Drag Race UK vs The World stars tease ‘juicy, messy drama’: ‘OG Drag Race vibes’

Are you loins girded and is your petrol tank full? It’s time to start your engines and find out who the next Queen of the Mother Tucking World is. RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World is back for season three, baby.

Seasons one and two of the Drag Race UK spin-off series gave crowns to Blu Hydrangea and Tia Kofi, wedded British pop culture with international glamour, and re-introduced us to some of the world’s very best drag performer. In the process, they became two of the most talked about seasons in Drag Race herstory.

Season three looks set to spark just as much, if not more, chatter and discourse. Messy drama? Check. Original Drag Race vibes? Yep. World-famous drag divas? In spade loads.

We chatted to (most!) of the cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World season three – Kate Butch, Sminty Drop, Zahirah Zapanta (Drag Race UK), Fontana (Drag Race Sweden), Minty Fresh (Drag Race Philippines), Gawdland (Drag Race Thailand), The Only Naomy (Drag Race Germany), Serena Morena (Drag Race Mexico), Mariah Balenciaga (Drag Race; All Stars 5) and Melinda Verga (Canada’s Drag Race) – about what we can expect from the season.

PinkNews: What has been the main difference between your run on your original season, and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK  vs the World season three?

The Only Naomy: The biggest thing was I knew what I [was] signing up for ‘cos the first time around, all of the unknowns are driving you crazy in the getting ready process. This time around I was actually a bit more chill even though the level is that much higher. I took it more as a, ‘You did it before [and] wasn’t great at it. This time around, this one’s just for fun.’

Minty Fresh: There’s a lot of difference. It’s way harder than my original season, more challenging, more nerve-wracking. There’s more added pressure this time because you’re representing [your] whole country.

Fontana: Oh my god, babes. There is no comparison. Drag Race Sweden was like kindergarten and then RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World was definitely like the battle of the time, because it’s massive. I had a lot of fun in Drag Race Sweden, but now it’s the real deal. RuPaul Charles is over there, my biggest idol. This whole thing is so far from the reality where I came from. It just feels like a dream. 

Serena Morena: It’s a big difference because in Mexico I [was] part of the very first season. It was the very first experience for everybody: production, for the queens, for the country. So, when I travelled to London for UK vs The World, oh my god, the team is so professional. You can note the big difference of years of professionalism. The queen team are amazing; the producers, and everything is just like a fantasy.

Gawdland: When we filmed our original season, it’s of course not hosted by RuPaul and it’s the big difference. I get to see RuPaul finally, the mother of the drag queens. And yes, everything is so professional. Everybody is so on time. Everything is so strict and it’s a big production and the big budget.

Zahirah Zapanta: Season six Zahirah was very CD, sissy cross-dresser, just wanted to be the most beautiful one in the room and didn’t care about much else to be honest. In terms of the competition, she was just happy to be there girl. I feel like VS Zahirah is a lot more cut throat, very competitive, very passionate. A lot more girly. Bigger, bigger, bigger, muggy, and probably louder to be honest.

Sminty Drop: On my original season I definitely realised what I wasn’t good at, which kind of outweighed what I was good at. It’s definitely been a long time of reflecting, working on different things, but you know what? There are some things that I was just like, there’s already queens that do this. I don’t need to be a fully faceted, dipping my toes in every pie [queen]. I’m not going to just start learning how to stretch to do the splits now at the age of nearly 27. If you want to see that, go and watch Kate Butch.

I enjoyed it so much this time around though because you’ve got fans backing you that weren’t fans of you prior to your original season. All these people know what you’re capable of already and they want to see more of that and they don’t necessarily care whether you’re good at the things now that you weren’t good at before. It definitely takes the burden off the shoulders going into it a second time around.

Kate Butch: I actually did try and learn how to do the splits beforehand. I got an app that’s like, ‘You can do the splits in 28 days’. And let me tell you, it’s a lie. I think for me because I had such a good time filming series five – it was the first time that I’d ever done any kind of TV stuff and I kind of walked in there like a nervous little baby deer – going back was sort of a no-brainer walking back in that first day it was like being surrounded by family. I’ve worked on my aesthetics because that was the thing that was holding me back. I think I’ve got better at my makeup. It was hard to get worse at my makeup.

Melinda Verga: Seeing Mama Ru, obvi! I mean, yes, I’ve crossed the pond and made my way to the exotic land of fish and chips, but seeing Mama Ru in the flesh, as well as Michelle Visage, and just becoming a bonafide “Ru Girl”… dreams do come true, kids!

