Tonight, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World Series 2 kicks off, and it’s time to buckle up for a ride of glitz, glamour, and fierce competition! The global stage is set as queens from around the world descend upon our screens, ready to lip-sync for their lives and vie for the prestigious title. Hosted by none other than the iconic RuPaul, who reprises his role as the main host and head judge, this series promises to take the excitement to new heights. It’ll be shown at 9 p.m. on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer in the UK, with it being available to watch worldwide on WOW Presents Plus, apart from Canada who can watch on Crave.
Beyond the signature charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent that define Drag Race, this series boasts a hefty £50,000 cash prize, adding an extra layer of intensity to the already cutthroat competition. This is the very first time that the BBC has offered prize money for the winning contestant. Five original series and one Vs the World series, and we finally have prize money.
Reasons as to why there hasn’t been prize money, to date, is due to the BBC being a publicly-funded channel, and so there are no advertisers or sponsors. Taking this into consideration, prize money for contestants is for game shows which have a fair outcome, whether that is a publicly-voted outcome or a contestant-voted outcome.
This begs to question of whether the rules have changed for this series as all the previous series’ have seen RuPaul (and the producers) decide on the winner of the show, and in theory, publicly-funded money shouldn’t be awarded to winners who are chosen by the host or by judges, or in this case, the producers. So, will the queens be the ones who get to decide on the winner, similar to Survivor? This wouldn’t be a surprise since Survivor UK has recently been revived by the BBC after 21 years.
Joining RuPaul on the judging panel are familiar faces Michelle Visage, Alan Carr, and Graham Norton, ready to offer their critiques and make or break the contestants’ dreams. Various guest judges have also been announced including Richard E. Grant, Tom Daley, Kim Petras, Adwoa Aboah, Motsi Mabuse, and Katherine Ryan; while special guests for the series have also been announced, including Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara, who are likely choreographers for a girl group performance, as they are both known for being on Strictly Come Dancing.
But that’s not all—brace yourselves for even more special guest appearances, including the fabulous Sinitta and the legendary Jane McDonald, set to spice up the Snatch Game segment. As the queens showcase their wit, style, and star power, we’re in for a rollercoaster of emotions. We are ready to witness the art of drag on a global scale, as queens from Madrid to Newcastle and beyond sashay, shantay, and slay their way into our hearts. This is not just a competition; it’s a celebration of diversity, talent, and the unapologetic power of self-expression.
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World Series 2
Meet The Queens
A “Meet The Queens” special was released on January 15, 2024, showcasing the 11 queens who will be competing on the show. There was a pageant theme to the video which was also not lit quite so well, which makes us hope that it was just that special that didn’t quite hit the mark as much as the series will because this cast is beyond phenomenal. Check out the video, above, and follow all your favourite queens on all your favourite socials, below.
Arantxa Castilla-La Mancha
Age: 26
Representing: Spain
Track herstory: Aranxta placed 7th in the first season of Drag Race España. After lip-syncing twice for her life, she was eliminated in episode 4.
Follow Arantxa Castilla-La Mancha on social media here:
Choriza May
Age: 32
Representing: United Kingdom
Track herstory: Choriza placed joint 6th on series 3 of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. Attaining a group challenge win in the girl band challenge, Choriza departed in episode 6 after a double elimination (with River Medway).
Follow Choriza May on social media here:
Gothy Kendoll
Age: 26
Representing: United Kingdom
Track herstory: Placed 10th in series 1 of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, leaving the competition in episode 1. This makes her the first queen to be eliminated in the first series of a franchise to be asked back to compete.
Follow Gothy Kendoll on social media here:
Hannah Conda
Age: 31
Representing: Australia
Track Herstory: Finalist on season 2 of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under. Hannah won three consecutive challenges including the Snatch Game.
Follow Hannah Conda on social media here:
Jonbers Blonde
Age: 34
Representing: United Kingdom
Track herstory: Jonbers finished as a finalist on series four of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
Follow Jonbers Blonde on social media here:
Keta Minaj
Age: 40
Representing: Holland
Track Herstory: Keta made it all the way to the semi-finals of season 2 of Drag Race Holland, winning three maxi challenges including the Snatch game, and placing 4th in the competition.
Follow Keta Minaj on social media here:
La Grande Dame
Age: 24
Representing: France
Track herstory: La Grande Dame was a finalist on the first season of Drag Race France, winning the Snatch Game. Often on top throughout the competition, she narrowly missed the win.
Follow La Grande Dame on social media here:
Marina Summers
Age: 26
Representing: The Philippines
Track Herstory: Marina placed as a finalist on the first season of Drag Race Philippines. A regular “top’, Marina won two challenges, on her way to the finale.
Follow Marina Summers on social media here:
Mayhem Miller
Age: 41
Representing: United States of America
Track herstory: Mayhem had a spectacular start on season ten of RuPaul’s Drag Race when she won the design challenge, but her fate was sealed with an improv challenge and she became the fifth queen to leave the competition. Mayhem also appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race Holi-slay spectacular and on season 5 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, where she placed 7th.
Follow Mayhem Miller on social media here:
Scarlet Envy
Age: 31
Representing: United States of America
Track Herstory: Scarlet first appeared on season 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, where she won the acting challenge. She placed 10th, leaving in episode 6. She later appeared on season 6 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, where she placed ninth, leaving in episode 5
Follow Scarlet Envy on social media here:
Tia Kofi
Age 33,
Representing: United Kingdom
Track herstory: Tia placed 7 on season two of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. Her fellow cast members awarded her the title of ”Baroness Basic”, and she found herself lip-syncing for her life three times, eventually exiting the competition in episode 6.
Follow Tia Kofi on social media here:
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World Series 2
As RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs the World series 2 kicks into high gear with its much-anticipated premiere, the enthusiasm and energy surrounding these queens reach levels that transcend to the global main stage. Delving into their social media feeds provides an up-close and personal look at their lives, artistic expressions, and the unbridled passion they infuse into the world of drag. It’s a journey that goes beyond the global runway, offering fans insights into the intricacies of their runway ensembles. Moreover, keeping a watchful eye on their socials unveils the outfits that might have been missed during each queen’s departure, adding an extra layer of connection and intrigue for avid followers.
Engaging with these dynamic personalities beyond the screen allows fans to become a part of their incredible narratives, celebrating their triumphs and supporting their artistic endeavours. So, hit those social media buttons above, for each of the queens, join the conversation, and immerse yourself in the vibrant universe of these talented queens. From runway reveals to behind-the-scenes moments, social media serves as the ultimate backstage pass to witness their journey unfold.
Don’t miss a beat and stay connected to these global drag superstars as they captivate audiences, one fabulous post at a time!
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World series 2 will be shown weekly on BBC Three at 9 p.m. GMT in the UK and will later be available to watch online via BBC iPlayer, shortly after. It will later be available for Canadian viewers to watch on Crave, while US and the rest of the world will be able to watch via WOW Presents Plus, weekly.