Its time to duel it out.Drag Duel season 3 is here, and it features a mighty clash of drag warriors competing in the ultimate battle for their lives to become the new Drag Champion of the series.This year, 14 fierce drag artists (warriors) compete in an epic showdown cohosted by the Drag Detective and Bucy, while also welcoming Drag Duel season 1 winner Hydra and season 2 winner Dom Parinyon as main judges in this panel.Between power-ups with a few tweaks and twists, a gag-worthy premiere, and the introduction of new challenges, Drag Duel is about to level-up with a third season premiering on October 20 and dropping weekly new episodes every Monday.Heres everything you need to know about Drag Duel season 3.Guest judges appearing on Drag Duel season 3.Season 3 of Drag Duel includes former contestants from mainstream drag competition shows turning the tables and, this time, sharing their own critiques about the contestants.Namely, RuPauls Drag Race alumni DeJa Skye and Megami, as well as The Boulet Brothers Dragula: Titans season 2 competitor Blackberri, will all appear as guest judges.The new season also features Mean Girls and Looking actor Daniel Franzese, Chicago drag star Twink Trash, and model/content creator Vivian Wilson as guest judges.This is the worst look I have ever seen Im sorry, sharp-tongued icon Vivian Wilson says in a sneak preview of the season.Meet the drag warriors competing on Drag Duel season 3.A total of 14 warriors are competing in the third season of Drag Duel each of them with different drag aesthetics, strengths, backgrounds, perspectives, and tactics upon entering this battle and competing for the title of Drag Champion.From Washington, D.C. to the Netherlands to Los Angeles to Russia, these mighty warriors are ready for battle.Alex ElektraAge: 33Pronouns: she/herLocation: Belgrade, SerbiaInstagram: @alex_elektraTikTok: @alexelektraAqua FloraAge: 25Pronouns: any/allLocation: Portland, OregonInstagram: @its.aqua.floraGlass StaineAge: 27Pronouns: she/herLocation: Hartford, ConnecticutInstagram: @glassstaineTikTok: @glassstaineGwendolinAge: 22Pronouns: any/allLocation: Flagstaff, ArizonaInstagram: @gwendolindragTikTok: @gwendolindragHeavy CreamAge: 39Pronouns: he/theyLocation: Eugene, OregonInstagram: @heavy_creammmTikTok: @heavy_creammmHennesseyAge: 27Pronouns: she/herLocation: Washington, D.C.Instagram: @hennessxyTikTok: @ms.hennessxyMinervaAge: 24Pronouns: she/herLocation: Denver, ColoradoInstagram: @theminervaofficialNeon NoireAge: 36Pronouns: she/theyLocation: Amsterdam, NetherlandsInstagram: @missneonnoireTikTok: @missneonnoireRobaire BannedAge: 26Pronouns: he/himLocation: Los Angeles, CaliforniaInstagram: @robairebannedTikTok: @robairebannedShafraniaAge: 22Pronouns: she/anyLocation: Moscow, RussiaInstagram: @saffronxsaffronSmokey KarmikaelAge: 26Pronouns: she/herLocation: Chicago, IllinoisInstagram: @itssmokeykarmikaelTikTok: @smokeykarmikaelStella IncognitoAge: 23Pronouns: she/herLocation: Zagreb, CroatiaInstagram: @stella.incognitoTikTok: @stella.incognitoTransjenifahs GawdyAge: 23Pronouns: she/theyLocation: Boise, IdahoInstagram: @transjenifahsgawdyTikTok: @transjenifahsgawdyZoticAge: 31Pronouns: they/themLocation: Phoenix, ArizonaInstagram: @king_zoticTikTok: @kingzoticHow to watch Drag Duel season 3 online.Drag Duel season 3 premieres Monday, October 20, and drops weekly new episodes every Monday at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT on YouTube (free).You can also support Drag Duel and watch live viewing parties with the season 3 cast every Sunday on Patreon (requires an active subscription).

The first teaser of Pillion sent the gays into overdrive upon seeing Hollywood heartthrob Alexander Skarsgrd developing a dominant/submissive BDSM relationship with costar Harry Melling.I have an aptitude for devotion, Melling (Colin) says in the teaser when asked about his relationship with Ray (Skarsgrd).And buy yourself a butt plug, Ray tells Colin in an instantly viral scene from the teaser. Youre too tight.Yet, beyond the eroticism in Skarsgrds new queer film written and directed by Harry Lighton the gays flooded social media feeds with even more thoughts and thirst over the Swedish actor supposedly coming out of the closet in a new interview.Even though Skarsgrds quote in that particular interview has seemingly been misinterpreted, the actor does have a long history with the LGBTQ+ community. Ahead, check out some of the Pillion actors most memorable moments and statements involving queer people, culture, aesthetics, and experiences including his latest red carpet stintWhats the story of Alexander Skarsgrds gay