Drag Race Down Under

RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under
File:RuPaulsDragRaceDownUnderLogo.jpg
Genre	Reality competition
Based on	RuPaul's Drag Race
Presented by	RuPaul
Judges	RuPaul Michelle Visage Rhys Nicholson
Theme music composer	RuPaul
Opening theme	RuPaul's Drag Race theme
Ending theme	"I'm a Winner, Baby - Skeltal Ki Remix"
Country of origin	New Zealand Australia
Original language	Englisch
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	8
Production
Executive producers	RuPaul Charles Fenton Bailey Randy Barbato Tom Campbell
Producer	Amanda Pain
Editors	Kermath Cameron Pouesi Lachlan Wilson Jake Tattersall
Camera setup	Multiple
Running time	60 minutes
Production companies	World of Wonder Warner Bros. International Television Production New Zealand
Original release
Network	Stan (AU) TVNZ 2 & TVNZ OnDemand (NZ) WOW Presents Plus (International)
Release	1 May 2021 (2021-05-01) – present

RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under is a reality competition streaming television series produced by World of Wonder and Warner Bros. International Television Production New Zealand. The series premiered on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ OnDemand in New Zealand, Stan in Australia, and on WOW Presents Plus internationally on 1 May 2021. The series is also streaming on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom, and broadcast by both Crave and its associated streaming service in Canada.

The ten drag queens compete for the title of the Down Under's first "Drag Superstar", a one-year supply of Revolution Beauty Cosmetics, and a cash prize of $30,000.

Production

Initially announced as a solely Australian version in 2019, production was moved to New Zealand due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. Filmed in Auckland, the series features drag queens from both Australia and New Zealand competing to be "Down Under's first Drag Superstar".

Australian comedian Rhys Nicholson was confirmed to join RuPaul and Michelle Visage as a judge. They officially announced the ten contestants at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras on 6 March 2021.

The three New Zealand based queens were on House of Drag with Anita Wigl'it and Kita Mean as judges and Elektra Shock as the runner-up on season 2.

Contestants

Ages, names, and cities stated are at time of filming.

Contestants of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under and their backgrounds

Contestant	Age	Hometown	Outcome
Art Simone	28	Melbourne, Australia	TBA
Elektra Shock	28	Auckland, New Zealand
Karen from Finance	32	Melbourne, Australia
Kita Mean	34	Auckland, New Zealand
Maxi Shield	46	Ballina, Australia
Scarlet Adams	27	Perth, Australia
Etcetera Etcetera	22	Canberra, Australia	7th Place
Anita Wigl'it	31	Leigh, New Zealand	8th Place
Coco Jumbo	29	Coffs Harbour, Australia	9th Place
Jojo Zaho	30	Newcastle, Australia	10th Place

Contestant progress

Progress of contestants including rank/position in each episode

Contestant	1	2	3	4	5
Art Simone	HIGH	ELIM		HIGH	LOW
Elektra Shock		LOW		SAFE	WIN
Karen from Finance	WIN	LOW	SAFE		LOW
Kita Mean	SAFE	SAFE	HIGH	SAFE	HIGH
Maxi Shield	SAFE	LOW	LOW	HIGH
Scarlet Adams	HIGH	LOW	WIN	WIN
Etcetera Etcetera	SAFE	SAFE	SAFE	LOW	ELIM
Anita Wigl'it	SAFE	WIN	HIGH	ELIM
Coco Jumbo	LOW		ELIM
Jojo Zaho	ELIM

  The contestant won the challenge.

  The contestant received positive critiques and was ultimately declared safe.

  The contestant received no critiques and was declared safe.

  The contestant received critiques and was ultimately declared safe.

  The contestant received negative critiques but was ultimately declared safe.

  The contestant was in the bottom two.

  The contestant was eliminated.

Lip syncs

Summary of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under lip syncs

Episode	Contestants			Song	Eliminated
1	Elektra Shock	vs.	Jojo Zaho	"Tragedy" (Bee Gees)	Jojo Zaho
2	Art Simone	vs.	Coco Jumbo	"I'm That Bitch" (RuPaul)	Art Simone
3	Coco Jumbo	vs.	Elektra Shock	"Shake Your Groove Thing" (Peaches & Herb)	Coco Jumbo
4	Anita Wigl'it	vs.	Karen from Finance	"I Begin to Wonder" (Dannii Minogue)	Anita Wigl'it
5	Etcetera Etcetera	vs.	Maxi Shield	"Absolutely Everybody" (Vanessa Amorosi)	Etcetera Etcetera

  The contestant was eliminated after their first time in the bottom.

  The contestant was eliminated after their second time in the bottom.

Guest Judge

Listed in chronological order:

• Elz Carrad, New Zealand actor
• Rena Owen, New Zealand actress in theatre, television and film

Special guests

Guests who appeared in episodes, but did not judge on the main stage.

