A first of its kind drag king reality competition show is coming this spring. The long overdue series welcomes gender diverse drag kings to audition now and secure their spot among the eight contestants.
King of Drag is gearing up to premiere on LGBTQ+ streaming app Revry, Variety reports. Hosted by Murray Hill (the pioneering trans man emcee from the queer found-family comedy Somebody, Somewhere), Season 1 will see eight contestants competing across six episodes to be crowned the King of Drag. Applications for the show will be open over the next two weeks, with a submission deadline of January 5.
If it sounds familiar to a certain other drag reality series, that’s only the general premise. Producers have planned surprises in order to bring out the best of the featured drag kings and shine a light on the whole subculture.
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“Rather than rehash the format of other drag competition shows, the series’ producers will showcase drag king’s unique talents including comedy, unconventional performances, and timely commentary on masculinity, which has been part of the drag king subculture for decades,” the announcement press release reads. “In each episode, we will learn more about the individual king’s backstory, what motivates them, and their goals for kinging.”
The application process to be on the show is open to “individuals of all ages, ethnicities, gender identities, and styles of drag.” That includes “ trans masc, cisgender women, non-binary and more.” King of Drag hopefuls must submit photos of their top drag looks, introductory videos in and out of drag, a performance reel, a lipsync video, and finally a resume of relevant experience.
In a statement, Hill reflected on the long road to get drag kings on TV. “I’m so excited to be working with Revry as the host of ‘King of Drag,’” he said.” “I started performing in 1995, so it’s long overdue for the kings to take center stage. This vibrant community deserves to be in the spotlight, and I’ll be their biggest hype man. I can’t wait to work with the kings and introduce them to the biggest audience possible, thanks to Revry. That’s showbiz.”
Revry co-founder and chief content officer Christopher J Rodriguez described how the series will focus on originality in the drag reality show space. “’King of Drag’ is one of the most ambitious original programs we’ve ever developed,” he said. “We’re going to give the drag competition format a run for its money and give audiences something fresh and original.”
“We are overjoyed to have Murray Hill host the series and introduce a new world of drag to global audiences,” he added. “His comedy, wit, and experience will be a perfect match for a series that platforms a passionate group in the LGBTQ+ community who are blazing their own trails and carving new paths within the entertainment industry.”
The six-episode first season of King of Drag will debut on Revry in spring 2025.
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