Stan, the home of RuPaul in Australia has announced that the Stan Original Series RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under will be coming exclusively to Stan in 2021.
The 8-part local adaption of the global hit series will see the most fabulous and fierce local drag queens compete to be the first-ever Down Under Drag Race Superstar.
Going into production this week, the highly anticipated local version of the most awarded reality competition show in history will be hosted by RuPaul, with co-judge and Drag Race veteran Michelle Visage by his side. The drag queens competing in the premiere season of Down Under, the third judge on the main panel and celebrity guest appearances will be announced later this year.
The Stan Original Series will see queens serving high fashion realness, mini and max challenges, shady and heartfelt moments in the workroom, and of course, the all-important lip-sync for your life battles.
Stan Original Series RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under is a World of Wonder production in collaboration with Warner Bros. International Production New Zealand for Stan and TVNZ, currently filming in New Zealand. Randy Barbato, Fenton Bailey, Tom Campbell and RuPaul Charles serve as executive producers. Passion Distribution will distribute the series globally in line with Passion Distribution and WOW’s distribution strategy.
RuPaul, said: “I cannot wait for everyone to see that Down Under queens have some of the biggest charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talents in the world. Thank you to Stan and TVNZ for providing a platform for these outrageous drag artists to share their heart, soul and humour.”
Nick Forward, Stan chief content officer, said “You asked for it Australia, and now we’re bringing it to you – finally, our very own Aussie Drag Race, the new Stan Original Series RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under! The series is already a huge hit with our audience, so to now be working with RuPaul and the entire team at World of Wonder to create a local version is beyond a thrill. We can’t wait to reveal all the guest judges and see what our local queens bring to the global sensation that is RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
Nick Tanner, Passion Distribution director of sales and co productions, said: “We’re proud to bring the Drag Race phenomenon down under in an antipodean showdown for Stan and TVNZ OnDemand! I can’t wait to see the best queens from Australia and New Zealand bring it to RuPaul’s main stage. RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under will be a fantastic addition to the ever expanding ‘ru-niverse.”
Executive producers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato of World of Wonder, said “The dazzling queens of Australia and New Zealand have always been an inspiration to us, so we are thrilled to team up with our local production partners Stan and TVNZ to bring the creative genius of drag down under to international audiences on WOW Presents Plus.”
Stan Original Series RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under will premiere in 2021, only on Stan.