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qnewsau · 18 days ago

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Is Drag Race Down Under's curse broken with season 4?

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Is Drag Race Down Under's curse broken with season 4?

-Drag Race Down Under has never gotten the love it deserves in the Drag Race franchise family, but has season 4 changed that?

Season 4 of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under topped Stan Australia’s “Most Watched” list when it launched.

After today’s episode half the queens will have been eliminated, and there will be two episodes to go. So why has season 4 been kicking goals?

Since its launch in 2021, something has always felt not quite right about Drag Race Down Under.

We launched with a stellar cast of legendary performers, but something was off.

We may not have the big budget others have, but that’s not been the problem.

It’s almost as if something’s been lost in translation.

Other non-English speaking franchises celebrate their drag culture with uniqueness and pride. So why does it feel like we are always missing the mark?

Between Australia and New Zealand, we have a host of talented drag performers who deserve to shine.

So why is Drag Race Down Under always the butt of the joke?

“I didn’t even finish one season [of Down Under],” Bob the Drag Queen told Pride.

“I’m not gonna lie to you. I’m not excited. But I will get around to watching Down Under and reviewing episode one.

Mum the Drag Queen, who co-produces recap show Kick Ons, said, “The response to season one of Down Under wasn’t what it should have been.

“There wasn’t the love or appreciation of down under drag.”

Drag Race Down Under Cast Season 1-4

Blame it on the edit?

There’s no denying that something hasn’t quite been gelling with the show’s previous seasons.

Some have blamed the New Zealand producers for trying to fit a US square into the Down Under hole.

Even though RuPaul is married to an Aussie, others have suggested Ru’s understanding of Down Under Drag was the issue.

Callum Cantril, co-host of Down Under Debrief podcast, told us it’s more than just one thing.

“The first season failed to leave an outstanding first impression in the Drag Race universe,” Callum said.

“The show was fresh off the backend of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was tarnished by low-budget production, limited resources, and casting controversies.

“It felt underwhelming with the daunting shadow of Drag Race UK season 2. Viewers were left disappointed.

“Seasons 2 and 3 showed signs of growth, with the franchise beginning to establish its identity.

“Open auditions brought a wider range of talent to the stage, resulting in more varied performances and engaging storylines.

“RuPaul’s limited understanding of [our] cultural nuances at times made the show feel disconnected from the vibrant drag scene we all know and love.

“The struggles of the show were never a reflection of the talent on screen.

“The queens have consistently delivered on several fronts and striven to define Australian and New Zealand drag culture.

“I can confidently say that the talent from Down Under is unmatched in its boldness, creativity, and authenticity.

“Seasons two and three highlighted the need for greater investment in showcasing the unique essence of Down Under drag.”

Who knew RuPaul ditching Down Under for a book tour would be such a boon to a change in the direction of the show?

As well as shaking up the hosting panel, it’s allowed a fresh perspective for the franchise.

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All hail Michelle Visage (sorry Ru)

There’s no denying that having Michelle in the driver’s seat has felt like a breath of fresh air.

From her hilarious takes on Ru’s catchphrases to her approach to the format, she’s made hosting Drag Race Down Under her own.

Having a blast, she’s still able to bring the thunder with her critiques as well as passion and knowledge of drag culture.

“With Michelle as the new host, it will enliven the franchise and give a different perspective,” Isis Avis Loren told QNews.

“I think there are a few changes that are going to allow for a more ‘down under’ experience.”

Rhys Nicholson also said the big judging panel shakeup led to a ‘different form of connection’ with the new queens.

“We now have a rotation of winning queens on the panel, that fill the previous ‘Michelle’ spot,” Rhys said.

Rhys stressing that they haven’t taken up the former ‘Michelle’ spot on the panel.

“Someone was needed to dispense the tough but fair critiques that she’s known for. I was very vocal about that at the beginning,” Rhys said.

“You need to have a person on the panel that knows about drag! Which Michelle obviously, very definitely does.”

The guest judges each week bring a heap of fun to the runway experience.

But there’s no denying that the addition of former Drag Race queens to the panel has changed everything.

