New Judges Join ‘Canada’s Drag Race’ After Abrupt Panel Change
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Three new judges will join the Canada’s Drag Race panel after some unexpected exits. UnREAL’s Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman and supermodel Stacey McKenzie “chasséd away” before the show’s second season. But no worries, style superstar Brad Goreski, The Handmaid’s Tale actress Amanda Brugel, and fellow-Canadian Traci Melchor will fill the empty seats.
Just in case you’re wondering, they are no strangers to Drag Race. Both Goreski and Brugel previously guest judged episodes of Canada’s inaugural season last year. Melchor, who was featured on season one as a correspondent, has now been promoted to full-time judge. The new members will join the panel alongside returning judge Brooke Lynn Hytes to complete the new panel.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Hytes said that she’s “thrilled and honored” to return with her new co-judges for a season that promises to be “fresh, fierce, and fabulous.”
What’s in Store for the Judges This Season?
So what’s in store for the judges on this new season? I can tell you now that they’re going to have to run a tight ship. Their responsibilities include daily visits to the “Werk Room,” challenge critiques, competition twists, and the decision of who is saved in the “Lip Synch For Your Life” battle. In addition to RuPaul’s Drag Race fan favorites like “Snatch Game,” Canada’s second season is set to bring forth a few surprise “Ru-Veals” of their own.
The new judges are thrilled to slay the day on the panel.
“I am incredibly honored to be joining the Drag Race family,” Brugel said to Entertainment Weekly. “Now that the world has been introduced to the exceptional talent of our northern queens, I feel so fortunate to be able to champion the next class of drag royalty!”
Season one of Canada’s Drag Race witnessed 12 queens battle it out for a cash prize of $100,000. Toronto-based entertainer, Priyanka, walked away with the first crown of the new show.
To me, it’s amazing to see how far the Drag Race franchise has come. Variants of RuPaul’s vision have spread to productions all over the world. From Chile to the U.K., you can’t keep the fabulous away! See what I did there? Drag Race has me speaking in rhyme.
While there is no official premiere date yet, the show is scheduled to air on Crave and the WOW Presents Plus app later this year. In the meantime, you can check out RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars 6 streaming Thursdays on Paramount+.
