‘Drag Race Down Under’ Season 4 to Be Hosted by Michelle Visage
Can we get an Amen up in here?
For the first time in “Drag Race” history, Emmy-award winner Michelle Visage, who has been a judge on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race: U.K.,” will step onto the main stage and host the fourth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race: Down Under.”
More from Variety
As he hands the hosting baton to Visage, RuPaul will remain on the series as an executive producer. He said, “It has been my great honor to bring Drag Race to Australaisa. I can’t wait to see the franchise continue to flourish under the leadership of the incredible Michelle Visage.”
In a statement to Variety, Visage said, “As the ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ universe continues to expand, I am thrilled and honored to host ‘Drag Race Down Under’ Season 4. From my early days in the Harlem ballroom scene to the past 13 years as RuPaul’s head judge, I’ve loved and lived for drag queens. I’d do anything to help these extraordinaire queer artists share their charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent with the world.”
Visage is no stranger to hosting. She gave audiences a taste of what she could do last year when she had to fill in for RuPaul on “RuPaul’s Drag Race: U.K.”
She joined the show as a regular back on Season 3 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and has been a staple ever since. Visage also hosts “Whatcha Packing,” an exit interview style series where she sits down with the eliminated queen from the show to talk about their journey and experience.
The newly titled “Drag Race Down Under” is set to premiere later this year exclusively on WOW Presents Plus in the U.S. and select territories including New Zealand, day and date with its local airing on Stan in Australia. Guest judges and the queens who will be competing for the crown will be announced in the coming weeks.
Comedian Rhys Nicholson will also return as judge for the new series.
In a new judging twist, Visage and Nicholson will be joined on the main stage by a rotating cast of Down Under’s glittering drag royalty. This is the first time “Down Under” queens have been enlisted for their expertise to mentor the new cast of fierce local queens vying for the crown.
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.