RuPaul’s Drag Race premiered in 2010, and since then, it has gone on to produce 16 US seasons, 9 All-Star seasons, and 20 international versions. The beauty of having so much drag on screen has brought over 600 drag queens to people’s televisions worldwide. While many fans love to complain about ‘drag fatigue’ from so many shows airing at the same time, it’s important to have such visibility on mainstream networks.

Even in 2024, drag is still considered illegal in many countries. In 2022, Drag Race arrived in the Philippines, and little did they know it would capture the hearts of fans from outside the country. It is considered one of the most popular international franchises because of the incredible casting of queens, runways, and, of course, the entertaining personalities that have graced our screens.

After the success of season one, fans patiently waited for season two, and in 2023 the crown was won by Captivating KatKat. She went on to become the third openly trans woman to compete on the show, alongside Bernie and M1ss Jade, and has continued to raise awareness of trans visibility throughout the world. 

With over 23 years of experience in the industry, her global takeover continues as she’ll be appearing at everyone’s favourite annual event: RuPaul’s Drag Race LA. We spoke with the winner about her drag journey, the importance of having Drag Race come to the Philippines, and what 2024 has in store for this incredibly talented queen.

Philippine drag is very authentic and competitive, we don’t settle for less, we always want to exceed your expectations.

View of the Arts:  It is a pleasure to talk to a true legend of the Philippines. What has your life been like since winning the crown for season two of Drag Race Philippines? 

Captivating KatKat: Drag Race Philippines has changed my life so much. From a simple housewife to a drag superstar. I was able to travel in and out of the country, I got the opportunity to meet notable people in the industry, and most of all, I got to inspire the new generation of drag and also the trans community.

View of the Arts: As the third openly trans queen on the Philippine franchise, you must be incredibly proud of your representation of the trans community. Do you believe that boundaries have finally been broken, demonstrating the validity of trans queens on the program, especially during a time when their inclusion was wrongly debated?

Captivating KatKat: Yes, since we saw trans queens joining and winning RuPaul’s Drag Race, and to be the first ever trans winner of Drag Race Philippines proves that boundaries have finally been broken, and it is validating for the trans community to be well represented in the show. 

View of the Arts: Your promo look was inspired by the Queen of Philippine Flowers, the Waling Waling, and you mentioned in your Meet The Queens that the flower details in the middle symbolised your femininity as a transwoman. Do you always try to incorporate your beautiful culture into your drag, and how important is it to showcase it to fans outside of the Philippines?

Captivating KatKat: Yes, I love to incorporate my culture into my drag to let the world know how beautiful the Philippine culture is because I am proud to be a Pinoy Drag Queen.

View of the Arts: With a background in dance, did it feel like a natural transition into drag? How did you get started with drag, and what inspired you to pursue it as a career?

Captivating KatKat: I love dancing, so when I got the opportunity to do drag, I didn’t have a hard time doing it. I started as a dancer in a theatre bar, and they gave me the opportunity to impersonate a celebrity because back then we were called female impersonators. I pursued it as a career because drag became my passion and also my bread and butter.

View of the Arts: Having been in the drag scene for over 23 years, what is the most important lesson you’ve learned, and what advice do you have for baby drag artists just beginning and discovering themselves?

Captivating KatKat: The most important lesson that I’ve learned throughout my career is that people change and people grow, and we all learn from our mistakes. The only advice that I can give is that if you love doing drag, just do it and make it your passion because that passion will bring them somewhere, somehow, someday.

View of the Arts: With over 23 years of experience and having seen the drag explosion and exposure from Rupaul’s Drag Race, do you believe the positives have exceeded the negatives in terms of the perception of drag in the Philippines?

Captivating KatKat: Drag in the Philippines before was just entertainment in bars, but now we use it as an expression and protest for our rights and beliefs. It evolved a lot and is now seen in mainstream platforms, and which opens a lot of opportunities in the Pinoy drag community, and that only proves how powerful Pinoy drag is. 

View of the Arts: We can’t talk to you without mentioning your classic performance of Frozen’s Let It Go, which went viral around the world in 2018. How did it feel to get so much attention, and how long did it take to put together that routine?

Captivating KatKat: It’s an overwhelming experience to be recognised by well-known celebrities and personalities such as Susan Sarandon & RuPaul’s best Judy Michelle Visage, and even the official Frozen: The Musical itself. I got the idea when I watched Let it Go in Frozen the Musical on Youtube, and I planned it overnight on how to do it in O Bar. Then the next day I did it and her story was made.

