Drag Den (season 1)

The first season of ''Drag Den'' premiered on 8 December 2022, through Amazon Prime Video. The premiere season showcased a total of eight contestants competing for the title of the "First Filipino Drag Supreme".

Casting calls for the first season were opened in August 2021, and the cast was officially revealed in a teaser trailer in November 2022. The season also welcomed its first openly trans woman contestant, Barbie-Q. The winner of the season received a cash prize of ₱1,000,000, a one-year makeup supply from Téviant Beauty cosmetics, a one-year contract with Avignon Clinic, and a three-year management contract with CS Entertainment. The first season was won by Naia, with Shewarma and Maria Cristina as runners-up.

Production

In July 2021, ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' alumna Manila Luzon exclusively told ''Entertainment Weekly'' about an upcoming project she is up to host and judge. Luzon said, "I'm excited that we're going to create an opportunity similar to hatRuPaul and World of Wonder have given to me." The upcoming show is not affiliated with ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' or its production company, World of Wonder.

On 16 August 2021, Luzon partnered with TikTok and announced a casting call for the reality competition show. The deadline for the casting call ended on 31 August 2020. After the casting call announcement for ''Drag Den'', RuPaul announced a casting call for ''Drag Race Philippines''. Many fans called this announcement from RuPaul and World of Wonder: "foul" and "shade". A year later, ''Drag Race Philippines'' started to premiere in August 2022. Jiggly Caliente (presented as a judge) addressed the situation with ''Digital Spy'' saying, "There is definitely no rivalry because Manila knew about me doing Drag Race, and I knew about her doing Drag Den."

Format

Contestants are instructed to participate in two challenges in the series. In both challenges, the judges will critique based on both challenges and choose their winner. The episode's winner will enter a battle with their chosen opponent, named the Dragdagulan, involving a wrecking ball. The winner of the battle will gain an advantage for the next episode; the opponent will not be eliminated and will continue in the competition.

Promotion

After the series' long hiatus, the show's social media posted an update with the caption saying, "#justwokeup". Many people speculated that the show is yet to come sooner. On 16 November 2022, an official teaser was revealed with Manila Luzon sitting on a throne in the dark.

On 17 November 2022, eight contestants were shown in the new trailer heading down the runway. Sassa Gurl, Nicole Cordoves, and Manila Luzon, who served as the competition's main judges, all made appearances in the same trailer. Additionally, it revealed the official premiere date, which is slated for 8 December 2022, and will be available through Amazon Prime Video. On 30 November 2022, an official series trailer debuted, showcasing the candidates taking part in challenges while being judged, as well as the first challenge from the season premiere. It was revealed in the same official teaser that Catriona Gray will serve as a guest judge on the premiere of Drag Den. Luzon was recently signed with Warner Music Philippines, and announced the theme song for the series that is set to release on 2 December 2022.

Contestants

On 17 November 2022, throughout the show's social media, they presented "Manila by Night" where they showed promotional images of their contestants' looks. This was a nod to the controversial Philippine film, ''Manila by Night'' (1980), directed by Ishmael Bernal. The series also welcomed its first openly trans woman contestant, Barbie-Q. Ages, names, and cities stated are at the time of filming.

Contestant progress

Legend:

Rankings

Guest judges

Guest judges are known as the "Drag Enforcer" in the series. Guest judges are listed in chronological order.

* Catriona Gray, model and Miss Universe 2018
* K Brosas, actress and comedian
* Eula Valdez, actress
* KZ Tandingan, singer and rapper
* Francis Libiran, architect and fashion designer
* Antoinette Jadaone, filmmaker and podcaster
* Mela Habijan, model and Miss Trans Global 2020

Special guests

Guests who appeared in episodes, but not judge on the main stage.

Episode 8:
* Mama Bobby, drag queen
* Mama Let-Let, drag queen
* Mama Pie, drag queen

Episodes

Notes

References

{{Portal bar, LGBTQ, Philippines, Television

Drag Den seasons
2023 LGBTQ-related television
2022 Philippine television seasons
2023 Philippine television seasons
2022 LGBTQ-related television