uncle? Alexander Skarsgrd in Pillion.A24Skarsgrd was interviewed by Pride Source in 2016 as he promoted the live-action film The Legend of Tarzan for Warner Bros. Pictures. In the interview, he discussed having a gay uncle (who also happened to be his godfather).I dont know if you know this, but gay men love you, the Pride Source reporter said.Skarsgrd replied, Oh, really?They do, the reporter teased. Is that surprising to hear?Skarsgrd said, I dont know how to answer that question, but thank you. That's very flattering to hear. It's always been the most natural thing to me because my uncle and godfather is a gay man. So, growing up even as a little toddler it was just as natural as being straight.My aunt would show up with her husband, and my uncle would show up with his husband, the actor added. He was, by far, out of my fathers four siblings, the most fashionable and the most trendy, cool guy. So, when I was a kid, he was the one I looked up to. I thought he was really badass: Fit and awesome and cool, and obviously not just because he was gay. When I became a teenager and the kids made fun of other teenagers who were gay, I never really understood that.Skarsgrd concluded, It just baffled me because my idol, my godfather, was gay And he was the coolest guy I knew. I just couldnt understand how that could be an insult.What was Alexander Skarsgrds sexuality on HBOs True Blood? Ryan Kwanten and Alexander Skarsgrd on True Blood.HBOSkarsgrd reached new heights in his career and became a certified Hollywood sex symbol while playing pansexual vampire Eric Northman on HBOs True Blood. At the time, some critics argued that the series was too gay a criticism that Skarsgrd felt was ridiculous.What was so interesting about the show was that it wasnt on the nose, Skarsgrd told Pride Source. Its obviously a cultural reference and a metaphor A lot of the storylines are metaphors for the strife people in the LGBT community experience, but it's done in a very subtle way, where people who have never met anyone who's gay or who have prejudice toward that community would still embrace the show and would still come up (to me) and be super excited about it.They also would love Lafayette I mean, a Black gay man. What [creator] Alan [Ball] did was beautiful and it was groundbreakingIn this instance, a lot of people who didnt have anyone close to them in the LGBT community suddenly had someone in their living room every Sunday night that they loved.Whats Alexander Skarsgrds advice for straight actors doing gay sex scenes? Alexander Skarsgrd at the premiere screening of Infinity Pool at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2023 in Park City, Utah.Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesSkarsgrd was also not concerned, when asked in 2016, about doing gay sex scenes on True Blood. In fact, he even shared some advice with straight actors who might feel tense and/or uncertain.You just have to embrace it. I had two gay sex scenes on the show; theyre incredible scenes, the actor recalled. I remember talking to Theo [Alexander], who played the Greek lover of Russell Edgington [played by Denis OHare], and that was the first gay sex scene I had on True Blood. Hes also a straight guy and he was nervous; he had never kissed a guy before. I just said, Look at the scene. Its this nemesis. When he comes in, it gets seductive.Skarsgrd elaborated, If we commit to this, its going to be an amazing scene, and we're going to be very happy with it forever. If we hold back, thats when it gets awkward.Lady Gagas poisoned lover in the Paparazzi music video (2009) was played by Alexander Skarsgrd. Alexander Skarsgrd starring in Lady Gagas Paparazzi music video.Interscope RecordsSkarsgrd also discussed the idea that his gay following mightve grown even more after he starred in Lady Gagas 2009s music video of Paparazzi.I wasnt famous at all. I wore a wig in the first season of True Blood, so no one ever recognized me, Skarsgrd told Pride Source. But my friend Jonas kerlund is a tremendous music video director and called me and said, Hey, Im directing this video for an artist. Her name is Lady Gaga. Id heard her name, but didn't know much about her.kerlunds pitch, according to Skarsgrd? You throw her off the balcony and then she comes back and she poisons you. The actor added, It sounded like a fun love story, so of course I said yes. I had a super fun day.For context, Paparazzi was the first installment of Gagas planned trilogy of music videos that have Telephone (featuring Beyonc) as part two. Fans have been eagerly anticipating a third video to conclude the trilogy which would