Ten Australian and New Zealand-based drag queens competed for the title of the "Down Under's first Drag Superstar", a one-year supply of Revolution Beauty Cosmetics, and a cash prize of $30,000. The winner of the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under was Kita Mean, with Art Simone, Karen from Finance and Scarlet Adams as runners-up.
Production
Initially announced as a solely Australian version in 2019,[1] production was moved to New Zealand due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.[2] Filmed in Auckland, the series features drag queens from both Australia and New Zealand competing to be "Down Under's first Drag Superstar".[3]
Dame Olivia Newton-John, British-Australian singer, songwriter, actress, entrepreneur and activist
Chloe Lattanzi, American singer and actress, daughter to Dame Olivia Newton-John
Lance Savali, New Zealand dancer/choreographer from Wellington
Episodes
No. overall
No. in season
Title
Original air date
1
1
"G'day, G'day, G'day"
1 May 2021 (2021-05-01)
Ten queens enter the workroom. For the first mini-challenge, the queens audition for the Intergalactic Superhero movie "Thar". Elektra Shock wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens present two looks for the Get to Know You Ball: Born Naked and No Place Like Home.
On the runway, Art Simone, Karen from Finance and Scarlet Adams receive positive critiques, with Karen from Finance winning the challenge. Coco Jumbo, Elektra Shock and Jojo Zaho receive negative critiques, with Coco Jumbo being safe. Elektra Shock and Jojo Zaho lip-sync to "Tragedy" by Bee Gees. Elektra Shock wins the lip-sync and Jojo Zaho is the first queen to sashay away.
Mini-Challenge: Audition for the Intergalactic Superhero movie "Thar"
Mini-Challenge Winner: Elektra Shock
Main Challenge: Get to Know You Ball
Runway Themes: Born Naked and No Place Like Home
Challenge Winner: Karen from Finance
Challenge Prize: A $3,000 cash tip courtesy of Mary's Poppin' in Adelaide
Farewell Message:" I am so happy to call each & everyone of you mob(sisters). Bring that crown home. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi Oi Oi. Jojo Zaho x now clean this mirror bitch lol"
For this week's main challenge, the queens play the Snatch Game. Michelle Visage and Rhys Nicholson star as the celebrity contestants. The characters are as follows:
On the runway, category is Sea-Sickening. Anita Wigl'it wins the challenge. Art Simone, Coco Jumbo, Elektra Shock, Karen from Finance, Maxi Shield and Scarlet Adams receive negative critiques, with Art Simone and Coco Jumbo being announced as the bottom two. They lip-sync to "I'm That Bitch" by RuPaul. Coco Jumbo wins the lip-sync and Art Simone sashays away.
Farewell Message:"REDЯUM ♡ Art. Karen bring home that crown!"
3
3
"Queens Down Under"
15 May 2021 (2021-05-15)
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens create a slow-motion surf rescue for "Babewatch". For the main challenge, the queens write, record, and perform verses to "Queens Down Under".
Team Outback Fake-Hoes: Anita Wigl'it, Coco Jumbo, Etcetera Etcetera and Scarlet Adams
Team Three and a Half Men: Elektra Shock, Karen from Finance, Kita Mean and Maxi Shield
On the runway, category is Bogan Prom Realness. Anita Wigl'it, Kita Mean and Scarlet Adams receive positive critiques, with Scarlet Adams winning the challenge. Coco Jumbo, Elektra Shock and Maxi Shield receive negative critiques, with Maxi Shield being safe. Coco Jumbo and Elektra Shock lip-sync to "Shake Your Groove Thing" by Peaches & Herb. Elektra Shock wins the lip-sync and Coco Jumbo sashays away.
