You are viewing content from Gaydio Bristol. Would you like to make this your preferred location?

Drag Race Down Under vs The World S1 winner revealed

Friday, 11 September 2026 09:29

By Bella Francis

It’s been a battle of sickening looks, shady reads and some seriously fierce lip-syncs, but the race for international drag supremacy has officially come to an end.

British drag queen Michael Marouli has won the first season of Drag Race Down Under vs The World, taking home the title of Queen of the Mothertucking World and a $50,000 prize.

The Drag Race UK star was one of four queens to make it through to the grand finale, alongside Australia’s Art Simone and Vybe, and Filipina queen M1ss Jade So. Michael entered the finale as one of the frontrunners, having already picked up four badges across the competition.

The first-ever Drag Race Down Under vs The World brought together queens from across the franchise, with contestants representing Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, Spain and the Philippines. Hosted by Michelle Visage, the series saw the queens battle through challenges, runway presentations and lip-syncs for the crown.

Michael’s journey to the finale included a major moment in the penultimate episode, where she won a lip-sync to the Spice Girls’ “Who Do You Think You Are?” against Art Simone. The win gave Michael the power to eliminate LaLa Ri and secure her own place in the final four.

The inaugural series has seen Michael emerge as one of the competition’s biggest fan favourites, with her campy performances, polished runways and competitive streak making her a standout throughout the season.

Now, after taking the very first Queen of the Mothertucking World title, Michael officially has another crown to add to her collection.

More from GAYDIO NEWS

The gay rugby hero who saved lives on 9/11 — and became a global sporting legacy

25 years ago today, Mark Bingham helped storm the cockpit of hijacked Flight 93. The openly gay rugby player is now honoured by the world's biggest LGBTQ+ rugby tournament.
Liverpool's Pride announces 2027 date and new community-led approach

Liverpool's Pride will return on 31 July 2027 with a new community board and joint leadership from Sahir House and LCR Pride Foundation, following feedback from this year's event.
RuPaul's Drag Race UK axed by BBC!

The BBC has dropped Drag Race UK after eight series due to financial pressures, but the show's getting a new home on WOW Presents Plus — and for the first time ever, a UK All Stars edition.
Inside La Bola Negra: The already viral, award-winning ‘queer epic’ directed by two iconic Drag Race judges

La Bola Negra, the upcoming gay love story spanning three time periods, is directed by Los Javis and has already scooped Best Director at Cannes. Plus, Glenn Close saying the title has gone viral.
Grindr agrees £26m payout to UK users over HIV data sharing claims

Grindr is paying out £26 million to settle a UK lawsuit brought by thousands of users who claimed the world's biggest queer dating app shared their sensitive personal data, in some cases including HIV status, with third parties.
Two men killed in hate crime shooting outside Tucson gay bar

Vincent Siqueiros and Cameron Capara were shot dead outside Venture-N in Tuscon, Arizona in an attack police say was motivated by hatred of the LGBTQ+ community.