RuPaul Isn't Hosting Drag Race UK Next Week—Here's What's Happening

World of Wonder

For the first time in herstory, RuPaul won’t appear as the host and main judge of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Bernardo Sim

Deputy Editor

Bernardo Sim is the deputy editor of Out. He's also a staff contributor to The Advocate, PRIDE, and other equalpride publications. Born in Brazil, he currently lives in South Florida.

You can follow Bernardo Sim on Instagram. Otherwise, you can find him on Bluesky, Threads, X/Twitter, and TikTok.

Bernardo Sim is the deputy editor of Out. He's also a staff contributor to The Advocate, PRIDE, and other equalpride publications. Born in Brazil, he currently lives in South Florida.

You can follow Bernardo Sim on Instagram. Otherwise, you can find him on Bluesky, Threads, X/Twitter, and TikTok.

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Bernardo Sim

October 28 2022 10:35 AM EST

May 26 2023 1:33 PM EST

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Michelle Visage will be taking over Mama Ru's duties in the upcoming seventh episode of RuPaul's Drag Race season four.

After 14 seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race in the US, seven All Stars, four seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race UK (plus RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs. the World), and three seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under - the franchise's main figurehead, RuPaul herself, won't be present for the critiques of an episode. Visage will appear in Ru's place as host and main judge.

In the meantime, Raven will actually be featured in the judging panel on Visage's seat. As a result, Raven has become the first former Drag Race contestant in herstory to sit on the judging panel of a RuPaul-hosted series.

Visage announces in a newly-released clip:

"Welcome to the main stage of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. Due to circumstances beyond anyone's control, RuPaul is unable to join us tonight."

\u201cFor the first time in #DragRace herstory, the judges shake up the Main Stage for a shocking elimination that NO ONE saw coming! \ud83e\udd2f\ud83d\udc51\n\nWatch the new episode of #DragRaceUK next Thursday at 2PM PST/9PM GMT on @wowpresentsplus (worldwide ex. UK and Canada): https://t.co/5lA4aHozNJ\u201d
— WOW Presents Plus (@WOW Presents Plus) 1666962121

The clip then shows Raven sitting on the judging panel alongside recurring Drag Race UK judge Graham Norton. Moreover, Boy George is announced as the special guest judge of the week. Later in the clip, Visage is shown in the middle seat of the judging panel. She recites RuPaul's usual lines and even tells a queen to "sashay away."