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 is hitting the global stage with a mission…
Queen of the Universereturns 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 Racejudge 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
The 35-year-old Puerto Rican actor has been cast in Marvel’s She-Hulk series starring Tatiana Maslany in the title role.
He joins a cast that includes Renée Elise Goldsberry, Ginger Gonzaga and Mark Ruffalo, who will be reprising his role as Bruce Banner aka the Hulk.
Marvel had no comment on the casting.
She-Hulk is a legal comedy that centers on the eponymous heroine (Maslany), aka Jennifer Walters, an attorney who has similar powers to her cousin, Banner/The Hulk. The She-Hulk series is directed by Kat Coiro and Anu Valia, with Jessica Gao serving as head writer.
It’s unknown who Segarra will be playing.
Segarra, an Arrow alum, can be seen next in the second season of The Other Twoon HBO Max, which premieres on August 26. His other recent credits include playing RuPaul’s boyfriend in the hit Netflix series, AJ and the Queen and Pastor Christian in the Emmy-nominated Dolly Parton movie, Christmas in the Square.
The 37-year-old Puerto Rican drag queen will compete on the sixth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, which has found a second home at Paramount+, and 13 returning queens will get another shot at the crown.
Yara Sofia, whose real name is Gabriel Burgos Ortiz, appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 3, where she won Miss Congeniality, and All Stars season 1.
Season 6 of All Stars, which will see 13 returning queens get another shot at the crown, will premiere on June 24 on the streaming platform and welcome back a number of fan favorites and memorable contestants including queens Jiggly Caliente, Scarlet Envy, Eureka O’Hara, Silky Nutmeg Ganache and more.
Returning queens will sashay back to the “werkroom” to vie for a spot in Drag Race Hall of Fame and a cash prize of $100,000.
Drag Race All Stars will start its engines with back-to-back episodes upon its premiere date. New episodes will hit Paramount+ on Thursdays.
“Thirteen All Stars deliver one of the best Drag Race seasons ever!” said executive producer and five-time Emmy-winning host RuPaul. “Don’t take my word for it. You’ve got to stream it to believe it.”
The drama-filled aftershow, RuPaul’s Drag Race Untucked, also will be available to stream on Paramount+ immediately following new episodes of All Stars 6.
Brava was revealed the winner in royally surprising fashion.