probably involve kerlund as director, and perhaps even flashbacks with Skarsgrd? One can dream!TKAlexander Skarsgrd attended a movie premiere in full glamazon drag. Actors Bel Powley and Alexander Skarsgrd, alongside director Marielle Heller, at the premiere screening of The Diary Of a Teenage Girl in August 2015.Miikka Skaffari/Getty Images Picture it: Castro Theatre, San Francisco, 2015.Skarsgrd and his full height of 64 walked the red carpet for his latest movie, The Diary of a Teenage Girl, in full glamazon drag And even looked gorge, one could say.When was Alexander Skarsgrd spotted at a gay nightclub? (@) Yes, Skarsgrd seemingly out of nowhere appeared at a gay venue in Sweden named Club Backdoor in September 2023.As a 64 man who also happens to be a big Hollywood star, lets just say that it wasnt entirely difficult for people at the club to spot him. Throughout the night, the actor was seen in several pictures and videos that showed him dancing and having a great time. See on Instagram In one particular photo, Skarsgrd was seen posing alongside out-of-drag Vanity Vain a drag artist who competed on Drag Race Sverige season 1 and subsequently returned to Mama Rus queendom for RuPauls Drag Race Global All Stars. In the picture, the actor was even seen wearing Vanity Vain merch.Hollywood kissed me and wore my merch, the Drag Race alum wrote in the caption. In a report from that wild night from Gayety, Club Backdoor was described as Scandinavias biggest gay club.Alexander Skarsgrd and Pedro Pascal kissed at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. (@) Pillion premiered at the 78th Cannes Film Festival and received a seven-minute standing ovation from the audience.As Skarsgrd felt all the love that he and the film received from the festivalgoers, Skarsgrd returned it two-fold with a warm embrace and by planting a wet one on the cheek of a smiling Pedro Pascal who was on his feet, as noted by The Hollywood Reporter. The concept of two Hollywood heartthrobs kissing each other at a film festival to celebrate that a new project has been well-received A beautiful concept, honestly.How did Alexander Skarsgrd and Jack McBrayer become such close friends? (@) Another intense discourse regarding Skarsgrds sexuality involves fellow actor Jack McBrayer, best known for playing Kenneth The Page Parcell on 30 Rock (the hit NBC series created by Tina Fey after she left Saturday Night Live).Lets circle back to what we do know for a fact. Skarsgrd and McBrayer have been friends since 2012 as they attended the same Hollywood events and found out that they happened to be neighbors (per Cracked).The publication outlined that the two actors have been to NASCAR races together, coffee shop dates, and Skarsgrd even took McBrayer as his date to the 2018 SAG Awards during his Big Little Lies stint. Otherwise, the duo starred together in a Funny or Die video.Theyre two Hollywood stars who have known each other for 13 years and bonded during a period when they were neighbors. The comedy bit of McBrayer being taken to award shows by Skarsgrd is hilarious, too, but thats really all there is to it. Did Alexander Skarsgrd come out in an interview for Pillion? Alexander Skarsgrd and Harry Melling in Pillion.A24 Thousands of fans have taken to social media to gleefully comment on and/or react to Skarsgrd seemingly coming out in an interview with Variety. While its totally possible for a person to come out at any stage in life, its important to note that this particular new statement from Skarsgrd was not a coming-out story.When asked if his real-life experiences played a factor in this performance as a biker gang leader who develops a dominant/submissive relationship with a younger man (played by Melling) in Pillion, Skarsgrd noted that its not really relevant what my background is.The actor added, What Ive done in the past, who Ive been with, men, women To me, what was important was that this felt like an opportunity to tell a story about a subculture I hadnt seen portrayed this way with so much authenticity. (@) Mikelle Street perfectly articulated the misunderstanding that is happening here. What he said is that its not relevant whether hes been with men or women, he wrote on X/Twitter. He didnt say Ive been with men and women. A comma, used in a list can be used as and or it can be used as or. In this sentence, context says or!The first comma in Skarsgrds answer is also worth paying attention to. The actor essentially said that playing this character had nothing to do with who he has been with. So, it doesnt matter if he had been with men, or with women, in the past. He still