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3 Filipino queens take center stage in 'RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs the World' season 3

Three queens of Filipino descent are set to shine on the global drag stage as they headline the third season of "RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs the World."

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<p>Three queens of Filipino descent are set to shine on the global drag stage as they headline the third season of &quot;RuPaul&#x27;s Drag Race: UK vs the World.&quot;</p><p>Minty Fresh (Drag Race Philippines season 1), Melinda Verga (Canada&#x27;s Drag Race season 4), and Zahirah Zapanta (RuPaul&#x27;s Drag Race UK season 6) are among the 10 competing queens officially unveiled during the &quot;Meet the Queens&quot; released on Thursday, January 8.</p><p>The trio joins a stacked lineup of drag heavyweights from across the Drag Race universe, including: Fontana (Drag Race Sweden season 1), Gawdland (Drag Race Thailand season 3), Kate Butch (RuPaul&#x27;s Drag Race UK season 5), Mariah Balenciaga (RuPaul&#x27;s Drag Race US season 3 and RuPaul&#x27;s Drag Race All-Stars season 5), Serena Morena (Drag Race Mexico season 1), Sminty Drop (RuPaul&#x27;s Drag Race UK season 4), and The Only Naomy (Drag Race Germany season 1).</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MINTY FRESH</strong></div><p>Minty Fresh first sashayed into the Drag Race universe on the inaugural season of &quot;Drag Race Philippines,&quot; where she placed fifth overall and quickly established herself as a fan favorite. Known for her fashion-forward sensibility, Minty secured two RuBadges, courtesy of her winning performances in the Talent Show and the Shop Shop Ladies Ball.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767938182081611002378_18083205605269331_7641063289036072700_n.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">&quot;Drag Race Philippines&quot; alum Minty Fresh joins the cast of &quot;RuPaul&#x27;s Drag Race UK vs the World&quot; season 3. Photo courtesy of WOW Presents Plus/Instagram.</span></span></span></div><p>Beyond her runway looks, Minty delivered some of the season’s most unforgettable moments. From her fiery “Baliw!” rebuttal during a heated Untucked exchange with Brigiding, to instantly quotable lines like “Fresh ka pa ba?” and “Maliitin man ng iba, at least maganda,” Minty proved she was as sharp with her tongue as she was with her looks.</p><p>Minty is the second DRPH alum to cross over into the &quot;UK vs the World&quot; arena, following Marina Summers, who finished as finalist in season 2. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MELINDA VERGA</strong></div><p>Filipino-Canadian queen Melinda Verga made her mark on &quot;Canada’s Drag Race&quot; season 4, where she finished fifth overall. A self-professed agent of chaos, Melinda brought heart, humor, and high drama to the competition, punctuated by her expressive confessionals and memorable exchanges with fellow queens.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767938280782611658264_18083196596269331_8180006134995449234_n.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Melinda Verga of &quot;Canada’s Drag Race&quot; season 4 joins the cast of &quot;RuPaul&#x27;s Drag Race UK vs the World&quot; season 3. Photo courtesy of WOW Presents Plus/Instagram.</span></span></span></div><p>Her standout moment came with a Snatch Game win, thanks to her spot-on impersonation of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. Fans will also remember her iconic line, “reciprocate... with gratitude!” which quickly became part of Drag Race lexicon.</p><p>Beyond the werkroom, Melinda has continued to expand her Drag Race résumé. She co-hosted &quot;Binge Queens&quot; for &quot;DRPH: Slaysian Royale&quot; and later competed on &quot;The Traitors Canada&quot; season 2.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>ZAHIRAH ZAPANTA</strong></div><p>Zahirah Zapanta first appeared on &quot;RuPaul’s Drag Race UK&quot; season 6, where her journey was cut short after lip-syncing against Lill during the fourth episode.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767938339542612166554_18083205659269331_5621242738595322035_n.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Zahira Zapanta of &quot;RuPaul’s Drag Race UK&quot; season 6 joins the cast of &quot;RuPaul&#x27;s Drag Race UK vs the World&quot; season 3. Photo courtesy of WOW Presents Plus/Instagram.</span></span></span></div><p>Often the loudest voice in the werk room, Zahirah quickly became known for her fearless personality. Despite her early exit, she is ready once again to unleash the big guns and deliver an epic comeback.</p><p>Zahirah, alongside fellow season 6 contestant Saki Yew, made history as one of the first contestants of Filipino descent to compete on &quot;RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.&quot;</p><p>With Minty, Melinda, and Zahirah headlining the cast, the season signals another milestone for Filipino representation in the Drag Race franchise. Whether through polished runways, sharp wit, or long-awaited redemption, they are ready to prove that Filipino drag belongs on the world stage.</p><p>“RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs the World” season 3 premieres on January 27, 2026, on WOW Presents Plus. </p>

<p>Three queens of Filipino descent are set to shine on the global drag stage as they headline the third season of "RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs the World." </p>