Mariah Balenciaga: The biggest difference between my original season (Season 3) of Rupaul’s Drag Race and UK vs The World is the mainstreaming of drag and ballroom culture. It used to feel like a a special club, now everyone is behind the velvet rope. Using slang and dance moves without the appreciation or recognition of the cultures it comes from. Also, the age difference between the other queens and myself. The body definitely feels different!

There are three UK queens this season. Going into the Werk Room, were you concerned about the potential UK alliance?

Minty Fresh: Of course they will take the chance to maybe build an alliance. If I were in their position I would do it, right? I think it’s part of the strategy, part of the game.

The Only Naomy: It’s very much a strategy game in a way so I came prepared. I thought I had a pretty good game plan, writing everything down, and then if I were in the position that I would need somebody else’s helping hand, I could go into my little notes and be like, ‘I helped you that time. You should really help me out this time’. At the same time, I think it’s very good for the [international] queens that we have only three UK girls. I don’t think it’s that big of an alliance ‘cos if we get rid of just one of them, there’s only two left. 

Fontana: Babe, I walked in there ready to snatch the crown, OK? I came back for a reason. I wanted the crown. I love the UK, but babes, you’ve got way too many crowns. It’s about time someone else takes over that crown. I knew [an alliance] was going to happen. I knew they were coming for the crown. I knew they were going to be besties. But you know what? I’m a Swedish Latina, something that has haven’t been on RuPaul’s Drag Race before. So I’ve got many hidden talents. I combined the best of both worlds of being happy and full of energy and very nice to people, but I got the Swedish way of being strategic and straightforward with my goals. So, I combined ABBA with a carnival parade. That’s what you’re going to see in the show.

Serena Morena: I always try to be myself since the very beginning of filming the season and my very first concern was how to get close to the queens because I have this language situation and there are so many accents in the UK.  I tried to to be myself and that helped me to have a very good moment with all of my beautiful queens.

Gawdland: Me and Serena, English is not our mother tongue. Me and her are struggling with the English the most. About the alliance, I want to say that in this season, we’ve got four Asians in one season. So, it’s just three British queens. I don’t know, do you think they’re going to [have an] alliance? Do you think so? Are you sure with the alliance? Are you sure? That’s it. I don’t want to spoil anything.

Melinda Verga: I mean, they would be unwise not to plan an alliance, or at least create the illusion thereof… oh, y’all will see! Of course, you have that special bond with your sisters from your franchise and especially if you’re from the same season. As an international queen, I expected this. But… who doesn’t love a nice Canadian maple tart? We’re nice, we’re sweet, but, be careful, some of us are pretty f****** spicy!

Mariah Balenciaga: I wasn’t terribly concerned about the UK queen alliance. I know how to make friends and keep them. I believe one of my greatest strengths is cultivating bonds with genuine people and appreciating what they bring to the table.

Which of your Drag Race UK vs the World queens brought the drama, and who brought the laughs and good vibes?

The Only Naomy: Oh my God, Melinda is everything. I think she learned a lot from her experience on Drag Race. I can’t tell you obviously if she had another outburst or not, but I think that’s one to look out for. The whole cast is bringing so many different types of humour. You can find your favourites that make you laugh, but at the same time are still shady. And let me tell you, all of these are shady b******. And the UK queens? Boots shady. 

Minty Fresh: I feel like like everyone brought the drama. For the laughs, I really enjoyed Serena. She really makes me laugh every single day.

Fontana: I must say when I was there, it felt like the cast was made by a random simulator cast app. I was like, what the heck is happening right here? You guys are getting season two, three, five, OG Drag Race vibes in that there was so much drama. It was juicy. It was messy. We were all so hungry for this dream of being the Queen of the Mothertucking World. It was so strong in all of us so there was a lot of drama. I must say Miss Zahirah was very dramatic. I love the girl. I must say that Serena Morena, she’s so funny. I died every time.

Serena Morena: There is one UK queen that is so scream queen. Zahirah! Starting with her name, it’s so loud! She brings us drama, she brings us maybe some fights. But it was amazing to meet her. I don’t remember another loud queen… I’m just lying. The other queen loud queen is Gawdland. She’s so loud but at the same time is the very cutest queen. 

Gawdland: Actually I’m such an angel this season! I’m not even a villain a single bit. For me, the queen that intimidated [me] the most is probably Sminty Drop because with that fierce face, she turned it on. Oh my god. Kate Butch is also a lovable person. She’s so funny. She’s always saying jokes.

