THE title ‘Drag Supreme’ has found its destined queen.
Brian Black, also known as NAIA, bested other seven contenders to win the Drag Den Philippines’ title ‘Drag Supreme’ last January 26 in Taguig City.
Drag Den Philippines’ host and ‘Drag Lord’ Manila Luzon crowned the 26 year-old stunner during a watch party.
The finals saw the final three contestants — NAIA, Maria Cristina and Shewarma — competing in five rounds:
- swimsuit
- evening gown
- national costume
- lip-sync battle for Sarah Geronimo’s hit song Kilometro
- question and answer portion.
Who is NAIA?
NAIA is a Broadcast Communication major from the University of the Philippines Diliman.
The drag queen served as a Councilor at the UP Diliman University Student Council. She was also the President of the UP Children’s Rights Advocates League (UP CRAdLe), and the National Convener at Youth Act Now Against Tyranny.
NAIA admitted that she just learned how to use makeup in 2018. Makeup is a holy grail for every drag queen.
A win from behind
NAIA struggled at the start of the competition. She was at the bottom of the Drag Den Philippines during the pilot episode last December 8, 2022. She only ranking 8th on the pilot episode.
With sheer determination, NAIA redeemed herself and consistently placed on the top of the competition giving her the chance to become one of the finalists of the show.
The drag queen gave her best to win the crown and her efforts bore sweet fruits as she mesmerized the judges on her performance for the swimsuit round, evening gown round, national costume round, and the question and answer portion which locked her spot at the top.
The winning answer
A pageant will never be complete without a question and answer portion. Thus, Drag Den Philippines finalists were asked a question that would make or break any queen.
What is the one and only one quality that makes you the true Drag Supreme?
NAIA answered: “I’ve stumbled and I’ve gone through so much hardship, especially in this competition, and Manila you’ve opened my eyes to what drag can truly be. It is freedom of expression and I can’t be more happy to be here. I hope that my story inspires young queer artists who are afraid of putting themselves out there because I was afraid. But thank you, Manila, for giving me this platform because I was able to prove that growth is what you need to become the next drag supreme”.
The drag queen showed her will to inspire young artists through her own story being someone who was also afraid at first to express herself in the drag scene.
What is Drag Den Philippines?
Drag Den Philippines is a drag pageantry reality competition series which premiered on Amazon Prime Video last December 8, 2022.
The first season is hosted by Filipino-American drag queen Manila Luzon aka “Drag Lord” alongside influencer Sassa Gurl aka “drag runner” and beauty queen Nicole Cordoves as the “drag dealer”.
Eight drag queens named as Shewarma, Lady Gagita, O-A, Maria Cristina, Pura Luka Vega, Aries Night, Barbie-Q, and NAIA joined the pageantry reality competition.
The show also had their guest judges for every episode which they call as the ‘Drag Enforcer’. Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray was the first Drag Enforcer of the show. Actress and comedian K Brosas, actress Eula Valdez, and singer KZ Tandingan were also invited as guest judges of the competition.
Drag Den Philippines locked in a cash prize amounting to Php 1 million in total, P100,000 worth of shoes from Jose Bragais, P100,000 worth of products from SNAILWHITE Philippines, two-night stay at Angkla Beach Club and Boutique Hotel, three-year talent management contract from CS Entertainment, one year supply of Teviant Beauty cosmetics, one-year contract from Avignon Clinic, and a crown.
Drag Den Philippines was supposed to be the first drag reality show in the country after being announced last July 2021. However, Drag Race Philippines has already been released in August 2022, four months prior to the pilot episode of Drag Den PH.
Banner courtesy: Drag Den PH
