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RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World

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RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World
Image
GenreReality competition
Presented byRuPaul
Judges
Theme music composerRuPaul
Opening themeRuPaul's Drag Race theme
Ending theme"Rock It (To the Moon)"
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series3
No. of episodes22
Production
Executive producers
  • Bruce McCoy
  • Sally Sanders
  • RuPaul Charles
  • Fenton Bailey
  • Randy Barbato
  • Tom Rodriguez
ProducerMichelle Visage
Production locations
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time60–70 minutes
Production companyWorld of Wonder
Original release
Network
Release1 February 2022 (2022-02-01) –
present
Related

RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World is an international all-stars series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK and its franchise. The all-stars series premiered on 1 February 2022, through BBC Three and WOW Presents Plus.[1] RuPaul acts as the host, head judge, and executive producer of the series.[2]

The contestants for the first series were announced on 17 January 2022.[3] The first series was won by Blu Hydrangea with Mo Heart as the runner-up.[4] The second series began airing on 9 February 2024 and was won by Tia Kofi with Hannah Conda as the runner-up.[5] The third series began airing on 27 January 2026 and was won by Gawdland with Kate Butch as the runner-up.[6]

Production

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On 21 December 2021, a press release by the BBC announced an upcoming international all-stars series involving RuPaul's Drag Race UK; it coincided with the relaunch of BBC Three as a television channel.[7] The first series was filmed in Manchester at the same location as the third series of the main series.[8] The second series was filmed in Pinewood Studios, back-to-back with the fifth series of the main series.

Format

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The first two series follow a similar format from seasons two to four of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. In every episode, the two best-performing contestants of the main challenge would compete in the lip-sync. The victor is awarded a golden "RuPeter Badge" and the power to eliminate any of the worst-performing queens from the main challenge.[9] In the finale, the top 4 will battle in a Lip Sync For The Crown tournament to determine the winner.

The third series follow a format similar to the Golden Beaver, as seen on Canada's Drag Race and Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World. In each episode, the best performing queen is awarded a golden "RuPeter Badge" and the power of the Chippy Tea, which the victor can use to save one of the bottom three queens from lip-syncing. The other two queens then lip-sync for their lives, with the loser being eliminated.[10] This continue until six queens remain, at which point the format reverts to the classic Drag Race format, where a winner and a bottom 2 is named by the judges, and the bottom 2 lip-sync for their lives.

Judges

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The competition series is hosted and judged primarily by RuPaul, Michelle Visage as a supporting judge, with Alan Carr and Graham Norton returning as alternating judges.[11]

Judges on RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World
Judge Series
1 2 3
RuPaul Main
Michelle Visage Main
Alan Carr Main
Graham Norton Main

Series overview

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SeriesContestantsEpisodesOriginally releasedWinnerRunner-upMiss Congeniality
First releasedLast released
1961 February 2022 (2022-02-01)8 March 2022 (2022-03-08)Blu HydrangeaMo Heart—
21189 February 2024 (2024-02-09)29 March 2024 (2024-03-29)Tia KofiHannah CondaArantxa Castilla-La Mancha
310827 January 2026 (2026-01-27)17 March 2026 (2026-03-17)GawdlandKate ButchSerena Morena

Series 1 (2022)

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Image
Blu Hydrangea was the first winner of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World.

The first series premiered on 1 February 2022, and features nine international queens who have competed in the Drag Race franchise worldwide.[12] The contestants competed to become "Queen of the Mothertucking World" and be featured in a song by RuPaul, as well as winning a crown and a scepter.[13] It ran for six episodes and concluded on 8 March 2022; Mo Heart was the runner-up and Blu Hydrangea was crowned the first series winner.[14]

Series 2 (2024)

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After its two-year hiatus, a teaser was released showcasing the second series of the international all stars.[15] The series aired on BBC Three and iPlayer beginning on 9 February 2024. Tia Kofi was the winner, Hannah Conda was the runner up and Marina Summers and La Grande Dame place third. Arantxa Castilla-La Mancha was voted Miss Congeniality.

Series 3 (2026)

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Following another two-year hiatus, a teaser was released showcasing a third series of the international all stars on 24 December 2025.[16] The series premiered on 27 January 2026.[17] Gawdland was the winner, Kate Butch was the runner up and Fontana and Mariah Balenciaga place third. Serena Morena was voted Miss Congeniality.

References

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  1. ↑ Yossman, K.J. (11 January 2022). "'RuPaul's Drag Race: U.K. Versus The World' Sets Launch Date with BBC Three's Broadcasting Return". Variety. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  2. ↑ Nolfi, Joey (21 December 2021). "RuPaul takes all-stars international on RuPaul's Drag Race: UK Versus the World". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  3. ↑ Nolfi, Joey (17 January 2022). "RuPaul's Drag Race UK Versus the World cast adds international all-stars to new competition". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  4. ↑ The second series was won by Tia Kofi with Hannah Conda as the runner-up.Smith, Reiss (8 March 2022). "Drag Race UK vs the World just crowned a winner, baby". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  5. ↑ Sayce, Rebecca (28 December 2022). "RuPaul's Drag Race UK Versus The World has second series confirmed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  6. ↑ "Meet the RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World series 3 Queens". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  7. ↑ "New BBC Three commissions for a new BBC Three channel" (Press release). BBC. 19 October 2018. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  8. ↑ Maidment, Adam (21 December 2021). "RuPaul returns to Salford for new 'UK Versus' BBC Three show". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  9. ↑ James, Michael (3 February 2022). "Where's the money honey? No Prize money for Drag Race: UK vs The World winner". QNews. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  10. ↑ Purnell, Kristofer. "Fil-Canadian Melinda Verga 1st to exit 'Drag Race UK vs the World 3'". Philstar.com. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  11. ↑ Ali, Mishti (21 December 2021). "Drag Race announces first-ever international All Stars edition: UK Versus the World". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  12. ↑ Ramachandran, Naman (21 December 2021). "'RuPaul's Drag Race: U.K. Versus The World' to Kick Off Relaunched BBC Three Channel". Variety. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  13. ↑ Harp, Justin (8 March 2022). "RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs the World crowns its first-ever winner". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  14. ↑ Opie, David (8 March 2022). "Drag Race UK vs the World winner Blu Hydrangea is anything but a wallflower this season". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  15. ↑ "RuPaul's Drag Race UK Versus The World will return to BBC Three and iPlayer for a highly anticipated second series" (Press release). BBC. 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  16. ↑ James, Michael (27 December 2025). "Drag Race UK Vs The World Season Three Is Officially Confirmed". Star Observer. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  17. ↑ Sugg, Aaron (8 January 2026). "RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World Series 3 cast revealed: Kate Butch, Sminty Drop and Zahirah Zapanta return". Attitude. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
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