Episode 1

• Taika Waititi, New Zealand film and television director

Episode 2

• Kylie Minogue, Australian singer and actress
• Dannii Minogue, Australian singer and actress

Episode 3

• Troye Sivan, Australian singer-songwriter
• Leland, American singer

Episode 4

• Suzanne Paul, Down Under's famous infomercial hostess and television presenter, both in Australia and New Zealand

Episodes

No.	Titel	Original air date
1	"G'day, G'day, G'day"	1 May 2021 (2021-05-01)
The ten queens entered the work room for the first time across the Tasman. Art, Scarlett and Karen received positive critiques on the runway, as Karen was declared the winner of the challenge. While Elektra and Jojo both received negative critiques, Coco receives partially negative critiques but was ultimately declared safe, leaving Elektra and Jojo to lipsync for their lives. Elektra Shock won the lipsync and Jojo Zaho was asked to sashay away. Mini Challenge: Intergalactic Superhero Acting Audition - "Thar" Mini Challenge Winner: Elektra Shock Main Challenge: Get to Know You Ball Runway Themes: Born Naked & No Place Like Home Challenge Winner: Karen from Finance Main Challenge Prize: $3,000 cash tip from Mary's Poppin' in Adelaide Bottom Two: Elektra Shock & Jojo Zaho Lip Sync Song: Tragedy by Bee Gees Eliminated: Jojo Zaho Farewell Message: " I am so happy to call each & everyone of you mob(sisters). Bring that crown home. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi Oi Oi. Jojo Zaho x now clean this mirror bitch lol"
2	"Snatch Game"	8 May 2021 (2021-05-08)
After Jojo's elimination, the queens wonders the upcoming challenge. Etcetera suggested "doing a shoey". The kiwi queens were introduce with the Aussie's custom by drinking some booze from a shoe. The queens received a video message from Kylie Minogue and RuPaul confirmed that the queens have to show their best celebrity impersonation skills in the Snatch Game. The characters are as follows: Anita Wigl'it as Elizabeth II Art Simone as Bindi Irwin Coco Jumbo as Lizzo Elektra Shock as Catherine O'Hara Etcetera Etcetera as Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton Karen from Finance as Dolly Parton Kita Mean as Dr. Seuss Maxi Shield as Magda Szubanski Scarlet Adams as Jennifer Coolidge On the runway, the category is Sea-Sickening. Anita Wigl'it is declared the winner of the challenge, having been the only standout in the challenge, with Etcetera Etcetera and Kita Mean ending up being safe. The remaining girls are all in the bottom. Scarlet Adams, Art Simone, and Karen from Finance receive high praise for their runways, but mixed to negative critiques for their Snatch Games. On the other side of the spectrum, Elektra Shock receives praise for her performance, but being told her runway look was “too basic.” Maxi Shield receives mixed critiques for both her Snatch Game and runway, while Coco Jumbo receives negative critiques on her performance and runway. In Untucked, Dannii Minogue video streamed the queens and gave advice on performance. Art Simone & Coco Jumbo ended up in the bottom two. They lip sync to "I'm That Bitch" by RuPaul. Coco Jumbo wins the lip sync and Art Simone is eliminated from the competition. Main Challenge: The Snatch Game Runway Theme: Sea-Sickening Challenge Winner: Anita Wigl'it Main Challenge Prize: $5,000 cash tip from Barefoot Wine Australia Bottom Two: Art Simone & Coco Jumbo Lip Sync Song: I'm That Bitch by RuPaul Eliminated: Art Simone Farewell Message: "REDЯUM ♡ Art. Karen bring home that crown!"
3	"Queens Down Under"	15 May 2021 (2021-05-15)
RuPaul announced the queens will be working together to debut a brand new drag anthem, "Queens Down Under". Drama flared up between Elektra and her teammates, Karen, Kita and Maxi, just to psyche the others. The queens received a video message from Troye Sivan and Leland for songwriting tips. The contestants performed in Team Three and a half men & Team Outback Fake-Hoes, but were judged individually. Mini Challenge: BABEWATCH - Slow-motion surf rescue Mini Challenge Winners: Scarlet Adams & Elektra Shock Mini Challenge Prizes: $2,500 gift card from Glitter au Gogo, $2,500 gift card from Philmah's Werqshop Main Challenge: Compose an original verse with original music "Queens Down Under" by Leland. Runway Theme: Bogan Prom Realness Challenge Winner: Scarlet Adams Main Challenge Prize: $4,500 Custom prosthetic piece from BodyFX Bottom Two: Elektra Shock & Coco Jumbo Lip Sync Song: Shake Your Groove Thing" by Peaches & Herb Eliminated: Coco Jumbo Farewell Message: "I ♡ you my sisters. THE PARTY STARTS NOW!! ♡ COCO JUMBO. PS: WATCH OUT BITCH."
4	"Rucycled"	22 May 2021 (2021-05-22)
