Will RuPaul & Michelle Visage Host the UK Version of RuPaul's Drag Race?

5/22/2014

Photo credit PopCultureGay.com

The popularity of RuPaul's Drag Race has extended beyond just the United States, but it looks like the United Kingdom may soon be crowning their own Drag Race royalty.

Last month it was announced that Jonathan Ross (the host of the British talk show, The Jonathan Ross Show) wanted to produce a UK version of RuPaul's Drag Race! According to Gay Star News, Ross bought the rights to produce the series, and is planning to do so alongside drag superstar Jodie Harsh.

So what's the big new update this week? On their most recent podcast, Michelle Visage and RuPaul discuss this possibility of hosting the series themselves!

In the podcast, Michelle discussed the importance of having Ru and her as judges or hosts on the show:

'I think it has to be you, me and a Brit, obviously,’ she said, ‘And then take it from there. [The British public] are going to want the real deal. They want you there. They want me there.’ -GayStarNews.com

Ru had mixed feelings on the topic:

'I think it makes sense if they got an English host with English humor and English drag slang and all that stuff to be the host... I would love to do it, but if I were Jonathan Ross I would probably hire someone else.’ -GayStarNews.com

We can't wait to see what comes of this news! What do you think about the UK version of Drag Race? Do you think Ru and Michelle should host it?

23 Comments

Nora

5/22/2014 11:39:20 pm

First - YAY !!!!!!! Bring on a UK Drag Race!! Second: Highly agree with what Mama Ru said about hosting. But she betta have some supreme guest judge appearances along with Ms Visage.

Laura

5/23/2014 12:39:17 am

Of course, I have to also agree with mama Ru. This is just the beginning, I see many more branches extending into pop culture; including, but not limited to international versions of the authentic drag race, even potentially Dram (dressed resembling a man.) Important thing is, this is all a step in the right direction.

Lucas

5/23/2014 12:54:53 am

Personally, I really don't want a UK Drag Race :[ As a Brit, I have come to detest how we edit our reality TV shows here, and I find Jonathan Ross to be painful to watch as a presenter. He always takes everything 'different' and sees it as a novelty that has to be looked at from a 'normal' point of view. He almost mocks it. I'd hate to see how that would affect the production and editing of a show like Drag Race. Also, drag here is just so different from the US. Rupaul's Drag Race has at least broadened our horizons, but for us it's always been crass middle-aged men with cigarettes and leopard skin dresses, or bearded pantomime dames playing the ugly sisters in Cinderella. I appreciate them for what they are, but alongside the multitude of styles and tiers of drag in America, they really don't compareUntil I discovered Rupaul's Drag Race, I never knew it could be so creative or glamorous or aspirational. It sounds bad, but I don't think our kind of drag has enough value to it. My point is, the reason we love Rupaul's Drag Race here is because it's so everything we don't have ourselves. It's so original. Our version would be derivative and imitative at best, and I don't want to see something I love so much be spoilt by British clumsiness and ignorance.

Kabomi

5/26/2014 12:13:41 am

You want to talk about painful, darling? Try the butcher of every British show that has been re-recorded for an American audience. We do a lot of justice to American TV if we record our own version, and yes, this is coming from a Brit too. Historically, we have done drag differently, but lately it is widely influenced by America, so I believe it would lend itself well to a UK version. You're just dull!

blam man

2/10/2015 08:52:25 am

I would agree with you with a few exceptions mostly the american adaptation of shameless which in my opinion is i won't say better, but great in it's own way and as being an american who has watched all of the uk version i think the uk would do okay with drag race as well though i wonder who the judges would be.

Emma Jones

5/23/2014 03:09:21 am

I do want a british version of RPDR because I haven't been able to watch RPDR here in Wales and have to find online websites to watch RPDR on, not only that I would love to see some British queens and prove they are not all messy.
I'm not watching though if Jonathan Ross is doing it because he's annoying and it's not RUPAUL'S drag race without Rupaul..

Welsh Fellow

5/28/2014 07:59:58 am

Girl you can watch RPDG on Netflix UK!

Marcus Carlisle

5/23/2014 04:10:14 am

I agree with Mama Ru here! I think Miss Dusty O should host it from Drag Queens of London!

5/23/2014 08:47:43 am

I thought Jodie Harsh was involved...?

