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'RuPaul's Drag Race' Star Alyssa Edwards Is Getting Her Own Netflix Docuseries

'The queen you know. The story you don't.'
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Entertainment Editor

Netflix has announced that a new docuseries about drag performer Alyssa Edwards is coming in October.

Yes, the all-dancing, all-tongue-popping, “lovely fifth alternate” and break-out star of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ is to star in her very own show, documenting her life on the road as well as running her Texas dance company ‘Beyond Belief’.

A trailer for the show, titled ‘Dancing Queen’, debuted on Wednesday, and shows Alyssa both striking a pose in her usual high drag, and chilling out as her boy self, Justin Dwayne Lee Johnson.

As you’d expect, there are plenty of laughs (and tongue pops) to be had in the trailer - which also features a brief cameo from Alyssa’s drag daughter Shangela - but also more serious moments, including when she’s seen confronting an unseen former adversary who told her that her life as a gay person was “an abomination”.

“Prepare yourself,” Alyssa says in voiceover. “It’s about to go down.”

Alyssa Edwards is best known as a contestant on the fifth series of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’, on which she finished in sixth place.

Three years later, she did a little better on the second series of the show’s ‘All Stars’ edition, finishing fifth and narrowly missing out on a spot in the grand final.

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Alyssa and her dance students in a publicity photo for 'Dancing Queen'
Netflix

Alyssa isn’t the only ‘Drag Race’ alumna who has gone on to other projects, with Trixie Mattel and Katya co-starring in the Viceland comedy show ‘The Trixie And Katya Show’.

Earlier this year, Courtney Act was also crowned the winner of ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ here in the UK, and has since gone on to land her own drag variety show, as well as fronting the E! dating show ‘The Bi Life’, which will focus around contestants who are attracted to more than one gender looking for love.

Meanwhile, Laganja Estranja, another of Alyssa’s drag daughters, recently appeared on the US version of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, and ‘All Stars 2’ winner Alaska Thunderfuck has appeared on the VH1 reality show ‘Scared Famous’.

‘Dancing Queen’ will begin streaming on Netflix on Friday 5 October, but if you can’t wait till then, relive one of Alyssa’s finest moments below:

