The first season of Drag Den premiered on 8 December 2022, through Amazon Prime Video.[1] The premiere season showcased a total of eight contestants competing for the title of the "First Filipino Drag Supreme".
Casting calls for the first season were opened in August 2021, and the cast was officially revealed in a teaser trailer in November 2022. The season also welcomed its first openly trans woman contestant, Barbie-Q. The winner of the season received a cash prize of ₱1,000,000, a one-year makeup supply from Téviant Beauty cosmetics, a one-year contract with Avignon Clinic, and a three-year management contract with CS Entertainment.[2] The first season was won by Naia, with Shewarma and Maria Cristina as runners-up.[3][4]
Production
In July 2021, RuPaul's Drag Race alumna Manila Luzon exclusively told Entertainment Weekly about an upcoming project she is up to host and judge. Luzon said, "I'm excited that we're going to create an opportunity similar to [what] RuPaul and World of Wonder have given to me."[5] The upcoming show is not affiliated with RuPaul's Drag Race or its production company, World of Wonder.[6]
On 16 August 2021, Luzon partnered with TikTok and announced a casting call for the reality competition show.[7][8] The deadline for the casting call ended on 31 August 2020. After the casting call announcement for Drag Den, RuPaul announced a casting call for Drag Race Philippines. Many fans called this announcement from RuPaul and World of Wonder: "foul" and "shade".[9] A year later, Drag Race Philippines started to premiere in August 2022. Jiggly Caliente (presented as a judge) addressed the situation with Digital Spy saying, "There is definitely no rivalry because Manila knew about me doing Drag Race, and I knew about her doing Drag Den."[10]
Format
Contestants are instructed to participate in two challenges in the series. In both challenges, the judges will critique based on both challenges and choose their winner. The episode's winner will enter a battle with their chosen opponent, named the Dragdagulan, involving a wrecking ball. The winner of the battle will gain an advantage for the next episode; the opponent will not be eliminated and will continue in the competition.[11]
Promotion
After the series' long hiatus, the show's social media posted an update with the caption saying, "#justwokeup".[12] Many people speculated that the show is yet to come sooner.[13] On 16 November 2022, an official teaser was revealed with Manila Luzon sitting on a throne in the dark.[14]
On 17 November 2022, eight contestants were shown in the new trailer heading down the runway.[15]Sassa Gurl, Nicole Cordoves, and Manila Luzon, who served as the competition's main judges, all made appearances in the same trailer.[16] Additionally, it revealed the official premiere date, which is slated for 8 December 2022, and will be available through Amazon Prime Video.[17] On 30 November 2022, an official series trailer debuted, showcasing the candidates taking part in challenges while being judged, as well as the first challenge from the season premiere.[18] It was revealed in the same official teaser that Catriona Gray will serve as a guest judge on the premiere of Drag Den.[19] Luzon was recently signed with Warner Music Philippines, and announced the theme song for the series that is set to release on 2 December 2022.[20][21]
Contestants
On 17 November 2022, throughout the show's social media, they presented "Manila by Night" where they showed promotional images of their contestants' looks.[22] This was a nod to the controversial Philippine film, Manila by Night (1980), directed by Ishmael Bernal. The series also welcomed its first openly trans woman contestant, Barbie-Q.[23] Ages, names, and cities stated are at the time of filming.[24]
Contestants from the first season of Drag Den and their backgrounds
Guests who appeared in episodes, but not judge on the main stage.
Episode 8:
Mama Bobby, drag queen
Mama Let-Let, drag queen
Mama Pie, drag queen
Episodes
No. overall
No. in season
Title
Original release date
1
1
"Drag Raid"
8 December 2022 (2022-12-08)
Eight drag queens entered an underground "drag den" in the first episode, where they were greeted by Sassa Gurl, the "Drag Runner", and Nicole Cordoves, the "Drag Dealer". As soon as everyone is present, Manila Luzon, who is dressed as a "Drag Lord", emerges and greets her competitors to the competition, and explains its guidelines. The drag queens are instructed to participate in a "Themewear Drag Test" during which they are judged based on their theme attire. The contestants in this episode of Themewear Drag Test are showcasing their Pinoy National Symbols looks.
Aries Night as Golly the Dog
Barbie-Q as Sampaguita Rock
Lady Gagita as Pharma Lee
Maria Cristina as Perlas Yarn
Naia as Wham Pipti
O-A as TT Modax
Pura Luka Vega as Arlington Paz
Shewarma as Cara Bow
The "Drag Cartel" instructs its competitors to display their distinctive drag from Philippine festivals for the "Main Drag Showdown", where the category is Philippine National Costume after they have demonstrated their Themewear Drag Test. Shewarma was named the Main Drag Showdown winner by Manila Luzon. Shewarma was informed that in order to participate in the fight in the "Dragdagulan", she had to choose an opponent. Shewarma decides to battle against Aries Night in the Dragdagulan. She was unfortunately defeated after losing to her opponent. However, in a surprising turn of events, Manila Luzon declared that no contestant will be eliminated from the competition.
Main Drag Showdown: Showcase outfits inspired by festivals celebrated throughout the Philippines.
Main Drag Showdown Winner: Shewarma
Dragdagulan Opponent: Aries Night
Dragdagulan Winner: Aries Night
Winner's Advantage for Next Episode: Can choose a partner for the next episode, and assign the other contestants their partners.
