In a world where there are more RuPaul's Drag Race spin-offs than we can count (luckily we have AI now and AI says there are over 30 Drag Race-related series), it's easy to forget about iconic seasons from even a few years ago.
But one season us and many fans of RuPaul's iconic brainchild will understandably never forget is the first series of Drag Race UK, which launched back in October 2019.
Not only was it the very first UK-based edition, but it introduced us to icon of icons, the late The Vivienne, it welcomed Alan Carr and Graham Norton to the Drag Race universe, it shone a global spotlight on the whimsical and unpretentious nature of British drag, it gifted Baga Chipz with the catchphrase, 'much betta,' and, of course, it allowed Sum Ting Wong to prance down the runway dressed as a first class stamp. Iconic isn't a strong enough word.
heatworld was lucky enough to catch up with series one legend Sum Ting Wong this week to discuss her return to the Drag Race universe; she has joined the hotly-anticipated, Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale, which will see twelve fan-favourite Asian queens from across the Drag Race franchises bring their charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent to battle for the crown.
Sum Ting, who admits she jumped at the chance to return to Drag Race after seven years, exclusively told heatworld, 'For me, it was a bit strange. It was super exciting, obviously, but it was my first time back [doing Drag Race] in like, six years; I think it was six years since my season, and it was really beautiful to be part of, and I think that's the bit that got to me the most, because for representation's sake, it's so important in the UK seeing Asian people on TV.'
While we had her, we naturally had to ask the Birmingham queen about the elusive RuPaul and what she's really like.
Naturally, Sum Ting's answer was hilarious.
She responded, 'Did you know RuPaul's actually a hologram? RuPaul's not actually there, but RuPaul's actually a hologram every episode. And if you look too closely at RuPaul, you will actually explode.
Sum Ting continued, 'If you look at RuPaul for longer than I think it's, we were told 14 seconds, but I actually think it's like 20, then you're fine. But if you look at RuPaul for longer than 14 seconds, your head will explode.'
She added, 'RuPaul will live forever. RuPaul's going to be like Cassandra from Doctor Who.'
Speaking of whether RuPaul had any plans to retire from the Drag Race stage and if she knew of any British queens who would be up for hosting the show in her place, she told heat, 'I don't know any British queens that are that self-absorbed.'
Insert shade rattle here.
'No, I don't think anyone in the UK would. I think it's quite a double-edged sword, I believe, because you have to do so much and take so much. You have to take a lot of flack. You have to be like this. You, you are the one that everyone comes to. You are the one that everyone will complain at. And you need a particular type of skin, a thickness of personality, mentality to be able to deal with that.
'It's a very special person that can take over RuPaul's place. And I don't think there's anyone other than RuPaul that can do it, really.'
Can we get an Amen?
Catch brand new Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale every Wednesday from August 13 on WOW Present Plus.