Now don't get me wrong, I adore RuPaul, but hennies, of late Supremme de Luxe and Priscilla have been my favorite hosts of Drag Race. With the ending of the second season of Drag Race Italia coming just a few weeks ago, can we just discuss how freakin gorgeous and stunning Priscilla is? The surprising part is just how handsome and butch he is as a man. I was in awe of his drag style and the ensembles Priscilla donned were off the hook!!! Priscilla has now been named one of the three permanent judges of Drag Race Italia, but who is she? Few probably know it, but Priscilla is the legendary drag queen of Jackie O resort of Mykonos, an historic place frequented by many VIP'S, where she has been entertaining the masses for several years. In 2007 after winning Miss Drag Queen Campania, she participated and triumphed... and at Miss Drag Queen Italy, and won. Since then, Priscilla has been doing drag shows and shows for charities ever since. So, no surprise the "RuPaul" of Italy was chosen to host the Italian version. I remember once watching one of Priscilla's live feeds on Instagram where he said he is actually very quiet and shy when out of drag, but when Priscilla shows up. watch out. While as a male he is very introverted, Priscilla is explosive, anxious and tends to excess of hysteria before a show. And I will say, it is surprising to be on Instagram and actually get back replies from both Pricsilla and Surpremme de Luxe. I love it...very personal. RuPaul is still the head Supreme, but in my book, they are right on her heels, nipping, while still holding on to their local roots and being more 'room mother" to their girls. But Pricsilla? Drop. Dead. Gorge!!!!
Italy is getting it's own Drag Race Italia to premiere in later November. It seems the franchise just keeps going and who in hell can keep up? But I firmly believe this season will set many statements and prescience with what is going on in Italy currently. Firstly , it's exciting that yet another legendary queen was chosen to host, and will be very hands on like Fred and Supremme...Priscillia!
Priscilla if you will is already a grande Dame of Italy in her own right, and unlike RuPaul has kept her roots in her community extremely active. Priscilla who is the alter ego of Mariano Gallo, is the Italian sensation at the helm of this season, is very active still with touring, and is widely known for his work in the Grecian nightlife Metropolis of Mykonos, where he has a regular residency, and is a longtime fixture at the Jackie O beach club. Famous for her performance of Tina Turner's cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival tune, Proud Mary. In addition she is well known for taking under her wing new queens, and helping them to launch drag careers, and tours Europe with a very high NRG one woman show...keeps herself out there with the girls, which I think is great. I think Priscilla is going to be very hands on like Supremme, not just host and a judge. It's that mentorship, sisterhood, and comradery that hits home and "gets in the trenches" with the queens, and is what I think Ru is lacking. I think he is a great choice for host.
But this season, like I said, is going to set prescience. This is, on average, a way older cast of queens than fans will be used to on the other editions. More than half of the 8 queens cast, are older, most over 40 with the highest age at 49, Enorma Jean, who will be competing for the crown. Divinity and Elecktra Bionic, the youngest at 27 both. We will also get the franchises first bearded queen. Luquisha Lubamba finally.
It's seems that the European versions break the molds more then our very own edition on many levels. And if viewers think they are going to see fishy...guess again. Fishy and pageant are out the window. When I see these queens, they look like they could all be starring in a Pedro Almodovar film...not necessary the prettiest queens, but the camp queens one would expect to see at a old La Cage show. And I'm here for that! This higher than average age is an exciting twist and it might indicate that this will be a show of very seasoned queens ready to serve, as they are representing from all over Italy. Another change the Italian version is ditching is the tag line" May the best woman, win", to May the best Drag Queen win." Which sort of makes sense. As expected RuPaul will thankfully not be hosting or judging any of the season as it ends up disastrous. We're all too aware of Ru's judging and not getting international drag schticks. But the show is coming along at a good time, and will send a huge fuck you to the country, that the LGBTQ is not going away. Just last week or the week before in Italy, the government removed protections for women, the LGBT and the disabled members of society. Grown men in the government got out of there seats and applauded the fact that these groups will be vulnerable groups and will no longer have protection from hate, and that is sick. And if you don't think that can happen here....take a good hard look at the news...it's already happening, and I fear it will get worse. So I applaud Priscilla and these queens for getting in the faces of it's citizens, and showing them what fabulous and intelligent look like.