After Coco elimination, Scarlet and Etcetera read Elektra on her performance and runway which continues till the day after. RuPaul entered the werkroom with the Pitt crew and revealed this week challenge with a surprise. Art Simone will be officially brought back into the competition for no apparent reason. After the runway, Elektra & Kita were declared safe. Art, Maxi & Scarlett received positive reviews while Anita, Etcetera & Karen were critised by the judges. Scarlett was the winner, leaving Anita and Karen in the bottom two. They lip sync to I Begin to Wonder" by Danni Minogue. Karen won the lip sync and Anita was eliminated from the competition. Guest Judge: Elz Carrad Returned: Art Simone Main Challenge: Construct a runway outfit from miscellaneous items found in the local op shop Challenge Winner: Scarlet Adams Main Challenge Prize: $2,500 gift card from Elea's Closet Bottom Two: Anita Wigl'it & Karen from Finance Lip Sync Song: "I Begin to Wonder" by Danni Minogue Eliminated: Anita Wigl'it Farewell Message: "To my beautiful queens, You are everything to me! I come in with 3 Kiwi sisters and leave with a whole Australian sisters hood. Never forget my Dry Arse Pussy. Anita P.S. see you in two in the trash."
5	"Yeast Spread"	29 May 2021 (2021-05-29)
The seven remaining queens genuinely missed Anita. The kiwi queens are more determined to make it to the end, while Etcetera has many securities around her. RuPaul officially opens the library as Reading is fundamental. Art was declared the winner. For the main challenge, each contestant has to create and market an individual’s yeast spread, inspired by staple spreads Down Under Vegemite, Marmite, and Promite. The queens put their marketing hats on and used the green screen infomercial set. Their infomercial products are as follows: Karen - Discharge Scarlet - Snatch Art - Yeasty Yank Extractor Kita - Yeasty Nuts Etcetera - Pissed Elektra - Topped Maxi - Hornbag While getting ready for the runway, the queens talk about any regrets while performing in drag. Scarlet admitted that she did ignorantly painted blackface for her shows when she was younger. Maxi added that it is a norm in Australia. However, Etcetera pointed out that casual racism should not be accepted. Elektra was impressed with Etcetera's knowledge and hope her generation will create change for addressing the matter. All the queens remain on stage to received feedbacks on their infomercial and runway. Elektra & Kita were both highly praised for both their performance and runway. Maxi, Karen, Art, Etcetera & Scarlet received mixed critiques. In addition, Scarlett was in the spotlight for her past actions. Ru gave her a platform to address the matter and used it to teach humility and accountability. For the first time, Elektra was declared the winner. Kita, Karen, Art & Scarlet were ultimately declared safe, leaving Etcetera and Maxi in the bottom two. They lip-sync to "Absolutely Everybody" by Vanessa Amorosi. Maxi wins the lip-sync and eliminated Etcetera from the competition. Guest Judge: Rena Owen Mini Challenge: Reading challenge Mini Challenge Winners: Art Simone Main Challenge: Create an Yeast Spread informacial Runway Theme: Finest Sheila in the bush Challenge Winner: Elektra Shock Main Challenge Prize: 4 night stay at a Sofitel property of choice in Australia or New Zealand from Sofitel Viaduct Auckland Harbour Bottom Two: Etcetera Etcetera & Maxi Shield Lip Sync Song: "Absolutely Everybody" by Vanessa Amorosi Eliminated: Etcetera Etcetera Farewell Message: "YIPPEE YIPPEE! TRANS PEOPLE DESERVE MORE! LOVE YOU BITCHES ♡ ETC THE GLAMOUR BUG XO"

Controversies

Following the cast being revealed, videos and social media posts depicting Scarlet Adams "wearing a shirt with the Aboriginal flag, with dark tanned skin and two teeth blacked out". Guardian Australia reported that the image was taken in 2012, as part of Australia Day celebrations. Other images feature Adams in blackface as an African American woman and playing Asian stereotypes by wearing a sari as part of a Bollywood character. Adams apologised at the time, but issued a fresh apology in 2021 saying "Despite this being a story I am deeply ashamed of and something I had tried to forget. I've come to realise in recent years that taking responsibility and admitting my mistakes is an important learning experience … There is no way to sugar-coat it, when I was a teenager roughly eight years ago I performed in blackface/cultural appropriation. I was young and ignorant. I am no longer this person."

Another contestant, Karen from Finance, was also reported to be involved in racial insensitivity after photos emerged showing a tattoo of a golliwog. Karen from Finance addressed the controversy on their social media by saying "I made the uninformed, ignorant and regrettable decision to have one of these dolls tattooed. In the years that followed … I realised how irresponsible and stupid I had been so I disposed of the dolls to landfill and had my tattoo covered."

External links

• Official website (Australia)
• Official website (New Zealand)