RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World is an international all-stars series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK and its franchise. The all-stars series premiered on 1 February 2022, through BBC Three and WOW Presents Plus.[1] RuPaul acts as the host, head judge, and executive producer of the series.[2]
| RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World | |
|---|---|
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| Genre | Reality competition |
| Presented by | RuPaul |
| Judges | |
| Theme music composer | RuPaul |
| Opening theme | RuPaul's Drag Race theme |
| Ending theme | "Rock It (To the Moon)" |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 14 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Michelle Visage |
| Production locations |
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| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 60–70 minutes |
| Production company | World of Wonder |
| Original release | |
| Network | |
| Release | 1 February 2022 – present |
| Related | |
The contestants for the first series were announced on 17 January 2022.[3] The first series was won by Blu Hydrangea with Mo Heart as the runner-up.[4] The second series began airing on 9 February 2024 and was won by Tia Kofi with Hannah Conda as the runner-up.[5]
Production
editOn 21 December 2021, a press release by the BBC announced an upcoming international all-stars series involving RuPaul's Drag Race UK; it coincided with the relaunch of BBC Three as a television channel.[6] The first series was filmed in Manchester at the same location as the third series of the main series.[7] The second series was filmed in Pinewood Studios, back-to-back with the fifth series of the main series.
Format
editThe series follows a similar format from seasons two to four of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. In every episode, the two best-performing contestants of the main challenge would compete in the lip-sync. The victor is awarded a golden "RuPeter Badge" and the power to eliminate any of the worst-performing queens from the main challenge.[8]In the finale, the top 4 will battle in a Lip Sync For The Crown tournament to determine the winner.
Judges
editThe competition series is hosted and judged primarily by RuPaul, Michelle Visage as a supporting judge, with Alan Carr and Graham Norton returning as alternating judges.[9]
| Judge | Season | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | |
| RuPaul | Main | |
| Michelle Visage | Main | |
| Alan Carr | Main | |
| Graham Norton | Main | |
Series overview
edit| Series | Contestants | Episodes | Originally aired | Winner | Runner(s)-up | Miss Congeniality | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | |||||||
| 1 | 9 | 6 | 1 February 2022 | 8 March 2022 | Blu Hydrangea | Mo Heart | - | |
| 2 | 11 | 8 | 9 February 2024 | 29 March 2024 | Tia Kofi | Hannah Conda | Arantxa Castilla-La Mancha | |
Series 1 (2022)
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The first series premiered on 1 February 2022, and features nine international queens who have competed in the Drag Race franchise worldwide.[10] The contestants competed to become "Queen of the Mothertucking World" and be featured in a song by RuPaul, as well as winning a crown and a scepter.[11] It ran for six episodes and concluded on 8 March 2022; Mo Heart was the runner-up and Blu Hydrangea was crowned the first series winner.[12]
Series 2 (2024)
editAfter its two-year hiatus, a teaser was released showcasing the second series of the international all-stars.[13] The series aired on BBC Three and iPlayer beginning on 9 February 2024. Tia Kofi was the winner, Hannah Conda was the runner up and Marina Summers and La Grande Dame place third. Arantxa Castilla-La Mancha was voted Miss Congeniality.
References
edit- ^ Yossman, K.J. (11 January 2022). "'RuPaul's Drag Race: U.K. Versus The World' Sets Launch Date with BBC Three's Broadcasting Return". Variety. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ Nolfi, Joey (21 December 2021). "RuPaul takes all-stars international on RuPaul's Drag Race: UK Versus the World". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ Nolfi, Joey (17 January 2022). "RuPaul's Drag Race UK Versus the World cast adds international all-stars to new competition". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ The second series was won by Tia Kofi with Hannah Conda as the runner-up.Smith, Reiss (8 March 2022). "Drag Race UK vs the World just crowned a winner, baby". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ Sayce, Rebecca (28 December 2022). "RuPaul's Drag Race UK Versus The World has second series confirmed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "New BBC Three commissions for a new BBC Three channel" (Press release). BBC. 19 October 2018. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
- ^ Maidment, Adam (21 December 2021). "RuPaul returns to Salford for new 'UK Versus' BBC Three show". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ James, Michael (3 February 2022). "Where's the money honey? No Prize money for Drag Race: UK vs The World winner". QNews. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
- ^ Ali, Mishti (21 December 2021). "Drag Race announces first-ever international All Stars edition: UK Versus the World". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ Ramachandran, Naman (21 December 2021). "'RuPaul's Drag Race: U.K. Versus The World' to Kick Off Relaunched BBC Three Channel". Variety. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ Harp, Justin (8 March 2022). "RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs the World crowns its first-ever winner". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ Opie, David (8 March 2022). "Drag Race UK vs the World winner Blu Hydrangea is anything but a wallflower this season". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race UK Versus The World will return to BBC Three and iPlayer for a highly anticipated second series" (Press release). BBC. 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
