Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale officially revealed the guest judges, which includes every previous winner of their flagship franchise, as well as international winners like Nymphia Wind, Jimbo, Sasha Colby, and Alyssa Edwards. And yet, the U.S. iteration of the show has never brought alumni back to guest judge. The time has come for RuPaul to recognize that alumni guest judges are not only invaluable but crucial.
RuPaul has always been the only drag judge on the panel, though Raven sat in on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK when Ru was absent. And yet, many of the international franchises celebrate the alumni from across the globe with an invitation to judge. While there are fan theories that the lack of in-drag guest judges on RuPaul’s Drag Race is about Ru’s desire to not have another drag persona to take focus, it’s unproven. Having seen the success of alumni guest judges, however, it’s evident that they provide insight that no other judge can: they’ve been on the other side of the table.
‘Drag Race Philippines’ Celebrates Its Queens With Alumni Judges
RuPaul isn’t just a drag queen; she’s the world’s greatest drag queen. Likewise, Drag Race is no longer just a phenomenon; It’s a global sensation. While casual fans love it when they litter each season with megastars as guest judges, the real fans get excited when the international franchises bring in the alumni. The very first time it happened, Drag Race España opened its table by welcoming Drag Race Holland Season 1 winner, Envy Peru. Not only was she able to provide feedback in her native tongue, but she also inspired the remaining contestants that this could be them. Envy’s appearance on Drag Race España was groundbreaking, as it inspired other series to do the same thing.
Not every queen who returned may have won, but they still had the experience to understand how to critique the contestants in a respectful and constructive manner. It’s not that RuPaul doesn’t provide that sort of feedback, but it’s been decades since RuPaul has actually fought for the spotlight as a “nobody.” Winning Emmys isn’t a competition when you continue to dominate the category! Drag Race is groundbreaking as one of the only shows to have had alumni guest judges. American Idol, for example, has had many alumni return in a mentor capacity, but it wasn’t until Carrie Underwood joined last season that they finally had a judge who understood. She wasn’t a megastar who was instantly successful. She literally won the show, fighting for her chance in the spotlight. Though her season was met with mixed reviews, her presence was invaluable.
Perhaps a reason why RuPaul hasn’t given her children a seat at the table is that it would mean acknowledging the success they’ve had. Look, these queens are incredibly grateful to have been given the platform they have, in part thanks to Drag Race. But inviting them back gives the audience further insight into how drag is no longer niche — it’s a career. Trixie Mattel is a makeup mogul and media personality, earning her own HBO Max home renovation program. Alaska has dominated since winning, going from podcast superstar to penning their own Off-Broadway musical. Bianca Del Rio and Bob the Drag Queen have smashed it on the road as touring comics. And then there’s Jinkx Monsoon, who not only entered the Doctor Who universe, but is also an in-demand bona fide Broadway star. These are major success stories, and it’s not enough to just bring them in for a cameo. They are the kind of entertainers these contestants strive to be.
How ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Can Continue the Alumni Tradition
Drag Race Philippines is honoring the franchise by bringing in alumni who know what it takes to compete, bringing compassion and tough love. The three winners, as well as Season 1 and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World’s Marina Summers, will be on hand as they bring Filipino pride to the stage. When it comes to the international seasons, the alumni who return to the show often do so because they might have a connection to the host country, through language or heritage, and always with immense pride. Some were a tad confused by Sasha Velour on Drag Race Germany, but watching the queens light up when she came to the Werk Room to speak to them was invaluable. This season of Drag Race Brasil, every Brazilian queen from the international shows will stop by because Brazilian pride rallied behind them when they competed. When Michelle Visage took over Drag Race Down Under, she invited Australian alumni to join her, and it made it one of the strongest seasons yet.
There is a solution to convincing RuPaul. If you look at Canada’s Drag Race, they invite alumni to guest judge out of drag, keeping host Brooke Lynn Hytes as the sole queen in drag. So, there it is! Drag Race is a self-referential show. The time has truly come to celebrate its history with alumni providing their voices as judges.
