Valentina is heading south of the border for a special assignment…
The 32-year-old Mexican American drag performer, actor, television personality and singer, whose real name is James Andrew Leyva, will serve as one of the hosts of the all-new “Drag Race México,” the latest series in the Drag Race franchise.
“With Drag Race Mexico, you’ll find the tenacity of the Mexican heart,” Valentina told Rolling Stone.
Valentina rose to acclaim as a fan favorite on Season 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race and later returned for Season 4 of the all-stars edition.
Valentina’s other credits include Drag Tots, Rent: Live, AJ and the Queen and La Casa de las Flores.
Valentina will be joined by Lolita Banana,
Lolita Banana was the first Mexican-born contestant to compete in a Drag Race series, and last year, starred in the first season of Drag Race France.
MTV, Paramount+ and World of Wonder announced the new hosts on Friday at DragCon Los Angeles.
Contestants for the season have yet to be released.
RuPaul’s Drag Race producers have announced the contestants for Season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, with the 38-year-old drag performer among those former Drag Race contestants returning for another chance at the crown.
Lopez, a former Miss Continental titleholder, competed on Season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. She came in ninth place during her season.
But Lopez isn’t the only Latinx contestant for the next All Stars installment…
Kandy Muse is hoping to go one step further in her quest for the crown.
The 28-year-old Dominican American dragqueen, queer artist and performer was the runner-up on the thirteenth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
In addition to Naysha Lopez and Kandy Muse, the other 10 queens returning to the runway in hopes of snatching the crown include Alexis Michelle, Darienne Lake, Heidi N Closet, Jaymes Mansfield, Jessica Wild, Jimbo, Kahanna Montrese, LaLa Ri, Monica Beverly Hillz and Mrs. Kasha Davis.
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars will begin streaming on Paramount+ with two new episodes on May 12. The queens will compete for a spot in the “Drag Race Hall of Fame”’ along with a cash prize of $200,000.
New episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars: Untucked will premiere alongside Season 8 to bring viewers behind the scenes to the backstage drama as the queens anxiously await their fate each week.
Here’s more information about each of this season’s queens:
Alexis Michelle (Season 9)
Curtain up! Light the lights! New York City’s Alexis Michelle is ready to take the stage – again! This singing and dancing Broadway baby made it to the Top 5 on Season 9, and now she’s ready for her encore – and to claim her spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame!
Darienne Lake (Season 6)
It’s time to take another dip into the cool, refreshing waters of Darienne Lake! This pretty and witty comedy queen made a big splash in Season 6, going all the way to the Top 4. Now, after a transformative weight loss journey, she’s ready to show the world she’s the fiercest queen of all!
Heidi N Closet (Season 12)
The blessed and highly favored Miss Congeniality of Season 12, Heidi N Closet, is back to snatch the All Stars Crown! This former small-town girl has hit the bigtime, and is ready to prove that she’s got the ssssoft and ssssupple star power to take her all the way to the Drag Race Hall of Fame.
Jaymes Mansfield (Season 9)
Season 9’s bubbly, blonde bombshell – Jaymes Mansfield – is bringing classic showbiz sparkle to All Stars! She’s taken the internet by storm with her hilarious online beauty tutorials, and caused a commotion in “The B* Who Stole Christmas.” Now she’s got her sights on the Drag Race Hall of Fame.
Jessica Wild (Season 2)
From Season 2, it’s the original golden child Jessica Wild. The lovable and talented Puerto Rican powerhouse is back to prove that she can sing, dance and crack your padded ass up! Baby, things are about to get Wild! Escándalo!
Jimbo (Canada’s Drag Race Season 1, UK vs. the World Season 1)
What’s big, bouncing and may be used as a floatation device? Canada’s drag clown, Jimbo! This bodacious queen is stacked–with talent! And after gagworthy seasons on Canada’s Drag Race and UK vs. the World, she’s ready to bring home the bologna. And a crown!
Kahanna Montrese (Season 11)
Did someone say “glow-up” from the floor up? Here comes Kahanna Montrese! This showgirl from Sin City has been wowing crowds at RuPaul’s Drag Race Live in Las Vegas, and now she’s doubling down on the ultimate jackpot – the All-Stars crown!
Kandy Muse (Season 13)
The queen of the Badonka-donk Bronx is back to give you a sugar rush! After coming “this close” to winning the Season 13 crown, this outspoken and outrageous Kandy Muse is ready to remind the world what “star quality” is all about!
