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Drag Race Down Under
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The first season of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under was officially announced on August 26, 2019.[1] On January 18, 2021 the official title of the series was announced by RuPaul through World of Wonder's social media. This also confirmed that the show would be airing on WOW Presents Plus, Stan Australia, and TVNZ.[2] Down Under will also be broadcast on BBC iPlayer in the UK.

The cast was planned to be revealed at Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival on March 6, 2021. However, the cast was revealed hours earlier via World of Wonder.

The season premiered on May 1, 2021 globally at 4pm AEST (12am PST).

The winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under recieved a cash prize of A$30,000 (≈ US$22,434) and one year supply of Revolution Beauty Cosmetics.

The winner of the season was Kita Mean, with Art Simone, Karen From Finance, and Scarlet Adams all finishing as runners-up. There was no official Miss Congeniality.

About The Show

Hosted by RuPaul, drag queen contestants compete in an elimination-style contest and strut their stuff in a variety of challenges - all to prove that they’ve got what it takes to be a Down Under drag queen superstar!

Contestants

Drdus1cast

(Biographical information stated from during time of contest)

Rank Contestant Photo Age Location Ep. 1 Ep. 2 Ep. 3 Ep. 4 Ep. 5 Ep. 6 Ep. 7 Ep. 8
Runway Snatch
Game
Girl
Groups
Design Advert Make
Over
Talent
Show
Grand
Finale
1st
(Winner)
Kita Mean KitaMeanDU1Promo 34 Auckland,
New Zealand
SAFE SAFE HIGH SAFE HIGH WIN BTM2 WINNER
2nd-4th
(Runner-Up)
(Orig. 9th)
Art Simone ArtSimoneDU1Promo 28 Melbourne,
Australia
HIGH ELIM RTRN
+
HIGH
SAFE
Mini
Chall.
Winner
SAFE LOW RUNNER
UP
2nd-4th
(Runners-Up)
Karen From Finance KarenFromFinanceDU1Promo 32 Melbourne,
Australia
WIN LOW SAFE BTM2 LOW HIGH LOW RUNNER
UP
Scarlet Adams ScarletAdamsDU1Promo 27 Perth,
Australia
HIGH LOW WIN
Team
Captain
WIN SAFE BTM2 WIN RUNNER
UP
5th Elektra Shock ElektraShockDU1Promo 27 Auckland,
New Zealand
BTM2
Mini
Chall.
Winner
LOW BTM2
Team
Captain
SAFE WIN LOW ELIM
6th Maxi Shield MaxiShieldDU1Promo 46 Sydney,
Australia
SAFE LOW LOW HIGH BTM2 ELIM
Mini
Chall.
Winner
7th Etcetera Etcetera EtceteraEtceteraDU1Promo 22 Sydney,
Australia
SAFE SAFE SAFE LOW ELIM
8th Anita Wigl'it AnitaWigl'itDU1Promo 31 Auckland,
New Zealand
SAFE WIN HIGH ELIM
9th Coco Jumbo CocoJumboDU1Promo 30 Sydney,
Australia
LOW BTM2 ELIM
10th Jojo Zaho JojoZahoDU1Promo 30 Newcastle,
Australia
ELIM
The contestant won RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under.
The contestant lost the final lip-sync, and is the runner-up.
The contestant won the maxi challenge.
The contestant received mainly positive critiques but did not win the maxi challenge.
The contestant was brought back to the competition and received mainly positive critiques but did not win the maxi challenge.
The contestant received mainly negative critiques but did not place in the bottom two.
The contestant placed in the bottom two and won the lip-sync for your life.
The contestant placed in the bottom two, lost the lip-sync for your life, and was eliminated.

Queen's Winning Earnings (In AUD)

Name Money
Kita Mean $30,000
Art Simone $0
Karen From Finance $3,000
Scarlet Adams $5,000
Elektra Shock $0
Maxi Shield $0
Etcetera Etcetera $0
Anita Wigl'it $5,000
Coco Jumbo $0
Jojo Zaho $0

Episodes

Series # Episode # Episode Title Air Date
1 1 G'day G'day G'day May 1, 2021
2 2 Snatch Game May 8, 2021
3 3 Queens Down Under May 15, 2021
4 4 Rucycled May 22, 2021
5 5 Marketing Hats May 29, 2021
6 6 Family Resemblance June 5, 2021
7 7 Talent Show Extravaganza June 12, 2021
8 8 Down Under Grand Finale June 19, 2021

Episode 1: "G'day G'day G'day"

Airdate: May 1, 2021

Synopsis: We meet the Australian and New Zealand drag queens competing to become down under’s first Drag Race superstar. It’s a hometown homage this week, as the queens showcase their personalities at the ‘get to know you’ ball.

