"Canada's Drag Race" Just Announced Its Queens And I’m Shook

It's finally time to meet the Queens of the North.

Get ready Canada! #CanadasDragRace is coming this summer.

Canada's Drag Race / Via Instagram

Canada's Drag Race is the first-ever Canadian adaptation of Rupaul's Drag Race.

Rupaul's Drag Race / Via giphy

Crave and OUTtv teamed up to bring Rupaul's Drag Race to Canada.

Twelve of the fiercest Canadian queens will showcase their Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent to compete to become Canada’s First Drag Superstar, and win the $100,000 grand prize.

Canada's Drag Race / Via Instagram.

The panel of expert judges includes former Drag Race contestant Brooke Lynn Hytes, actor Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, and model Stacey McKenzie. Plus Etalk senior correspondent Traci Melchor will be the very first squirrel friend.

True, north, strong, and fierce... Let's meet the queens!

Kyne (Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont.)

Canada's Drag Race / Via Instagram

Kyne is a YouTube star whose channel focusses on her love for makeup, costumes, hair, and art. Her channel has more than 100,000 subscribers. Kyne was introduced to singing divas through karaoke.

“Drag is my vehicle for all my joy, ambition and creative energy. It makes me feel alive.”

Priyanka (Toronto, Ont.)

Canada's Drag Race / Via Instagram

Before switching to a full-time career in drag, Priyanka was a kids TV host for years. Priyanka was voted Favourite Toronto Drag Queen by Toronto's NOW Magazine in 2019.

“I love drag so much. I had a drag queen perform at my 26th birthday party and they suggested I do drag. Now three titles, two music videos, and one big opportunity to be on CANADA’S DRAG RACE. I could be Canada’s First Ever Drag Superstar…what’s my name?!”

BOA (Toronto, Ont.)

Canada's Drag Race / Via Instagram

“BOA” is actually her real last name and nickname growing up. BOA is also an acronym for “Bitch on Arrival.” She's arrived!

“I love drag because it gives me the opportunity to be my authentic, goofy self and bring my audience happiness. When an audience is happy, so am I! I like my drag to allow people to let loose, have fun, laugh and forget about all the negativity in the world.”

Ilona Verley (Vancouver, BC)

Canada's Drag Race / Via Instagram

As a two-spirit indigenous artist who grew up Nlaka'pamux, Ilona Verley strives to be the representation she wished she had seen growing up watching mainstream media.

“Drag is important to me as it is how I visually express how I see myself on the inside, and how I manifest my female energy as a two-spirit person!”

Tynomi Banks (Toronto, Ont.)

Canada's Drag Race / Via Instagram

Tynomi is known as the Dancing Queen of Toronto and is one of the most celebrated drag queens in the city.

“Tynomi Banks is fun, flirty, and fashionable. She will entertain you, all the while stealing your man in plain sight and you won't even realize it's happening.”

Rita Baga (Montréal, Que.)

Canada's Drag Race / Via Instagram

Rita Baga is very involved in the LGBTQ+ community in Montréal. She has been a driving force as part of the bid committee that submitted the city for World Pride 2023.

“I'm beyond excited to be part of this journey! I want to make my province proud and to be the very first francophone to own a Drag Superstar title. Dreams DO come true!”

Jimbo (Victoria, BC)

Canada's Drag Race / Via Instagram

With a background in cabaret performing, Jimbo loves standup and singing. Jimbo has a background in clowning and loves to incorporate elements of that into her drag.

“Drag is the perfect gateway for self-discovery and self-expression. It’s the beautiful culmination of courage, joy, performance, and artistry that inspires and entertains. Drag is a personal and political statement that challenges the social constructs to help inspire change in the world.”

Scarlett Bobo (Toronto, Ont.)

Canada's Drag Race / Via Instagram

Scarlett Bobo decided to go to circus school because she was bored! That's where she learned to eat fire, light herself on fire, and perform aerial skills.

“I love, love, LOVE doing drag because it allows me to live my truth every day and there are no rules to what I am allowed to do, say, or accomplish. CANADA’S DRAG RACE lets me express every side of myself and show others how to be fearless and authentic. I want to prove that you can stay true to who you are, no matter what.”

Kiara (Montréal, Que.)

Canada's Drag Race / Via Instagram

Kiara is one of very few queens of colour in the Québec drag scene and she is very proud to represent her community.

“Being on CANADA’S DRAG RACE is a dream come true. I’m beyond excited to be on my favourite TV show and I can’t wait to make queer Canadian her-story!”

Anastarzia Anaquway (Toronto, Ont.)

Canada's Drag Race / Via Instagram

Anastarzia Anaquway's drag is inspired by her Caribbean roots and is heavily influenced by the American drag pageant scene. She's won more than 15 pageants.

“Being on Drag Race is the culmination of an amazing 17-year career. It allows me to represent all the little black boys and girls in third world countries like the Bahamas that have huge dreams but no resources to make them a reality.”

Juice Boxx (Toronto, Ont.)

Canada's Drag Race / Via Instagram

Juice Boxx is bright, bubbly sinful, and sexy, and always adds a little bit of spice. This queen loves her education and has a Bachelor of Fine Arts – Visual Arts from the University of Windsor and a Diploma of Makeup Artistry and Special FX from CMU.

“I’m so excited to be on the first season of CANADA’S DRAG RACE and I can’t wait to show the world how incredible Canadian drag really is.”

Lemon (from Toronto, living in New York City)

Canada's Drag Race / Via Instagram

Lemon wants to bring the NYC Drag Scene influence to Canada and was chosen by Drag Race winner Sasha Velour to be one of the models in her New York Fashion Week collaboration with Opening Ceremony.

“I am so excited to be on CANADA’S DRAG RACE so I can show the world I’m not only that bitch, I’m that *Canadian* bitch.”

The herstorical first season of Canada’s Drag Race will premiere on Thursday, July 2 on Crave!

Crave / Via youtube.com

Now, just between us squirrel friends, what do you think of the Canadian queens?