LaLa Ri (Season 13)
Season 13’s fierce fan favorite is back to bag a spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame! Can this former Miss Congeniality prove that nice girls finish first? Get ready for the LaLa Ri Experience 2.0!
Monica Beverly Hillz (Season 5)
Monica Beverly Hillz made herstory on Season 5 when she shared her truth on the mainstage. Now, the trans trailblazer is back to serve face and fashion on her way to the Drag Race Hall of Fame. 9021-OMG!
Mrs. Kasha Davis (Season 7)
There’s always time for…Mrs. Kasha Davis! Season 7’s international celebrity housewife and Drag Story Hour hostess is here to turn a new page and demonstrate that reading – and kindness – are fundamental!
Naysha Lopez (Season 8)
Hola, the beauty is back! Chicago’s hardest-working pageant queen Naysha Lopez is ready for the biggest contest of them all! Gone too soon from Season 8, this gorgeous glamazon – and former Miss Continental – will thrill drag fans all over again!
London’s West End smash Death Drop, starring the 45-year-old half-Salvadoran American drag queen, is coming to New York this summer.
Death Drop is set to begin its Off-Broadway previews on June 30, followed by opening night on July 13 at New World Stages.
In addition to Shuga Cain, the stage name of Jesus Martinez, the show also stars RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Jujubee as Summer Raines, Willam as Shazza and Shuga Cain as Lady Rosebud von Fistenberg.
Joining the Drag Race alumni include Peachez Iman Cummings as Morgan Pierce, Wang Newton as Phil Maker and the Death Drop writer Holly Stars as the Bottomly Sisters. Kiki Ball-Change will serve as an understudy. Additional casting will be announced soon.
Here’s the official description: On Tuck Island a gaggle of girls join each other for a soirée, but when the tension rises as the peculiar guests reveal their sordid pasts, one by one they “sashay away.” That is until at the last shocking moment when the surviving girls find out how earlier guests dropped to their deaths.
Based on an original idea by Christopher D. Clegg , Death Drop was written by drag queen and comedian, Holly Stars.
Stars is joined behind the curtain by director Jesse Jones, scenic designer Justin Williams, costume designer Isobel Pellow, lighting designer Jack Weir, sound designer Beth Duke, wig designer Florencia Melone, vocal supervisor Jacob Yates and composers Nicola Dempsey and Rosie Dempsey.
The Off-Broadway show is produced by TuckShop, Tom Smedes, Heather Shields, Peter Stern, Bruce Robert Harris and Jack W. Batman, Andres Martinez, Marc DavidLevine, Scott Johnson, M&E Productions, Bryan McCaffrey, Kyle Valentine, and Michael McCrary. Cody Lassen serves as executive producer. Alex Wyse and Wes Taylor are dramaturgs.
The 47-year-old Cuban and Honduran American drag queen, comedian, actor, costume designer and former RuPaul’s Drag Race winner will return for a third movie in the Hurricane Bianca franchise.
Del Rio, the stage name of Roy R. Haylock, will star alongside Willam Belli, Rachel Dratch, Thora Birch, Drag Racefan favorite Vanessa Vanjie Mateo and Doug Plaut.
Hurricane Bianca: The Roots of All Evil, which is due to shoot in early 2023, is written and directed by Matt Kugelman.
The film will see Richard Martinez (Del Rio) return home to Florida for his beloved grandmother’s funeral. There, he is lured back into a decades-old feud with his mother who owns a homophobic fast-food chain restaurant, and so decides to go undercover as Bianca Del Rio to put his mother out of business. With the help of his chosen family, he embarks on an adventure exposing corruption, confronting cults and healing relationships.
Tony nominee Dratch returns as the villainous Vice Principal Debbie Ward and Plaut reprises his role as Bianca’s ditzy friend, Rex. Birch will be playing the role of the mesmerizing cult leader, Mary. Vanjie (aka Miss Vanjie) is playing the role of Bianca’s cousin, Antonio. Former Drag Race contestant Belli returns as Bailey. Additional casting is underway.
The screenplay comes from Kugelman, Derek Hartley and Nicole Gemma.
Hurricane Bianca (which also starred Alan Cumming and RuPaul) and sequel Hurricane Bianca: From Russia With Hate(which also starred Wanda Sykes and Jeaneane Garofalo) both aired on Netflix.
“I’m so excited to be working with this dream team. Bianca is back! Willam is back! And I am elated to introduce Miss Vanjie into Bianca’s family. These are the funniest people I’ve ever met playing these incredibly lovable characters, and then we get to add the amazing Thora Birch into the mix as we’ve never seen her before: An eccentric villain! I cannot wait to share this adventure with the world!” said Kugelman.