approached the performance in the same way.Alexander Skarsgrd brings leather daddy energy to the BFI red carpet. Alexander Skarsgrd in an interview with the British Film Institute at the 69th BFI London Film Festival.Instagram (@britishfilminstitute) Skarsgrd made headlines once again at the Headline Gala screening of Pillion during the 69th BFI London Film Festival held on Saturday, October 18. While it made sense for the actor to reference the theme/aesthetic of the film itself while attending this screening, he certainly wasnt obligated to do any of that. (Thankfully, he did.)Styled by Harry Lambert, Skarsgrd wore a full look from Ludovic de Saint Sernins fall 2025 collection, Anna Cafolla wrote for Vogue. A white, backless halter-neck shirt with a skinny leather tie, with tight, lace-up leather pants, and chunky round-toe Jimmy Choo boots.Skarsgrd went even more viral while raising his left arm during an interview with the British Film Institute, showing off his strong arms and armpit hair seemingly by accident.Who is Alexander Skarsgrds wife? Alexander Skarsgrd and Tuva Novotny alongside Christos Nikou at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival at Palazzo del Cinema in Venice, Italy.Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for LexusSkarsgrd isnt legally married and thus doesnt have a wife but has been in a relationship with Swedish actress Tuva Novotny since 2022, as reported by numerous publications like Elle.In 2023, Skarsgrd confirmed to Entertainment Tonight that he and Novotny had just welcomed their first child. Despite being in the film industry for more than two decades, Novotny has famously kept a private life.Pillion is coming to theaters in 2026

Outwit, outplay, outlast.Hosted by Jeff Probst for a milestone total of at least 50 seasons now, Survivor hasnt necessarily been outwardly marketed for LGBTQ+ viewers, but has always attracted a very loyal queer audience while featuring various out and proud contestants on a reality competition series airing on broadcast television. Each season, one Sole Survivor gets to outwit, outplay, and outlast all other castaways, and takes home the grand prize of $1 million dollars.There have been waves of positive and negative LGBTQ+ representation on Survivor and, with it, equally varying waves of queer interest in the franchise. Though this reality series started out strong displaying gay people being just as imperfect (but also just as strong to compete and even win the show) as everyone else, things took a bit of a negative turn in earlier seasons that followed Survivor: Borneo (season 1), and then more positive periods of representation over the years, too.As Survivor reaches 50 seasons and celebrates 25 years of being on the air, it is now a bit clearer to assess, critique, and praise the show for its overall LGBTQ+ visibility faults and all. Ahead, a deep dive exploring some of the most noteworthy LGBTQ+ contestants from Survivor history.Sonja Christopher Survivor: Borneo (Season 1)Sonja Christopher made history in three pretty iconic ways as a contestant on Survivor: Borneo, the first-ever season of show. For one, she was the first out lesbian contestant of the series. Moreover, Sonja was 63 years old while competing, holding the record for oldest woman to ever play Survivor.As member of the Tagi tribe on Survivor, Sonja underperformed in the first-ever Immunity Challenge of the entire U.S. franchise. This was a big enough reason for others in the Tagi tribe to vote her out at Tribal Council, bringing us to Sonjas third milestone: She was the first person to ever get eliminated from Survivor.Sonja reportedly passed away in April 2024 at age 87. Even as the CBS series reaches its 50th season, Sonja would still hold her records and be remembered fondly for being a pioneer in this wild game that still excites fans from all over the world.Richard Hatch Survivor: Borneo (Season 1)The first-eliminated castaway of Survivor: Borneo was a lesbian, and the winner of that first season was a gay man named Richard Hatch. In hindsight, its increasingly hard to divorce the LGBTQ+ community from a show that, for so long, was considered a more masculine alternative to 2000s reality TV shows like Americas Next Top Model, Project Runway, American Idol, and even Big Brother.Besides being an out gay man, Hatchs victory felt notable at the time because he wasnt as lean or athletic as some of his competitors (and most winners that followed Survivor: Borneo). Hatch was also very comfortable walking around naked in the wilderness, which led to a naked fat guy description that didnt seem to bother