Becky G to Serve as Guest Judge on Season 16 of MTV’s “RuPaul‘s Drag Race”

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Life’s a drag for Becky G…

The new season of RuPaul‘s Drag Race has set up an all-star lineup to guest judge Season 16, including the 26-year-old Mexican American bilingual singer/actress.

Making her debut on the reality television competition program that aims to discover America’s next drag superstar, Becky G appears among a list of guest judges that includes Charlize Theron and Sarah Michelle Gellar.

MTV will premiere the new season on Friday, January 5 at 8:00 pm ET.

Other guest judges that will appear during the season include Adam Shankman, Icona Pop (Caroline Hjelt + Aino Jawo), Isaac Mizrahi, Jamal Sims, Joel Kim Booster, Kaia Gerber, Kelsea Ballerini, Kyra Sedgwick, Law Roach, Mayan Lopez and Ronan Farrow.

RuPaul’s Drag Race features mainstay judges Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, Ross Mathews and Ts Madison for the 16th season. Fourteen queens will compete for the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar” and a cash prize of $200k.

The previously announced cast of queens include Amanda Tori Meating (Los Angeles, CA), Dawn (Brooklyn, NY), Geneva Karr (Brownsville, TX), Hershii LiqCour-Jeté (Los Angeles, CA), Megami (Brooklyn, NY), Mhi’ya Iman Le’Paige (Miami, FL), Mirage (Las Vegas, NV), Morphine Love Dion (Miami, FL), Nymphia Wind (Taiwan/NY), Plane Jane (Boston, MA), Plasma (New York, NY), Q (Kansas City, MO), Sapphira Cristál (Philadelphia, PA), and Xunami Muse (New York, NY).

RuPaul’s Drag Race and the after-show RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked are produced by World of Wonder Productions with Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, Steven Corfe, Mandy Salangsang, Michele Mills and RuPaul Charles serving as executive producers.

Taiga Brava Named Season 2 Winner of Paramount+’s Drag Singing Competition “Queen of the Universe”

Posted on June 23, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Taiga Brava is taking the reigns…

The 31-year-old Mexican drag performer has been named the season 2 winner of Paramount+’s drag singing competition Queen of the Universe.

Brava was revealed the winner in royally surprising fashion.

Although the RuPaul-produced series — featuring Mel B, Trixie Mattel, Michelle Visage and Vanessa Williams on the judging panel — had only aired its fourth of eight total weekly episodes from its sophomore season last week, all remaining installments were released Thursday on the streaming service.

Following the unexpected drop, Brava was crowned the winner and the recipient of the program’s $250,000 prize, with Australia’s Trevor Ashley and Drag Race Italia competitor Aura Eternal joining Taiga among the top three finalists.

American Miss Continental pageant winner Jazell Barbie Royale — whose viral performance of CeCe Peniston‘s “He Loves Me 2” has made the rounds on social media — just missed out on the final episode, ultimately placing fourth.

“THERE IS A CROWN FOR MEXICO!” Taiga tweeted on Thursday, according to a Spanish-to-English translation on Twitter. “WE WIN QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSEEEE, F—! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT. VIVA MÉXICO.”

After she was named the winner, Taiga spoke to the studio audience. “Thank you, everybody, for this opportunity,” she said as the judges stood to applaud her victory. “I’m very grateful right now and I just hope that I get to share this message of love and acceptance and tolerance all over the world and just f—ing be yourself!”

Queen of the Universe’s second season debuted on June 2, and welcomed contestants hailing from nine global nations — Italy, Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines, the Netherlands, Israel, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States — to the cast of competitors.

Spice Girls member Mel B — who ruffled some feathers on social media for her sustained criticism of Jazell — joined the judging panel following the departure of season 1 judge Leona Lewis, with Williams, Mattel, and RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Visage returning to their posts for season 2.

Also returning for season 2 was host Graham Norton, who helped crown Brazil’s Grag Queen as the first winner of the show in 2021, which also featured Drag Race legend Jujubee and American Idol star Ada Vox among its cast.