View of the Arts: Rightfully so, you’ve gone on to win countless titles over your career, including the coveted VP’s Choice Awards for favourite local drag queen of the year. We always say to support local drag artists and bars, what is the local drag scene like, and for you, who should drag fans keep an eye out for?

Captivating KatKat: The local drag scene in the Philippines is unbelievably amazing and entertaining because Pinoy drag queens are world-class and you can’t clock that mama! Better keep an eye on my drag daughters from my House of Captivating, namely Derociouz and Budalyn, these Queens will make your jaw drop.

The most important lesson that I’ve learned throughout my career is that people change and people grow, and we all learn from our mistakes.

View of the Arts: You recently walked on the Leo Almodal fashion runway; what was your experience like, and how did it feel to be featured in a prestigious show?

Captivating KatKat: It felt surreal! Before, it was just a dream, but now I’m finally walking my dream. To be part of the Leo Almodal fashion show was so iconic and fulfilling.

View of the Arts: Let’s talk about the first day of Drag Race. Not only is it a nervous experience appearing on TV and meeting your competition, but the first mini challenge involved a photoshoot placing tarantulas on your face. Despite the fears, you still looked stunning considering the circumstances, what was going through your mind during the challenge?

Captivating KatKat: Honestly, I’m not scared of tarantulas. I just freaked out when I felt its spiky claws on my face. I thought that it was just a spider, and I still needed to stay fierce and fabulous to overcome this challenge.

View of the Arts: What made you apply for season 2 of Drag Race Philippines, and did it meet your expectations of being on the show? Have you spoken with previous contestants about what the show entailed?

Captivating KatKat: As a drag queen, it’s an ultimate dream to be part of Drag Race and to be a RuGirl. That’s why I auditioned to validate myself as a drag queen. Actually, I was expecting the competition to be easy, but girl it was so fuckin’ hard. Before I entered the competition, I asked for advice from Precious Paula Nicole, the season 1 winner, on what to do to excel in the competition and that advice helped me a lot to win the crown. Do you want to know that advice? Secret…

View of the Arts: The magnitude of success that came with Drag Race Season 1 Philippines showed that the country had been waiting for their chance to shine. With the world recognising that your franchise is the one everyone should be watching, what makes Philippine drag so special and unique?

Captivating KatKat: Philippine drag is very authentic and competitive, we don’t settle for less, we always want to exceed your expectations.

View of the Arts: You’ll be attending RuPaul’s Drag Con LA this month, on the 19th and 20th. Drag con is always a fun but exhausting time. What are you looking forward to the most during the weekend?

Captivating KatKat: I’m looking forward to meeting my favourite international drag queens, especially Mama Ru. All I want is to enjoy and have fun at DragCon, especially since my birthday is coming.

View of the Arts: Having travelled to so many places, where would you love to travel to next? Will we get to see you in the UK in the future?

Captivating KatKat: I am planning to have a vacation in South Korea after DragCon LA, and then hopefully I’ll do UK DragCon next year. Let’s all hope for that.

View of the Arts: During the show, you had some incredibly well-designed looks that had strong concepts, such as Can I Get an Alien? How did you come up with the runway designs and inspirations?

Captivating KatKat: My designer, Airah Cleng Kawazaki, helped me conceptualise my alien look. She wanted it to be inspired by the Diva from The Fifth Element, and I wanted to be on a hoverboard inspired by Lady Gaga’s Bloody Mary performance from her Born This Way concert, so we came up with this floating glitter alien look, it’s a collaborative work.

View of the Arts:  What is your next big goal now that you’ve won the crown?

Captivating KatKat: My next big goal is another crown, but this time I’ll make it international. 

View of the Arts:  Finally, what does 2024 have in store for you?

Captivating KatKat: The most exciting thing about 2024 is RuPaul’s DragCon LA. It’s my first time attending RuPaul’s DragCon LA, and I’m so excited to perform on the main stage and to do Bring Back My Girls with TS Madison and my Season 2 sisters, and of course I can’t wait to meet my international fans. I will also be spending my birthday in LA, so I will enjoy this LA trip for sure.

Written and interviewed by Kirsty Bright

Featured image © Jagger Studios and Elroe The Photographer

_{View of the Arts is an online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}