Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. The World slayed audience expectations in its series premiere on Friday, November 18. The cutthroat competition features a cast list of epic proportions, as queens from the US, the UK, and "Down Under" (Australia) take on the defending queens of Canada. A global battle royale, the show's winner rakes in $100,000, as well as a dazzling crown and scepter courtesy of Amped Accessories.
On the program's first edition (Drag Race UK vs. The World), the Brits take control of the crown, as Blu Hydrangea is sworn in as the first-ever, "Queen of the Mothertucking World." This year, The "True, North, Strong, and Fierce" Canadian contenders steal the spotlight, as they scratch and claw to defend the inaugural "Queen of the Mother-puck-ing World" title. Here is the 411 for those who missed the Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. The World season premiere.
The Drag Race Runway's Iconic Entrance Looks
The snow queens of Canada launch the show with their runway entrances. Drag Race Belgique (Belgium) host, Rita Baga, and Canada’s Drag Race season 2 dark horse, Stephanie Prince, radiate in their gorgeous green garb. Then, Kendall Gender struts the runway, serving gold-encrusted goddess realness, followed by Canada's Drag Race royalty, Icesis Couture. Icesis arrives sporting a plump and purple garment, garnished with Icesis' signature ostrich feathers. The other Canadian queens are appalled by the fierce winner’s arrival. Both Rita and Kendall placed as runners-up in their respective seasons: an all-too-unfortunate set-up for déja vu.
Then, the expatriate intruders take to the main stage. Drag Race Down Under star Anita Wigl'it makes history as the show's first Australian competitor. The comedy queen dons a witchy black dress, and immediately sparks a connection with Rita, given the uncertainty of the competition. Next, Silky Nutmeg Ganache makes her third Drag Race appearance, giving pristine peacock realness. The lip-sync assassin is followed by her Drag Race season 11 and All Stars 6 sister, Ra'Jah O'Hara. Ra'Jah, a fan-favorite, rocks a shiny, silver bodysuit, shaped by her name.
Succeeding Ra'Jah are Drag Race UK season 3 queens Vanity Milan and Victoria Scone. Vanity arrives giving orange entrance eleganza. Having been unexpectedly eliminated from Drag Race just shy of the Top 3, she aims to reign victorious. Victoria returns sporting a dress inspired by Irish drag royalty, Danny La Rue. She describes her style as that of a buffet: "I am quite literally a little bit of everything. I pull very good looks, I'm a comedy queen, I'm an entertainer...also a pageant queen. I'm the full Sunday roast."
The First Maxi Challenge: Girl Groups
Canada’s Drag Race host Brooke Lynn Heights welcomes the ladies and insists, “you [queens] are going to need to divide if you want to conquer.” For this week’s Maxi Challenge, the contestants form teams of three for the Girl Groups Competition. The trios include: melanin-rich “SRV” (Silky, Ra’Jah, and Vanity), the all-Canadian “Maple She-rups” (Icesis, Kendall, and Stephanie), as well as underestimated team “Touché” (Anita, Rita, and Victoria).
After assembling their squads, the queens break off to the Werk Room, where RuPaul surprises the contestants. “We’ve invited you to the Great White North where spreading your international Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent should be your only goal,” Ru proclaims. In this Maxi Challenge, the Drag Race queens must record their own original verse, as well as choreograph a dance routine to the Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs. The World original song, “Bonjour, Hi”.
Which Queens Have Singing Chops On Canada’s Drag Race Canada Vs The World?
As the queens crack into their lyrics, Canadian singer/songwriter Anjulie s the Werk Room. Best known for her radio hits “Fly Away” and “Stronger,” Anjulie aids the competitors with insights on their lyrics. To kick off, the songwriter claims Team Touché has fantastic, well-written verses, but the team lacks confidence.
The Maple She-rups, on the other hand, kill it with their songwriting skills; however, Stephanie struggles to take criticism. “I kind of want to kick her,” Icesis laughs. She adds, “I really hope that she takes what they [the judges] say and use it to the benefit of our group.”
Lastly, Anjulie makes her way to the SRV squad. The team es the lyric check with flying colors; however, Anjulie insists Ra'Jah must maintain focus on breath control. “Who told me I was Busta Rhymes up in this thang?” cackles Ra’Jah. It's worth noting that SRV's Silky flaunts her vocals in one of Drag Race's most-watched performances of all time.
The (Not-So) Dancing Queens Of Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs. The World
Next, the girl groups segue into blocking their choreography. On Team Touché, Victoria leads a group effort in the team’s dance. Though a valiant effort, Rita struggles to keep up. “I tend to brain fart a lot when I’m trying to learn new steps,” she its.
“Whether we want her [Stephanie] to take the lead or not, she has decided that she is the choreographer of the group, and she’s going to lead us to victory,” Icesis sarcastically snarls. The Maple-She-rups bite off an ambitious number, and become wary, as they aren't sure if they can pull it off. The team's faith in Stephanie begins to crumble.
It's no surprise that SRV is packed full of confidence. Vanity, a professional dancer, leads her team of Drag Race lip-sync assassins. “These girls are performers, and I know that we’ve got this in the bag,” she says. SRV is sure to put on a good show.
All but the Maple She-rups flourish in their renditions of “Bonjour, Hi”; however the challenge is judged individually. The bottom queens, Anita, Stephanie, and Kendall, are in danger of being eliminated. Though a shaky performance and runway, Anita is declared safe.
Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs. The World’s First Elimination
The two top queens of the week, Rita and Vanity, lip-sync for their "motherpucking" legacy. In a petty performance of Anjuli's "Brand New Bitch," Vanity emerges victorious, and therefore gets to decide who is eliminated. She must choose between two Canadian counterparts: Kendall and Stephanie.
Kendall, season 2 runner-up, has a spectacular entrance look, and performs well in the Drag Race Maxi Challenge. However, judges don't read her outfit as "Queen of the World," but rather as the queen's personal assassin. Meanwhile, Stephanie reads cutesy K-POP during her introduction, but struggles with critiques during the Maxi Challenge, and on the runway.
Vanity says that Kendall Gender will receive the "porkchop chop." The ultimatum confirms the game show's strategic nature. The Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. The World series premiere cranks the international competition into high gear. Eight queens remain in the international showdown for the drag throne.
New episodes of Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. The World air Fridays at 9 p.m. EST, only on Crave (Canada) and WOW Presents Plus (US).
Sources: Drag Race On Crave/YouTube, Hiro Evangelista/YouTube,