Drag Den Explained

Genre:Reality competition
Director:Rod Singh
Presenter:Manila Luzon
Judges:
Country:Philippines
Language:
  • English
  • Filipino / Tagalog
Num Seasons:2
Num Episodes:16
Executive Producer:
Producer:Rod Singh
Camera:Multi-camera
Runtime:45–65 minutes
Company:
  • Cornerstone Studios
  • Project 8 Projects
Network:Amazon Prime Video

Drag Den is a Philippine reality competition television series that documents drag queen Manila Luzon as host and head judge in search of the "Next Drag Supreme" for the Philippines. Every round, contestants are given different challenges to participate as they're judged by Manila Luzon, beauty pageant Nicole Cordoves, with comedian Sassa Gurl, alongside one or more guest judges, who critique their progress throughout the competition.

The television series first premiered on 8 December 2022 for Amazon Prime Video, and was met with critical acclaim. Rod Singh serves as the director and producer, alongside with Cornerstone Studios and Project 8 Projects. Manila Luzon is also credited as executive producer with cinematographers Antoinette Jadaone and Dan Villegas. The series was later renewed for a second season in April 2023, and premiered on 18 January 2024.

Background

Manila Luzon grew up surrounded with Filipino pride and being influenced into doing drag with his name referencing the Philippine city Manila, Luzon.[1] After rising to prominence for competing three times on American television series RuPaul's Drag Race, fans described the drag queen as "best-loved" for her witty humor.[2] Manila Luzon later mentioned in an interview with Vice how outstanding the drag artists are in the Philippines such as Vice Ganda, and hopefully be involved in a Philippine adaptation of Drag Race.[3]

Three months later, the drag queen exclusively told Entertainment Weekly about an upcoming project taking place in the Philippines.[4] Manila Luzon later revealed she is set to host and head judge reality competition series named Drag Den.[5] [6]

Production

Development

Rod Singh was announced as the director of the series, produced by Cornerstone Studios and Project 8 Projects.[7] The series was later picked up by streaming media service Tencent Video, with auditions opening on August 2021.[8] Manila Luzon expressed on X (formerly Twitter) that production showed her the finalized first episode in March 2022. Soon after, cinematographer Antoinette Jadaone praised the drag queen and announced herself as an executive producer for the series. After its short hiatus, streaming service Amazon Prime Video released a teaser trailer on 16 November 2022 with eight contestants competing.[9]

Three months after the first season concluded, the series posted an image similar to the promotional material from American comedy film Barbie (2023), featuring a doll-like figure of Manila Luzon.[10] Both the head judge and director announced the renewal of the series with auditions for season two opening in April.[11] A teaser was later released on 1 December 2023 with the judging panel appearing in a new set, featuring ten contestants.[12]

Auditions

The television series partnered with video-sharing platform TikTok and announced auditions were opened on 16 August 2022 with the deadline being on the last date of the month.[13] A month later, a public vote was conducted online for three days named Call Beks, where fans decides which drag queen would be able to compete in for season one. The two participants Yudipota and Marlyn were shortlisted from competing, with O-A winning the fan-vote.[14] With the renewal of season two, auditions were announced on YouTube and opened on 13 April 2023 with the deadline ending on the last date of the month.

There has been a total of eighteen contestants featured in two seasons of the reality series so far with Naia and Deja crowned as the Philippines' Next Drag Supreme.[15] [16] The series also welcomed its first openly trans woman contestant Barbie-Q,[17] and its first cisgender woman Marlyn.[18]

Judges

The judging panel cast opinions about the challenge performances and theme-wear looks made from contestants. Dubbed as the Drag Lord, Manila Luzon has been the host and head since the series' premiere. Beauty pageant Nicole Cordoves appears supporting the host on the panel every episode, with comedienne Sassa Gurl appearing as a messenger and mentoring the competitors.[19] A fourth slot is filled by one or more guest celebrity judges.[20]

Drag Agents were later introduced in season two, where contestants from previous seasons come back as judges.[21] For the fourth episode of the second season, Nicole Cordoves was absent from the panel with actress Megan Young acting as an "honoree" judge.[22]

Judges on Drag Den
JudgeSeason
12
Manila Luzoncolspan="2"
Nicole Cordovescolspan="2"
Sassa Gurl

