The first episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World Season 3 just dropped, and it looks like alliances are already forming — particularly among the Filipino queens.
In this season of the international all-stars showdown, three Filipino drag queens are in the running for the cash prize of £50,000 and the title of Queen of the Mothertucking World. There’s Minty Fresh, who placed fifth on the inaugural season of Drag Race Philippines. Competing alongside her are Filipino-Canadian queen Melinda Verga, who placed fifth on Canada’s Drag Race Season 4, and Filipino-born Zahirah Zapanta, who placed 10th on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 6.
While preparing for the season’s first Maxi Challenge, the RuRuvision Song Contest, the three Filipino queens broke off from the larger group to have their own Werkroom kiki.
“It’s the Philippines versus the world,” Minty joked with Melinda and Zahirah.
Although Minty may seem like she’s joking around in this first episode, the drag queen admitted to feeling like the stakes were much higher for her return to the RuPaul’s Drag Race universe.
“Of course I’m proud to represent the [Philippine] drag community on [Drag Race UK vs The World],” Minty told Rolling Stone Philippines. “But at the same time, parang added pressure na to for me. Because sa Season 1 of Drag Race Philippines, I was just representing myself and doing whatever. But now, mas serious na ito. We’re on the next level of the game. And the dilemma now is like, how do you represent the whole drag community of the Philippines?”
Alliances aren’t new to the Werkroom, but we’ll have to see if the Pinoy alliance lasts throughout the season. The British queens are also trying to form their own team, and Zahirah was part of their little “summit of the UK.” To quote the Filipino queen, “I’ve got your backs.”