Taiga Brava to Compete on Season Two of Paramount+’s “Queen of the Universe”

Posted on February 22, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Taiga Brava is hitting the global stage with a mission…

Queen of the Universe returns for a second season on Paramount+, with the Mexican drag performer set to compete for the coveted crown on the drag queen singing competition.

Taiga Brava, who hails from Cancun, Mexico, is ready to make both her homeland and family proud of her vocal skills and jaw-dropping drag looks. With her effervescent personality and unshakeable confidence, she’s confident she’s got what it takes to bring the crown home to Mexico.

But she isn’t the only Latina drag performer set to compete…

Chloe V, who hails from Rio de Janeiro, is hoping to be the second Brazilian drag performer to win the competition after Grag Queen claimed the inaugural title.

With a powerhouse voice and gag-worthy looks that could turn a drag queen green with envy, Chloe V is confident nobody in the competition can knock her down and steal that crown.

Graham Norton will serve as this season’s host.

The show is set to premiere on the streamer starting March 31 in the U.S. and Canada with the U.K., Latin America, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Australia seeing it on April 1.

The reality competition sees drag queens from around the world go head-to-head vying for a cash prize of $250,000. Former Spice Girls star Mel B joins the panel of judges that includes RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage, Vanessa Williams and drag queen Trixie Mattel.

Here more on the drag queens of Queen of the Universe Season 2:

AURA ETERNAL (Palermo, Italy)
Having previously appeared on the second season of “Drag Race Italia” where she made it to the top three, Aura Eternal has already demonstrated sickening skills in her homeland. But now Aura’s ready to show the rest of the world she’s got vocal chops that equal her stunning looks and is ready to become the next singing drag queen global sensation!

CHLOE V (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
With Brazil having won last season’s QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE, Chloe V knows she’s got big stilettos to fill. But with a powerhouse voice and gag-worthy looks that could turn a drag queen green with envy, she’s confident nobody in the competition can knock her down and steal that crown!

JAZELL ROYALE (Orlando, Fla., U.S.)
Jazell Royale is more than just a gorgeous face and an award-winning pageant queen, and the time is now for her star to shine. She may be known in the USA for her many titles and viral videos, but she hopes that the QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE stage will allow her to be remembered for her biggest asset – her voice!

LOVE MASISI (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Having lived in several different countries throughout their adventurous life, Love Masisi is now proud to call the Netherlands home. After a previous appearance on “Drag Race Holland” season 2, they’re ready to showcase their passion for music and spread a message of hope and love all over the world.

MAXIE (Manila, Philippines)
Maxie may already be known in the Philippines as a top-tier performer and LGBTQ advocate, but now she’s ready to be known as a universal singing sensation! Although she’s appeared on TV several times beginning when she was just a kid, she’s never left her home country. Now she’s ready to step onto the QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE stage for a shot at her dream.

MILITIA SCUNT (San Francisco, Calif., U.S.)
Known in California for her edgy drag looks and her soulful singing voice, Militia Scunt is ready to conquer the universe and become the next singing drag queen superstar. A triple threat with singing, dancing, and style skills, she’s confident she’s got the goods to smack down the competition and bring the crown to the USA – period!

MISS SISTRATA (Tel Aviv, Israel)
Miss Sistrata, reporting for beauty! This former soldier is ready to walk onto the QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE stage like the true diva that she is. And with vocal abilities and looks that leave audiences gagged and begging for more, she’s ready to make her mark on the competition.

TAIGA BRAVA (Cancún, México)
Taiga Brava arrives to the main stage from the sunny shores of Cancun, ready to make both her homeland and family proud of her vocal skills and jaw-dropping drag looks. With her effervescent personality and unshakeable confidence, she’s confident she’s got what it takes to bring the crown home to Mexico.

TREVOR ASHLEY (Sydney, Australia)
Trevor Ashley is a seasoned theater queen who’s been part of the Australian drag community for over 20 years. Despite her many career successes (including winning the Aussie equivalent of the Tony Award) this is her first televised singing competition – and the diva from Down Under is ready to deliver!

