Stan reveals Drag Race Down Under vs The World cast

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Stan has revealed the cast and premiere date for the Stan Original Drag Race Down Under vs The World, which launches July 24.

Michelle Visage returns to host the runway, with Rhys Nicholson on the judging panel alongside season four winner Lazy Susan.

The new series will bring together five Drag Race Down Under queens and six international queens, each representing their own country and franchise.

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How Drag Race Down Under vs The World works

The 11 queens will compete across challenges and runway categories designed to test charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent.

The format also introduces a key change from Drag Race Down Under. Each week, the top two queens will choose which of the bottom two competitors they want to eliminate.

After a final lipsync battle, the winning performer will reveal which queen has been sent home.

The Drag Race Down Under vs The World cast

Art Simone (Down Under)

Art Simone is a Melbourne drag performer best known for finishing as runner-up on the first season of Drag Race Down Under.

After being eliminated following Snatch Game, Simone made a surprise return two episodes later and built momentum through to the finale.

Outside the franchise, Simone has appeared on The Bachelor Australia, Spicks and Specks and Would I Lie To You. She has also been named Australian Drag Performer of the Year and earned the title Queen of Australia.

Coco Jumbo (Down Under)

Coco Jumbo is a Fijian-Australian drag performer who competed on the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under.

Her original season included a memorable lipsync against Art Simone, which saw Simone eliminated before later returning to the competition.

Jumbo has performed on the Mardi Gras party mainstage and worked with Absolutely Fabulous stars Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley. She has also appeared in the feature film We All Lie My Darling.

Estrella Xtravaganza (España)

Estrella Xtravaganza is a non-binary Spanish queen from Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia.

They competed in season two of Drag Race España, where their humour and performance skills helped make them a fan favourite.

After two maxi challenge wins, Xtravaganza reached the finale and was named runner-up to Sharonne.

Flor (Down Under)

Flor is originally from Guatemala and was the first queen to represent the country on Drag Race worldwide.

Inspired by strong Latin women, her name is a tribute to her Latina mother. After years living in New Zealand, Flor competed on the third season of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under.

She reached the finale before being beaten by Isis Avis Loren. Flor now lives in Birmingham in the UK.

LaLa Ri (USA)

LaLa Ri competed on season 13 of RuPaul’s Drag Race and season eight of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.

A trained dancer, LaLa had worked as a professional drag queen for three years before first appearing on the franchise.

Although she finished 10th on season 13, LaLa became one of the season’s most memorable queens and was named Miss Congeniality. In 2024, she announced her retirement from drag before deciding to return for Drag Race Down Under vs The World.

M1ss Jade So (Philippines)

M1ss Jade So competed on season two of Drag Race Philippines in 2023.

She was one of the first three trans contestants on the Filipino franchise, bringing her fashion design background into the design and makeover challenges.

Known for her commanding presence and “doll domination” philosophy of trans power, M1ss Jade So enters the global competition representing the Philippines.

Michael Marouli (UK)

Michael Marouli began her drag career in Northern Tyne and Wear at 22.

Fifteen years later, she competed on season five of Drag Race UK, where she reached the finale before Ginger Johnson took the crown.

Before Drag Race, Marouli performed cabaret in Gran Canaria, won Drag Idol Newcastle and appeared on The X Factor UK. She has also performed at London Pride.

Nikita Iman (Down Under)

Nikita Iman is a Samoan queen from Auckland, New Zealand, who competed on season four of Drag Race Down Under.

Iman was eliminated in the semi-final after a close lipsync battle with Mandy Moobs.

She has since moved to Sydney, where she performs regularly on the city’s drag scene. Known for her makeup, Iman’s drag career began in ballroom, where she won her first category, “FACE”.

Nicole Paige Brooks (USA)

Nicole Paige Brooks is one of the original RuPaul’s Drag Race queens, having competed on season two.

Brooks later returned for RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season 10, bringing her southern style back to the franchise.

Outside the show, Brooks continues to host and perform in Georgia. She also participated in a drag show raising funds for Puerto Rico residents affected by Hurricane Maria in 2017.

Raven (USA)

Raven first appeared on season two of RuPaul’s Drag Race, where she reached the finale.

She later returned for the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars in 2012, again making it to the final stage of the competition.

Raven is also known for her makeup work. She became RuPaul’s makeup artist during the ninth season of Drag Race and received a Primetime Emmy Award in 2020.

Vybe (Down Under)

Vybe is a Sydney drag performer who competed on season four of Drag Race Down Under.

She reached the finale before losing to Lazy Susan, who now joins the judging panel for Drag Race Down Under vs The World.

Outside the franchise, Vybe is a regular performer across Sydney venues and shares a drag connection with season one alum Coco Jumbo, her drag sister and flatmate.

Production details

The Stan Original Drag Race Down Under vs The World is an eight-part, 60-minute World of Wonder production in collaboration with Stan and WOW Presents Plus.

Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell and RuPaul Charles serve as executive producers for World of Wonder.

Adrian Swift and Tina Diaz serve as executive producers for Stan.

Drag Race Down Under vs The World premieres July 24 on Stan, with new episodes weekly.

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