Addyston

5/23/2014 09:51:21 am

If a British version were to be made again as someone British our way of reality TV would damage the brand it would be great if it was with Ru, Michelle and someone like Jodie Harsh and it would most defiantly have to be produced by WOW. If it was to be done like that I believe Ru would have an amazing level of standard to both drag queens and reality tv. xx

Philliop

5/23/2014 12:43:52 pm

I would love more Drag Race...but also would love to see a Canadian one! And maybe Courtney should do an Australian one, seeing as they kept calling her "Australia's RuPaul"

Vinnie

5/23/2014 01:50:54 pm

"Tell the man with the money to come here and pay me!"

Jamie

5/23/2014 06:16:11 pm

I'm a Brit and I think it would be rubbish without Ru and mama visage! The panel would be great if it was wossey, harsh, ru and visage!!!

Devin

5/24/2014 02:47:43 am

See i thing this is the opportunity to do a Complete international series like all stars but with one half out of 14 America and the other half of other fierce queens from different countries because you have to admit this British version alone would be become like ANTM with it having different versions all over the world and none as great as the original! It's Rupaul's show he should host every version. She's the supermodel of the world, the most famous drag queen we have and Drag Race just needs to elevated and exposed so much more in the world. If doing so this should would be unstoppable!

colin

5/24/2014 09:29:42 am

I wish they would have just held international auditions for season 7 instead of breaking off into a different show. I've actually always been confused why there aren't non -US-citizens as contestants (other than the first couple seasons where budget was likely a factor). I really feel like having unique drag competitions for each country only seperates the community more than it already is. The best international drag talent should be showcased together!

philliop

5/24/2014 09:36:52 am

I'm pretty sure part of it is due to visas....like Courtney Act was legally allowed to be in the US, but if they had someone they wanted from say England...they'd have to get all the paperwork done, and then come over on the short list, and then they may not be chosen because when the final decision makers sit down with everyone and make a choice, they don't want them. So then that contestant just went through tons of paperwork to get into the US, and now can't stay or compete.

Joe

5/31/2014 05:26:56 am

Girl, all you need is a work visa, it's like going to another country for work.

Catherine

5/26/2014 10:19:51 am

I would looove RPDR to come to the UK! But I agree with Ru AND Michelle. Michelle is totally right, it's not RuPaul's Drag Race without RuPaul and her (Santino not so much :S). But no way should Johnathan Ross host it... he's got nothing to do with the show, however I am grateful to him for doing this for UK audiences. It's an awesome chance for british drag queens to show they're just as fierce as what America has to offer. Go for it! If mamma ru's got anything to do with it it'll slaay. Can i get an amen ;)

vivienne

6/13/2014 09:53:49 am

Whoever that was saying UK dragqueens are messy, feel free to check me out instagram thevivienne_ secondly....jonothan ross would never host it. its his production company. He won't be on screen, he wants to produce it

Vivienne Lynsey

7/18/2014 10:34:35 pm

As a queen myself, I would love to have the opportunity to take part in possibly the worlds GREATEST reality TV programme. I think as long as they keep it as close to the real deal as possible then it would be a great success!

Josh

12/7/2014 04:02:14 am

Could be interesting. I would watch a UK drag race. What do you think about Graham Norton being a judge. Better as a guest judge or as a part of the show along with Ru and Visage?

james

3/22/2015 01:20:56 am

I'm gay. I find drag queens utterly pathetic. So- I can dress like a girl n mime? Big deal. How lacking in talent these people are....

FnameLname

9/6/2015 02:37:29 am

How lacking in talent? You have obviously never seen the show. These queens are asked to do so much in one challenge and told "Don't Fuck it Up". They sing, act, dance, sew, write and perform comedy, beat their faces like professional make up artists (many of them are) and often create an outfit from scratch on top of learning a song and dance routine. There have been some very talented queens, Bianca Del Rio has proven she is a comedic powerhouse, Jinx Monsoon can land a role in a Broadway play in a heartbeat, Raja and Miss Fame have done make up for many celebrities, many girls like Ivy Winters and Leshauwn Beyond have their own businesses designing outfits for clients. Adore Delano and Courtney Act have competed on American/Australian Idol respectively. So yes, the show is rich with talent. Don't underestimate the selection process Ru endures for each season. These girls are no slackers (well some are) and there are new queens every season who continue to leave the viewers in awe.

Will RuPaul & Michelle Visage Host the UK Version of RuPaul's Drag Race?

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