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RuPaul‘s Drag Race icon and RuPaul’s very own makeup artist Raven is returning to compete in the franchise’s new spinoff Drag Race Down Under vs The World.

Raven was announced as part of the spinoff series’ cast on Tuesday, marking her long-awaited return to the Drag Race universe, in front of the camera, that is. The drag artist, whose real name is David Petruschin, first appeared on season two of RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2010, where she placed second; Raven competed once more in season one of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars in 2012, where she again placed as runner-up.

Petruschin joined the team at RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2017 during filming for season nine, where she has remained through season 18 and earned one Emmy Award and two additional nods. As Raven, she also co-hosts the widely popular Drag Race companion fashion YouTube series Fashion Photo RuView.

Raven’s casting on Drag Race Down Under vs The World, which is hosted by RuPaul’s right-hand Michelle Visage, came as a shock on Tuesday. She was previously teased as part of the All Stars season seven, the first all-winners Drag Race season, in a gaggy moment where she entered the Werk Room but did not end up competing on the installment.

While some users speculated online that Raven’s casting may be another gag, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed she will be an official competitor on Drag Race Down Under vs The World.

Alongside Raven, 10 additional queens join the first season of Drag Race Down Under vs The World. The cast includes Art Simone (Down Under); Coco Jumbo (Down Under); Estrella Xtravaganza (España); Flor (Down Under); LaLa Ri (USA); Miss Jade So (Philippines); Michael Marouli (UK); Nikita Iman (Down Under); Nicole Paige Brooks (USA); and Vybe (Down Under).

Drag Race Down Under vs The World will premiere on WOW Presents Plus on July 24, where Visage will host alongside judges Rhys Nicholson and Drag Race Down Under season four winner Lazy Susan.

Down Under vs The World is the third vs The World spinoff for the franchise, following in the footsteps of the British and Canadian-set vs The World shows, which bring queens from around the globe to compete against one another. It is an extension of Drag Race Down Under, which was originally named RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under and debuted in 2021. In March 2024, the series was renamed to simply Drag Race Down Under when RuPaul stepped down as host and Visage took his place for season four. 

Of being asked to host Drag Race Down Under, Visage previously told The Hollywood Reporter she had “zero hesitation” when asked to step into the role. “Also, what a freaking honor. Me and some of our fabulous queens from Down Under joining me? It’s just wonderful,” she added.

Drag Race Down Under vs The World is a WOW production in collaboration with Stan in Australia and WOW Presents Plus. Fenton Bailey, Barbato, Tom Campbell and RuPaul Charles serve as executive producers for WOW; Adrian Swift and Tina Diaz serve as executive producers for Stan.