The Drag Race judges tell us the tea on what to expect from UK Versus the World

‘My judging style is pointless – I’m there to have a front row seat and make up numbers’

2 years ago

One day to go, girlies. One day to go before RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK Versus The World sashays onto BBC Three and iPlayer with a formula that we’ve never seen before in the franchise! Nine queens from around the global franchise all came together to battle it out for the title of Queen of the World. Before the mayhem, madness and sickening drag unfolds over the coming weeks, here’s what judges Alan Carr, Graham Norton and Michelle Visage had to say on what we can expect from Drag Race: UK Versus the World!

Alan Carr

Via BBC

“It was such a buzz getting to see queens from around the world compete in one competition. I’m such a huge fan of Drag Race and to get to see some of my favourites that I watched all those years ago in the flesh competing against queens I’d critiqued over here during Drag Race UK was very surreal. What an honour to watch the creme de la creme fighting it out!”

Alan also shared what the judges are looking for on Drag Race UK Versus the World. “You must really be able to do everything, which sounds impossible but it’s true. You’ve got to look great, have an eye for detail, have sass and wit and not settle for second best. Being Queen of the World isn’t just about winning the title, you’re an ambassador and there’s a lot of negativity out there about drag. Half the job is being able to change people’s minds.”

Describing his judging style in one word, Alan said: “Bitchy! No, I only get bitchy when an outfit has underwhelmed me or someone has a bad attitude. It’s such an honour to be on RuPaul’s Drag Race, so give it your best shot and basically don’t piss me off!” His highlight of judging? “After the series ends and you see the queens blossom into household names. When you see Tayce doing runways, Bimini on the front of Vogue and The Vivienne, Baga and Lawrence on TV shows as stars in their own right it makes you so proud.”

Graham Norton

Via BBC

“Being one of the judges on Drag Race: UK Versus the World oddly felt like a big family reunion, even though we’d never met. I’m a proper Drag Race fan and have watched all the franchises so I loved getting to know these international drag superstars.” Graham explained further on what it was like meeting these global queens for the first time: “Drag Race contestants always exceed my expectations. I always go into the competition feeling like we must have seen the best already but then the bar gets raised again. I think people will be blown away by the looks and the talent.”

I laughed out loud at Graham’s iconic description of his judging style. “Pointless. Honestly, I’m just there to have a front row seat and make up the numbers! The queens only want to hear what Ru and Michelle think, and who can blame them?” Graham’s highlight as one of the judges before Drag Race: UK Versus the World? “I love all the Snatch Games. Baga’s Thatcher and Bimini’s Katie Price were real highlights for me.”

Which country does Graham’s favourite kind of drag hail from? “I love the humour and creativity of the drag from the UK, but America blows me away with its glamour and polish.” Finally, Graham let us know what we should be expecting from season one of Drag Race: UK Versus the World. “Viewers can expect the best of the best. It has all the sparkle and laughs you expect from Drag Race but also more drama and emotion than I’ve ever seen in one of these competitions.”

Michelle Visage

Michelle shared how it was to see queens from across the globe all competing together “Oh my goodness, it was so much fun. It has the RuPaul’s Drag Race familiarity that everyone knows and loves, but it has so many twists and turns you’ll need a neck stabiliser!”

Michelle Visage’s favourite part of being one of the judges on Drag Race: UK Versus the World? “Meeting the queens I hadn’t judged before! I loved being able to not only judge, but see these amazing queens perform in person on the main stage. They’re all superstars and will blow your socks off.” Michelle’s judging approach for this series? “I think everyone knows how I judge at this point: direct, honest and filled with nothing but love for these talented artists. I want them to be the best they can be so they can soar in their careers.”

Drag Race has taken the world by storm, and Michelle had this to say on why that is: “It’s so beloved because everyone sees themselves in the queens. There is always someone whose story you can relate to. It has so much heart, and the stories of perseverance inspire even the least motivated. Everyone deserves to know they matter.”

RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK Versus the World starts on BBC Three on February 1st. For all the latest Drag Race memes and Netflix news, drops and memes like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook.

All images and featured image courtesy of BBC.