In 2009, RuPaul’s Drag Race catapulted the gender-bending art form of drag into the mainstream. Across 13 seasons, RuPaul’s Drag Race featured some of America’s best drag queens and crowned those who were able to prove themselves. However, fabulous drag queens also exist outside of America and deserve a platform to showcase their talents.
Nine iterations of the show have been launched in several countries, giving queens from around the world a chance to showcase their charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent. With nine versions of Drag Race, it’s interesting to see how the concept of a drag queen competition series was received by international audiences, as well as by the fans on IMDb.
The Switch Drag Race - 5.1
The Switch is Chile’s answer to RuPaul’s Drag Race. Presented by Chilean television host Karla Constant, drag queens from Chile and other countries had to outperform each other in various challenges that involved singing, live dancing, lip-syncing, and impersonation. Contestants from the original version of Drag Race like Gia Gunn and Kandy Ho made an appearance in season 2, as they joined the competition to snatch the $30,000 prize.
While it was an official part of the Drag Race franchise, the competition format of The Switch was very different. The challenges were more focused on impersonation and live singing, and didn’t have the usual moments of comedic relief that were present in other versions of the show.
RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under - 5.4
This year, Kiwi and Aussie queens battled it out to become Down Under’s first drag superstar. Resident US Drag Race judges RuPaul and Michelle Visage hosted the show and were joined by Australian comedian Rhys Nicholson on the judges’ panel. It’s a shame, though, that highly-anticipated appearances from legendary guest judges such as Olivia-Newton John and Kylie Minogue came in the form of video messages due to COVID-19 restrictions.
In Drag Race Down Under, fans saw the queens do the same challenges expected in a typical Drag Race season like Snatch Game and the makeover challenge. However, the lack of dramatic confrontations and poor editing choices underwhelmed a lot of the franchise’s fans. Despite these flaws, there are great runway looks on Drag Race Down Under, which is more than enough for fans to tune in.
Drag Race Holland - 7.0
In Drag Race Holland, RuPaul gave up the hosting gig and let Dutch drag queen Fred Van Leer take over. Queens from Western Europe proved that drag excellence exists everywhere, as they fought for their place to stay in the competition each week. The queens also didn’t fall short during the runway segment of the show, with them serving some of the best looks in Drag Race herstory.
Even without RuPaul, Drag Race Holland was able to hold its own against other versions of the show. The queens were incredibly polished and Fred was able to carry the show with his charm and wit. Watching Drag Race Holland is a wild experience for any fan of the show, as they’ll hear queens expertly throw shade in both Dutch and English. Thankfully, subtitles are available for international fans who want to keep up with the drama.
Drag Race Thailand - 7.3
In 2018, many fans of Drag Race were excited to hear that the franchise was going to Thailand. Despite being a show primarily in Thai, Drag Race Thailand also welcomed queens from other countries in Southeast Asia. Renowned Thai drag queens Pangina Heals and Art-Araya In-dra co-hosted the show and helped all the contestants shine despite the language barrier.
What’s admirable about Drag Race Thailand is that the judges fairly critiqued the queens based on their talents and skills. On the runway, the queens are also encouraged to highlight both presentation and appearance. The result is an exciting and theatrical runway where queens get to pull stunts, although one contestant went a little too far and lit her dress on fire for a dramatic Ruveal.
Canada’s Drag Race - 7.4
Canada’s Drag Race was able to captivate many fans of the show by featuring the best drag queens the Great White North could offer. The cast of Canada’s Drag Race featured an incredibly diverse and talented set of queens, including the first indigenous, two-spirit contestant: Ilona Verley. Taking over the hosting and judging duties from RuPaul were former Drag Race season 11 runner-up Brooke Lynn Hytes, model Stacey McKenzie, and actor Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman.
Despite being one of the most entertaining shows to grace Canadian television in recent history, many fans agreed that the judges of Canada’s Drag Race made some questionable decisions. Most of the criticism was targeted at Bowyer-Chapman, who will not be returning as a judge for the second season of the show that’s set to premiere later this year.
RuPaul’s Drag Race - 8.4
The one that started it all. It’s undeniable how much of a cultural phenomenon the original version of RuPaul’s Drag Race is. In over 11 years and 13 seasons, 166 drag queens were given a chance to become “America’s Next Drag Superstar.” The show has come so far from being a low-budget reality TV competition on LOGO. Now with different franchises and spin-offs, RuPaul’s Drag Race has become a successful global brand that pushed the once subversive art of drag into mainstream American television.
The original version has also launched the careers of some of the most iconic drag queens in today’s entertainment industry. Indeed, many fans still go back to the original version of the show as it serves as a comforting reminder that LGBT talents can still shine, even in a heteronormative world.
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK - 8.4
RuPaul gave drag queens from across the Atlantic a chance to stand out with Drag Race UK. Joining RuPaul in the judges panel is Michelle Visage, who has built quite a career in the UK by appearing on BBC 5’s Celebrity Big Brother and Ireland’s Got Talent. This meant that the British references made by the contestants didn’t fly over the American judges’ heads on the main stage.
What separates the UK drag queens from their American counterparts is that they take themselves less seriously, which makes the viewing experience more enjoyable than other versions of the show for some viewers. This version also has the advantage when it comes to casting and diversity since the cast of the upcoming third season features the first assigned female at birth drag queen to ever compete in the herstory of the franchise.
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars - 8.5
Everybody loves a good all-star season of their favorite reality TV show. With RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, fans get to see their favorite queens from past seasons redeem themselves and have another go at the Drag Race crown. From runners-up like Alaska and Shea Couleé to notorious drama queens like Alyssa Edwards and Phi Phi O'Hara, All Stars helped previous contestants showcase their various talents such as playing the violin or performing a burlesque show and prove why they’re worthy to join the Drag Race Hall of Fame.
This version of the show is currently in its sixth season and features beloved drag queens from past Drag Race seasons such as Ginger Minj, Trinity K. Bonet, and Eureka O' Hara. If there’s anything that fans should expect from the current season, it’s that there’s no shortage of dramatic moments on All Stars that will leave them gagged and gooped.
Drag Race España - 8.8
The recently concluded first season of Drag Race España was a treat to watch for all the queens in Spain. Hosted by Madrid drag star Supremme de Luxe, the show put the contestants through ten episodes of creative, fun, and thrilling challenges.
What’s evident, though, is that Drag Race España didn't make a huge effort to appeal to American audiences, which didn't seem to bother fans if the generous IMDb rating is any indication. Fans of the franchise adored the queens for their humor and fashion, while the judges remained cool and weren’t too uptight when criticizing the girls. Without a doubt, fans are hoping for the show to get renewed so mesmerizing Spanish queens can once again bless their screens.