Paolo Ballesteros has officially been introduced as the host of “Drag Race Philippines,” the Filipino franchise of the hit reality TV series “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
It described Ballesteros as a Filipino drag artist, celebrity model and “superstar host,” then showed him in full glam.
The TV host, who is known for his makeup transformations, donned an off-shoulder dress printed with some Philippine landmarks. He also wore full makeup and statement earrings to complete his look.
Casting for the first season of “Drag Race Philippines” opened in August last year. At the time, fans were pushing for Ballesteros and his fellow TV host-comedian Vice Ganda to become hosts of the series. Meanwhile, Caliente was revealed as a judge last May.
“Drag Race Philippines” is set to premiere on Aug. 17 via the streaming service Wow Present Plus worldwide, though it is only offered in Canada through the streaming platform Crave.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” is a reality drag competition which first aired in 2009. It has since expanded into various “Drag Race” franchises, including those in Thailand, Canada, Spain and the United Kingdom.
After EW broke news that Drag Race season 4 and All Stars 6 alum Jiggly Caliente had joined the series as a main judge, production company World of Wonder unveiled Wednesday that multi-hyphenate entertainer KaladKaren will sit on the panel as well.
Jiggly and KaladKaren — who rose to prominence by impersonating Filipino journalist Karen Davilla — will sit on a panel presided over by Drag Race Philippines head judge and host Paolo Ballesteros, who is well known in the country as a TV host, actor, and beauty expert.
Jiggly’s addition to the panel makes her the latest in a growing number of Drag Race alums fronting international editions of the series, with season 11 finalist Brooke Lynn Hytes currently presiding over the Canada’s Drag Race panel and season 12 graduate Nicky Doll heading up the table on Drag Race France.
Fellow Drag Race queen Manila Luzon also has a Filipino drag show called Drag Den on deck, which she will lead when it premieres in the near future.
Drag Race Philippines premieres Aug. 17 on WOW Presents Plus.
Image Sources: DragRace PH FB and @pochoy
