This is now Michelle Visage’s home.
“Drag Race Down Under” is back, and for the first time in “Drag Race” history, Emmy winner Visage, who was a judge on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK,” will appear on the starring stage and hosted the fourth season of the Australian version.
In a statement to Variety, Visage said: “Ohhhhh Babies, I’m buzzing with excitement for season 4 of ‘Drag Race Down Under.’ The talent this year is unreal, and I am so proud of these incredible Australasian queens. It is so important that the world sees the diversity and creativity of drag in this region; it’s more than just entertainment, it’s a movement. These queens are putting Aussie and Kiwi Drag on the world stage where it belongs, and trust me, they’re ready to slay!
Comedian Rhys Nicholson will join Visage and return to the main jury. As previously announced, the show will feature a new judging twist: Visage and Nicholson will be joined on the main stage by a rotating cast of “Down Under” drag royalty. It will be the first time that “Down Under” queens will be hired for their expertise to guide the new cast of fierce local queens vying for the crown.
Ten new queens from Australia and New Zealand compete for a cash prize and the title of “Down Under’s Next Drag Superstar.”
The brand new season airs November 1 on WOW Presents Plus in the US and New Zealand, day and date with local airing on Stan in Australia. Meet the queens below.
Brenda Bressed
Hailing from Melbourne, Bressed has a background in musical theater and is considered one of the most polished queens on the Melbourne scene. In 2023, Bressed was one of the finalists on ‘The Voice Australia’ from Rita Ora’s team, and has since amassed quite a following. Bressed considers Dolly Parton a major inspiration for drag, with awe for her fashion, wigs, musical talent and charity work.
Freya Armani
Armani started doing drag in 2019 and has since been booked and blessed, working as a regular at all the biggest gay clubs on the Gold Coast. She belongs to Thicc’s Drag Haus, a POC collective in Brisbane and is passionate about innovation and diversity in the industry.
Karna Ford
The stylish and sassy Karna Ford jumps off the stage and does the splits. Ford is one of the newer queens of the drag scene. She has quickly risen to fame, with a recent highlight of winning Sydney’s Slay 2 Stay competition. Ford performed at the opening ceremony of Sydney World Pride and recently appeared on ‘NCIS Sydney’. She is excited to incorporate more of her Filipino culture into her performances.
Lazy Susan
Lazy Susan is known for her wacky sense of humor and crazy drag aesthetic. Her most recent achievements include performing with Charli XCX, appearing in a Troye Sivan music video and selling out the Melbourne comedy festival. She has a large online following and has appeared on ‘Kick Ons with Art Simone’.
Lucina Innocence
Lucina Innocence is 6 feet tall in drag and has built her reputation over the past seven years. She is known for her ability to style wigs – with some of her work appearing on drag racing alumni Yuri Guy and Flor. She can make her own clothes and is known for her live singing performances.
Mandy Moobs
Mandy Moobs offers the most polished looks. Known as the ‘mother’ of Brisbane, Moobs has been nominated for Best Drag Artist three years in a row and represented Australia at NZ Pride Ski week last year.
Max Drag Queen
Max Drag Queen is known for pulling off all the stunts on stage. Max Drag Queen belongs to the Isis Avis Loren dynasty and has previously won Best New Talent at Melbourne’s Drag Awards and won numerous drag competitions such as Dragathon.
Nikita Iman
Nikita Iman was born in the ballroom where she won her first category, “FACE”, – and that is exactly what she will serve in the competition. After getting a taste of drag, Iman ventured out to explore the Auckland club scene and has been unstoppable since.
Olivia is dreaming
Olivia Dreams is an emerging drag queen on the Wellington scene. Her biggest achievement to date is producing her own drag show that tours across the country. She is originally from Te Tai Tokerau and is of Te Rarawa descent. She has called Te-Whanganui-a-Tara home for the past four years and wants to ensure Rainbow Wellington is inclusive and supports diverse rainbow and disability communities.
Vibe
Vybe is no stranger to the Sydney drag scene – she has thirteen years left. Vybe is a polished queen with a great sense of humor. She is a regular host at Universal, Stonewall and Arq Sydney and has performed numerous times at major venues, festivals, parties and the Mardi Gras After Party over the years, and has worked with high-profile companies including Qantas, Disney and PlayStation.