VIOLA (Coventry, England, U.K.)
At only 19, Viola may be the youngest contender in the competition but don’t be deceived – she’s a talented musician who’s been working towards this opportunity her entire life. Having joined the drag community only a few years ago, this rising star is ready to show the universe just how bright she can shine.

Global drag icon and multi-Emmy Award winner RuPaul serves as an executive producer on the series, alongside MTV Entertainment Studios and World of Wonder, the producers of the Emmy Award-winning franchise RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Harvey Guillén to Serve as a Guest Judge on MTV’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race”

Posted on December 19, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Life’s a drag (race) for Harvey Guillén…

The 32-year-old Mexican American actor will appear on Season 15 of MTV’s RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Guillen will join the judging panel during one of the episodes this season in the quest to find “America’s Next Drag Superstar.”

Mainstage judges Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley and Ross Mathews will be back on the panel. Ts Madison has been upped to a rotating member of the judges’ panel as they decide who will lip-sync for their life or “sashay away.”

Ariana Grande is set to be the guest judge for the two-episode season premiere. The Grammy Award-winning star will see the queens bringing their gifts to a talent show where she will be the judge.

In addition to Grande and Guillen, this season’s guest judges also include music, television, comedy and film icons Ali Wong, Amandla Stenberg, Hayley Kiyoko, Julia Garner, Janelle Monáe, Maren Morris, Megan Stalter and Orville Peck.

The 16 queens will compete for the title and a cash prize of $200,000 – the highest in the herstory of the main franchise.

Previously announced queens include Amethyst (West Hartford, CT), Anetra (Las Vegas, NV), Aura Mayari (Nashville, TN), Irene Dubois (Seattle, WA), Jax (Queens, NY), Loosey LaDuca (Ansonia, CT), Luxx Noir London (East Orange, NJ), Malaysia Babydoll Foxx (Miami, FL), Marcia Marcia Marcia (New York, NY), Mistress Isabelle Brooks (Houston, TX), Princess Poppy (San Francisco, CA), Robin Fierce (Hartford, CT), Salina EsTitties (Los Angeles, CA), Sasha Colby (Los Angeles, CA), Sugar (Los Angeles, CA), and Spice (Los Angeles, CA).

RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15 premieres on MTV on Friday, January 6 at 8:00 pm ET with a commercial-free premiere episode and a limited-commercial part two.

Grag Queen Crowned Winner of Paramount+’s “Queen of the Universe”

Posted on December 31, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Grag Queen is officially a universal star…

The 26-year-old Brazilian drag performer, whose real name is Grégory Mohd, has been crowned the winner Paramount+’s drag singing competition series, Queen of the Universe.

Grag Queen, who hails from Canela, RS, Brazil, beat out fellow finalists Ada Vox and Aria B. Cassadine for the title and a $250,000 cash prize.

“It feels amazing! I can go to the medic. I don’t look at the prices anymore. I can give my mother and father a very good living. I just want us to be protected and healthy. I don’t really feel like a millionaire right now, but I get used to the good things very, very fast,” Grag Queen told Variety, adding that “a caramel wig that touches my ass” is also on the shopping list.

And, what’s next for Grag?

“I have my album already ready,” she tells Variety. “I really want to release that as soon as I can. I have English, Portuguese and Spanish songs. Maybe I’m going to come in January to L.A. to record some new songs in English and try to do some gigs. Maybe you guys are going to see me around.”

Comedian and interviewer Graham Norton hosted the show, which is from the creators of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

The judges were Michelle Visage, Trixie Mattel, Leona Lewis and Vanessa Williams.

Mexico’s Regina Voce to Compete on Paramount+’s Drag Singing Competition “Queen of the Universe”

Posted on November 11, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Regina Voce is ready for global domination…

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 of RuPaul’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.

Krysta Rodriguez to Star in VH1’s Holiday Movie “The Bitch Who Stole Christmas”

Posted on October 31, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Krysta Rodriguez is readyin’ for a Bitchin’ holiday season…

The 37-year-old Latina actress/singer and Broadway star will star in VH1’s new holiday movie The Bitch Who Stole Christmas.