him.Hatchs public life as the OG Survivor winner has been one of the most intense roller-coaster rides in reality TV history. Between accusing producers of cheating, going to jail for alleged tax evasion while insisting on his innocence, returning for the first-ever Survivor: All-Stars (season 8), competing on The Biggest Loser, and his cheeky return for House of Villains season 2, Hatchs life has been wildly eventful, to say the least.Brandon Quinton Survivor: Africa (Season 3)Brandon Quinton was a 25-year-old bartender from Dallas, Texas when he competed in the third season of series, dubbed Survivor: Africa.Looking back on his reality TV run, Quinton told Entertainment Weekly in a 2021 interview that he was extremely proud that CBS chose to have a really flamboyant (out) gay character on the number-one show in the country, back in 2001 even if he felt like he didnt come off as a beloved character to viewers at the time.Quinton finished Survivor: Africa in eighth place overall just a few days prior to the merger phase of season 3.John Carroll Survivor: Marquesas (Season 4)The typical villainous gay person archetype which can be fun in certain contexts and specific periods in mainstream media was employed in its full shady force against John Carroll on Survivor: Marquesas.Even though this show is all about reaching ones extremes and playing what can be described as a ruthless game, Carroll was edited out to be a cruel villain who was in direct opposition to one of the biggest fan-favorite Survivor players of all time: Rob Mariano, a.k.a. Boston Rob.During season 4 of the show, Boston Rob literally outed Carroll to an entire tribe and then called him a big time queer in a confessional interview, doubling down on the outing for TV audiences. An absolutely wild and unbelievable moment for this show, even back then.Ami Cusack and Scout Cloud Lee Survivor: Vanuatu (Season 9)For both positive and negative reasons, the journeys of Ami Cusack and Scout Cloud Lee were intrinsically linked on Survivor: Vanuatu. The season, which aired in 2004, introduced Cusack as a 31-year-old coffee barista from Lakewood, Colorado; and Lee as a 59-year-old rancher from Stillwater, Oklahoma.On the positive side, the show cast two out lesbians who represented different generations of queer identity, and who they made history when forming a strategic alliance on Survivor: Vanuatu that went against the historically misogynistic and homophobic portrayals of women competing against one another in mainstream media.Cusack and Lee had also been in loving relationships for a while which couldve been another positive moment for the show, but went completely sideways once both of them made it to the famous loved ones visit moment in every Survivor season. As acknowledged by Michael Block on Collider:Ami was visited by her girlfriend, Christy, and Scout was visited by her life partner, Annie Both couples were greeted with a kiss, but producer Mark Burnett removed them from the show in hopes of protecting his franchise by not showing a lesbian kiss at the 8 oclock hour.Ozzy Lusth Survivor: Cook Islands (Season 13)Ozzy Lusth has been one of the biggest heartthrobs in Survivor history, which meant that queer fans of the series were found malfunctioning when he casually came out as bisexual in 2022 while standing up against his Republican Colleagues in a tweet (now X post).Over the years, Ozzy competed on Survivor: Cook Islands (finishing as runner-up), Survivor: Micronesia (finishing in 9th place), Survivor: South Pacific (finishing in 4th place), and Survivor: Game Changers (finishing in 12th place).Parvati Shallow Survivor: Cook Islands (Season 13)The reality TV legend Parvati Shallow started her journey back in 2006, on Survivor: Cook Islands, when she was introduced to the public as a 23-year-old boxer from West Hollywood, California. Parvati finished that first season in sixth place and became an immediate favorite to come back for another season.And that, she did! Parvati returned to compete on Survivor: Micronesia - Fans vs. Favorites (season 16) and went on to win the show. She came back again for Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains (season 20), and impressively almost won the show again, finishing as runner-up. Parvatis third comeback season was on Survivor: Winners at War, the all-winners cycle that awarded a $2 million grand prize to its winner. Unfortunately, the odds werent in Parvs favor in WaW, leading to her finish in 15th place.Parvati came out as queer in December 2023 after Winners at War, but before she returned for another season of reality TV while announcing