RECAP: ‘Drag Race Down Under vs. the World’ FINALE
We’ve made it to the final episode of “Down Under vs. the World”! As someone who has championed the “Down Under” franchise from its earliest, roughest days, I was shocked we even got an international All Stars spinoff, and I’m delighted with the results. We have repeatedly had seasons referred to as “RuPaul’s Best Friend Race,” but I think that might actually be the case with “DUvTW.” Was there any real drama between these queens? Was there ever a genuine moment of anger? I don’t think so, and I say that as a compliment. I have loved all eight of these episodes and every queen they brought out on that stage. This season has been a joy to watch, and given the dark times we live in, there’s nothing wrong with a light and frothy diversion, particularly if it comes with adorable accents. FUCK YEAH!
Read on for my take on the finale of “Drag Race Down Under vs. The World.” SPOILERS AHEAD!
Want to watch “Drag Race Down Under vs. the World”? You should be! You can catch stream it now at Wow Presents Plus.
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The Final 4 contestants — “Down Under” 1 finalist Art Simone, “UK 5” runner-up Michael Marouli, “Philippines 2” finalist M1ss Jade S0, and “Down Under” 4 runner-up Vybe — got essentially a victory lap this episode. After a silly but fun wig-snatching mini-challenge (congrats to Jade, who despite being the smallest queen left snatched those other gals bald) the queens had to do the 1:1 with Michelle Visage (those weren’t TicTacs in the bowl, looked like a candied bean?), write and record their verses for the original song “Get Down Under,” learn fairly complicated choreography for the performance of said Rumix, and present their very best drag.
I thought everyone did well here, and the judges’ critiques were really just a string of affirmations. That’s fitting, because overall this season I think most of the queens — and particularly these four — have been putting up consistently good work. I admittedly enjoy “Drag Race” and RuPaul music more than most, but I think “Get Down Under” is a great little disco number and I loved some of those verses, particularly Art and Vybe’s. Check it out; I’m saving it to my playlist.
The queens also did great performing it. They all looked amazing and there really was some elaborate choreo involved, and I didn’t see any cracks. Well done, all.
We had some real standouts on the final runway. Vybe spoke about how amazing she felt in her gown, and it’s exactly the way she envisioned herself in it, and I’m happy for her. Truly. Zero criticisms toward it, the designer, anything. But I do think the other three finalists came a little bit harder on that runway. I loved Art’s dress, which appeared somewhat simple at first, but upon closer inspection was festooned with crystals and is a reference to not only the work of an Aussie artist but also referential to Art’s personal drag aesthetic. Michael gave us a gorgeous golden number with huge exaggerated hips, and I truly do not think Michael Marouli has ever looked more beautiful. And then Jade absolutely stole the show in an exceptional fantasy piece referencing her Goddessa concept and featuring Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, Talent written on the undersuit in a traditional Filipino alphabet. Both Jade and Michael’s outfits could have been crowned queen stepdown looks, before either of them ever won. That’s exceptional.
After more lovely compliments from the judges (all earned — I particularly appreciated Lazy Susan’s heartfelt praise of her Season 4 sister, Vybe), Michelle whittled the Final 4 down to a Final 2. Vybe, who came into the finale with 1 badge to the other queens’ 3 or 4, was the first chopped. That makes sense, although I want to stress that Vybe did well this season and is a phenomenal drag artist. I think I said in a prior recap that Vybe has everything it takes to win almost any other season…just not either season she was cast on, with the absurdly stiff competition she faced in both finales. One of the things I liked most about this episode is that multiple queens and judges referenced how much of a true sister Vybe is to her drag community, and how she lifts people up at all times. We need to celebrate people more for that kind of behavior. We NEED that kind of behavior in the world, now more than ever. I adore Vybe and I would be so thrilled to see her back for another go-round someday.
The last cut was the deepest, as Art, Jade, and Michael all had exceptional runs and performed flawlessly in this finale. And to the surprise of many — and the dismay of thousands of Filipino fans, I am sure — M1ss Jade S0 was eliminated in 3rd Place. I became obsessed with Jade instantly on her initial season, and I was honestly surprised she was cast for this spinoff, and not one judged by RuPaul. Because you KNOW RuPaul would lose it over M1ss Jade S0. Upon elimination, Jade gave a hysterical flashback to her iconic “Philippines 2” exit, telling Michelle that she did not eliminate Jade, she instead was ascending her to be judged by RuPaul, where she will reach her final form. And then she walked into a wall. Art and Rhys’s reactions to all of this were priceless. Once again, that is how you make an exit on “Drag Race,” folks. We love you, Jade, and we hope that you are doing better.
That left a Final 2 of Arti Simone and Michael Marouli, and I have zero complaints there. Both came into the competition as big threats, and both outperformed even those high expectations throughout. With that being said, that last lipsync — to RuPaul’s “Adrenaline,” which is not a good finale lipsync and really needs to be retired from the playlist at this point, as it’s been done…so many times on various franchises — was not particularly competitive. I don’t think this is a song Art would every choose to perform in the wild, and it’s just not a natural fit for her drag or performance styles, which tend to have an element of camp. This song is much more on the cunty side of things, although even as I say that, I think Michael performed stronger here because he DID lean into the camp opportunities of the song. It also didn’t help that Art strangely spent a good chunk of the song hanging out in the back of the stage, letting Michael pull focus without any competition.
And thus it came to pass that Michael Marouli from the UK was named the winner of “Drag Race Down Under vs. the World.” I’d have to check the stats, but I think at this point we are now roughly 50% of the “Vs. the World” winners coming from somewhere other than the host country. Michael is a deserving winner, in my opinion. He very easily could have taken her original season, and even starting strong showed growth here. She’s a professional, an all-arounder, and has serious hustle. I’m so glad to see her enshrined in the Winner’s Circle, truly.
Art also is a winner, in my opinion. When they first announced the cast for this, I was surprised to see Art’s name. She had spoken about how traumatic her original run on “Down Under” was, and she spoke even more about it this episode — it really fucked her up mentally and emotionally. It was brave of Art to come back, and this time, I’m so glad she got to show what she’s truly capable of. And that wasn’t a foregone conclusion! Michelle even said this episode that initially she could see Art being hesitant and anxious this season — you could see it in Art’s face in the early judging segments. But once Art relaxed and starting trusting in herself and her abilities, and just letting it ride, I think we got to see the real Art Simone. And she’s incredible. I am so thrilled Art got this redemption, and as a fan of Art’s, I am so glad we all got to appreciate it.
There was, believe it or not, another winner: although the segment was cut from the edit, Nicole Paige Brooks from Atlanta, Georgia was apparently voted as Miss Congeniality by the other queens of this season. This was revealed at an official watch party for the finale. While I personally would have given it to “Drag Race Espana” alum Estrella Extravaganza, I am tickled that it was awarded to Nicole, a true “Drag Race” legend and an icon. I think this may literally be the first thing Nicole has ever won on any of her three seasons, and I think that’s so sweet.
All in all, a great season. One of the better seasons to air in 2026, I would say, and up there with “DU2” and “DU4” as the best of the “Down Under” franchise. Will we get a “Down Under 5”? Gosh, I hope so. In the meantime, we’re recapping the (so far very good) “Drag Race UK” Series 8, so check that out. Who knows, a queen from that season could come and win “DUvsTW2” some day!
What did YOU think of “Drag Race Down Under vs. the World”? Drop your comments below!
