Local queen to sashay onto screen

THE third season of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under premieres later this month and a local star will be among the contestants starting their engines.

Ballarat queen Gabriella Labucci is set to slay in the upcoming eight-episode season as one of 10 performers competing for the title of Down Under’s next drag superstar.

Having been a fan of the original RuPaul’s Drag Race made in the US, Labucci was inspired to take up drag after watching the show.

She said she’s ecstatic to be part of her favourite series.

“There’s so many highlights it’s hard to list one thing,” she said. “Just being part of my favourite TV show is monumental.

“I think I’ve brought a breath of fresh air and a bit of fun to the season. I tried to go in with the other people underestimating me, let’s just say that.

“It’s going to be very surreal seeing myself on my favourite show.”

The series is a spin-off of RuPaul’s Drag Race which first aired in 2009 in America and recently completed its 16th season.

A former mainstay on LanceTV, Labucci is a regular entertainer at Piano Bar and will showcase her talents in singing, acting, and roller skating.

She started her drag journey eight years ago and has been performing for about 12 years in musical theatre.

As the first Ballarat-based RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under contestant, Labucci said she hopes her involvement will bring a larger spotlight the style in Australia.

“I’m most looking forward to representing regional drag,” she said.

“I just hope people can see that someone from Ballarat can stand up against the big names from the big cities.

“It doesn’t matter where you come from. We’re all equally valid in what we do.”

RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under will premiere on streaming service Stan on Friday 28 July.