Release

Drag Den first debuted through Amazon Prime Video on 8 December 2022, consisting of eight episodes until 26 January 2023.[23] The second season premiered on 18 January 2024 for eight episodes and concluded on 7 March 2024.[24]

Reception

Ysmael Suarez from CNN Philippines sees the series focusing the growth of the contestants "before and during the competition" with no competitor being filmed "in a bad light, each having their clear strengths and defined perspective" for their drag persona.[25] Writing for Nylon Manila, Rafael Bautista compliments the series for highlighting the Philippines' diverse local drag scene and how it goes "beyond location and gender."[26]

Accolades

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee(s) of the award, and the result of the nomination
AwardYearCategoryRecipient(s) and nominee(s)Result
Asian Academy Creative Awards2023Best Entertainment HostManila Luzon[27]
Best Non Scripted EntertainmentDrag Den
Asian Television Awards2023Best Entertainment Presenter or HostManila Luzon[28] [29]
Best Reality Show EntertainmentDrag Den
2024[30]

Discography

List of singles
TitleSeason
"May Kapa"1
"Sustah"2

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Neveling . Andre . Manila Luzon, Phi Phi O'Hara, and 4 other queens from RuPaul's Drag Race that you probably didn't know were Filipino competition series . 13 August 2020 . 21 October 2024 . .
  2. Web site: Smith . Reiss . Manila Luzon 'wasn’t waiting around' for Drag Race Philippines to come knocking . 23 April 2021 . 21 October 2024 . .
  3. Kilter . Isabelle . Manila Luzon wants to see a Philippine version of Drag Race . 23 April 2021 . 21 October 2024 . . . en .
  4. Nolfi . Joey . RuPaul's Drag Race queen Manila Luzon to host new Drag Den competition series . 1 July 2021 . 21 October 2024 . . . en .
  5. Nolfi . Joey . Drag Race queen Manila Luzon says new Drag Den series will 'take over the world' . 21 July 2021 . 16 November 2022 . . . en . 17 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221117040159/https://ew.com/tv/manila-luzon-drag-den-season-1-preview/ . live .
  6. Web site: Manila Luzon on hosting Drag Den Philippines: I'm excited to live my own RuPaul fantasy! . 15 November 2022 . 16 November 2022 . . 17 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221117034658/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/entertainment/2021/11/15/Manila-Luzon-Drag-Den-Philippines.html . dead .
  7. Web site: Drag Den Philippines to premiere on Prime Video tomorrow . 7 December 2022 . 7 December 2022 . . 7 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221207201208/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/videos/2022/12/7/Drag-Den-Philippines-to-premiere-on-Prime-Video-tomorrow.html . dead .
  8. Web site: Manila Luzon wants to see you get your drag on for Drag Den Philippines! . 27 August 2021 . 17 November 2022 . . en-US . 17 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221117164425/https://www.clickthecity.com/time-out/article/103246/manila-luzon-wants-to-see-you-get-your-drag-on-for-drag-den-philippines/ . live .
  9. Web site: Colcol . Erwin . Get set! Here's the cast of the Manila Luzon-starring Drag Den Philippines . 19 November 2022 . 22 November 2022 . Preview Philippines . Summmit Network . 22 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221122001209/https://www.preview.ph/culture/drag-den-philippines-contestan-a2248-20221120-src-spot . live .
  10. Web site: Roque . Nika . Are we getting Drag Den Philippines season 2? . 13 April 2023 . 18 April 2023 . . en-US . 15 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230415110513/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/hobbiesandactivities/866817/are-we-getting-drag-den-philippines-season-2/story/ . live .
  11. News: Pasajol . Anne . Drag Den Philippines renewed for season 2 . 14 April 2023 . 18 April 2023 . . en-US . 15 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230415132950/https://entertainment.inquirer.net/495021/drag-den-ph-renewed-for-season-2 . live .
  12. Web site: Antonio . Josiah . List: Meet the queens of Drag Den Philippines season 2 . 7 December 2023 . 7 December 2023 . . 7 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207123222/https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/12/07/23/meet-the-queens-of-drag-den-philippines-season-2 . live .
  13. Web site: Digital:Drag Den Philippines with Manila Luzon kicks off auditions on TikTok . 31 August 2021 . 17 November 2022 . Adobo Magazine Online . en-US . 17 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221117162929/https://www.adobomagazine.com/digital-news/digital-drag-den-philippines-with-manila-luzon-kicks-off-auditions-on-tiktok/ . live .