Kate Butch: I think they [all] brought their own share of drama and good times in equal measure. What’s great about Drag Race is you can be having a camp old laugh with someone that you’ve just been in a team with for a challenge, and then the next week they’re gonna turn around and be like, ‘I hate you, and you’re disgusting.’  You can’t have drama with just one person. So, it’s not just Zahirah…

Sminty Drop: I definitely was extremely vocal in my opinions and how certain things might have gone down. I feel like me and Zahirah almost formed a sisterhood. This is the sisterhood of the travelling gob. Me and Zahirah, as long as we’ve known each other we’ve just been shady. I think that’s just a Manchester thing to be honest. Fontana is drama in a way where if you say anything about her that might not be praise, it’s very like ‘…oh.’ That’s [where] she brings her drama in. We all like to read each other and have a cat fight little moment, but then I also think that with any season there’s always going to be drama in the sense of like, this is what we’re all so passionate about. We all want to win, so we will fight tooth and nail to get what we want. 

Zahirah Zapanta: We do love each other and we say these opinions. Me and Sminty are telepathically connected in that way and I just want to say to the girls… suck it up, buttercup! You know what? You’re gonna get a piece of my mind, because I got the call for a reason and they wanted a piece of my mind. I’ma say it on the TV. I think Sminty has a really good hold of her passion. Maybe in a different way to me, but Fontana brings a lot of drama in a very different way than perhaps me.

Melinda Verga: Drama… Zahirah! Or at least she’s the biggest s*** disturber. Laughs… Gawdland. She’s a firecracker, that one! Watch out!

Mariah Balenciaga: There are so many funny b****** on our season. Gawdland is just pure chaotic laughter and light, but that damn Sminty has such a sharp touch tongue that tickles my soul.

Walking into the Werk Room, which of your season sisters were you eyeing up as your biggest competition?

Minty Fresh: Mariah! I felt like I was dreaming when I saw her ‘cos I was a fan and I only saw her on Drag Race and now I’m competing with her. That’s crazy.

The Only Naomy: My jaw dropped when Minty walked in because I’ve been following her for years online. You don’t know how many pictures of her I had as little inspirations to be like, ‘Oh, I’m gonna look like that one day.’ When she came in, I was like, ‘OK, the level has just upped so much.’ Another moment that gave me the chills was when Sminty walked in, because I do realise that just visually we are very similar in a lot of ways. So, I realised immediately, OK, I have to do so much more to stand out and show my personality. I don’t want to provoke the thought of [me] being the carbon copy of her. 

Fontana: Babes, when I saw Miss Minty Fresh I gagged, because she’s one of the most beautiful drag queens I’ve ever seen in my whole life. She is perfection. So definitely I was shaking when I saw her walking in. I must say also, when I saw the Asian representation, I immediately felt so happy to see this representation happening and I knew there was maybe going to be an alliance happening there too. There wasn’t a queen that was like – – no, you’re not competition. We got Miss Melinda Verga in the room! Do you understand? Gratitude happening! We got Mariah. I mean, girl these queens have been around for a while. They’re up for a game. They know what they’re doing. 

Gawdland: RuPaul! She’s the one whose judging so we have to impress her. 

Serena Morena: And the other drag queen, Michelle Visage! It was very a big struggle to to maintain the level of comedy, the level of the competition that they want. 

Kate Butch: I think for me it was Fontana and Minty. Fontana was the runner up on her season and Minty did amazingly on Philippines as well. They both have huge support networks from Brazil and the Philippines. They’re the names that are known around the world because of their amazing supporters and fans.

Sminty Drop: Fontana’s got both Sweden and Brazil on her side. So when I knew that and I saw her in the Werk Room, I was just like, ‘Oh my god, I need to be so careful here because otherwise two countries are going to start beating me up…’

Zahirah Zapanta: For me, definitely Minty because I was team Minty on her original season. She’s the first ever badge winner from the Drag Race Philippines franchise and she’s a double badge winner at that. I went to perform in the Philippines in June and I went to watch one of her shows in this massive theatre and when I say the crowd goes wild for Minty Fresh… When she walked into the Werk Room, I was like ughhh, so annoying! But also amazing to be able to compete with such an icon and a legend.

Melinda Verga: Oh, babes, I ain’t shooketh by nobody. I stayed ready the whole time before coming to UK VS, so…

Mariah Balenciaga: I must be honest, I didn’t watch any of the other franchises. It felt fresh and new again, not knowing who the queens are or what they are capable of. Very reminiscent of my original season of Drag Race, Season 3.

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World season three begins on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer in the UK and on WOW Presents Plus internationally from Tuesday 27 January.

These interviews have been condensed for length.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.