Launching on December 2, the film is described as “the draggiest Christmas movie ever made.”

It follows a workaholic big-city fashion journalist is sent to a Christmas-obsessed small town to dig up a story when she finds herself in the middle of cut-throat housewives, a high-stakes “Winter Ball” competition, and a sinister plot that could destroy Christmas.

Written by Connor Wright and Christina Friel and directed by Don Scardino, it stars RuPaul, Rodriguez, Andy Ridings, Michelle Visage, Ginger Minj, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Peppermint, Jan Sport, Jaymes Mansfield, Latrice Royale, Gottmik, Morgan McMichaels, Porkchop, Carson Kressley, Ross Mathews, Chad Michaels, Heidi N Closet, Kelly Mantle, Kimora Blac, Laganja Estranja, Manila Luzon, Mayhem Miller, Pandora Boxx, Raven, Rock M. Sakura, Kylie Sonique Love, Kim Petras, Charo and Anna Maria Horsford.

Produced by World of Wonder and MTV Entertainment Studios, it is exec produced by Randy Barbato, Fenton Bailey, Tom Campbell, Don Scardino, Nina L. Diaz, Meghan Hooper, Josh Van Houdt, Samantha Schles, Marcia Lansdown and Janee Dabney.

Valentina to Make Guest Appearance on Season 13 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”

Posted on January 4, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Valentina is headed back to the Race…

The 29-year-old Mexican American drag performer, actor, television personality and singer will make a guest appearance on Season 13 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Valentina, who finished in 7th place on Season 9 of the acclaimed reality series and 7th place on the fourth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, and fellow Miss Congeniality winners from past seasons Nina West and Heidi N Closet will appear in future episodes.

Cynthia Erivo, Nicole Byer, Loni Love, TS Madison and Jamal Sims are slated to join the RuPaul’s Drag Race judges panel this season alongside mainstays Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, Ross Mathews and, Mama Ru (RuPaul Charles).

In addition, RuPaul’s Drag Race superfans Anne Hathaway and Scarlett Johansson will surprise queens later this season with interactive video master classes.

The 13 queens vying for the ultimate title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar” this season include Denali (Chicago), Elliott with 2 Ts (Las Vegas), Gottmik (Los Angeles), Joey Jay (Phoenix), Kahmora Hall (Chicago), Kandy Muse (New York), LaLa Ri (Atlanta), Olivia Lux (New York), Rosé (New York), Symone (Los Angeles), Tamisha Iman (Atlanta), Tina Burner (New York), and Utica Queen (Minneapolis).

Valentina to ‘Drag Out the Vote’ at Variety Show “Divas For Democracy: United We Slay”

Posted on October 5, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Valentina’s prepared to drag out the vote…

The 29-year-old Mexican American drag performer and former RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant will team up with some of her fellow queens and Broadway celebrities to get out the vote for November’s presidential election.

Valentina and divas from the drag world and icons of the stage will come together for Divas For Democracy: United We Slay, a one-night-only variety show extravaganza promoting voter participation and key issues relating to the LGBTQIA+ community in the upcoming 2020 election.

Presented by the nonprofit voter engagement organization Drag Out the Vote and hosted by RuPaul’s Drag Race star Nina West and Entertainment Tonight‘s Keltie Knight, Divas for Democracy: United We Slay features scores of talent who’ll sing and lip-synch through dazzling performances of theater classics and pop songs.

Special segments will highlight LGBTQIA+ activists in a nonpartisan effort to shine a light on community participation in the political process, including celebrity appearances by Tony winner Cyndi Lauper, Drag Race panelist Michelle Visage, Harvey Fierstein, James Monroe Iglehart, Bianca Del Rio, Shangela, Cheyenne Jackson, Mila Jam, and Oscar-winning actress Allison Janney.

