Get ready, drag fans. A new show is set to capture your heart.
“It’s finally here,” the show’s creator and director Rod Singh wrote in a heartfelt post online. “After years of conceptualizing, and a year after filming, I’m so proud to finally share to you our wonderful project—a project conceived from my lived experience as a trans person who did drag to join a monthly contest called Drag Cartel.”
The show is “Drag Den with Manila Luzon,” which Singh says is a drag reality pageant “for Filipinos, by Filipinos, to the world.”
It will stream worldwide on Amazon Prime Video starting Dec. 8.
Joining Manila Luzon as hosts and judges are Manila Luzon, Nicole Cordoves, Sassa Gurl and Catriona Gray. The show is produced by Project 8 (yay, Antoinette Jadaone and Dan Villegas) and Cornerstone Studios.
There are eight competing queens to fall in love with this season, queens who inspired Manila to say in the trailer, “I have never been more proud to be Filipino than I am looking at all of you.”
Get to know the queens of “Drag Den” in their own words. You’ll soon be spending more time with them.
Aries Night
25, drag queen for 5
IG: @AriesNight_
Twitter: @AriesNight_
Facebook: Thom Cipriano
Tell us about yourself:
I’m an artist at heart and drag is my medium for showcasing it. I’m also a kuya to two younger sisters, my drag is my love letter to them.
Describe your drag in five words:
Alternative, hyper feminine, provocative, smart
Where can people experience your drag?
Nectar Nightclub and Prime Video starting Dec. 8!!!!!
Why did you join the “Drag Den”?
It was a no-brainer for me, it being a heavily Filipino-produced reality drag show hosted by THE Manila Luzon who I’ve looked up to since I was 14 years old. I also considered the fact that it is something new, that we would be pioneers of something big for the local Filipino drag industry.
Why should people watch “Drag Den”?
IT IS FILIPINO DRAG AT ITS FINEST. It is about time that the international audience gets to be the one to adjust to understanding our culture. I can confidently say that the audience is in for a ride they’ve never experienced before. It’s refreshing and I’m so excited for the world to see the level of passion and intellect we Filipino drag artists posses.
Why should you be the first Filipino drag supreme?
I possess both the heart and mind of what it takes to be in that position. I am ready to showcase to the world the experience that I have attained throughout my life as both Thomas and Aries. My goal is to influence people that no matter the multiple failures and hardships in life, success is still inevitable.
O-A
24, drag queen for 4
Instagram/Tiktok/Twitter/Facebook: @odashaflop
Tell us about yourself: I love fried chicken.
Describe your drag in five words: I’m beautiful but stupid.
Where can people experience your drag?
Through prayers, chariz! @ Nectar Nightclub po every weekend!
Why did you join the “Drag Den”?
Because they had an audition.
Why should people watch “Drag Den”?
They shouldn’t.
Why should you be the first Filipino drag supreme?
Ako lang po kasi na-cast ng more than one year.
Lady Gagita
29, drag queen for 12
Facebook/Youtube: @Lady Gagita
Instagram/Tiktok: @ladygagitaofficial
Twitter: @ladygagitaofcl
Tell us about yourself:
Social media queen, Lady Gaga- and Katy Perry-recognized impersonator, VP Choice Awards Drag Queen of The Year 2019 and 2021, LOL Drag Queendom first runner-up
Describe your drag in five words:
Accurate, versatile, camp, innovative, relatable
Where can people experience your drag?
Social media, club gigs particularly Empty Stomach BGC every weekend
Why did you join the “Drag Den?“
I joined Drag Den because I was an underdog. And being an underdog, I really think that my art needs to be noticed and shouldn’t be belittled. The world needs to see it and hopefully it will open new opportunities for me.
Why should people watch “Drag Den”?
If you think you’ve seen Filipino drag, think again because Drag Den will really show you what Filipino drag is. No sugar coating. Uncensored.
Why should you be the first Filipino drag supreme?
I have one single strength that my opponents do not have, personality.
In Photos: Drag Queens Lady Gagita, Lady Morgana and Minty Fresh in Hallyuween
Maria Cristina
28, drag queen for 13
Instagram/Tiktok: @Maria_christina_mc
Twitter: @Reyna_M_C
Tell us about yourself:
I’m the founder of the first Drag Academy in the country. I’m into community and advocacy work. I love mess!!! I see beauty in mess!
Describe your drag in five words:
Inspirational. Statement. Expression. A journey. FILIPINO
Where can people experience your drag?
Baksilog, upcoming viewing parties around the metro!
Why did you join the “Drag Den”?
As a queen who promotes loving your own, it’s just to support a show made by Filipinos for Filipinos!