that she was in a relationship with actor and comedian Mae Martin.After being reintroduced to reality TV viewers, as well as new wave of fans, during her run on The Traitors season 2, Parvati was eventually cast on the juggernaut season Survivor: Australia V The World, where she won the competition and became one of very few two-time Survivor winners in history.Todd Herzog Survivor: China (Season 15)It took 14 other seasons for the series to crown its next out gay winner, Todd Herzog, on Survivor: China. At the time, Herzog was a 22-year-old flight attendant from Pleasant Grove, Utah, and identified himself as a superfan of the show.Unlike Hatch, Herzogs placement as a Survivor winner was much more unanimously celebrated due to his infectious love for the game and that he wasnt perceived negatively by any particular major sector of the fandom. Quite the opposite: Herzog remains one of the most popular Survivor winners of all time gay or otherwise.Spencer Duhm Survivor: Tocantins (Season 18)Spencer Duhm had a very memorable run on Survivor: Tocantins as an 18-year-old student from Gainesville, Florida who identified as an out gay man but still feared any repercussions related to his sexuality.Unlike so many other out gay contestants fans had seen on Survivor over the years who, ridiculed/erased or not, were old enough to be sure of themselves, Duhm was very young while competing on the show and was scared of having his sexuality weaponized against him. Within the universe of Survivor, he was also challenged to find a balance between being perceived as a controversial gay castaway like Hatch, or like a very similar (young, gay, superfan) castaway like Herzog.It was unfortunate to see Duhm crumbling under pressure and placing 12th on Survivor: Tocantins despite having so much potential to go further.Zeke Smith Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X (Season 33)Zeke Smith became the first-ever trans man to compete the show during his run on Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X, but unfortunately had that experience tainted by a fellow competitor a gay man literally outing him as trans during a Tribal Council.Why havent you told anyone youre transgender? the gay competitor had the nerve to ask. Zeke replied that he didnt want to be labeled the trans Survivor player, but just Zeke the Survivor player, like everyone else.Zeke thankfully received support from his fellow tribe members who were furious at the situation and immediately voted out the man who was responsible for the outing.Erika Casupanan Survivor 41 (Season 41)Erika Casupanan competed on Survivor 41 as a 31-year-old communications manager from Toronto, Ontario and ultimately went on to win the entire season. Though she wasnt out when the season aired in December 2021, she did come out two years later in a pretty memorable Instagram post that had reality TV fans losing their minds.Erika wrote in her coming out post shared on Instagram:Throwback to last New Years Eve when I tried to do the eat grapes while sitting under a table at midnight and youll get a boyfriend by the end of the year trend, but I didnt have grapes, so I chugged wine and instead that year I realized Im a lesbian. Close enough, right? [rainbow emoji].Albeit retroactively, Erika became the first lesbian Survivor winner and we know thats right!

YouTuber, podcaster, and content creator Derek Roiter, best known as The Drag Detective, has been building a drag reality competition series of his own, Drag Duel, which premieres its third season today on YouTube with financial support from fans on Patreon.Its fun because the first season of Drag Duel, we made every mistake we possibly could have made because of course you do! Roiter tells Out. We improved a lot in season 2, but felt that we could still up this; we can still make this better. Season 3 truly feels like the idea that I had all the way back in 2023, when we were planning season 1. This is what it truly was, and now we finally have the experience, and the financial means, and all the things to make it what we wanted it to be in the first place. So, this really feels like its just a big moment, you know what I mean? Everything has just gone so much better this time.The series is cohosted by Roiter himself and drag artist Bucy. In season 3, theyll be joined by the two previous winners of Drag Duel: Hydra (season 1) and Dom Parinyon, (season 2). We were actually inspired by Dragula having Landon Cider come back so much, he notes.Bucy and I make the challenges, judge the challenges, do all of the behind the scenes stuff But we dont really know what its like to