Want in? You can watch Drag Race Philippines now on World Of Wonder
BY ELEANOR NOYCE, IMAGES BY RON KATAGIRI/WORLD OF WONDER
Calling all Drag Race superfans! The latest spin-off of RuPaul’s hit TV franchise – Drag Race Philippines – premiered on 17 August 2022, judged by none other than iconic alumnus Jiggly Caliente. Debuting on the runway for Season 4, Jiggly returned for All Stars 6 in 2021 and has similarly appeared in Ryan Murphy’s award-winning ballroom drama, Pose. Coming out as a trans woman in 2016 after a lengthy journey, Jiggly has so much to share. Sound like your cup of tea? Continue for a sneak peek, dear reader.
“You could tell from the Meet The Queens – the way they introduced themselves – that the Filipino drag scene is obsessed with Miss Universe. It was ‘I am twenty-something-years old, and I believe, boom.’ So that was pretty much everybody’s intro”, Jiggly jokes about the inaugural contestants on Drag Race Philippines.
She loves British drag and – like the rest of the world – has been amazed by the talent that’s arisen out of the depths of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. “Could you imagine the impact? Girls like Tayce and The Vivienne are on magazine covers and walking the runways. This is where the future is.” She feels the same about the artists debuting on Drag Race Philippines, describing the contestants as “resilient survivors, fighters, warriors.” “We’ve only got a budget for one crown, though”, she laughs.
Speaking on her own journey, Jiggly reveals that her friend Jaremi – formerly known as fellow Season 4 contestant PhiPhi O’Hara – was key in helping her to come out as trans. “Sharing your story and sharing your journey could potentially help other people”, she quotes.
Want to hear more from Jiggly? Be sure to grab a copy of our September issue – containing Jiggly’s full interview – featuring A League Of Their Own’s Abbi Jacobson, Pale Waves, KT Tunstall and more. Pssst…you can pre-order this one from 19 August!
Catch Jiggly Caliente on Drag Race Philippines which premieres exclusively on WOW Presents Plus from Wednesday 17 August. Want to spill the tea in-person? Grab your ticket for RuPaul’s Drag Con UK, taking place from 6-8 January 2023 at ExCel London.
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