DUS1E1Judges

Episode 1 Judges

  • Special Guest: Taika Waititi
  • Mini Challenge: Audition for the new movie: Thar
  • Mini Challenge Winner: Elektra Shock
  • Mini Challenge Prize: A necklace set from Fierce Drag Jewels
  • Maxi Challenge: Present a nude illusion look and a home town look on the main stage.
  • Runway Themes: Born Naked and No Place Like Home
  • Maxi Challenge Winner: Karen From Finance
  • Maxi Challenge Prize: $3,000 tip from Mary's Poppin' in Adelaide
  • Bottom Two: Elektra Shock and Jojo Zaho
  • Lip Sync Song: "Tragedy" by Bee Gees
  • Eliminated: Jojo Zaho
  • Farewell Message: " ♡ I am so happy to call each & everyone of you mob (sisters). Bring that crown home Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi xoxo Jojo Zaho x now clean this mirror Bitch lol 💋"

Entrance Order

1 Art Simone
2 Maxi Shield
3 Jojo Zaho
4 Elektra Shock
5 Scarlet Adams
6 Coco Jumbo
7 Kita Mean
8 Etcetera Etcetera
9 Anita Wigl'it
10 Karen From Finance

Runway Inspirations

Contestant Hometown
Anita Wigl'it Leigh
Art Simone Melbourne
Coco Jumbo Coffs Harbour
Elektra Shock Auckland
Etcetera Etcetera Canberra
Jojo Zaho Newcastle
Karen From Finance Melbourne
Kita Mean Auckland
Maxi Shield Ballina
Scarlet Adams Perth

Episode 2: "Snatch Game"

Airdate: May 8, 2021

DUS1E2Judges

Episode 2 Judges

SnatchGameDRDUS1

Snatch Game Panel

Synopsis: It’s the time we’ve all been waiting for, as the queen’s don their best celebrity get-up to compete in the infamous celebrity impression Olympics. It’s Snatch Game, baby!

Snatch Game Characters

Contestant Celebrity
Karen From Finance Dolly Parton KarenSnatchGameLook
Art Simone Bindi Irwin ArtSimoneSnatchGameLook
Coco Jumbo Lizzo CocoJumboSnatchGameLook
Anita Wigl'it Queen Elizabeth II AnitaSnatchGameLook
Scarlet Adams Jennifer Coolidge ScarletAdamsSnatchGameLook
Elektra Shock Catherine O'Hara ElektraShockSnatchGameLook
Maxi Shield Magda Szubanski MaxiSnatchGameLook
Etcetera Etcetera Lindy Chamberlain EtceteraSnatchGameLook
Kita Mean Dr. Seuss KitaSnatchGameLook

Episode 3: "Queens Down Under"

Airdate: May 15, 2021

Synopsis: The queens are split in two, as they compete in the ultimate girl group sing-off.

DUS1E3Judges

Episode 3 Judges

  • Special Guests: Leland and Troye Sivan
  • Mini Challenge: Show their best slow-motion surf rescue
  • Mini Challenge Winner: Scarlet Adams and Elektra Shock
  • Mini Challenge Prize: A $2,500 gift card from Glitter au Gogo to Scarlet and a $2,500 gift card from Philman's WerqShop to Elektra.
  • Maxi Challenge: Record vocals and perform in a girl group number for the original song "Queens Down Under."
  • Runway Theme: Bogan Prom Realness
  • Maxi Challenge Winner: Scarlet Adams
  • Maxi Challenge Prize: Custom prosthetic piece from BODYFX worth $4,500
  • Bottom Two: Coco Jumbo and Elektra Shock
  • Lip Sync Song: "Shake Your Groove Thing" by Peaches & Herb
  • Eliminated: Coco Jumbo
  • Farewell Message: "I ♡ You My Sisters The Party 💋 STARTS 💋 NOW!!! ♡ Jumbo!! PS WATCH OUT Bitch!"