be in the hot seat doing these challenges and feeling all that pressure, Roiter says. People who have been through this can give insight to Bucy and I. Theyre also able to give really great critiques and advice to the cast because they know what it feels like. Hydra; Dom Parinyon in the trailer for Drag Duel season 3.YouTube (@DragDuel)And since were on the topic of sharing feedback and giving critiquesThe Drag Detectives most notorious video series, The Riggory Of, features Roiter narrating each episode of a past RuPauls Drag Race season and evaluating how fair or rigged he believes the critiques were. (The rigging concept within reality TV dates back to the first season of Survivor, when contestant Stacey Stillman reportedly sued the production team, alleging that they had rigged the contest to get her voted off the show instead of another contestant The case was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.)Terms like rigged and riggory are less literal and severe these days, but its still interesting to see the one and only creator of The Riggory Of videos now making and judging his own reality competition show for its third consecutive year. You know if I had a show and it was rigged I would be reaped through the coals, Bernardo! Itd be over for me, Roiter admits with both self-awareness and sense of humor. There will be no Riggory Of Drag Duel season 3 videos, I could tell you that.An exciting lineup of guest judges will join Roiter, Bucy, Hydra, and Dom Parinyon in the judging panel of Drag Duel season 3. These special judges include The Boulet Brothers Dragula: Titans season 2 star Blackberri, plus Drag Race alumni DeJa Skye and Megami. The queen who Protects Queer Art herself! Roiter says of the latter. Blackberri; DeJa Skye; Megami on Drag Duel season 3. YouTube (@DragDuel) Other guest judges appearing on Drag Duel season 3 are actor Daniel Franzese (Mean Girls, Looking), Chicago drag queen Twink Trash, and model/content creator Vivian Wilson. She already followed us, Roiter says of Wilson. So I reached out and I was like, We would love to have you be a guest judge. And shes like, I was going to ask you, but I didnt want to sound like a nerd. And I was like, No, please! Come on.The drag warriors competing on Drag Duel season 3 will experience quite a few twists during this cycle. We kind of reused a lot of the challenges from season 1 into season 2, and we do bring back a couple of challenges for season 3. But we did a lot of new challenges. And, with that, comes new ways to judge, Roiter teases. Were testing challenges, seeing what works, seeing what doesnt.Roiter explains that all runway categories for season 3 aimed to set up all warriors whether drag queens, kings, or in-betweens to succeed. We have an urban legends runway. We have a tarot card runway, Roiter explains. We gave them the space to be as creative as possible, and they absolutely ran with it.Season 3 will also see the return of power-ups on Drag Duel, but this time making more room for strategic moves. There are a lot more opportunities to actively sabotage another warriors package and their submission, Roiter notes. As cliques and alliances start to form, theyre just going to be taking hits left and right at each other. The cast of warriors competing on Drag Duel season 3. Instagram (@dragduel) Roiter notes that Drag Duel season 3 has a lot of really different personalities that simply do not get along. So do expect some drama, mama. But beyond warrior-on-warrior drama, the stakes are higher this season for queens like Shafrania, who lives in Russia. Shes doing drag in a country where queer people are not accepted So were going to see, when someone is living in a country like that, what is their drag like? How do they approach what they do with their drag? Roiter muses.We also have someone from Croatia, and the Balkan region is very anti-LGBTQ+, he points out. Were going to get to see a lot of really cool stories of trans people, trans masc, trans femme, people from different countries Its just really cool to see the bonds that they make, and the conversations that can be had through their varied backgrounds.This season of Drag Duel also includes the first-ever returning warrior of the entire series, Glass Staine, who competed in season 1 but dropped out of the show back then.It wasnt because she was upset with anything, she just had a rough financial situation at the time, Roiter recalls, who clarifies that Glass Staine was not invited or favored to return. She put in the application, did the audition, did the interview, and the whole thing. When we looked at who we wanted