Mini-Challenge: Slow-motion surf rescue for "Babewatch"
Mini-Challenge Winners: Elektra Shock and Scarlet Adams
Mini-Challenge Prizes: A $2,500 gift card courtesy of Philmah's Werqshop for Elektra Shock and a $2,500 gift card courtesy of Glitter au Gogo for Scarlet Adams
Main Challenge: Write, record, and perform verses to "Queens Down Under"
Runway Theme: Bogan Prom Realness
Challenge Winner: Scarlet Adams
Challenge Prize: A $4,500 custom prosthetic piece from BodyFX
Farewell Message:"I ♡ you my sisters. THE PARTY STARTS NOW!! ♡ COCO JUMBO. PS: WATCH OUT BITCH."
4
4
"Rucycled"
22 May 2021 (2021-05-22)
At the beginning of the episode, it is revealed that Art Simone will be returning to the competition. For this week's main challenge, the queens create an outfit made from items found in the local op shop.
On the runway, Art Simone, Maxi Shield and Scarlet Adams receive positive critiques, with Scarlet Adams winning the challenge. Anita Wigl'it, Etcetera Etcetera and Karen from Finance receive negative critiques, with Etcetera Etcetera being safe. Anita Wigl'it and Karen from Finance lip-sync to "I Begin to Wonder" by Dannii Minogue. Karen from Finance wins the lip-sync and Anita Wigl'it sashays away.
Guest Judge: Elz Carrad
Returned: Art Simone
Main Challenge: Create an outfit made from items found in the local op shop
Challenge Winner: Scarlet Adams
Challenge Prize: $2,500 gift card from Elea's Closet
Farewell Message:"To my beautiful queens, You are everything to me! I come in with 3 Kiwi sisters and leave with a whole Australian sisters hood. Never forget my Dry Arse Pussy. Anita P.S. see you in two in the trash."
5
5
"Marketing Hats"
29 May 2021 (2021-05-29)
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens read each other to filth. Art Simone wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens create an infomercial for their own Yeast Spread.
Art Simone - Yeasty Yank Extractor
Elektra Shock - Topped
Etcetera Etcetera - Pissed
Karen from Finance - Discharge
Kita Mean - Yeasty Nuts
Maxi Shield - Hornbag
Scarlet Adams - Snatch
On the runway, category is Finest Sheila in the Bush. Elektra Shock and Kita Mean receive positive critiques, with Elektra Shock winning the challenge. Etcetera Etcetera, Karen from Finance and Maxi Shield receive negative critiques, with Karen from Finance being safe. Etcetera Etcetera and Maxi Shield lip-sync to "Absolutely Everybody" by Vanessa Amorosi. Maxi Shield wins the lip-sync and Etcetera Etcetera sashays away.
Farewell Message:"YIPPEE YIPPEE! TRANS PEOPLE DESERVE MORE! I LOVE YOU BITCHES ♡ ETC THE GLAMOUR BUG XO"
6
6
"Family Resemblance"
5 June 2021 (2021-06-05)
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens interact with local wildlife. Maxi Shield wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens makeover rugby players.
On the runway, category is Drag Family Resemblance. Karen from Finance and Kita Mean receive positive critiques, with Kita Mean winning the challenge. Elektra Shock, Maxi Shield and Scarlet Adams receive negative critiques, with Elektra Shock being safe. Maxi Shield and Scarlet Adams lip-sync to "Better the Devil You Know" by Kylie Minogue. Scarlet Adams wins the lip-sync and Maxi Shield sashays away.
Mini-Challenge: Interact with local wildlife
Mini-Challenge Winner: Maxi Shield
Mini-Challenge Prize: $2,000 gift card from Amped accessories
Main Challenge: Makeover rugby players
Runway Theme: Drag Family Resemblance
Challenge Winner: Kita Mean
Main Challenge Prize: A $2,500 prize package courtesy of House of Priscilla and a $1,500 gift card courtesy of DailyJocks for their partner
Farewell Message:"I HAD TO STAND ON A STOOL TO WRITE THIS! I ♡ YOU ALL SO MUCH MAXI XX"
7
7
"Talent Show Extravaganza"
12 June 2021 (2021-06-12)
For this week's main challenge, the queens perform a talent show in front of the judges.
