The wait is almost over for RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under to hit TV screens, with the series premiering in just a few weeks time.
Streaming service Stan announced on Thursday that the new eight-episode series will sashay onto Australian screens on Saturday, May 1.
The Australian and New Zealand spinoff of the show filmed in Auckland earlier this year.
Ten queens are competing to become our first drag superstar, announced at Mardi Gras last month.
They are Art Simone (Geelong), Coco Jumbo (Sydney), Maxi Shield (Sydney), Anita Wigl’it (Auckland), Scarlet Adams (Perth), Etcetera Etcetera (Sydney), Jojo Zaho (Newcastle), Kita Mean (Auckland), Karen From Finance (Melbourne) and Elektra Shock (Auckland).
RuPaul himself is hosting Drag Race Down Under. Michelle Visage and Australian comedian Rhys Nicholson are also joining him on the judging panel.
Speaking last month, Rhys said he “genuinely still can’t bloody believe” his joining the show.
View this post on Instagram
“The first words RuPaul ever said to me were, ‘Welcome to the family,’ and that’s exactly what it feels like. A family,” Rhys said.
“Ru and Michelle are my new mummies.
“Being able to be a part of the show and help expose the world to our distinctive and particularly magnificent style of Down Under drag will forever be a highlight of my life and an honor.
“I hope I didn’t f–k. It. Up.”
Guest judge announcements coming soon
We’re still waiting for news on which other celebrities will make guest appearances on Drag Race Down Under.
However, due to closed borders and quarantine it’s believed some guest judges may “beam in” virtually to get around restrictions.
Earlier this week, Stan released a Q&A with the Drag Race Down Under queens.
In it, the performers answer burning questions on their drag styles, their drag families and their go-to lip sync favourites.
RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under will premiere in Australia on Saturday May 1 on streaming service Stan. In New Zealand, Drag Race Down Under will screen on TVNZ and in the US on Wow Presents Plus.
View this post on Instagram
Read more: What the RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under queens look like out of drag
For the latest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) news in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
That’s a shame there is no one from Brisbane in the list above ;-(