Filipina drag artist M1ss Jade So has secured a spot in the grand finale of the inaugural “Drag Race Down Under vs The World,” making her the third Drag Race Philippines alumna to become a two-time finalist within the franchise.
Jade advanced to the Top 4 alongside UK queen Michael Marouli and Australian queens Art Simone and Vybe following the semifinal episode aired Friday, September 4.
For the episode’s makeover challenge, the queens transformed Australian men into their “bosom buddies,” with Jade partnering with Matthew. She turned him into Miss Yasmine Hard Suso, a character inspired by the Filipino drama Marimar.
The challenge also gave Jade an opportunity to discuss LGBTQIA+ rights in the Philippines with Matthew, including the country’s long-running efforts toward same-sex marriage and equality legislation.
Jade used the episode to call for action on the proposed SOGIESC Equality Bill, saying, “If nakikinig kayo, tinatawag ko ang mga nakaupo to please evaluate the [SOGIESC Equality] Bill.”
She further said, “We're still fighting for it...para sa aming karapatan and hindi ako titigil to inspire others and use my platforms for advocacy. Sana maipasa na [ang SOGIESC Equality Bill] soon.”
The runway results placed Michael and Art as the challenge winners, while Lala Ri, Jade, and Vybe landed in the bottom group. Despite facing elimination, Jade remained determined, telling Michael and Art, “I’m not a worrier. I’m a warrior.”
Michael ultimately won the lip sync against Art to the Spice Girls’ “Who Do You Think You Are” and chose to eliminate Lala Ri, securing Jade’s place in the final four.
The finale appearance marks Jade’s second time reaching the final four in the Drag Race franchise. She previously finishes in the Top 4 on “Drag Race Philippines” Season 2.
Jade now becomes the third Drag Race Philippines alumna to reach a finale twice, following Marina Summers, who was the runner-up of Drag Race Philippines Season 1 and later reached the Top 4 of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs. the World, and Arizona Brandy, the runner-up of Drag Race Philippines Season 2 who later became a Top 4 finalist of Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale.
Jade has collected three challenge badges in the competition, winning the opening design challenge, the “Franken-Drag” challenge, and “House of Whores: A Trilogy of Terror.” Michael and Art currently lead with four wins each, while Vybe has one.
The winner of “Drag Race Down Under vs The World” will receive the title Queen of the Mothertucking World, along with a crown and scepter, a one-year supply of Anastasia Beverly Hills cosmetics, and a cash prize of AUD$50,000 (approximately P2.15 million).