Art Simone - Eating
Elektra Shock - Modern Dance
Karen from Finance - Ballooning
Kita Mean - Quick Magic Change
Scarlet Adams - Pole Dancing
On the runway, category is How's Your Head Piece? Scarlet Adams wins the challenge. Elektra Shock and Kita Mean receive negative critiques, are announced as the bottom two. They lip-sync to Untouched" by The Veronicas. Kita Mean wins the lip-sync and Elektra Shock sashays away.
Main Challenge: Perform a talent show in front of the judges
Runway Theme: How's Your Head Piece?
Challenge Winner: Scarlet Adams
Challenge Prize: A range of individualized merch and a $5,000 cash tip courtesy of Merch Mother
Farewell Message:"Only 1 queen could beat me, and that's the winner of Rupaul's Drag Race Down Under. Kia Kaha x THANK YOU. Elektra SHOCK"
8
8
"Down Under Grand Finale"
19 June 2021 (2021-06-19)
For the final challenge of the season, the queens write, record and perform verses to RuPaul's song "I'm A Winner, Baby"
On the runway, category is Best Drag. The four finalists are told that they will be lip-syncing to "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John. It is announced that Kita Mean is the winner, leaving Art Simone, Karen from Finance and Scarlet Adams as the runners-up.
Main Challenge: Write, record and perform verses to RuPaul's song "I'm A Winner, Baby"
Runners-up: Art Simone, Karen from Finance and Scarlet Adams
Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under Season One:Kita Mean
Controversies
Following the cast reveal, video footage and images surfaced of Scarlet Adams "wearing a shirt with the Aboriginal flag, with dark tanned skin and two teeth blacked out". Guardian Australia reported that the image was taken in 2012 during Australia Day celebrations. Other images feature Adams in blackface as an African American woman and playing Asian stereotypes by wearing a sari as part of a Bollywood character. Adams apologised via social media in 2020 before being revealed as a cast member and later released a new apology in March 2021.[15] In the series fifth episode, RuPaul addressed the controversy during the judges' critiques. Adams said, “I can’t deny that that happened. As a dumb, ignorant teenager, I made some mistakes that I’m really not proud of, and every day, I regret those decisions, I regret the fact that I used my platform as a performer to ridicule people who have faced systemic racism for hundreds of years and I’m so ashamed of the person I once was. I’m really sorry to you and to everyone that I have hurt.”[16]
Another contestant, Karen from Finance, was also reported to be involved in racial insensitivity after photos emerged showing a tattoo of a golliwog. Karen from Finance addressed the controversy on their social media by saying "I made the uninformed, ignorant and regrettable decision to have one of these dolls tattooed. In the years that followed ... I realised how irresponsible and stupid I had been so I disposed of the dolls to landfill and had my tattoo covered."[15]
Art Simone's return to the competition in Episode 4 also led to accusations of racism, with the show's lack of explanation for Simone's return leading to some viewers to question why a white contestant was allowed to return, but not the two recently eliminated contestants of colour.[17][18]
Etcetera Etcetera's performance as Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton in the Snatch Game (episode 2) draw widespread condemnation, as her impersonation heavily mocked the death of Chamberlain's baby daughter, accompanied with a bloodstained dingo puppet, which was criticised as being cruel, offensive and insensitive considering how Chamberlain-Creighton was wrongfully convicted for her daughter's death.[19][20]
Certain jokes made by Anita Wigl'it about Prince Andrew during her Snatch Game appearance as Elizabeth II in Episode Two were censored by the BBC for the UK screenings of the episode.[21] Wigl'it was later accused of plagiarism by Australian comedian Anthony Lehmann, who claimed that Wigl'it stole a joke that he had originally cracked in August 2020. Wigl'it later issued an apology on her Instagram, saying “Oh no! I do apologise!! When I was doing research for the Queen character I knew that there was something funny about the letter writing[...]Friends suggested the text. Turns out they had heard it somewhere before!”[22]