Girl Group Sing-Off

Outback Fake-Hoes Three and a Half Men
DU1GirlGroup1 Anita Wigl'it DU1GirlGroup2 Elektra Shock
Coco Jumbo Karen From Finance
Etcetera Etcetera Kita Mean
Scarlet Adams Maxi Shield

Episode 4: "Rucycled"

Airdate: May 22, 2021

Synopsis: The queens are put through their paces with a sewing challenge that has them showcasing their best thrift flip.

DUS1E4Judges

Episode 4 Judges

  • Guest Judge: Elz Carrad
  • Returned: Art Simone
  • Maxi Challenge: Use crusty castoffs from an op-shop to create their own runway looks.
  • Maxi Challenge Winner: Scarlet Adams
  • Maxi Challenge Prize: $2,500 gift card from Elea's Closet
  • Bottom Two: Karen From Finance and Anita Wigl'it
  • Lip Sync Song: "I Begin To Wonder" by Dannii Minogue
  • Eliminated: Anita Wigl'it
  • Farewell Message: "To my beautiful Queens, You are everything to me! I came in with 3 Kiwi sisters and leave with a whole Australian sister-hood. Never forget my Dry Ass Pussy!! Anita P.S: See you in two weeks in the trash!!"

Episode 5: "Marketing Hats"

Airdate: May 29, 2021

Synopsis: The queens put their marketing hats on, as they are given the challenge to create and market a product, green screen infomercial and all.

DUS1E5Judges

Episode 5 Judges

  • Special Guest: Suzanne Paul
  • Guest Judge: Rena Owen
  • Mini Challenge: Reading is Fundamental
  • Mini Challenge Winner: Art Simone
  • Mini Challenge Prize: A state-of-the-art sewing machine from Singer.
  • Maxi Challenge: Create and market their own brand of yeast spread.
  • Runway Theme: Finest Sheila in the Bush
  • Maxi Challenge Winner: Elektra Shock
  • Maxi Challenge Prize: A luxury four-night stay at a Sofitel property of her choice
  • Bottom Two: Maxi Shield and Etcetera Etcetera
  • Lip Sync Song: "Absolutely Everybody" by Vanessa Amorosi
  • Eliminated: Etcetera Etcetera
  • Farewell Message: "YIPEE YIPEE! TRANS PEOPLE DESERVE MORE! I LOVE YOU BITCHES ♡ ETC THE GLAMOUR BUG xo"

Yeast Spread

Contestant Yeast Spread's Name
Art Simone Art's Yeast Yank Extractor ArtSimoneCommercialYeastExtractor
Elektra Shock Topped ElektraShockCommercialTopped
Etcetera Etcetera Piss EtceteraEtceteraCommercialPiss
Karen From Finance Discharge KarenFromFinanceCommercialDischarge
Kita Mean Yeasty Nuts KitaMeanCommercialYeastyNuts
Maxi Shield Hornbag Yeast Concentrate MaxiShieldCommercialHornbag
Scarlet Adams Snatch ScarletAdamsCommercialSnatch

Episode 6: "Family Resemblance"

Airdate: June 5, 2021

Synopsis: Can you see the family resemblance? The queens are challenged to makeover and raise their very own drag family members, out of drag first timers.

DUS1E6Judges

Episode 6 Judges

  • Special Guests: Aunty Donna
  • Mini Challenge: Whatcha Packin' Down Under?
  • Mini Challenge Winner: Maxi Shield
  • Mini Challenge Prize: $2,000 gift card from Amped Accessories
  • Maxi Challenge: Transform sportsmen into drag queens.
  • Runway Theme: Drag Family Resemblance
  • Maxi Challenge Winner: Kita Mean
  • Maxi Challenge Prize: A $2,500 prize package from House of Priscilla for Kita, and a $1,500 gift card from DailyJocks for Feta
  • Bottom Two: Maxi Shield and Scarlet Adams
  • Lip Sync Song: "Better The Devil You Know" by Kylie Minogue
  • Eliminated: Maxi Shield
  • Farewell Message: "I HAD TO STAND ON A STOOL TO WRITE THIS! I ❤ you All So much MAXI xx"

Makeovers

Contestant Makeover Guest
Name Drag Name
Art Simone Jonah Craft Simone
Elektra Shock Fara Riri Action
Karen From Finance Wolf Debbie From Reception
Kita Mean Carl Feta Mean
Maxi Shield Dan Cilla Wet
Scarlet Adams Brad Sapphire Adams

Episode 7: "Talent Show Extravaganza"

Airdate: June 12, 2021

Synopsis: The queens compete in a talent show and attempt to cement their place in the finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under.