“Hurricane Bianca fans around the world will be pleased with this hilarious and timely sequel that is both commercially viable and continually stays true to its core messaging and artistic integrity. Today’s audiences are ready to embrace films that bridge the gap between mainstream and LGBTQ markets. The late Ash Christian who produced the first two films, was always a champion of LGBTQ filmmakers and believed in Matt Kugelman’s vision and talent from day one. Ash will be deeply missed during this next journey and he is always with us in spirit,” commented producer Kimberly Montini of Cranium Entertainment.
“Audiences from all over the world will connect with this film, being a universal beacon of light for anyone facing adversity. As a big fan of Hurricane Bianca films, this new sequel raises the bar to new heights. We couldn’t be more excited to kickstart BLKBX Originals’ endeavors with a film people from all over can relate to with laughter at the heart of it all,” noted producer Frank Donner of BLKBX Originals.
The 52-year-old half-Venezuelan American Grammy-winning singer and actress has signed on as a co-producer of the new musical comedy Some Like It Hot, becoming the latest in a trend of celebrities lending their clout and popularity to support Broadway productions during previews.
“When Neil Meron shared this new take on the beloved film,” said Carey in a statement, “I knew I had to be a part of it. To see how this show continues to expand on the film’s legacy – pushing boundaries, promoting inclusion, celebrating diversity – I’m proud to help bring Some Like It Hot for today’s world to new audiences.”
Currently in previews at the Shubert Theatre, Some Like It Hot officially opens on Sunday, December 11.
Earlier this month, NBA champ Dwyane Wade, actor Gabrielle Union and Drag Race star RuPaul joined the producing team of Ain’t No Mo’, a Lee Daniels production of Jordan E. Cooper’s comedy in previews at the Belasco Theatre (opening Dec. 1).
Last season, Nick Jonas and Priyanka ChopraJonas joined the producing team of Douglas Lyons’ Broadway comedyChicken & Biscuitswhile it was in previews at Circle in the Square Theatre.
The impact of celebrity producers – and their exacts roles, duties and financial commitments – is, as yet, unclear. Despite the high-profile additions of the Jonases last fall, Chicken & Biscuits closed more than a month early after struggling at the box office (and with Covid).
Carey, who has won multiple Grammy Awards and sold more than 200 million albums, said she was drawn to Some Like It Hot – a musical adaptation of the classic 1959 film comedy – in part due to her lifelong love of the film’s star Marilyn Monroe.
“I first became familiar with this story through the timeless film starring Marilyn Monroe,” she said in the statement. “She’s been an important touchstone throughout my life, so much so that I acquired her treasured baby grand white piano at an auction.”
The stage adaptation features a book by Matthew López (The Inheritance) and Amber Ruffin (The Amber Ruffin Show), music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman and direction and choreography by Casey Nicholaw. The cast includes Christian Borle, J. Harrison Ghee and, in the role of Sugar originated by Monroe, Adrianna Hicks.
Some Like It Hot is produced by The Shubert Organization and Neil Meron and co-produced by MGMon Stage, Roy Furman, Robert Greenblatt, James L. Nederlander, Kenny Leon, Hunter Arnold, John Gore Organization, The Dalgleish Library CompanyGroup, Sheboygan Conservatory Partners, Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Bob Boyett, Cue to Cue Productions, Janet and Marvin Rosen, The Araca Group, Concord Theatricals, Marc Howard, Independent Presenters Network, Juanita Jordan, Jujamcyn Theaters, Henry R. MuñozIII, Ostar, and, now, Carey.
Paramount+ has released the trailer for the latest installment of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, which will feature the 49-year-old half-Cuban American actress as a guest judge.
In addition to Diaz, other guests set to appear in Season 7 include Nancy Pelosi, Naomi Campbell and Ronan Farrow.
During theDrag RaceSeason 14 Grand Finale on Friday, Paramount+ shared a teaser for the upcoming All Stars season, which will feature an all-winners lineup of contestants.
Diaz and Farrow will serve as guest judges during the season alongside Daphne Guinness, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Jeffrey Bowyer–Chapman, Nikki Glaser, Tove Lo, Betsey Johnson, Janicza Bravo, Ben Platt and Hannah Einbinder.
United States House Speaker Pelosi and fashion icon Campbell will make special guest appearances throughout the season, as will Wheel of Fortune’s Vanna White.
For RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 7, former winners compete for the title of “Queen of All Queens” and a cash prize of $200,000.
