RuPaul Confirms Drag Race Is Expanding With Canadian Version In The Works

With Drag Race UK already coming later in 2019, RuPaul has announced the hit show is continuing its global take-over.

RuPaul has announced that there’s a brand new international season of Drag Race in the works.

While Drag Race fans gear up for the UK version, which debuts on BBC Three later this year, the drag icon has revealed that a brand new Canadian series is also in production.

“I am proud to announce that the Drag Race family is expanding as [Canadian broadcaster] Crave is about to begin production on Drag Race Canada,” he said.

However, much like the existing Thai series of Drag Race, neither RuPaul nor regular star Michelle Visage are expected to be involved, as he confirmed “the panel and judges will be from the Great White North, representing Canada’s very best”.

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RuPaul
Netflix

He added: “The panel and judges will be from the Great White North, representing Canada’s very best. This new franchise has my whole-hearted blessing. Good luck…and don’t puck it up!”

RuPaul and Michelle Visage are both on the panel for the upcoming British series, which will see them joined by UK personalities Alan Carr and Graham Norton.

Meanwhile, the 11th series of RuPaul’s Drag Race recently wrapped up over in the US, with Yvie Oddly awarded the title of America’s next drag superstar, and the hefty cash prize of $100,000.

This series also featured the show’s first ever Canadian queen with Brooke Lynn Hytes, who finished as a runner-up.

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Michelle Visage and RuPaul
Chelsea Guglielmino via Getty Images

Drag Race launched in 2009, and has since gone on to become a global phenomenon, revitalising RuPaul’s career and winning a total of nine Emmys.

Last year saw the launch of Drag Race Thailand, hosted by fashion stylist Art Arya In-dra and drag performer Pangina Heals, which has been similarly well-received.