DUS1E7Judges

Episode 7 Judges

  • Special Guests: Raven and The Veronicas
  • Maxi Challenge: Compete in a Talent Show
  • Runway Theme: How's Your Head, Piece?
  • Maxi Challenge Winner: Scarlet Adams
  • Maxi Challenge Prize: A custom line of merchandise and a $5,000 cash tip
  • Bottom Two: Elektra Shock and Kita Mean
  • Lip Sync Song: "Untouched" by The Veronicas
  • Eliminated: Elektra Shock
  • Farewell Message: "only 1 queen could beat me... and that's the Winner of Rupauls Drag Race Down under ✧ Kia Kaha. THANK YOU Elektra SHOCK ☆"

Talent Show

Contestant Talent "Who Should
Go Home Tonight?"
Karen From Finance Ballooning KarenTalentShow Elektra Shock
Art Simone Contemporary Mouth Art ArtSimoneTalentShow Elektra Shock
Kita Mean Quick Change Magic KitaTalentShow Elektra Shock
Scarlet Adams Pole Dancing ScarletAdamsTalentShow Elektra Shock
Elektra Shock Modern Dance ElektraShockTalentShow Art Simone

Top Four of Season 1

Contestant Challenge Wins Up for Elimination
TeamArtSimoneDU1TVNZ 0 1
(Ep. 2)
TeamKarenFromFinanceDU1TVNZ 1
(Ep. 1)
1
(Ep. 4)
TeamKitaMeanDU1TVNZ 1
(Ep. 6)
1
(Ep. 7)
TeamScarletAdamsDU1TVNZ 3
(Eps. 3, 4, 7)
1
(Ep. 6)

Episode 8: "Down Under Grand Finale"

Airdate: June 19, 2021

Synopsis: The final queens write their own verses to RuPaul’s “I'm a Winner, Baby” and compete to be crowned winner of the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under.

DUS1E8Judges

Episode 8 Judges

DUS1Top4

Season 1 Top Four

KitaScepter

Season 1 Winner, Kita Mean

Gallery

Gallery pic
Check out the lookbook gallery to see the contestants' looks from each episode.
Elim Gallery pic
Check out the lookbook gallery to see the contestants' planned looks for each episode.
VideoGallery-Icon
Check out the video gallery to see challenge performances, runways, lip syncs, and more!

Trivia

  • Drag Race Down Under is the first season...
    • ... to have Snatch Game as the second competitive episode on a regular season.
    • ... to have the lowest Tops to Bottoms ratio, with 1:6 during the Snatch Game.
    • ...to feature a queen of...
    • ... to have a drag duo win the major titles of the season.
  • Drag Race Down Under is the second season...
  • Drag Race Down Under is the fourth season hosted by RuPaul to have a Runway Challenge in the first episode after Season 9, UK Season 1, and UK Season 2.
    • This is also the second season to have RuPaul judge the Challenge out of drag, after Season 9.
    • All of these episodes also had two runway categories, with one of them always being "Hometown".
  • Drag Race Down Under has the second earliest Snatch Game in all of the Drag Race franchise, tied with All Stars 2.
    • Both of their Snatch Game’s were on the second episode of their respective seasons.
      • This will also be the largest earliest Snatch Game, as All Stars 2 only had 8 queens doing the Snatch Game.
  • Drag Race Down Under has the earliest instance of two Maxi Challenge winners in the bottom two together, with Karen From Finance and Anita Wigl'it lip-syncing against each other in episode 4.
  • According to a deleted tweet made by Art Simone, the lip sync between her and Coco Jumbo was recorded three times.[3] This was subtly confirmed by Maxi Shield.[4]
  • Art Simone revealed in an interview that the season was only filmed in 2.5 weeks, and there weren't any days off during filming.[5]
  • This season has produced a total of one returning contestant:

References

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