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MANILA, Philippines — Mabu-heyy! Drag Race Philippines has finally revealed the 12 official cast members for the upcoming first season of reality competition Slaysian Royale, premiering on August 13 on WOW Presents Plus.
The new franchise comes 10 months after the third season of Drag Race Philippines, where Filipino drag queens competed in various challenges, strutted the runway in iconic looks, and battled in lip-sync performances. The show follows a progressive elimination until one queen remains to snatch the crown.
This season, the show adopts an All-Stars format, where previously eliminated queens from various Drag Race franchises around the world compete once more. What makes it special is that for the first time, Asian domination takes center stage with an all-Asian cast of queens.
Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale will be hosted by Filipino actor and comedian, Paolo Ballesteros, better known in the show as “Mama Pao.”
In this groundbreaking edition of the show, five Filipino queens will go head-to-head, not just with each other, but also with seven other queens from around the world. Meet the 12 official queens of Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale!
Arizona Brandy
Arizona Brandy was the runner-up in Drag Race Philippines Season 2, narrowly missing the crown to Captivating Katkat. Outside the show, she was once a part of seasoned entertainers in Cubao, called the Royalties.
Aside from her vibrant and witty personality that captured the hearts of her fans, she is also a remarkable performer known for her jaw-dropping stunts, unexpected tricks, and funny quips that never fail to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
Bernie
Also from Drag Race Philippines Season 2, Bernie is one of the country’s veteran Drag Queens who maintained a good track record in her season. She is a proud trans artist, which she reflects through the opulence and glamour in her drag.
She is from Mandaluyong and performs regularly in O Bar, a popular home of the top drag queens in the country. In a Bernie show, audiences are treated with powerful and precise performances.
Brigiding
Brigiding is a Filipino artist who competed in the inaugural season of Drag Race Philippines, finishing in 6th place. Throughout the competition, Brigiding was often critiqued for a “lack of branding” in her drag and for frequently landing in the safe zone. Despite this, she stood out with her top-notch performances and fierce attitude, proving her strength as a queen.
She is the Drag Mother of the House of Ding, a drag collective that fosters budding drag artists and showcases their talents through the language of performances.
Viñas Deluxe
One of the three Divine Divas — alongside Brigiding and Drag Race Philippines Season 1 winner Precious Paula Nicole — Viñas Deluxe is highly regarded for her campy looks and world-class performances. Like many drag queens, she brings a strong yet lovable personality that endeared fans on the show, where she finished in 7th place.
Aside from drag, Viñas is also a singer-songwriter who produces music online. She also creates social media content on drag and hosts mini series on her YouTube channel.
Khianna
The last of the Filipino queens set to compete in the show is Khianna, a provincial queen from Cagayan de Oro who faced winner Maxie in the final lip-sync battle of Drag Race Philippines Season 3. Known for her sickening stunts and mesmerizing dance moves, Khianna also earned praise for her innovative looks and high-fashion concepts throughout her run on the show.
Khianna is a part of The Playhouse PH, a drag troupe of Filipino drag artists, including Drag Race UK Vs. The World contestant Marina Summers and Drag Race Global All Stars Eva La Queen. She performs regularly in provincial bars in her hometown and Cebu.
Ivory Glaze
Ivory Glaze is a Chinese-Dutch drag queen based in Sydney who competed in Season 3 of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, finishing in 9th place. Though her run was short, she made it memorable with iconic one-liners and sleek fashion moments. She was also behind one of the franchise’s most unforgettable scenes: fainting just before RuPaul announced she was up for elimination.
Beyond the show, Ivory also involves herself in modelling and promotional work with various brands in Australia, including Tooth Toner and Pinkswag.
Kitty Space
First seen in Drag Race France Season 2, Kitty Space is a Paris-based drag queen of Vietnamese descent. She holds the distinction of being the first Asian contestant in the said franchise and is known for her sci-fi-inspired, avant-garde looks. For her, drag has been a tool to embody womanhood and helped her begin her transition in July 2024.
Madame Yoko
Madame Yoko was a top 8 finalist on Drag Race Belgique Season 2. Born in Vietnam and adopted by parents from Radelange, Luxembourg, she is known for commanding the stage with her vocals and high-concept fashion. Her drag beautifully blends the distinct elements of her Vietnamese and European heritage.
Although she is a full-time drag artist, Madame Yoko finished her courses on interior design in Brussels. She also used to run the Brasserie Barnum drag cabaret and restaurant in Redange-sur-Attert until it was closed last year.
Siam Phusri
Siam Phusri is a Thai drag queen based in California who competed in Drag Race Thailand Season 3, finishing in 7th place. Despite performing far from home, her drag remains deeply rooted in her Asian heritage and is often praised for its detailed, elegant, and opulent aesthetic.
Suki Doll
Canada’s Drag Race Season 2 Miss Congeniality, Suki Doll is a French-Canadian performer and designer. Although she had an early exit from the competition, her talent for creating stunning looks has been widely recognized.
Following her stint in the show, she then had a regular show in Quebec and continued her work as a costume designer, creating outfits for her fellow drag queens, including Icesis Couture and Brooke Lynn Hytes.
Sum Ting Wong
The first contestant of Asian descent to compete in RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Sum Ting Wong is a British-Chinese-Vietnamese drag queen who placed 9th in the show. She often incorporates her singing talent into her performances, elevated by her sharp wit and humor.
Her drag name came from a racist prank on the news, and her embodiment of the name is her way of reclamation and breaking down the stereotypes that people had with people of Asian descent.
Yuhua
Formerly known as Yuhua Hamasaki and now just Yuhua, she is a Chinese-American drag queen based in Manhattan, New York City. Her bubbly personality and sharp fashion sense were first showcased in Season 10 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, where she placed 12th.
A professional seamstress, Yuhua has made looks for fellow drag queens and continued to appear in various drag-related shows following her time on the competition.
Last month, the show’s social media pages revealed some of the guest judges who will appear this season. These include Drag Race Philippines winners Precious Paula Nicole, Captivating Katkat, and Maxie, along with the crowned queens of the main franchise — Sasha Colby (Season 15) and Nymphia Wind (Season 16).
Other RuPaul’s Drag Race royalty will also grace the judges’ panel this year, including Marina Summers, Jimbo, Pangina Heals, and Alyssa Edwards. – Rappler.com