Life Lessons We've Learned From Drag Queens
RuPaul (01 of15)
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"You're born naked and the rest is drag."Can't get enough of the legendary RuPaul? Check out her website and follow her on Twitter @RuPaul. (credit:Photo Courtesy of Mathu Andersen)
Lady Bunny(02 of15)
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"Our kind looks into a mirror and visualizes something entirely different from what's actually there. Not to confuse drag with transsexualism, but there is another character inside us, which only we can see and we're prepared to endure pain and derision to create our visions. So drag can teach others to think outside the box, use our imaginations, to act on instinct and to have the courage to do all of the above. I imagine that all of these traits must've come to play at the Stonewall riots. 'Imagine' and 'must've' are my attempts to make sure you know that I'm not old enough to have been around back then!"Love the Lady Bunny? Check out her website and follow her on Twitter @LADYBUNNY77. (credit:Photo Courtesy of Lady Bunny )
Sharon Needles(03 of15)
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"Don't take yourself so seriously. Enjoy the shade that is being thrown your way. Remember, the more shade that is thrown your way, the less chance for skin cancer.""RuPaul wasn't kidding when she said what other people think of you isn't none of your god damn business!""The biggest tip I ever got was from the great Lady Bunny…Retire!!!"Can't get enough of Sharon? Visit her website and find her on Facebook and Twitter @SHARON_NEEDLES. (credit:Photo Courtesy of David Charpentier)
Raja Gemini (04 of15)
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"Drag is spiritual, it is ancient and it's a fucking blast. What began as an escape from reality for me, now feels more like a reconnection with my inner self, like going to church. It is primal; drag, flamboyance, and flair are part of many indigenous cultures, used often to magnify the male prowess and libido. It is individual like a fingerprint and should be worn with the fiercest intention. As the great actor Alan Cumming once said to me many years ago: 'Do it with a look,' (said with a Scottish accent) which I believe means 'Do it your way, be authentic, and own it.'"Need more Raja in your life? Check out her website and find her on Facebook and Twitter @sutanamrull. (credit:Photo Courtesy of Diana Coney)
BeBe Zahara Benet(05 of15)
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"Drag, if done right, could benefit you in more ways than one. What is the right way? The right way is how you feel & you being comfortable. Set boundaries and stand by them.A piece of advise I will share with you, from personal experience is: Don't lose yourself. Be true to you and be proud. Drag is an art and you are the canvas. No matter how you paint or perform, you are what matters. Criticism will come in both good and bad. Take whatever it is and use it to your advantage. Drag has the ability to give you a different sense of self-esteem."Want to connect with BeBe? Find her on Facebook and on Twitter @BeBeZaharaBenet. (credit:Photo Courtesy of BeBe Zahara Benet)
Chad Michaels(06 of15)
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Drag has taught me:1) You don't always have to like the people you work with. Co-exist. Velma Kelly.2) Brain trumps mouth every time. Think about what you say before you say it. 3) Fight when you have to fight, duck and cover when you can. Survival tactics.4) Do what you love because nothing else will ever make you happy. Mantra.5) Ease up on yourself, because most people are WAY more screwed up than you. Revelation.Love Chad Michaels? Check out her website and find her on Facebook and Twitter @ChadMichaels1. (credit:Photo Courtesy of Jose Guzman Colon)
Nina Flowers (07 of15)
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"Growing up and coming out under the pressures of Latin culture was very difficult. As a child, I was constantly being bullied for being different. It was so hard and difficult that it made me change my mannerisms in order to avoid the hostility. I changed to the point that I became a different person. Discovering drag was a doorway to escape, releasing all that energy that was locked up inside for so many years. I'm extremely grateful I discovered the art form of drag. Drag gave me back a true part of myself. It gave me a reason to understand the true meaning of the word PRIDE, and how important it is to show your true colors." Want to keep up with Nina? Check out her website and be sure to find her on Facebook and Twitter @DJNinaFlowers. (credit:Photo Courtesy of Nina Flowers )
Chi Chi LaRue(08 of15)
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"My Love of drag transcends the stage or DJ booth for me! Drag helped me come out of my fat boy shell and embrace who I was. Drag is all about expression and individuality and as far as I'm concerned, anyone who has the "balls" to put themselves out there is already a star! I think it should be a requirement of life to don drag at least once. Work out your inner CHER!"Keep up with Chi Chi by checking out her Facebook page and following her on Twitter @DJChiChiLaRue. (credit:Photo Courtesy of Chi Chi LaRue)
Alaska (09 of15)
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- Keep Trying: "It took me five years to finally get on RuPaul's Drag Race. Either the casting directors got sick of seeing my rotted audition reels, or persistence pays off. Either way -- don't give up." - Tip: "No really -- tip everyone. The waitress bringing you your fifth bloody mary; the drag queen mush-mouthing to Donna Summer; the lady who cleans the makeup ring from out of your hotel sink. Tip them all, and not just 20 percent either. It's good karma -- and people who don't tip have small wieners." - "Don't take any wooden nickels: Not sure what this one means, but it seems like reasonable advice."Keep up with Alaska by visiting her website and following her on Twitter @Alaska5000 and Facebook. Oh, and be sure to watch her on "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season Five now airing on Logo. (credit:Photo Courtesy of David Charpentier)
Vicky Vox(10 of15)
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"When you know who you are, where you are going, where you came from, what you are doing and why -- it is very hard for you to take other people's critiques (requests) or personal attacks seriously. You just won't give a damn. What is the point in trying to do what everyone else is doing? They are already doing that. Do you, boo. You better work... Harder!"Extra Tips: "Prior preparation prevents piss-poor production! (This is why I'm always late. I leave everything until the last minute even though I know better.) Can't afford a new push up bra? Wear three old bras instead. Use one to lift the knockers up. One to bring them together. Then one to smooth them all out! Boop boop.. You've got bigger boobs!"Stay in touch with Vicky on her Facebook and by following her on Twitter @thevickyvox. (credit:Photo Courtesy of Vicky Vox)
Sherry Vine(11 of15)
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"Drag can be thought-provoking, moving and sometimes even frightening; but drag should always be entertaining. My drag tip - be creative, be entertaining, be proud! I live by the expression -- laughter is the best medicine!"Want to keep up with Sherry? Check out her website, YouTube page and Twitter account @MissSherryVine. (credit:Photo Courtesy of Sherry Vine)
Tammie Brown (12 of15)
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"Drag has given me the experience to open up to my artistic side and to express myself as a human being. I find that these garments, these clothes, are really really neat. It's like my body is a canvas.Don't let things hold you back and always be open because things are always changing. Take what you got and use it. You're the canvas and use it and be creative. Always shoot big and aim high!"Want to keep up with Tammie? Check out her website and find her on Facebook and Twitter @thetammiebrown. (credit:Photo Courtesy of Tammie Brown)
Yara Sofia(13 of15)
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"Pretend you're the best -- point blank. When I'm in drag, I always say, 'They live in my world. I don't live in theirs.' But don't be shady unless somebody comes for you or tries to. 'I'm not a bitch, but if you're a bitch, I'm the mom of all of them.'" "Echa pa lante!"Keep up with Yara by checking out her website and finding her on Facebook and Twitter @yarasofiapr. (credit:Photo Courtesy of Yara Sofia )
Pandora Boxx(14 of15)
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"Drag is about having fun. If you're having fun with it and enjoying yourself, others will too. Even if you're a booger queen. Just be the best damn booger out there! And the same is true with life in general. Also: When in doubt, toss some glitter on it."Want to keep up with Pandora? Check out her website and find her on Facebook and Twitter @ThePandoraBoxx. (credit:Photo Courtesy of Dusti Cunningham)
Hedda Lettuce(15 of15)
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"It's not my business what people think about me. Show biz and the drag scene can be very back biting, and if you let people's opinions of you dictate how you feel about yourself, you are screwed.No matter what size you are, it is all about attitude. When you walk into the room, own it girl! And when you walk out, sell it baby! Give them one last impression that will make them weep."Want to keep up with Hedda Lettuce, "The Queen of Green?" Check out her website and find her on Facebook and Twitter @HeddaLettucenyc. (credit:Photo Courtesy of Hedda Lettuce)
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