Words: Alastair James; pictures: WOW
“G’day!” RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under‘s second season has finally got a premiere date and it’s not that far away!
On Tuesday (21 June) World of Wonder announced that the Down Under version of the show would be back on our screens from 30 July.
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In a statement reported by the MailOnline RuPaul says: “I am thrilled to produce and host a brand new season of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under. We’ve only just begun to shine a worldwide spotlight on the charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent of Australasian queens.”
The first season was won by New Zealand queen Kita Mean who beat fellow finalists Art Simone, Karen from Finance, and Scarlet Adams to the crown.
Drag Race Down Under was mired in controversy however due to photos surfacing of Adams performing in blackface as well as Karen’s racist tattoo.
Adam’s past was discussed on the show when RuPaul called her out on it, giving her the chance to apologise.
On the show, Scarlet, who also had apologised before the show aired, said: “I can’t deny it, that that happened. As a dumb, ignorant teenager I made some mistakes that I’m really not proud of. Every day I regret those decisions. I regret the fact I used my platform as a performer to ridicule people who have faced systematic racism for hundreds of years. I’m so ashamed at the person I once was.
“I’m really sorry to you and everyone I’ve hurt.”
Speaking to Attitude before the final Scarlet said: “if I can be a catalyst for that kind of conversation to be happening, which really does need to be happening, then of course I’m happy to do that.”
Karen also apologised before the show aired for her tattoo and collection of offensive dolls saying, “Even though there was of course never any intention of malice, I realised how irresponsible and stupid I had been and so I disposed of the dolls to landfill and had my tattoo covered.”
Speaking to Attitude before the final Karen said she was still on a journey of committing to doing better. She added: “That’s a journey I’ve been on for a very long time.”
Drag Race Down Under season 2 will begin airing from 30 July.
The Attitude July/August issue is out now.