RECAP: Drag Race Down Under vs. the World Episode 1
It’s a great time to be a fan of international drag, as this wee brought us our second new franchise this month, “Drag Race Down Under vs. the World.” I am DELIGHTED to see “Drag Race Down Under” back. I acknowledge its faults (especially the first season), but I think the franchise as a great deal of charm and wonderful queens. Expanding it to an all-stars crossover season was a brilliant idea. And my word, this cast is STACKED. I honestly think it’s one of the best casts of any season of “Drag Race,” and I mean that.
The show has also gotten some much-needed love and care behind the scenes. Michelle Visage took over as host from RuPaul with the stellar “Drag Race Down Under” Season 4 — if you have not watched it, please correct that immediately; it’s a sensational season. The absolutely hilarious Rhys Nicholson remains on the panel, and was on fire with his runway bon mots this episode (not a deliberate fire crotch joke, but also not not a deliberate fire crotch joke). Joining the panel as a regular judge is “DU4” winner Lazy Susan, and I am loving this trend (see also: “Canada’s Drag Race All Stars”) of bringing previous winners on as regular judges. And most importantly, we have a new stage and work room that looks incredible. It no longer feels like this show is being filmed inside of a large cardboard box stuck under a highway underpass. This season looks as good as its queens, and they’re an amazing bunch.
So let’s get into it! Read on for my take on “Drag Race Down Under vs. the World” Episode 1. SPOILERS AHEAD!
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First, let’s go over our cast. In alphabetical order:
Art Simone (“Drag Race Down Under” S1) Art is an Australian drag icon, who had a challenging run on “DU1.” I’ve always loved Art’s style and am thrilled she’s back for this second — or, per Coco, third — chance. She has a punchy aesthetic and great presence. She is also apparently aging in reverse, because what the in Benjamin Button is happening? She looks 15 years younger here!
Coco Jumbo (“Drag Race Down Under” S1) Coco is a bit of a surprise. She was an earlier out in “DU1” and seemed to distance herself from the show after that. There is lore surrounding her exit/her lipsync against Art Simone that I won’t repeat, but I’ll just say thing: I love Coco’s energy this time around, and I feel for her given her health struggles and her recent personal loss. I am intrigued to see what Coco can do this time, especially with her extremely close drag sister also in the cast.
Estrella Extravaganza (“Drag Race Espana” S2) I am so excited to see Estrella here. She was a bright light in a very good cast on “Espana 2.” She references that in her talking heads this episode — she wants to be the fun girl everyone loves, and she IS. She’s so lovable and endearing, and her drag is ridiculously fun. I worry for her, given the inherent language barrier. But she seemed to be doing great so far!
Flor (“Drag Race Down Under” S3) Flor’s a brilliant casting, as she is herself multinational — she’s originally from a Latin country, emigrated to New Zealand, and now lives in the UK. “DU3” is not my favorite season, but I think Flor is a great choice to represent it. She’s memorable and creative.
LaLa Ri (“Drag Race” S13/“All Stars” S8) We are getting the LaLa Ri Experience again, which at this point I can sum up as: infectious energy, fashion struggles, and two of the sexiest legs I’ve ever seen on my television. I’m glad they addressed LaLa quitting drag after “All Stars 8” right off the bat, because that DID happen. I’m even more glad that LaLa admitted why she came back to it shortly thereafter — money. And the joy of performing for other people. But people want to see LaLa Ri, not LaRico Demetrius Potts (great name, by the way). I think this is such an interesting conversation for drag artists to be having on camera.
Michael Marouli (“Drag Race UK” S5) Michael was a very close 2nd in one of the most competitive seasons of “Drag Race UK.” She was already good at pretty much everything, and if this episode was any indication, she’s only gotten better. Michael has to be seen as a threat for the win here.
Miss Jade S0 (“Drag Race Philippines” S2) I’m genuinely gagged they got Jade for this franchise; I thought for sure they’d save her for a Ru-judged season. You cannot begin to explain Miss Jade S0. You can only experience her. I’ve never seen another queen, ever, that compares to her — she is ethereal, enigmatic, utterly bizarre, but in the most amazing way. Jade has recently been dealing with some personal issues, and I won’t go into it here. I will say to Jade, if she’s reading this: we love you. You are brilliant. We support you and are sending you positive, healing vibes.
