 13, 2024
Summers, who donned a striking blue gown during her cast reveal, took inspiration from Wurtzbach’s Miss Universe gown, as shared by her stylist Paul Sese on Instagram.
The custom-made dress was also designed by Albert Andrada, who crafted the Filipina-German beauty queen’s gowns during her Miss Universe stint.
“Taking over the universe, the world rather. World domination of the hottest asian sensation,” he said in the caption. “The @marinasummers in custom @albert_andrada for @dragraceukbbc UK Vs The World 2.”
Compared to other all-star franchises, drag queens eligible for “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World” are those who competed in past franchises of the longstanding drag competition.
Candidates who will vie for the “Queen of the Mothertucking World” title are Mayhem Miller and Scarlet Envy from the US, Keta Minaj from Holland, Hannah Conda from its “Down Under” franchise in Australia, Arantxa Castilla La Mancha from Spain, and La Grande Dame from France.
Also included are Gothy Kendoll, Tia Kofi, Jonbers Blonde, and Choriza May from the show’s UK edition.