By Kevin Ferrisi –
The second season of Drag Duel is heating up, and if you haven’t heard of it yet, now’s the time to get familiar with this fierce online drag competition. Modeled after RuPaul’s Drag Race, Drag Duel brings 11 talented Warriors from around the world into the online Arena, where they battle it out in weekly challenges that test their creativity. Each week, one contestant will be eliminated, with only one remaining to claim the grand prize of $2,500 and a $75 lash package from LashCorps. With such a diverse cast of drag excellence, the competition is bound to be interesting.
After having two contestants from the state, Glass Staine and Susan?, compete in the first season, Connecticut is making a strong showing in the second season of the new online competition, with not one, but two local drag entertainers representing the state again! Chai, a beloved staple of Connecticut’s drag scene, joins the cast following in the footsteps of her partner, Glass Staine, who competed last year during the inaugural season. Alongside Chai, Connecticut drag king Dom Parinyon also steps into the spotlight, giving the state a double shot at drag glory. With these two fierce competitors in the mix, Connecticut is staking its claim as a powerhouse in the world of online drag competitions.
Chai is a daring and versatile drag performer, celebrated for her mix of campy humor, sensuality, and eerie flair. Recently earning the title of Mx. KYNK, she continues to make a significant impact on Connecticut’s drag scene. Her journey into drag started in March 2018, after years of being captivated by RuPaul’s Drag Race. Her family often joked that if she had been born male, drag would have been her calling, given her obsession with the show.
At the time, she wasn’t aware that cisgender women could participate in drag. Excited by this discovery, she dove into research and became involved in the online drag community. Chai began by posting on Instagram and soon entered drag competitions there. Although she was still new to the art form, she quickly climbed the ranks, participating in increasingly competitive contests. These online competitions became essential to her growth, helping her sharpen her skills and define her unique drag persona often falling into one of three themes: spooky, campy, or slutty.
In the promotional announcement released yesterday Chai shared that she wanted to join the cast and compete on Drag Duel to showcase her art as well as elevate the drag that she does. She said, “I always find that competitions bring out the best of my drag so here we are.” She hopes that fans will vote for her this season because they see something special in her. “I know that I am not going to be everyone’s cup of tea this season but I hope to be your favorite cup of tea this season.”
Dom Parinyon has been performing drag regularly for over a year. However, his initial foray into drag began much earlier. About ten years ago, while living in New York City, Dom was involved in sketch comedy and created a web series called ‘Dom and Tamantha’, where he portrayed Dom, a character in a drag couple. These characters were a playful twist on typical gender roles and took part in comedic skits mocking wealthy socialites. Although his friends encouraged him to pursue drag, Dom dismissed the idea at the time, insisting he was only a writer. It wasn’t until 2021, when he competed in a drag competition hosted by The Cake Boys, a prominent drag king collective, that Dom finally embraced drag.
Dom’s journey into drag was a natural extension of his background in acting, sketch comedy, and his evolving personal identity. Having portrayed a wide range of characters, from quirky finance bros to a singing lima bean, drag allowed him to merge his many talents as a visual artist, writer, and performer. Coming to terms with his queer identity about five years ago also influenced his decision, as drag became a creative outlet where he could blend his artistic skills and explore new characters, making it a perfect fit for his artistic path.
In true Dom fashion, he kicks off his promotional announcement released yesterday with a dash of wit and charm. He also shared that he wanted to compete on Drag Duel because even though he may be new to drag, he is super passionate about the art. Dom also explained, “I saw the other kings in the competition and I wanted to represent kings and I also wanted to represent people who are a bit older.” Being 35, he feels it’s never too late to start your drag journey and just wanted to share that with people.
Season 2 of Drag Duel is taking a new approach by prerecording the entire season, giving both the Warriors and the production team more time to perfect each round and episode. Auditions for the new season were first announced on Instagram on October 18, 2023, with sign-ups closing on November 25, and audition tapes due by December 9. The cast officially began production on April 11, 2024. Fans were thrilled when yesterday the promotional videos and cast were revealed, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting season.
The latest buzz in the online drag world, Drag Duel, is hosted and judged by YouTube’s very own Drag Detective Derek and Bucy. As this exciting online competition gains momentum, fans can show their support by following the judges and all the contestants on their social media platforms, keeping up with every fierce moment. To stay in the loop, make sure to subscribe to Drag Duel on YouTube, where new episodes drop every week. Don’t miss out on the drama, talent, and epic battles for the crown as the contestants compete for drag supremacy. The new season begins October 14, 2024.
Read more about the two Drag Duel season 2 Connecticut contestants.
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