HEADER BY YOSEF PHELAN
SPECIAL THANKS TO JASMINE ALOMA AT THE BBC

It’s been nine months since Jimbo introduced Casper the Baloney Ghost to the mainstream and RuPaul “let the music play!” as Pangina Heals wailed backstage in one of the most controversial episodes in Drag Race herstory, yet it’s already time for another international smackdown. On 18 November, four fierce contestants from Canada’s Drag Race – including a former winner – will compete against queens from other global editions of the franchise for the second ‘Queen of the Mothertucking World’ crown. The intriguing cast is as follows: Anita Wigl’it (Down Under season one), Icesis Couture, Kendall Gender (Canada season two), Ra’Jah O’Hara (US season 11 and All Stars 6), Rita Baga (Canada season one), Silky Nutmeg Ganache (US season 11 and All Stars 6), Stephanie Prince (Canada season two), Vanity Milan and Victoria Scone (UK season three). 

Victoria, who memorably broke new ground last year as the franchise’s first-ever cis female contestant, tells GAY TIMES that she “jumped” at the chance to battle RuGirls in an international arena. Describing the season as full of ‘goopery and gaggery’ – “Yes, mama, boots the house down okcurrr!” she adds, very seriously – the trailblazer teases a “plethora” of shocking moments while her season three sister Vanity promises “drama, mama”. With hateful online behaviour of so-called ‘fans’ in mind, the drag assassin behind the iconic Scandalous lip-sync showdown adds: “We’re drag queens and we’re here to entertain you. It’s a television show. Don’t take it too seriously, hun.”

Ahead of the Canada vs the World premiere, we caught up with Vanity and Victoria to discuss their highly-anticipated Drag Race comeback, how they’ve evolved as entertainers since their season and whether Icesis Couture’s second pursuit of a crown left them threatened. 

GAY TIMES: Why was Canada vs the World the right season for you both to launch a comeback?

Victoria: I think for me, obviously, I have quite a bit to show because I didn’t get to show off a lot the first time around. No one’s fault, other than mine, my own knees. Given the option, of course, in my opinion I was gonna choose the option where I could compete against incredible international queens in an international country. I knew that I was going to jump at the chance to come back any which way, because I did want to show more of what I can do. Hopefully, I’ve done that, but you’ll have to tune in to find out!

Vanity: Tune in to find out!

Victoria: On iPlayer!

Vanity: Coming back was very important because I didn’t get to show much of what I did on season three. Although I made it to the top four, there was a lot more for me to show and express. I wanted to give the people more of my personality this time around because I felt like I was in my shell quite often on season three. It was a way to prove to the world, because it is Canada vs the World, that I am worthy to be back on your TV screens. You’ll have to tune in to find out what I bring, on BBC iPlayer!