Michelle Visage to Host “Drag Race Down Under” Season 4 After RuPaul’s Exit

The iconic Michelle Visage will be taking over hosting duties come Drag Race Down Under season 4 as RuPaul exits the spin-off reality competition series.

I have been hearing whispers about RuPaul leaving the live-action Drag Race Down Under series for a while now. And now it has been made official. The fourth season of the RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under franchise (which debuted back in May of 2021) will be re-titled to just Drag Race Down Under with mainstay judge Michelle Visage taking over RuPaul’s role as judge and host. However, RuPaul will remain connected to the series as an executive producer.

As of right now, RuPaul will continue judging and hosting the main RuPaul’s Drag Race franchise (currently airing its 16 season), RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, and the currently airing RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World season 2.

According to the statement RuPaul made, he’s looking forward to the Drag Race Down Under franchise “continue to flourish under the leadership of the incredible Michelle Visage.”

Visage shared that she’s “thrilled” to host the upcoming season. She mentioned her early days in the Harlem Ballroom scene and the decades she’s spent supporting numerous drag queens through the Drag Race IP.

“I’d do anything to help these extraordinaire queer artists share their charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent with the world,” said Visage.

Drag Race Down Under season 4 is expected to air sometime later this year. Comedian Rhys Nicholson will continue to fulfill his co-judging duties alongside Visage.

In an interesting development, a rotating cast of previous Drag Race Down Under contestants will pop up to help Visage and Nicholson on the judging panel. Celebrity judges will also be invited.

From what I have been able to gauge, the fandom is okay with RuPaul stepping down as the host and judge of Drag Race Down Under. In a way, the fandom prefers the host and judge to actually be from the territory a specific spin-off series takes place in.

While RuPaul is an experienced judge, fans have noticed RuPaul and Visage not really getting certain territory-specific references and humor displayed on the mainstage by the contestants. 

Also, if you’re interested, you can head on over to The Geekiary’s YouTube channel where I upload my episode-by-episode review and reaction videos for the Drag Race franchise.

What do you think about Visage taking over from RuPaul?

Feel free to share your thoughts with us.

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(via EW, Variety)

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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