For Michael Marouli, winning Drag Race Down Under vs the World is about much more than the competition. And even though the prize money drops thanks to the Aussie exchange rate, she couldn’t be prouder of what the whole cast brought to the series and can’t wait to come down under.
Fifteen years after their career began, Michael Marouli made it to Drag Race UK’s fifth season; now she’s queen of the mother tucking world!
“I still haven’t had time to process it because it only happened on Friday,” Michael laughed, talking about the moment her win was announced. “I’m getting goosebumps now thinking about it because just the energy in the room was so beautiful.”
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“The fact that Nicole [Paige Brooks] came over for it, we had Flor there too. And everybody showed up and showed out. That’s my favourite thing about why Drag Race matters so much is how much people love it and how much people get together. For queer people, it’s like our Super Bowl, isn’t it?”
“I’ve not stopped since Friday, and I’m still like, pinch me, is this real? But the love has been overwhelming, especially from down under. Everyone’s messaging me telling me to come to Australia. We love you. It’s just been so amazing; I can’t wait to come and celebrate with everyone.”
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It’s your winter and our summer during our pride season, so maybe we can get you to come and do an Aussie tour?
“Bring it on! I’ll be there with bells. I can’t wait to see everyone and just give all the queens a big hug. I just love them all so much, and I can’t wait to come down and celebrate.”
Something special about watching this series was the connection you all had. We joked in our chat with Art Simone that the editors must have had a hard time creating drama because you had so much love and respect for one another. Was that from the beginning, or did it grow as you filmed together?
“It was instantaneous on day one. I remember walking in, and Coco was there; we’d never met, but we followed each other on Instagram. And there was so much warmth straight away with every queen that came in.”
“I think it’s different with All Stars or a vs the World, because we’ve all done the show before, so you know what to expect. When you do it the first time, it’s very overwhelming. Here, there was a sense of community straight away. We’re all bonded through the experience that we’ve all done before, and everyone was just so lovely.”
Drag Race Down Under vs the WorldSource: STAN
“There was no drama with anyone. We didn’t fall out; we just laughed constantly. Every single day before going in the Werk Room. We’d all just be in face, and the producers would be like, ‘Come on, get it together’, and we’d just be howling. It was just the best group of queens, and I think it really shone through the screen watching it back as well.”
You showed such diversity of drag and style throughout the season. With the tight deadline you are given to plan outfits, what was it like for you curating and creating everything?
“It’s what I live for. I love a tight deadline and a creative challenge. It fuels me. Do you know what I mean? And as intense and as stressful it is as it is, I just wanted to take the challenge head-on. I wanted to come back and really excel. I was like, I know I can do this. Just trust your gut and go for it.”
“Getting two design challenges in one season was something I didn’t have on my bingo card. I thought design was going to be my weakest point, and I won the first and was in the top of the second. I just thought, ‘Trust your gut and just do what you know you’re capable of’.”
“For me, I just wanted to show every aspect of my drag because, yes, I’m camp, stupid and funny. I do stand-up comedy; we call it bastard drag in the UK, but I love the aesthetic, I love the femininity. I love where drag comes from. It’s important to me to show every single aspect of it and try and tick all the boxes I can with it.”
Drag Race Down Under vs the WorldSource: STAN
That’s something wonderful about the series, and the international parts of the franchise. They really open the door for other cultures to see drag through a different lens.
“100%, and I think Australian and UK are so similar. It’s over the top, it’s camp, it’s theatrical. There’s a wink, wink, nudge, nudge, and I think that’s why I bonded so much with Art, Vybe, and Coco talking about it all. We’ve just got the same stupid sense of humour.”
We also had a very diverse top four when it comes to the drag art form. What was it like for you filming together and racing to the finish line?
“It was so emotional because we got so close to each other so quickly. There was just that sense of achievement that we’d done it, and the relief of knowing that we didn’t have to eliminate each other anymore. Because that was so hard.
“When I had to do Lala the episode before, that was heartbreak; I hated doing it. But that’s what we’ve signed up for. It’s the game. But together on the last day, we had the best time. We just lifted each other up.
“We celebrated, and that finale number that we got to do, we just loved it. Honestly, the memories of that day, of being all together, I’ll cherish forever. It was so good.”
Drag Race Down Under vs the WorldSource: STAN
You had to make some tough choices eliminating queens throughout the season; you may have signed up for it, and it may be the game, but that doesn’t make it any easier, especially towards the pointy end of the competition when it was all on your shoulders.
“It’s heartbreaking because I know how I would feel if it was done to me. You’re essentially taking somebody’s dream away from them. But again, it is the competition, and I think I just did it the fairest way possible.”
“Every time it was just track record and what happened in that episode. Who got the best critiques, who got the worst, and it was awful. But it’s the game, and it makes good TV.”
Was there one look that you’re most proud of bringing to that runway?
“I loved my diamond look because I just loved how obnoxious it was. Like the shapes of it all and the big diamond headpiece and even down with the little diamond wig. It’s high drag, but it’s still camp. Do you know what I mean?”
“And I just love that, and the fact that you get to play with it, that’s my favourite thing about drag. Because there are no rules; you can do what you want.”
Drag Race Down Under vs the WorldSource: STAN
You all had such an amazing time, but who did you instantly bond with?
“Jade, straight away. But again, the American queens as well, because Nicole Page Brooks is just such a big personality. I knew Lala before, like we’ve worked together loads of times. Me and Lala get on like a house on fire.”
“I remember on day one there was me, Raven, Nicole, and Lal all sat at the same table, which is how it happened for the first song challenge. We just bonded straight away, and then with Jade, I was obsessed with her from her season of Philippines, and straight away we got on.”
Drag Race Down Under vs the WorldSource: STAN
“Estrella was just so bubbly and funny. I knew Flor as well, and she’s just such a character. Literally all of the girls. Vybe and Coco were so warm straight away. You know what they’re like together, the two of them. They’re just like a double act. I had met Art at DragCon. Honestly, everyone was amazing. Nikita, I’d met Nikita before. They could not have asked for a better cast.”
“I think it’s one of the best casts that’s been on Drag Race in a long, long time.”
I have to ask, the Australian exchange rate isn’t that good, are you going to try and get World of Wonder to hold off sending you the 50,000 Australian dollars till it’s a bit better?
“Do you know what? The title means more to me than anything. Just to say I’ve done it. The money probably won’t even touch the sides. It’ll pay off the debt, and that’s it.”
What does it mean to you to have this win after working in the industry for decades?
“It means everything to me because it’s validation of all that hard work. The blood, sweat, and tears were all worth it, and I want to do so much with the title. I love working with World of Wonder.”
“If there’s a Winners All Stars two, I’ll be there with bells on. Drag Race UK All Stars is coming up. Get me a guest spot on the judging panel. All the things. Stop That Train, I want to be in the sequel. The title opens so many more doors, and I’m just ready for it. Like, let’s go, buckle up, get ready, world for the Marouli reign.”
We can’t wait to see what’s next!
Drag Race Down Under vs the WorldSource: STAN
Watch all episodes of Drag Race Down Under vs The World now on Stan.
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