Drag Race UK vs The World queens on which judges they were most scared to face

Words: Alastair James; pictures: BBC

The queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World have been sharing their thoughts on the main judging panel for the series, and there’s one name that had a few of the queens feeling a little hot under their breastplates… Michelle Visage!

Speaking to Attitude for Tea Time in association with TAIMI, the world’s largest LGBTQ+ social and dating app, several of the queens admitted to being equal parts excited and nervous at the prospect of having RuPaul’s right-hand woman judge them on their drag. 

Seasoned contestant Jujubee (who’s on her fourth attempt at a crown!) should be used to Michell’s often stinging critiques, but even she still fears her. “Every single time Michelle is there judging a queen, I know for a fact that the queen is just terrified,” she admits.

“I dread being read by Michelle because she never lets down that wall of judgement – that’s what she’s there to do. It’s her job to do that but it’s so scary,” Jujubee adds. She reveals that what she was most excited about was “having Alan just give it to me. Because I love him.” 

Canada’s Drag Race‘s Lemon was most excited for and also dreading critiques from Michelle because “the bitch does not miss a detail, ever.”

“So, if there’s one tiny thing off, you know she’s going to catch it,” she says. “And I almost feel like if you catch it first and you’re thinking about it she can read your mind so that’s even worse.”

Her fellow Canadian queen, Jimbo, was also nervous to reunite with Michelle as the last time they met, Jimbo went home.

“Trust and believe, she judges” 

Meanwhile, Drag Race UK legend Cheryl Hole enjoyed the familiarity of the judging panel but was excited to see Alan again because of the pair’s rapport. “He is just so fun and charismatic and will say it how it is but it’s always got an element of humour to it that always lifts the room,” Cheryl says.

Cheryl, however, was also dreading Michelle. “She’ll really nurture you and take care of you post your season and check in on you, but the minute you’re back in the thunder dome it’s like, ‘No, no, no, I’m here to judge you,’ and trust and believe, she judges.” Blu Hydrangea agrees entirely. 

Mo Heart from US season 10 and All Stars 4 says she has a soft spot for Alan Carr – “He’s really funny with his little accent, his little teeth, and his little glasses” – but also that she was nervous because he will read a girl.

Liking Graham Norton for his more gentle guidance, Mo concludes that she had no reason to be nervous because “I came ready”.

While the other contestants have all been judged by at least RuPaul and Michelle in the past, Janey Jacké from Drag Race Holland and Pangina Heals from Drag Race Thailand have never stood before either. Both see this as something of an advantage and disadvantage.

Janey says: “For other girls who have been in front of them, they know sort of what they’re into, they know what they like so they can already make a little plan going in front of the same judging again.

“I think that for me it was an advantage because they don’t really know me yet, they don’t really know my work yet so everything I’m presenting is new which is really exciting and really fun.”

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World airs on BBC Three from tonight at 9pm with new episodes released weekly. Check out the trailer below:

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