to see on the season, it just felt correct to give her a real shot. Glass Staine on Drag Duel season 3.Instagram (@dragduel)On the heels of Revrys King of Drag having just aired its first season, Roiter passionately advocates for more drag king representation on all drag shows, including his own. In fact, Dom Parinyon a drag king won Drag Duel season 2 after having slayed the entire competition, from start to finish, Roiter says, and Parinyon is now joining Roiter and Bucy as a main judge for season 3.When asked about the never-ending discourse about drag kings competing on shows like Drag Race alongside drag queens, Roiter doesnt mince words: That was part of the experiment of Drag Duel on season 1. I felt like kings and things and monsters and queens could all coexist in the same competition, and we realized very quickly that was the case. Do you have to make sure that the runway prompts can fit every style of drag? Yes. Do you have to make sure that there are a couple male songs in that the kings could get to do? Yes. But its just tweaking a few things.Roiter also reflects on the fans response to Dom Parinyon competing on and winning the second season of Drag Duel. The amount of comments on our posts and videos of Dom Parinyon in season 2 Like, Id never heard of a drag king, but all it took was watching Dom Parinyon once, and I suddenly am a fan. Or people saying, I never liked drag kings, but Dom, you made me a fan.Sometimes it just takes the exposure to make people a fan, or to make people understand the art form better, Roiter argues. While many influencers, YouTubers, TikTokers, etc., dont confront the business part of show business for as long as they can avoid it, Roiter has been an exceptionally wise content creator over the years.From diversifying his channels of distribution to creating content franchises that he can rely on for steady engagement to even launching his very own drag competition series on the internet, its not surprising that Roiter is fully prepared to answer a question about the current administrations onslaught of censorship over content ranging from the erasure of LGBTQ+ history from government websites and cultural spaces to attempts to censor late-night talk shows and comedians which has been a dizzying concern for many queer and trans content creators, as well as drag queens specifically.Generally, LGBTQ+ creators who make a living on ad-supported platforms like YouTube and Twitch, and/or monetize from social networks like Instagram and TikTok, fear that theyll soon face revised guidelines that could directly target content made by and for minority groups. For instance, a makeup tutorial video from a drag queen could be flagged as inappropriate in a world where conservatives argue that drag artists are dangerous for children no matter how nonsensical that sounds.My entire revenue, my YouTube channel [Drag Detective] and Drag Duel, everything is dependent on queer content being allowed to be pushed into the algorithm, Roiter considers. And Ive noticed and Ive talked to some other creators as well since recent events, the views are not coming in as they used to.So what now? Derek Roiter in a poster for Drag Duel season 3.Instagram (@dragduel)Drag Duel is 100 percent, fully funded by the fans and the people who want to watch it, Roiter says. Theres obviously an audience that wants this type of content, and wants this type of queer representation, on their televisions. Around the world, all kinds of people you could imagine. So, it is needed, and it is necessary.For Roiter, the show must and will go on no matter what changes and what challenges come his way. For me, whether we have to move platforms, or whatever we need to do, were going to keep making this show.Its important to uplift these voices, especially trans voices, who need help at the moment from allies both inside and outside the queer community, he goes on. So it is our job, I think, as queer people, to use our platforms to help. A show like Drag Duel is perfect for them to show off their art and their stories.Roiter highlights that so much fear-mongering leads to people just making assumptions about our community. But when theyre just shown, This is who we are, and this is what we represent As long as they have an open mind, theyre going to be OK with it. Theyre going to fall in love with the art that we create.Drag Duel season 3 premieres today, and drops weekly new episodes every Monday at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT on YouTube for free. Fans can support Drag Duel and access bonus content by subscribing to the shows official page on Patreon.