2
2
"Drag Trippin'"
15 December 2022 (2022-12-15)
The rankings from the first episode were revealed by Sassa Gurl after the queens reunite together in Drag Den. It was revealed that Shewarma was given first place and Naia was given last place. Following the announcement of the rankings, the competitors engaged in a mini-challenge in which they teased one another by saying, "I got a text!" According to Sassa Gurl, the category for the contestants' mini-challenge is: Pinoy Novelty Songs.
Aries Night as Goodmorning Chuper
Barbie-Q as Sexbomb Luningning
Lady Gagita as Joleni Magdangal
Maria Cristina as Fely Moan
Naia as April Gurl
O-A as Annie Bato't Bakal
Pura Luka Vega as Talikod-Jenny
Shewarma as Kikay Kipay
After showcasing their Themewear Drag Test, the queens reunite on the runway where Manila Luzon announced the Main Drag Showdown. The contestants must perform in pairs to demonstrate their skills in a comedic sketch on politics. With Aries Night earning an advantage in the last episode, she assigned her competitors in pairs. As they enter the Drag Den, Nicole Cordoves and K Brosas talk with the competitors and offer tips for the comedic sketch in the Main Drag Showdown. Following the performance of the comedic sketches, many partners received positive criticisms from the judges. The judges chose Maria Christina and Naia as the winners of the Main Drag Showdown, though in the guidelines of the series they can choose one winner for the Dragdagulan. Maria Christina was selected for the Dragdagulan with Naia as her opponent. After battling, Maria Christina won the Dragdagulan.
Main Drag Showdown: Prepare a comedic sketch inspired by Philippine politics in pairs.
Main Drag Showdown Winner: Maria Christina
Dragdagulan Opponent: Naia
Dragdagulan Winner: Maria Christina
Winner's Advantage for Next Episode: Can decide the order of contestants on the next performance.
3
3
"Dangerous Drags"
22 December 2022 (2022-12-22)
Sassa Gurl reveals the rankings from the second episode while the drag queens are back in Drag Den. Maria Christina ranks in first place with O-A ranking in last place. After revealing the ranks, one of the competitors began to open their difficulties to their rival, and they both made amends in the show. Sassa Gurl announced the Themewear Drag Test which is Pinoy Kontrabida which highlights the competitors' wicked and villainous side. The Drag Runner put the competitors into pairs so they could create their appearances for one another.
Aries Night as Rubi Rubi
Barbie-Q as Daniella Mungdragon
Lady Gagita as Lavinia Copycat
Maria Cristina as Valentina Moran
Naia as Georgia Ferrero
O-A as BB. Vivora
Pura Luka Vega as Soraya Montenegro
Shewarma as Mx. Minchin
After the contestants have displayed their Themewear Drag Test outfits, the Drag Lord announces the competitors' Main Drag Showdown, where they need to display their looks inspired by urban legends, mythology, or horror stories from the Philippines. When the contestants go back to the workroom, the Drag Dealer and the Drag Enforcer visit them and give advice on the contestants' looks. After showcasing the contestants' looks for the main challenge, they listened to the judges' comments. Maria Christina and Barbie-Q were declared the winners of the Main Drag Showdown in this episode by Manila Luzon due to a tiebreaker. Both winners were informed by Luzon that they must participate in the Dragdagulan in order to determine the challenge's winner.
Main Drag Showdown: Showcase evil and/or mythical creatures from Filipino folklore and urban legends.
Main Drag Showdown Winners: Maria Christina and Barbie-Q
Dragdagulan Winner: Barbie-Q
Winner's Advantage for Next Episode: Can choose their role in the next episode's musical challenge.
4
4
"High On Drags"
29 December 2022 (2022-12-29)
Sassa Gurl reveals the rankings from the second episode while the drag queens are back in Drag Den. Maria Christina and Barbie-Q rank in joint first place with Aries Night ranking in last place. Sassa Gurl announced the Themewear Drag Test which is Pinoy Fantasy Character which highlights the competitors' magical and creative side.
Aries Night as Agua Bendita
Barbie-Q as Marinar
Lady Gagita as Pang'he Pinera
Maria Cristina as Ravenal
Naia as Dyesebel Kama
O-A as Kampanerang Kupal
Pura Luka Vega as Parimanoka
Shewarma as Blusang Jitin
After the contestants have displayed their Themewear Drag Test outfits, the Drag Lord announces the competitors' Main Drag Showdown, where they need to work as groups of four to present a superhero-inspired talent show. The first team consists of Barbie-Q, Lady Gagita, Naia, and Pura Luka Vega while the second team consists of Aries Night, Maria Cristina, O-A, and Shewarma. When the contestants go back to the workroom, the Drag Dealer and the Drag Enforcer visit them and give advice on the contestants' looks. After showcasing the contestants' looks for the main challenge, they listened to the judges' comments. Team 2 is declared the best team of the week, but Lady Gagita is announced as the overall winner of the two challenges. Lady Gagita chooses Aries Night as her opponent for the Dragdagulan and Lady Gagita wins the battle.
Main Drag Showdown: Showcase drag looks reminiscent of influential female figures in their lives.
Main Drag Showdown Winner: Aries Night and Barbie-Q
Eliminated: Pura Luka Vega, O-A, and Lady Gagita
Eliminated: Barbie-Q and Aries Night
Top Three: Maria Cristina, Naia, Shewarma
7
7
"#DragOutSpecial"
19 January 2023 (2023-01-19)
This episode takes a look back at how the series began. Including audition tapes from the queens that did and didn't make it to the show, unaired clips, and discovering the struggles and triumphs of the eight contestants.
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