RuPaul’s Drag Race UK halts season two filming due to… you guessed it, coronavirus
Baga Chipz, Divina De Campo and The Vivienne during the final of Drag Race UK. (BBC)
Filming has been halted on the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK due to coronavirus.
Having already cancelled Pride events, closed down gay bars, axed Eurovision and wreaked havoc across the West End and Broadway, coronavirus is now coming for Drag Race.
Drag Race UK season two will face a delay.
The BBC confirmed that filming on a second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, which was already well underway, has been abandoned due to the outbreak.
A spokesperson confirmed: “In light of the spread of COVID-19, after much consideration, production on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will be temporarily pausing filming both in consultation with and supported by the BBC.
“We will continue to review all productions on a case by case basis and will continue to follow the latest news and advice from the foreign office, World Health Organisation and Public Health England.”
RuPaul at the Drag Race UK judging table
The show’s second season had been expected to air towards the end of the year, but now it’s unclear when – or if – it will make it to screens.
As seasons of the show are usually filmed all in one go with the contestants cut off from the outside world, making the contest a two-part season would mark a big departure from its usual format.
Hopefully soon, the efforts to tackle coronavirus will be going…
US shows also in doubt.
Season 12 of the US version of RuPaul’s Drag Race, which is currently airing, has concluded filming with the exception of its traditional live finale – which appears unlikely to go ahead as planned.
A fifth season of All Stars has already been filmed, while the current status of the announced Celebrity Drag Race spin-off is unclear.
Many of the show’s former contestants are among those to have lost work due to the cancellation of live shows.
Fans on the RuPaul’s Drag Race Reddit have started an effort to financially support queens who may be struggling by.
The organiser said: “As the Rona continues to spread across the globe, more and more events and gigs are getting cancelled. It’s a tough time for everyone, especially for less popular girls who are living paycheque to paycheque.
“So if you are able to, please consider buying merchandise or donating via Venmo or Paypal and watching their content where it’s monetised.
“This is the time we need to support queer artists and get through this as a community.”
