Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royaleofficiallyrevealed the guest judges, which includes every previous winner of their flagship franchise, as well as international winners likeNymphia Wind,Jimbo,Sasha Colby, andAlyssa Edwards. And yet, the U.S. iteration of the show has never brought alumni back to guest judge. The time has come forRuPaulto recognize thatalumni guest judges are not only invaluable but crucial.
RuPaul has always been the only drag judge on the panel, thoughRavensat in onRuPaul’s Drag Race UKwhen Ru was absent. And yet, many of the international franchises celebrate the alumni from across the globe with an invitation to judge. While there are fan theories that the lack of in-drag guest judges onRuPaul’s Drag Raceis about Ru’s desire to not have another drag persona to take focus, it’s unproven. Having seen the success of alumni guest judges, however, it’s evident thatthey provide insight that no other judge can: they’ve been on the other side of the table.
‘Drag Race Philippines’ Celebrates Its Queens With Alumni Judges
RuPaul isn’t just a drag queen; she’s theworld’sgreatestdrag queen. Likewise,Drag Raceis no longer just a phenomenon; It’s a global sensation. While casual fans love it when they litter each season with megastars as guest judges, the real fans get excited when the international franchises bring in the alumni. The very first time it happened,Drag Race Españaopened its table by welcomingDrag Race HollandSeason 1 winner,Envy Peru. Not only was she able to provide feedback in her native tongue, but she also inspired the remaining contestants that this could be them. Envy’s appearance onDrag Race Españawas groundbreaking, as it inspired other series to do the same thing.
Not every queen who returned may have won, but they still had the experience tounderstand how to critique the contestants in a respectful and constructive manner. It’s not that RuPaul doesn’t provide that sort of feedback, but it’s been decades since RuPaul has actually fought for the spotlight as a “nobody.” Winning Emmys isn’t a competition when you continue to dominate the category!Drag Raceis groundbreaking as one of the only shows to have had alumni guest judges.American Idol, for example, has had many alumni return in a mentor capacity, but it wasn’t untilCarrie Underwoodjoined last season that they finally had a judge who understood. She wasn’t a megastar who was instantly successful. She literally won the show, fighting for her chance in the spotlight.Though her season was met with mixed reviews, her presence was invaluable.
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Perhaps a reason why RuPaul hasn’t given her children a seat at the table is that it would mean acknowledging the success they’ve had. Look, these queens are incredibly grateful to have been given the platform they have, in part thanks toDrag Race. But inviting them back gives the audience further insight into how drag is no longer niche — it’s a career.Trixie Mattelis a makeup mogul and media personality, earning her own HBO Max home renovation program.Alaskahas dominated since winning, going from podcast superstar to penning their own Off-Broadway musical.Bianca Del RioandBob the Drag Queenhave smashed it on the road as touring comics. And then there’sJinkx Monsoon, who not only entered theDoctor Whouniverse, but is also an in-demand bona fide Broadway star. These are major success stories, and it’s not enough to just bring them in for a cameo. They are the kind of entertainers these contestants strive to be.
How ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Can Continue the Alumni Tradition
Drag Race Philippinesis honoring the franchise by bringing in alumni who know what it takes to compete, bringing compassion and tough love. The three winners, as well as Season 1 andRuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World’sMarina Summers, will be on hand as they bring Filipino pride to the stage. When it comes to the international seasons, the alumni who return to the show often do so because they might have a connection to the host country, through language or heritage, and always with immense pride. Some were a tad confused bySasha VelouronDrag Race Germany, but watching the queens light up when she came to the Werk Room to speak to them was invaluable. This season ofDrag Race Brasil, every Brazilian queen from the international shows will stop by because Brazilian pride rallied behind them when they competed. WhenMichelle Visagetook overDrag Race Down Under, she invited Australian alumni to join her, and it made it one of the strongest seasons yet.
There is a solution to convincing RuPaul. If you look atCanada’s Drag Race, they invite alumni to guest judge out of drag, keeping hostBrooke Lynn Hytesas the sole queen in drag. So, there it is!Drag Raceis a self-referential show. Thetime has truly come to celebrate its history with alumni providing their voices as judges.
RuPaul’s Drag Race
