Over the past nine weeks, Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale has enthralled hardcore drag fans and casual viewers alike with its boodle fights, cacao leaf runway looks, and Filipino mini challenges like Kep Kep Boobey. The show is, undeniably, an Asian spin on the All Stars format of RuPaul’s Drag Race. We watched as a gaggle of Filipino drag queens went toe-to-toe with queens representing multiple Asian countries, from Thailand to Vietnam to China. The season finale is now only a week away, with the Top Four queens — Brigiding, Viñas Deluxe, Arizona Brandy (all Drag Race Philippines alums), and Suki Doll (Canada’s Drag Race) — all fighting for the crown and grand prize of P2 million pesos.
For Jervi Wrightson (also known as KaladKaren), who serves as a guest judge on Slaysian Royale and a regular judge on Drag Race Philippines, the show’s inaugural season couldn’t have been a bigger triumph. “I think it was a very successful season,” Wrightson told Rolling Stone Philippines. “It’s the first-ever Slaysian Royale in the world na pinagsama-sama lahat ng mga Asian queens from different franchises. And, it’s the highest rated of all the franchises.”
“It’s so nice to see Filipino queens competing on an international platform,” added Wrightson, “kasi hindi na lang Filipino mga kalaban nila, diba? They’re head-to-head with the queens from different parts of the world na merong Asian blood. Patunay lang sila ng Filipino drag is really excellent and world-class.”
Although the season has seen several Filipino drag queens clashing with their international counterparts (ahem, Arizona Brandy versus Kitty Space, or Viñas Deluxe versus Siam Phusri), the contestants overall have been very cordial with one another, with less tension present compared to other seasons of the RuPaul’s Drag Race franchise (are they all running for Miss Congeniality?).
“It’s so nice to see Filipino queens competing on an international platform, kasi hindi na lang Filipino mga kalaban nila, diba? They’re head-to-head with the queens from different parts of the world na merong Asian blood. Patunay lang sila ng Filipino drag is really excellent and world-class.”
“It just makes me proud na ang gagaling ng mga Pilipino,” she added, “kasi three out of four sa Top Four ng Slaysian Royale ay mga Filipinos. And I’ve seen them grow. Napanood ko ‘yong seasons nila, [kasi] I was there as a judge. So, I’m happy na mas naging mas mahusay pa sila.”
When asked about any behind-the-scenes drama among the contestants, Wrightson recalled how filming the season felt more somber, especially after the passing of Drag Race Philippines judge and RuPaul’s Drag Race alumna Jiggly Caliente.
“Jiggly became a very, very close friend and sister to me,” said Wrightson. “I was broken-hearted when she passed. Ang dami naming memories together! Lagi kaming nag-aaway niyan, on and off cam, as in. Kami ang talagang laging magka-aaway. Pero ‘yong aaway na parang parang aaway-aaway lang, aaway barkada. Kasi nagsasagutan kami, ganyan.”
Beyond thinking of the moments she shared with Jiggly, Wrightson also noted how the late queen served as an anchor within the local drag community. “Jiggly was someone who would make you realize how good you are,” said Wrightson, “She [was] really a good friend, at naging nanay-nanayan din siya ng mga ibang queens. Ang dami niyang inalagaan… She brought me closer to the other drag queens na sumali sa Drag Race.”
Rolling Stone Philippines November 2025 Issue, Now Available at SariSari Shopping