In addition to Valentina, other drag superstars slated to perform during the broadcast include Alaska, Jinkx Monsoon, Jujubee, Peppermint, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Shuga Cain, Honey Davenport, and Drag Out the Vote’s national co-chairs Brita Filter, Marti Gould Cummings, and Pixie Aventura.

Broadway figures set to appear include legendary three-time Tony-winning actress Chita Rivera, as well as Tony winners Stephanie J. Block, Lea Salonga, Nikki M. James, Beth Leavel and Annaleigh Ashford. Also joining the program are stage stars Shoshana Bean, Eden Espinosa, Jenn Collela, Chilina Kennedy, Keala Settle, Tamika Lawrence, L Morgan Lee, and Our Lady J.

The presentation will be directed by Josh Rhodes and Lee Wilkins, whose joint careers include work choreographing Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, First Date, It Shoulda Been You, and Bright Star on Broadway. Tony winner Stephen Oremus will serve as music supervisor.

“One in five LGBTQIA+ people is not registered to vote, and 100 million people did not vote in the 2016 election. We must fix this,” said Drag Out the Vote founder Jackie Huba in a press statement. “We are excited to bring together the worlds of Broadway and drag to inspire voters to sashay their way to the polls or their mailboxes.”

Divas for Democracy: United We Slay airs October 18 at 8:00 p.m. ET exclusively on StageIt. Tickets — available on a “donate-what-you-can” basis — go on sale Thursday at 10:00 a.m. ET at divasfordemocracy.com.

Mj Rodriguez to Take Part in GLAAD’s “Together in Pride: You are Not Alone” Live Stream Event

Posted on April 26, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Mj Rodriguezis bringing the pride to sheltering in place…

GLAAD will host the live stream event “Together in Pride: You are Not Alone” in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the 29-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress and Pose star among the celebrities taking part.

The event will be available on GLAAD’s YouTube channel and Facebook Liveon April 26 at 8:00 pm ET.

“Together In Pride” will raise funds for LGBTQ community centers impacted by the coronavirus.

In addition to Rodriguez, the event will include appearances by Billy Eichner, Matt Bomer, Adam Lambert, Lilly Singh, Bebe Rexha, Dan Levy, Wilson Cruz, Gigi Gorgeous, Nats Getty, Michelle Visage, Javier Muñoz, Sean Hayes, Sharon Stone,Tatiana Maslany, with more guests being announced soon.

The event will include performances by Kesha and Melissa Etheridge.

Actor and producer Erich Bergen is working alongside GLAAD to bring the event to the masses.See More

“At a time when some LGBTQ people could be isolating in homes that are not affirming, GLAAD is bringing together the biggest LGBTQ stars and allies to send messages of love, support and acceptance,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “So many LGBTQ people, especially our youth, depend on support from local community centers around the country, and during this time of financial distress, we must come together as a community to ensure that all LGBTQ organizations can continue their life-saving work.”

“Together in Pride: You are Not Alone” will also raise critical funds for CenterLink, a coalition of more than 250 LGBTQ community centers from 45 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, as well as Canada, China, Mexico, and Australia.

CenterLink strengthens, supports, and connects LGBTQ community centers, which serve over 2 million people each year. Participating community centers will also share the livestream on their social platforms.

“LGBTQ centers are the heart of the community, and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic these centers have continued to provide vital connectivity and services, pivoting to virtual programming, modifying in-person services when possible, and ensuring that their communities have resources and support when they need it the most,” said Denise Spivak, Interim CEO of CenterLink.

In March, GLAAD joined over 100 LGBTQ organizations in an open letter calling on U.S. public health officials and media to address the heightened vulnerability of LGBTQ people to COVID-19. Amongst other factors, the LGBTQ community experiences higher rates of cancer, HIV, and tobacco use — all which factor into higher susceptibility to negative outcomes from COVID-19. Additionally, LGBTQ people continue to experience discrimination and unwelcoming attitudes in medical settings, and as a result, many are reluctant to seek medical care. On Wednesday, Centerlink released a letter signed by over 160 LGBTQ community centers to House and Senate leaders, urging them to include nonprofits who serve the LGBTQ population in future relief packages.

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