RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World is back for round three, and they’ve actually got some decent guest judges this time. The announcement came out on December 29th, and I’m not going to lie, the lineup’s looking better than season two.
The Guest Judge Situation
Right, so the regulars are back. RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Alan Carr, Graham Norton. That’s your standard panel. But the guest judges are where things get interesting.
Will Poulter’s Judging
Yeah, Will Poulter. BAFTA winner and been in We’re the Millers, The Bear, loads of stuff. He is confirmed as a guest judge and appears genuinely excited about it. “I’m thrilled to be a guest judge,” he said. “I have been a fan of Drag Race for so many years, and being there in person to watch the competition live was an out-of-body experience. Well, at least he’s actually seen the show. There’s nothing worse than a guest judge who is so obviously clueless about what drag even is.
Lucy Punch Is Coming
Lucy Punch is also a guest judge. You’ll know her from British comedies. Bad Teacher, Into the Woods, that sort of thing. She’s got comedy timing, which matters when queens are trying to be funny.
Bananarama’s Here
This is the big one. Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward of Bananarama are the guest judges. “Venus,” “Cruel Summer,” and all the 80s bangers. They have sold more than 30 million records. Drag queens absolutely love a good pop legend. This makes sense.
Anastacia’s On Board
American singer Anastacia is also confirmed. “I’m Outta Love,” “Left Outside Alone.” She has sold more than 30 million albums, received Grammy nominations, the full package. Her music has popped up in drag performances for decades.
Why This Actually Matters
Some people reckon guest judges don’t matter. Just sit there, say nice things, andbe done. But that’s rubbish. Good guest judges bring energy. They give queens something different to work with. When someone genuinely loves drag and understands performance, you can tell. The critiques feel real. Bad guest judges? You spot them immediately. They’re lost. Don’t know what to say. Just repeat whatever Michelle said, but differently. Awkward for everyone. This lineup feels thought out. These aren’t random celebs promoting a new film. They’re people with actual performance backgrounds.
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What We Don’t Know Yet
There has been no contestant list, albeit loads of rumours on TikTok and Reddit, but nothing confirmed. There is also no confirmed date for the premiere. The announcement says “debuting in the New Year,” which could mean January or February. Your guess is as good as mine. World of Wonder mentioned more guest judges coming later. So this isn’t even the full list.
How It Works
If you’ve not watched before, UK vs The World mixes queens from different Drag Race franchises. UK queens against American queens, Canadian queens, Philippines queens, whoever. There are eight episodes usually. Design challenges, comedy, Snatch Game. Standard Drag Race format with an international twist. The winner gets the title “Queen of the Mothertucking World” and actual prize money this time. Previous seasons didn’t have cash, which seemed tight.
Will It Be Better Than Last Time?
Season two got mixed reviews. Some fans loved it. Others reckoned it was flat. Strong queens went home early, while weaker ones stuck around. That’s always the risk with competition shows. You can’t control eliminations. Sometimes your favourites leave first episode. The judging panel matters more than people think. When judges are engaged and giving proper feedback, the whole show feels better. When they’re phoning it in, you notice. This season’s guest lineup suggests they’re taking it seriously. Getting people who actually want to be there. Who’s watched the show? Who understands good drag?
Why People Still Watch
Drag Race has been going for years. Multiple countries. Loads of seasons. You’d think people would be bored. But they’re not. The format works. Watching talented performers push themselves every week doesn’t get old. The drama’s entertaining. The runway looks are usually stunning. And when someone nails a challenge, it’s genuinely impressive. UK vs. The World adds that extra layer of seeing how different drag styles interact. British drag is very different from American drag. Thai drag has its unique characteristics. Watching them compete together is interesting. Plus, there’s the underdog aspect. Queens from smaller franchises are getting a chance on a bigger stage. They are proving that they can hold their own against American queens who have the most money and exposure.
What to Expect
Based on previous seasons, you’re looking at the usual challenges. Design challenges where queens make outfits from scratch. Acting challenges that are usually cringeworthy but entertaining. Snatch Game. Girl group challenge. Rusical. Standard Drag Race stuff. Season two had a Strictly Come Dancing-themed episode with Motsi Mabuse and Janette Manrara judging. Watching drag queens attempt ballroom dancing was proper entertaining. This season might do something similar. Take a British institution and make queens tackle it in full drag. That’s when UK vs. The World feels different from regular Drag Race.
Bottom Line
Drag Race UK vs The World Season 3 is coming. Guest judges look decent. Will Poulter, Lucy Punch, Bananarama, Anastacia. That’s solid. Whether the season’s actually good depends on the queens they’ve cast and how the competition plays out. But the judging panel seems promising. More announcements coming. Contestant reveal will probably soon. Premiere date when they’re ready. And yeah, I’ll likely watch it. Because even though I’ve watched approximately 47 seasons of Drag Race, for some reason, I am unable to resist tuning in when a new one begins. If you love all things drag or need more talented people competing for honour and cash in front of RuPaul, then it’s going to be worth your time. If not, there’s plenty else on telly.
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