After weeks of speculation, Stan has confirmed it will be the exclusive Australian home for the upcoming reality event series RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under.
The 8-part first ever local adaption of the global hit series will see the most fabulous and fierce local drag queens compete to be the first ever Down Under Drag Race Superstar.
The highly anticipated local version of the reality competition show will be hosted by RuPaul, a.k.a the mother of all drag queens, with co-judge and Drag Race veteran Michelle Visage by his side.
Rumours of a local version of the popular series surfaced recently when RuPaul entered a two week isolation program in New Zealand. Filming on the production is set to commence this week.
The drag queens competing in the premiere season of Down Under, the final judge on the main panel and celebrity guest appearances will be announced later this year.
The announcement comes at a time when Stan is investing heavily in local content as the streamer looks to distinguish itself from the international competition. The Nine owned streaming service has confirmed plans to reach 30 original productions per annum within the next five years.
Following the popular format, RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under will see queens serving high fashion realness, mini and max challenges, shady and heartfelt moments in the workroom, and of course, the all-important lip-sync for your life battles.
Announcing the new series, RuPaul said:
“I cannot wait for everyone to see that Down Under queens have some of the biggest charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talents in the world. Thank you to Stan and TVNZ for providing a platform for these outrageous drag artists to share their heart, soul and humour.”
Nick Forward, Stan Chief Content Officer, added;
“You asked for it Australia, and now we’re bringing it to you – finally, our very own Aussie Drag Race, the new Stan Original Series RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under! The series is already a huge hit with our audience, so to now be working with RuPaul and the entire team at World of Wonder to create a local version is beyond a thrill.
We can’t wait to reveal all the guest judges and see what our local queens bring to the global sensation that is RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
Executive Producers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato of World of Wonder, said
“The dazzling queens of Australia and New Zealand have always been an inspiration to us, so we are thrilled to team up with our local production partners Stan and TVNZ to bring the creative genius of drag down under to international audiences on WOW Presents Plus.”
So, Australia, who will be our very own drag queens of the desert? Will they be from the West or South of Australia? Perhaps from Queensland? Ru South Wales, Victor Victoria? Maybe even from the little map of Tassie? Our lips are still sealed for now – but don’t worry hunties, all will be ru-vealed soon!
Stan Original Series RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under is a World of Wonder production in collaboration with Warner Bros. International Production New Zealand for Stan and TVNZ, currently filming in New Zealand. Randy Barbato, Fenton Bailey, Tom Campbell and RuPaul Charles serve as Executive Producers. Passion Distribution will distribute the series globally in line with Passion Distribution and WOW’s distribution strategy.
