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As early as Drag Race Philippines season 1, fans assumed that, given the queens’ quality, Filipina RuGirls would eventually make their way to international franchises. So, season 1 alumnus Minty Fresh competing on Drag Race UK vs The World season 3 shouldn’t come that much of a shock for those who have been keeping up with local drag.
As the third Filipina queen to compete on an international franchise after Marina Summers and Eva Le Queen, Minty is taking on the world stage against strong competition. But more than just stomping down the runway every week, Minty is hoping to leave a mark that lasts beyond her run on the show.
RELATED: Minty Fresh Is Set To Make Her Global Mark On Drag Race UK vs The World Season 3
Planet Fresh
“I have always been ready to compete,” she tells MEGA Asia on competing in an international Drag Race season in her trademark confidence. “I always wanted to.” It was a couple of hours before the UK vs The World season 3 premiere viewing party, where Filipino fans would gather at Rampa in Quezon City to watch Minty’s global RuGirl debut. As the star of the show, Minty wasn’t nervous and was more excited, honored, and slightly emotional for what was to come. “Nung nareceive ko ang call, it was the time na least ko in-expect,” the drag artist admits. “But, syempre, I said yes. Pero hindi ko lang siya ini-expect that time.”
OnDrag Race Philippines season 1, Minty gave good TV with a mix of drama with her deadpan humor, talent, confidence, and, yes, fashion. Above anything, Minty Fresh is most known for her looks that, combined with her signature mug, make for a killer combination. Minty is aware of that fact. But for UK vs The World, she didn’t just bring beautiful gowns to the UK; she made sure that each piece had a purpose. Whether it was connected to Filipino culture or tied to something more personal, the outfits touched upon something deeper, other than the aesthetics.
“They labeled me as a fashion queen, so added pressure yun especially sa visuals ko and sa look ko. So going back, gusto ko lahat ng yung runway ko hindi lang siya basta maganda. It should have a story, it should have a meaning.” That mindset was visible in the first episode, where Minty’s entrance look by Daniel Manila was in head-to-toe mint, a reference to her name.
Later that episode, for the runway theme of For Queen and Country, she stepped on the mainstage in a Santi Obcena-designed Filipiniana made out of thrifted material, a nod to ukay-ukay’s influence in Philippine culture and Minty’s personal life. “The ukay-ukay look, may meaning siya sa akin na I started there,” Minty explains. “And even now, I still go to ukay-ukay. It’s really a big part of my drag.”
It’s Time To Freshen Up
While Minty is the only queen from Drag Race Philippines competing on the season, that doesn’t mean that she’s the only queen on the cast who can relate to the references she brings. Joining Minty this season are two other Filipino queens, Melinda Verga from Canada’s Drag Race season 4 and Zahira Zapanta from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season 6. Their presence proved invaluable to Minty, who had to travel across the world to film the show.
“Actually, yes, it changed something, as it felt a bit like home,” she shares. “Nakatulong siya sa akin kasi going to the UK, ang layo ko sa support system ko. Yun yung isa sa pinakahardest part of the competition is being away from your support system. But when I was there with Zahira and Melinda, it felt like, ‘oh my god, these are my people,’ and it felt like home.”
The three queens formed a fast friendship and even spoke to each other in Tagalog on set, which apparently was not allowed by the production so as not to give them an unfair advantage. Add to that the bond Minty and Drag Race Thailand season 3 finalist Gawdland also formed, and the Filipina queen had her Southeast Asian support system.
Ultimately, regardless of how her run may end up, Minty Fresh hopes that people enjoy the new season, not just for the strong cast, but also for how it shows how queens from different backgrounds can come together to deliver drag excellence. “I hope [people] get inspired. Especially the young kids who want to do drag. Sana suportahan nila ito, like the other seasons of Drag Race. I promise you this is gonna be an iconic season. And every queen na nandoon is really like… meron something to offer. May iba-iba. It’s very diverse.”
Photos: MINTY FRESH (via Instagram), WOW PRESENTS PLUS (via Website), THE PLAYHOUSE
