Maxie on joining Queen of the Universe Season 2: I manifested it!

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino drag queen Maxie Andreison is proud to represent the Philippines as one of the contestants in Queen of the Universe Season 2, the “first all-drag, all-singing” international competition.

The first Filipino and Southeast Asian contender in the now-showing popular show is up against “the world’s most talented drag queens” from Israel, Italy, Australia, Brazil, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Mexico and the United States.

Each episode features the contestants debuting a new musical number in front of a live audience in hopes of being crowned “Queen of the Universe.” Judges are Spice Girls’ Mel B, Emmy-winning producer and RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage, Grammy nominee Vanessa Williams, and American drag superstar Trixie Mattel.

Global drag icon RuPaul is executive producer on the series, alongside MTV Entertainment Studios and World of Wonder, which produces the Emmy-winning franchise RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Queen of the Universe premiered on Paramount+ last June 2, but will be available to fans in the Philippines from Sept. 5 on Wowpresents+. As of last weekend, Maxie is still in the running for the top prize, which includes cash amounting to $250,000.

The STAR had a recent exclusive interview with Maxie who talked more about her participation in the US-based competition. She shared how starstruck she was, especially when she met the panel of judges and British host Graham Norton.

“First, I couldn’t even speak because I used to just watch them on YouTube,” Maxie recalled, adding she never imagined she would meet them one day. “So it was so, so amazing.”

On her competitors, she said, “They are all kind and gorgeous. They are very approachable. We are rooting for each other. It’s a very friendly competition and we have a good sisterhood.”

Maxie, by the way, got her stage name from her first professional job back in 2013, when as a 13 year old, she became the lead in MAXIE The Musical: Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (then credited as Jayvhot Galang). Just look at how far Maxie has come.

Below are more excerpts from the virtual chat:

On joining an international drag competition:

“I’ve been manifesting this since when I was a child. I mean, if you remember (the defunct TV show) Wil Time Bigtime, my performance there? I can clearly remember that I told the host and the Philippines that I’m going to be an international star. Queen of the Universe is my first step and so I joined.

“Of course, it was difficult. It’s a competition but most of the time, it was fun and exciting.”

On how her interest in the art of drag started:

“I’ve been performing since I was three. So the stage is my playground. I started doing drag when I was 11 and my aunt is also a drag queen who dragged me into this world. And I wanted to be in this world. So, I decided that this is going to be my pathway and I know that in my heart, my soul and my whole body that I was born to be a drag queen.

“And I’ve always wanted to be a performer. I’ve always wanted to entertain people. I’ve always wanted to become a pop star. Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Donna Summers, Diana Ross — these divas helped me become what I am onstage and they are my biggest inspiration in performing. I’ve always wanted to be like them.”

On the biggest challenge and reward for doing drag:

“The biggest challenge I think is to sustain my ability… No, no, no, no! I’m lying. My ability is in my blood (laughs). So, I think, the most difficult or challenging part is doing my makeup because sometimes I get tired. I have these rehearsals, you know. I think, that’s it.

“The most rewarding part is every time I step out on stage and seeing people who are very excited to see me, cheering and shouting my name. That is the most rewarding part of being a drag queen. Every time you perform on stage, you’ll feel like you are a superstar and that feeling is fulfilling.

“Doing drag has helped me a lot, not just financially, but also in my freedom, in my performing freedom and in my gender identity freedom.”

On advocacies she wants to promote while on the Queen of the Universe stage:

“I want people to know more about the LGBTQIA+ community. I already have these videos (which are part) of this advocacy I started when I was 14 years old. I have this Bekitaktakan which (shines a light on the) LGBTQIA+ community and (with topics like) how to practice safe sex. I started there (the LGBTQIA community) when I was a teenager. Since then, I have wanted to be a voice.”

On how she would describe the Filipino drag community to the world:

“Philippine drag queens are out of this world. They are very different from the foreigners. Every day, they are such a star because we have these incredible performances. We are very dedicated and very excited every time we step on the stage and we have this art. And we are very talented.”

On Filipino cultural values she wants to introduce on the international stage:

“It is in our culture that we love music. We approach music in different ways, so I will present that. And of course, our kindness and generosity, we’re very accommodating people. So, you know, it’s one of (the highlights) in my ‘cultural representation,’ and of course, the beautiful gays of the Philippines. So I try to represent it right, girl (laughs)!”