It has not only highlighted the diversity of drag around the world, but Down Under as well.

Also, giving more opportunities to Down Under winners and fan favourites on the judging panel has created a stronger investment in the series as a whole.

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Letting the queens be themselves … FINALLY!

From the minute the queens walked into the Werk Room for season four, we knew something was different.

We were seeing camera shots and angles we had never seen before, but also the tone had shifted.

Reality TV has a format that works a certain way and everyone has a role to play. But that’s something the show has struggled with in the past.

Trying hard to make a narrative about a performer that hasn’t rung true, and has brought other elements of the show into the judging spotlight.

But Season 4 has done it differently. Sydney’s Vybe is a brilliant example of this.

It was very clear from her conversations in the opening episode that they were going for a typical Sydney bitch narrative.

“She’s the Sydneyist Sydney Bitch that’s ever walked the earth,” Lazy Susan said in her confessional.

Then Nikita Iman stepped into the Werk Room, who is also from Sydney and part of the state’s ballroom scene.

When Vybe had never heard of Nikita who talked about the scene being territorial you just knew which direction they were heading.

It wasn’t a direction they needed to make when Max Drag Queen didn’t know Brenda Bressed.

It would have been such an easy edit for production to make Vybe the villain with room for redemption in later episodes.

Instead, we were allowed to see Vybe be more than the villain of the season, seeing her as a rounded person and performer throughout the episode.

It showed us that this season was different.

The way the cast supported Max talking about their mother’s passing was beautiful to see.

Production was letting the queens be themselves and show it to the audience.

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A post shared by (@mslazysusan)

But we’re sisters…

The thing about Down Under drag – for the most part – is that we respect each other.

Drag Race has made new queens and audiences think that the ‘battleground’ of drag needs to be put under the lens of the show.

That’s just not true.

Our drag is also culturally different, and that’s not something the show’s team landed when it started.

Nearly every season of Down Under has shown the queens to have genuine love and respect for each other (Minnie Cooper vs Pomara Fifth notwithstanding).

With season four, the series has finally figured out that this should be the focus.

After over a decade of Drag Race and too many spin-offs to count, many have thought they have the Drag Race formula down pat.

From the type of queen you are, to the archetype production gives you.

From backstage conversations with people wanting the T to interviews the minute the cast was announced, all we kept hearing about was the respect and love the cast had for one another.

Something you can see on the series each week.

It not only shows the performers in a much fuller light blooming but gives room for the conversations and production to do the same.

It’s something that other franchise audiences may not be used to, because hearing the shade sound effect or truly catty confessionals is their norm.

But when they tried to do that Down Under it did not ring true, and felt like production forced it in editing.

It really helps that the queens actually like each other.

Will forever belly flop to “My Delirium” with these 2 pic.twitter.com/l3JmfM63Ym

— Karna ford (@KarnaFord) December 1, 2024

So who will win?

With only a few episodes left the countdown is on to see who will be crowned the next Drag Race Down Under superstar.

It’s really hard to tell. Many people assume Lazy Susan because of her two wins out of the gate and her ability to think outside the box.

However, Vybe has always brought power and polish to the runway and is finally getting recognised.

Nikita Iman has been nothing short of exceptional to watch on the show, celebrating their drag and beauty.

Max Drag Queen may not have reached the top yet, but she knows how to perform like no other. Max has brought amazing moments to season 4.

Mandy Moobs has been doing Brisbane proud showing why such strong and brilliant performers come from there.

Freya Armani continues to stun, including her iconic lip-sync to Moving Pictures classic What About Me?

One of them will go home tonight, but we have such a high calibre of performers this whole season it’s genuinely sad to see anyone go.

Whatever happens, the Drag Race Down Under team have found their stride with season four.

Let’s hope the Drag Race can continue to build with future seasons, so the world can see what amazing drag artists we have.

Drag Race Down Under is streaming in Australia Fridays on Stan.

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

#drag queen #Drag Race Down Under #Michelle Visage #Queer TV #Rhys Nicholson #rupauls drag race

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