Hi all!

Today I am going to discuss why Drag Race Down Under Season 1 was so problematic. I did a similar post on Drag Race Holland Season 2 (click here). Aside from what I am about to share, this instalment was given an overall rating of 5.4 on IMDB. That is the lowest franchise score to date. Before we begin, I want to mention two things. 1.) Please do not send hate to any queens/hosts mentioned. It’s purely a personal rant. 2.) The image displayed below of Art Simone was taken by my brother-in-law at Drag Expo. Learn more about that day here. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

Spoilers Ahead! 

1.) The 2 POC Queens Are Eliminated First + The Random Return Of Art Simone 

I was overjoyed to see POC representation on the very first season of Drag Race Down Under, with Newcastle’s: Jojo Zaho and Sydney’s: Coco Jumbo. However, their time on the show was short-lived, when Jojo was eliminated first and Coco, second. Now, you may argue Coco was eliminated third, but that is actually incorrect. In the second episode, the extremely popular, Art Simone, was shockingly asked to Sashay Away, after a less than stellar impersonation of Bindi Irwin in the Snatch Game. In the fourth episode, after Coco had left for good, Art suddenly reappeared, re-entering the competition at the request of RuPaul, with zero explanation. All we knew was production wanted to bring her back, to continue engaging audiences. As you can imagine, a white competitor returning for no legitimate reason, made audiences rightfully angry, knowing the POC queens were not given the same opportunity. Please understand, this is not the fault of Art Simone. It makes complete sense she would take up this offer. Jojo and Coco have since spoken up about this issue, acknowledging their drag sister is not to blame. It’s the production team that did not give them the same chance. It set an extremely sour tone for the series moving forward.

2.) The Black Face Confession 

Typically, audiences can pick a winner by analysing their edits and the way they’re received by the judges. It seemed pretty obvious that Drag Race Down Under was planning to crown the talented and competitive Scarlet Adams. However, due to either poor background checks or an intention to appear woke in the face of the BLM movement, it was revealed halfway through the season that Scarlet had performed in black face, during the early stages of her drag career. She also confessed to appropriating several cultures. During the critiques, RuPaul called Scarlet out on her previous mistakes, declaring it a lesson in humility. She forgave her but it was undeniable from that moment forward, this controversial queen had no chance of winning the season. It would have caused the biggest uproar if Scarlet was rewarded after such an admission. Since the show aired, Scarlet has barely posted on social media, but you can find her apology video on Instagram. Having her dirty laundry aired on such a public forum, has truly impacted her line of work and social standing. I’m not sympathising with her, I’m just reporting what I’ve seen. I wish this had not happened in the first place, but even more so, I wish they had not casted her. It further cemented why this season was a joke.

3.) The Rise & Fall Of Karen From Finance 

There was a rumour production also wanted Karen From Finance to take the crown, which makes me believe they already knew what Scarlet Adams had done beforehand. This lovable, campy queen from Melbourne hit the ground running, securing a win in the very first episode. Howevever, that was her only shining moment. From a very lacklustre Dolly Parton on Snatch Game, to performing poorly in the design challenge and talent show act, Karen barely kept her head above water, yet somehow, made the finale anyway. I don’t think the producers expected her to stumble quite so many times. In the finale, her verse in I’m A Winner was bizarre. It didn’t say anything about her. It was so cheesy. Furthermore, she had to laser off some racially offensive tattoos, before coming on the show. I’m not making this up!

4.) The Mistreatment of Elektra Shock 

Elektra Shock was treated TERRIBLY in Drag Race Down Under. I actually private messaged this Kiwi queen, letting her know how unfairly mistreated she was. She never responded but the sentiment remains. From the minute she walked into the Werk Room, her fellow competitors continuously roasted her in and out of the confessionals, for being basic, busted and a filler queen. If that wasn’t bad enough, her outstanding performance in the girl group challenge for Queens Down Under was negatively critiqued by RuPaul, who told her she took over the stage. However, during the choreography, the girls actually complimented her for giving great direction. They really appreciated her talent and expertise. Elektra also broke down in this episode, revealing just how much it hurt to lose her dance studio, before coming on the show. They built up her narrative to be a comeback queen, only to tear her down during the critiques. I felt so bad for Elektra. She continued to prove her worth, deserving to make top four over Karen. Elektra was my favourite contestant that season. They did her dirty. No question.

5.) Kita Mean – Default Winner

I must confess Kita Mean was the perfect winner. Her victory made a somewhat satisfying ending to an abysmal season. However, let’s be real, she was a default winner. Production could not possibly crown Scarlet Adams without receiving serious backlash, nor could they give Art Simone the title because a.) she was given a free pass back into the competition over the POC queens and b.) she never won a single challenge. Karen From Finance was lucky to have made it that far, leaving Kita as the only viable option. She had a great track record and all the makings of a worthy Drag Race Superstar. I’m really happy for Kita. She has had a very successful reign. They got one thing right! Down Under was a train wreck, as well as a struggle to the finish line. 

Thank you so much for reading. What are your thoughts on Season 1? 

Peace & Love xoxo