Why should people watch “Drag Den”?
If you want to understand the Rainbow Community more, this is the show for you!
Why should you be the first Filipino drag supreme?
I have the heart and passion for my art. I know the story of my community and with my story I can be an inspiration to everyone that failing is another step into fully realizing our dreams.
Omiko Madali aka Barbie-Q
36, drag queen for 10
Tiktok:@yourbarbieQ
Instagram: @YourBarbieQ
Twitter:@YourBarbieQ
Tell us about yourself:
Ako po ang unang transgender woman na makakasali sa drag competition. Choreographer, dancer, and sometimes show director. I love helping homeless people and stray dogs and cats.
Describe your drag in five words:
Cute, fantasy-ish, anime, sexy, happy
Where can people experience your drag?
At The One 690 Entertainment Bar
Why did you join the “Drag Den”?
Para itayo ang bandera ng mga transgender woman at makilala at malaman na may Omiko “Barbie-Q” na nag-eexist. Charot!
Why should people “Drag Den”?
Maraming pasabog, ibang-iba sa ibang drag competition
Why should you be the first Filipino drag supreme?
Deserve ko.
Pura Luka Vega (Amadeus Fernando Pagente)
Drag queen for 5 years
Tiktok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook: @puralukavega
Twitter: @ama_survivah
Tell us about yourself:
I think I am beyond words. char. Or if I decide to write about me, it’ll be a novella. But in summary, I am an experience.
Describe your drag in five words:
ABCDE: Androgynous, Bizarre, Colorful, Delusional, Eccentric
Where can people experience your drag?
I want my drag to be accessible, so I am grateful for queer spaces like Butterboy and Nectar in giving me a platform.
Why did you join the “Drag Den”?
“Drag Den” was the first to announce auditions and tugs at my heartstrings because of the heavy influence of the Filipino drag scene and culture, and the fact that it doesn’t shy away from drag as a political artform, the more I was convinced to join. I just feel like I have a different approach to drag and the show complements my drag style.
Why should people watch “Drag Den”?
It has a lot of heart. The show can be educational for everyone (and I mean everyone, queer or not), and how drag enables discovering oneself.
Shewarma
22, drag queen for 2
Instagram: @shewarma
Twitter/Tiktok: @shewarmarise
Tell us about yourself:
I’m half-Arab and half-Filipino. A theater artist at young age and a former Junior Artistic Director at Teatro De Letran.
Describe your drag in five words:
Well, I would say that I am the fierce, glamorous, talented, creative and phenomenal drag queen
Where can people experience your drag?
I am a regular performer at Nectar Night Club but people may also see me at Butterboy, Empty Stomach and Baksilog.
Why did you join the “Drag Den”?
After I won as 1st runner up in 2021 Pinoy Drag Show, I become interested in joining another drag competition. It gives me a thrill that I’ll be able to showcase how my mind works creatively and passionately on things that I love. I know that I am talented but I wanted to challenge myself more and see what great things I am capable of achieving.
Why should people watch “Drag Den”?
“Drag Den” is a show made by Filipinos and it’s a great platform where people can see the Filipino Drag culture that we have here. People will be able to witness different exquisite talents and performances. It’s a show that is intelligently crafted for people to enjoy.
Why should you be the first Filipino drag supreme?
I should be hailed as first Filipino drag supreme because I did not just come prepared, I did not just eye the crown but I also joined to inspire young drag queens like me. Being a beginner in this drag industry does not mean you’re last to shine, being a beginner made me give my 150 percent effort in the show.
NAIA
26, drag queen for 3
Instagram/Tiktok: @naiablack_
Twitter: @brianblack_
Tell us about yourself:
I’m a queen who is quite new to the scene, but I have the heart and eagerness to grow and learn alongside my fellow Drag Den sisters. Chos. I’m known for my high energy performances and charm. I graduated from the UP Diliman College of Mass Communication last 2020, but I didn’t have any opportunities for work in the media then, so I pursued drag!
Describe your drag in five words:
Chic, electric, disruptive, intelligent, charming
Where can people experience your drag?
I usually perform at drag brunches in Butterboy Bakehouse at 81 Basa, Quezon City. I’ve also performed at O Bar and Nectar Nightclub before, so you can catch me at night too!
Why did you join the Drag Den?
Honestly, it’s to push myself outside of my comfort zone and see where my adventurous nature can lead me to. We didn’t know what to expect when we auditioned for “Drag Den,” so it was equally thrilling and terrifying.
Why should people watch Drag Den?
Because it’s a show by Filipinos for Filipinos! There was so much heart put into the production and making of this show, so I hope people support us “Drag Den” girls! Support local drag!
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