All Stars will begin streaming on Paramount+ on May 20.
As previously announced, the eight former winners returning to compete include Jaida Essence Hall, Jinkx Monsoon, Monét X Change, Raja, Shea Couleé, Trinity The Tuck, The Vivienne, and Yvie Oddly.
The 26-year-old Puerto Rican drag queen, whose real name is Enrique Ortolaza Resto, will compete to become America’s Next Drag Superstar for season 14 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Entering the Werk-Room and also vying for the $100,000 cash prize this upcoming season are 14 queens hailing from all over the country and beyond. While the roster of newcomers will feature some queens coming from notable drag families, Season 14 of RuPaul’s Drag Race will also tout a couple of firsts – including the series’ first straight contestant and first queen from Michigan.
But Alyssa Hunter is not the only Latina drag queen competing this season…
Jorgeous, the 21-year-old Tex-Mex queen from Nashville, will also compete this season.
VH1 will premiere the next installment of RuPaul’s Emmy-winning competition program on Friday, January 7 at 8:00 pm ET/PT.
RuPaul’s Drag Race, fresh off a successful Emmys season, is produced by World of Wonder productions, with RuPaul serving as host. Post-show RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untuckedwill premiere immediately following the flagship series’ return at 9:30 pm ET/PT on VH1.
Untucked gives viewers a behind the scenes look at the backstage drama as the queens await their fate and see who will need to lip-sync for their life to avoid the week’s elimination.
The huntress is on the prowl! As one of the most celebrated pageant queens from Puerto Rico, Alyssa knows her way around a runway and delivers stunning looks wherever she goes. She’s here to prove that not only can she give a fierce lewk, she also has the performance chops to bring back the crown to her hometown.
Angeria Paris VanMicheals (Atlanta, GA) | Instagram/TikTok/Twitter: @angeriavm
This southern belle from ATL will light up any room with her charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent. An old school pageant queen, “Angie” is here to serve fierce fashion and face with a country charm that you can’t help but fall in love with.
Don’t let her laid back Seattle grunge vibe fool you, this fiercely competitive queen is all about femme fatale glamour. With her razor-sharp wit and an impressive arsenal of drag talents, Bosco will stop at nothing to bring the crown back to Seattle.
Daya Betty (Springfield, MO) | Instagram/TikTok: @dayabetty, Twitter: @daya_betty417
You Betty be ready! Hailing from the House of Methyd, this edgy six foot four goddess is serving 80’s inspired rockstar realness. Daya’s known for crafting incredible looks out of any material she can get her hands on and will do whatever it takes to claw her way to the top and claim that crown.
Deja Skye (Fresno,CA) | Instagram/Twitter: @dejaskye, TikTok: @dejaskye101
This pastel princess prides herself on embracing all her curves and swerves. Deja is known for her bold, colorful drag aesthetic and design skills. She’s a sweetheart, but she has killer lip sync skills, so watch out for her!
Jasmine Kennedie (New York City, NY) | Instagram/TikTok/Twitter: @jasminekennedie
The ditzy doll of New York City has arrived! She is known as a high energy dancing queen who brings polished drag and the gift of gab. Her personality may be bubbly and fun, but she is drop dead serious about slaying the competition.
Hello-tis, it’s Jorgeous! This spicy Latina dancing diva started drag at the age of 16 and never looked back. A fierce performer who was born to do drag, Jorgeous is looking to dance the house down boots all the way to the top.
June Jambalaya (Los Angeles, CA) | Instagram/TikTok/Twitter: @junejambalaya
This jambalaya is heating up! Bringing Black Girl Magic to the stage, June is known for her fierce
dance moves and is ready to show off her kicks and splits and put a fork in the rest of the competition.
This bodacious queen is all about beauty, hair and body-ody-ody. From the legendary House of Colby,
Kerri is a bold diva who tells it like it is, while always looking flawless. She came to slay the game in true Colby style!
The bakery is open and Kornbread is being served! This LA queen is a performance powerhouse with a
deliciously sassy personality. She will leave you gooped, gagged and gandered and will want a taste of what she’s cooking!
Lady Camden (Sacramento, CA) | Instagram/TikTok/Twitter: @ladycamden
Three cheers for America’s little spice girl! Born in the UK but now living in Sacramento, this professional ballet dancer turned drag queen is ready to take the world by storm serving class and sass and living the pop princess fantasy she always dreamed of.