Nicole Paige Brooks (“Drag Race” S2/“All Stars” S10) I am so here for the continued second act of NPBFAG. From early season early out to meme queen to the people’s princess, Nicole continues to give us top-tier television seemingly without even trying. She is just naturally cunty and I love her for it. We are blessed to have her back on our screens. Go watch her ASMR video with box fans if you are having trouble sleeping.
Nikita Iman (“Drag Race Down Under” S4) Nikita had a good run on “DU4” and really won me over. She has a huge heart and is quite skilled at sewing and lipsyncing.
Raven (“Drag Race” S2/“All Stars” S1) This one is interesting. There is much debate as to whether or not Raven — two-time finalist, and RuPaul’s personal make-up artist since Season 9 of “Drag Race” — is actually competing, or if this is a stunt. It could be real. This is a non-Ru-hosted season, so it minimizes the conflict of interest (although surely she’s still tight with Michelle). She says she misses the competition and wants to actually be a winner (I think most people consider her the real winner of Season 2, given the total implosion of the other queen). But my Spidey sense is still tingling after the conclusion of this episode. Let’s say that.
Vybe (“Drag Race Down Under” S4) Vybe absolutely would have won “DU4” had Lazy Susan not been there. Like Michael, she is a very well-rounded competitor. She claims her own weakness is design, but honestly, I don’t see it — I think she’s strong there, too (Michelle agrees with me). Vybe is another big threat in this game, and with her drag sister Coco also in the mix, that’s a very obvious alliance.
Just an aside, I find the lack of a “Down Under” 2 representative quite strange. It’s universally regarded as a great season, with amazing queens. Hannah Conda and Kween Kong have already been brought back, but Beverly Kills, Molly Poppinz, and especially legendary shit-stirrer Minnie Cooper would have been welcome returnees in my book.
Episode 1 as a design challenge, in which each queen had to make a look from a mystery box. I thought the fabric reveal portion of the episode went on entirely too long — I assume these are meant to be 90-minute episodes, but I would have much rather just watched the queens kiki in the work room more because they’re all so charming. But I thought overall most of these looks were very successful. Compared to the flops that walked down the runway on “Canada’s Drag Race All Stars” this week (except Aurora), this was some high-fashion shit!
In the end, the judges named Michael Marouli and Miss Jade SO as the Top 2, with Vybe getting positive critiques and Estrella Extravaganza getting mixed but I think ultimately good critiques. (I love what she did.) I thought Nicole did easily the best she’s ever done on a design challenge, Art looked good, Coco was lucky to escape critique, and Flor and LaLa were the correct Bottom 2. Flor’s dress was an interesting concept, and she sold it well — but it really did look a mess. LaLa’s upper portion had on way too much fabric, and her bottom portion had virtually NO fabric. In her own words, her pussy was fully out. Maybe LaLa was trying to take “Down Under vs. the World” literally by showing off her genitals? We may never know. I also need to note that LaLa’s make-up was shockingly crunchy. I don’t recall this being a problem for her in the past, but I was stunned at how bad it looked on my screen.
Michael and Jade lipsynced to “Melodrama” by Australian diva and guest judge Beks, who was absolutely getting her life during that lipsync — I love when that happens for a guest judge whose work is being interpreted. You can tell it means so much to them. Jade seemed uncertain of the words in parts, but Michael was the consummate professional and she took the win.
But she was not given the power to eliminate one of the Bottom 2! Michelle announced nobody would be eliminated this episode. Good. I personally think all first episodes should be nonelim on these shows, so the queens can find their bearings. I also want to see more from every member of this cast.
I do, however, wonder if this plays into the whole Raven Conspiracy. Raven absolutely should have been Top 2 this week — that denim wig was cunty as fuck, and her look overall was executed beautifully. The fact that she was not in the top, part of the lipsynch, and that nobody was eliminated, makes it so that Raven’s participation in this episode had negligible impact. I don’t know anything, this is all speculation. I’m just fascinated by this whole scenario and I’m looking forward to the ride.
What do YOU think of “Drag Race Down Under vs. the World”? Which queens are you rooting for? Drop your comments below!