  14. Web site: Samonte . Jujiin . Meet O-A, the campy chameleon of Drag Den . 8 December 2022 . 15 February 2023 . Mega Drag . One Mega Group . en-US . 14 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230414122001/https://mega.onemega.com/get-to-know-barbie-q-the-trans-queen-of-drag-den/ . live .
  15. Web site: Tunac . Hermes Joy . Naia is the first-ever "Drag Supreme" of Drag Den Philippines . 26 January 2023 . 26 January 2023 . . 26 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230126132540/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/hobbiesandactivities/858741/naia-is-the-first-ever-drag-supreme-of-drag-den-philippines/story/?amp . live .
  16. Web site: Tunac . Hermes Joy . Drag Den Philippines reveals new "Drag Supreme" for season 2 . 7 March 2024 . 7 March 2024 . .
  17. Web site: Samonte . Jujiin . Get to know Barbie-Q, the trans queen of Drag Den . 8 December 2022 . 15 February 2023 . Mega Drag . One Mega Group . en-US . 14 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230414122001/https://mega.onemega.com/get-to-know-barbie-q-the-trans-queen-of-drag-den/ . live .
  18. Web site: Samonte . Jujiin . Drag Den season 2 grand opening night captures the essence of Pinoy queer fun . 24 January 2024 . 25 January 2024 . Mega Drag . One Mega Group . 29 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129144009/https://mega-onemega.com/drag-den-season-2-grand-opening-night-captures-the-essence-of-pinoy-queer-fun/ . live .
  19. Web site: Antonio . Josiah . Nicole Cordoves, Sassa Gurl join Drag Den Philippines judges' panel . 17 November 2022 . 17 November 2022 . . 17 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221117050558/https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/11/17/22/nicole-cordoves-sassa-gurl-join-drag-den-ph-judges-panel . live .
  20. News: Cruz . Dana . Catriona Gray confirmed to appear in Drag Den Philippines . 1 December 2022 . 7 December 2022 . . en . 7 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221207202031/https://entertainment.inquirer.net/474669/catriona-gray-confirmed-to-appear-in-drag-den-philippines . live .
  21. Web site: Arsua . Koji . Here's Everything you need to know about Drag Den Philippines season 2 . 22 December 2023 . 25 February 2024 . .
  22. Web site: Megan Young is an intergalactic queen in Drag Den guesting . 9 February 2024 . 21 October 2024 . .
  23. Web site: Samonte . Jujiin . Drag Den finally has a birth date . 17 November 2022 . 21 November 2022 . Mega Drag . One Mega Group . en-US . 22 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221122001206/https://mega.onemega.com/drag-den-birth-date/ . live .
  24. Web site: Drag Den Philippines drops teaser for season 2 . 1 December 2023 . 6 December 2023 . . 7 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180633/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/hobbiesandactivities/890108/drag-den-philippines-drops-teaser-for-season-2/story/ . live .
  25. Web site: Suarez . Ysmael . Why Drag Den second coming is crucial for Filipino drag . 18 January 2024 . 29 January 2024 . . 29 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129144006/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/life/entertainment/television/2024/1/18/drag-den-season-two-interview.html . dead .
  26. Web site: Bautista . Rafael . With Drag Den season 2, Manila Luzon is going bolder and braver . 26 January 2024 . 29 January 2024 . . 29 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129144007/https://nylonmanila.com/drag-den-2-manila-luzon-interview/ . live .
  27. Web site: Enriquez . Em . Manila Luzon wins Best Entertainment Host at the 2023 Asian Academy Creative Awards . 10 December 2023 . 11 December 2023 . Preview Philippines . 10 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231210131442/https://www.preview.ph/culture/manila-luzon-best-host-drag-den-aaca-a00378-20231210 . live .
  28. Web site: Tunac . Hermes Joy . Manila Luzon of Drag Den Philippines wins Best Entertainment Presenter at Asian Television Awards . 14 January 2024 . 15 January 2024 . .
  29. Web site: Tunac . Hermes Joy . Drag Den Philippines, Manila Luzon nominated at 28th Asian Television Awards . 14 November 2023 . 14 November 2023 . .
  30. Web site: Deals . Joanna . Drag Den season 2 nominated for Best Reality Show at 29th Asian Television Awards . 18 October 2024 . 21 October 2024 . RepublicAsia .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Drag Den".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.