Mabuhey, mga accla! Drag Race Philippines is back with a Slaysian twist. This time, Filipino pride takes center stage as the franchise unveils its boldest spinoff yet—Slaysian Royale. Ten months after the acclaimed third season, the show returns with a groundbreaking format: for the very first time in Drag Race history, an all-Asian cast of queens will battle it out for the crown.
Hosted by actor-comedian Paolo Ballesteros—affectionately known to fans as “Mama Pao”—Slaysian Royale brings together twelve dazzling queens of Asian descent from eight different Drag Race franchises. Representing Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, the Philippines, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, the contestants embody the theme “Asian Warrior,” showcasing unapologetic artistry, cultural pride, and global drag excellence.
Among the competitors are Filipino powerhouses Arizona Brandy, Bernie, Brigiding, Khianna, and Viñas Deluxe, joined by Ivory Glaze (Drag Race Down Under), Kitty Space (Drag Race France), Madame Yoko (Drag Race Belgique), Siam Phusri (Drag Race Thailand), Suki Doll (Canada’s Drag Race), Sum Ting Wong (Drag Race UK), and Yuhua (RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10). Together, they compete for the chance to become the first queen honored into the Drag Race Slaysian Hall of Fame.
The series premiered last August 13, 2025, with its debut episode, “Miss Shutacca: Slaysian Edition.” In true pageant extravaganza, the queens stunned in national costumes and evening gowns before serving wit and charisma in a high-stakes Q&A showdown. The night featured special guests Jervi Wrightson and Jon Santos, along with guest judges Jimbo and Maxie.
Highlights included a spirited Hairography Dance Battle Royale, won by Khianna, who also went on to dominate the main stage and lip sync against Siam Phusri to KATSEYE’s hit “Debut.” Khianna clinched the ₱80,000 lip sync prize, while Madame Yoko became the first queen eliminated after a bottom-two face-off with Sum Ting Wong.
With its unique format and unapologetic celebration of Asian identity, Slaysian Royale is already being hailed as a fierce, culturally resonant season—one that raises the bar for drag representation on a global scale.
Catch new episodes of Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale every Wednesday on WOW Presents Plus.