Maddy Morphosis (Fayetteville,AR) | Instagram/TikTok/Twitter: @maddymorphosis
This small-town camp and comedy queen is ready for her big stage debut. As the first heterosexual queen on Drag Race, Maddy’s quirky performances set her apart from the pack and she’s here to prove she can perform with the best of them.
Orion Story (Grand Rapids, MI) | Instagram/Tiktok: @theorionstory
Orion is a retro sex kitten with a campy edge. As the first queen to represent Michigan, this midwestern beauty brings a smoldering Lana Del Rey energy to her drag and is eager to share her unique drag stylings with the world.
A quirky little pill, this queen digs deep to deliver a wicked sense of humor and a darkly eccentric drag style. She is season 11 winner Yvie Oddly’s drag sister, so expect the unexpected from Willow Pill.
The Mexican drag queen is among the contestants set to compete on Paramount+’s upcoming drag singing competition series Queen of the Universe, which is executive-produced by RuPaul, the history-making, Emmy-winning host ofRuPaul’s Drag Race.
Hosted by Graham Norton, Queen of the Universe hails from the MTV Entertainment Studios and RuPaul’s Drag Race producers World of Wonder.
Inspired by international singing competitions, Queen of the Universe will follow the world’s most talented drag queens as they battle it out for global domination, countries go head to head spotlighting their top talent. Contestants hail from the U.S, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, India, China, France and more.
Regina Voce has more than 30 years of stage experience and is a former performer in Cirque Du Soleil. Regina now works as a vocal coach.
Brazil’s Grag Queen will also compete on the series…
The Brazilian bombshell grew up singing in church at an early age. She now finds herself belting to the masses on social media with 2 million TikTok fans, all of whom love her outrageous performances and over the top personality.
Each episode will feature the world’s fiercest queens as they debut a new musical performance in front of a live audience and the “Pop Diva Panel” of judges in the hopes of being crowned the “Queen of the Universe” and winning a $250,000 cash prize.
Queen of the Universe is set to debut exclusively on Paramount+ on Thursday, December2. Vanessa Williams, Michelle Visage, Leona Lewis and Drag Race alum Trixie Mattel are set to judge.
Christina Aguilerais showing support for the LGBTQIA community…
The 40-year-old half-Ecuadoran American Grammy-winning singer has been announced as the headlining performer at LadyLand 2021, LadyFag‘s now-annual queer music festival held in Brooklyn.
Chairlift co-founder Caroline Polachek will also perform at the Brooklyn Mirage on September 11, with other LGBTS artists and allies set to take the stage, including Drag Raceseason 10 winner Aquaria, Skin, Nina Sky (Nicole and Natalie Albino), La Goony Chonga and more.
LadyLand 2021 will be Aguilera’s first performance in New York City since her headlining shows at Radio City Music Hall in 2018 for her Liberation World Tour.
The star recently made her return to performing live following the pandemic with two shows at the Hollywood Bowl, wherein she reinvented many of her biggest hits with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
“It was a performance of a lifetime,” she told Billboard of the shows. “It was the performance I waited my whole life to do for so many creative purposes.”
The annual festival, curated by New York nightlife icon Ladyfag, returns for the first time since 2019, where Russian feminist collective Pussy Riot offered up a rare headlining set, accompanied by performances from stars like DJ Honey Dijon, Drag Race season 11 winner Yvie Oddly and more.
This year’s festival will require all attendees to provide proof of full vaccination completed at least two weeks before the event.
LadyLand 2021 will take place at the Brooklyn Mirage on September 11, from 7:30 pm to 4:00 am.
The 30-year-old Spanish drag performer, whose real name is Daniel Mora, has been crowned the inaugural winner of Drag Race España, the offshoot of the U.S.’ Emmy-winning reality competition series RuPaul’s Drag Race.
A jury made up of presenter Supremme de Luxe, designer Ana Locking and filmmakers/actors Javier Ambrossi and his real-life partner Javier Calvo decided in the last episode, broadcast on Sunday night, that Farala would take home the crown and the 30,000 euro prize.
Farala, who never found herself in the bottom two during the competition, beat out Killer Queen and Sagittaria for the title.
For eight weeks, the finalists have taken part in all kinds of tests and Farala managed to win three maxi challenges during the season: the tribute to La Veneno, the night of the 1,000 Rosalías and the makeover of rugby players.
Produced by Atresmedia Televisión in collaboration with Buendía Estudios, the Drag Race format landed in Spain on May 30 on the Atresplayer Premium platform.
“With Drag Race Mexico, you’ll find the tenacity of the Mexican heart,” Valentina told Rolling Stone.
