Originally in 2013, the German company Phantomfilm acquired the production rights to create a German adaptation of RuPaul's Drag Race.[1]World of Wonder, the production company behind RuPaul's Drag Race, confirmed the upcoming adaptation by releasing a teaser trailer featuring RuPaul.[2][3] Taç Romey, the spokesperson for Phantomfilm at the time, announced that there would be little changes to the format, other than it having greater focus on comedy to adapt to the country's market, and that the show was going to air on a mainstream network, although the company was still negotiating with various channels for the broadcast.[1] Ultimately, the company's licensing rights expired, which lead to a second attempt of producing Drag Race in Germany.
In 2019, RedSeven Entertainment has opened casting for a reality competition focused about drag queens. The show, with the name of Queen of Drags, aired in the same year on ProSieben.[4] Bambi Mercury, one of the contestants on the show, later revealed in a podcast that the series was supposed to be a German adaptation of Drag Race franchise. However, after RedSeven failed to get licensing rights, the production company was forced to change the format of the show.[5]
On August 8, 2022, World of Wonder posted three casting calls on social media.[6] The casting calls were for new potential Drag Race adaptations in Brazil, Germany, and Mexico.[7][8] The deadline for the potential competitors was set for August 26, with the deadline for audition video submission set for September 9, 2022.[9] In December, it was confirmed that the new editions of the Drag Race franchise will premiere "on MTV/Paramount+ in their respective territories."[10]
Barbie Breakout and Gianni Jovanovic were confirmed as hosts and head judges in August 2023.[11] A third judge, American fashion designer Dianne Brill was confirmed the next day, as well as the premiere date, which was set for September 5.[12] The cast was revealed on August 15, 2023, featuring contestants from all over the DACH zone.[13]
The winner of the first season of Drag Race Germany, is Pandora Nox from Vienna, Austria. This also makes her the first AFAB winner in the history of the franchise.
Eleven new queens enter the workroom. For the first mini-challenge, the queens do a Bavarian Princess photoshoot. Pandora Nox wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens present their signature drag look on the runway.
On the runway, category is Signature Drag Look. Barbie Q, LéLé Cocoon and Pandora Nox receive positive critiques, with Pandora Nox winning the challenge. Nikita Vegas, Tessa Testicle and Victoria Shakespears receive negative critiques, with Nikita Vegas being safe. Tessa Testicle and Victoria Shakespears lip-sync to "Lieben wir [de]" by Shirin David. They both win the lip-sync and no one goes home.
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens get into quick drag and run on a treadmill. Yvonne Nightstand wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens create an outfit made from fetish materials.
On the runway, category is Fetish. Loreley Rivers, Pandora Nox and Tessa Testicle receive positive critiques, with Loreley Rivers winning the challenge. Barbie Q, Kelly Heelton and Victoria Shakespears receive negative critiques, with Kelly Heelton being safe. Barbie Q and Victoria Shakespears lip-sync to "Break My Heart" by Dua Lipa. Victoria Shakespears wins the lip-sync and Barbie Q is the first queen to sashay away.
Mini-Challenge: Get into quick drag and run on a treadmill
Mini-Challenge Winner: Yvonne Nightstand
Mini-Challenge Prize: A €1,000 cash tip
Main Challenge: Create an outfit made from fetish materials
Farewell Message:"¡Si! oder vielleicht No? Well... Bye. Pandora, wenn du mit jemand anders schläfst, töte ich dich ;)" ("Yes! or maybe No? Well... Bye. Pandora if you sleep with somebody else, I'll kill you ;)")
3
3
"Dragort: The Rusical" "DRAGORT"
19 September 2023 (2023-09-19)
For this week's main challenge, the queens perform in Dragort: The Rusical (CSI: Drag - The Crime Rusical).
Kelly Heelton plays Conférenciére (Emcee)
LéLé Cocoon plays Opfer (Victim)
Loreley Rivers plays Pathologin (Pathologist)
Metamorkid plays Kommissarin (Detective)
Nikita Vegaz plays KGB Agentin (KGB Agent)
Pandora Nox plays Clan Boss
Tessa Testicle plays Influencerien (Influencer)
The Only Naomy plays Model
Victoria Shakespears plays Sandmännchen (Sandman)
Yvonne Nightstand plays DJane
On the runway, category is Glitter Party. Kelly Heelton, Metamorkid and Victoria Shakespears receive positive critiques, with Metamorkid winning the challenge. Tessa Testicle, The Only Naomy and Yvonne Nightstand receive negative critiques, with Yvonne Nighstand being safe. Tessa Testicle and The Only Naomy lip-sync to "Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler. Tessa Testicle wins the lip-sync and The Only Naomy sashays away.
Guest Judge: KonstantinosTheStylist
Main Challenge: Dragort: The Rusical (CSI: Drag - The Crime Rusical)
Farewell Message:"Ladys, wir stehen auf den Schultern von Giganten! ♡ Bitte bleibt, wer ihr seid. XoXo The Only Naomy." ("Ladies, we stand on the shoulders of giants! ♡ Please remain who you are. XoXo The Only Naomy")
4
4
"Funny Shops" "Lustige Geschäfte"
26 September 2023 (2023-09-26)
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens read each other to filth. Kelly Heelton wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens team up and film a commercial selling an "impossible product".
Disco Ball Dentures - Kelly Heelton, Nikita Vegaz and Yvonne Nightstand
Personal Space Tent Umbrella - LéLé Cocoon, Pandora Nox and Tessa Testicle
Sausage Water Aftershave - Loreley Rivers, Metamorkid and Victoria Shakespears
On the runway, category is Night of a Thousand Angie's. Nikita Vegaz wins the main challenge, and Pandora Nox wins the runway challenge. LéLé Cocoon, Loreley Rivers and Tessa Testicle receive negative critiques, with Loreley Rivers being safe. LéLé Cocoon and Tessa Testicle lip-sync to "About Damn Time" by Lizzo. Tessa Testicle wins the lip-sync and LéLé Cocoon sashays away.
Guest Judge: Denis We
Mini-Challenge: Reading is Fundamental
Mini-Challenge Winner: Kelly Heelton
Mini-Challenge Prize: A €1,000 cash tip
Main Challenge: In teams, film a commercial selling an "impossible product"
Farewell Message:"Ladies, seid nett zu einander und zeigt der Welt, was ihr drauf habt! Ich bin kurz mit dem Manager sprechen. So geht das nicht! Dickes Bussi aus Hessen. ♡" ("Ladies, be nice to each other and show the world what you've got! I'm going to talk to the manager for a minute. That's not the way to do it! Big kiss from Hesse. ♡")
5
5
"Barbie Salesh" "Barbie Zalesh"
3 October 2023 (2023-10-03)
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens team up and play "Zack Zack" (Chop Chop), in which teams will have to guess three terms in 3 minutes. Metamorkid, Loreley Rivers, Pandora Nox and Tessa Testicle win the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens will improvise in a courtroom drama.
Augenbrauen-Gate (Eyebrow-Gate) - Metamorkid and Pandora Nox
Tortenschlacht (Custard Pie Battle) - Loreley Rivers and Tessa Testicle
Catfish - Nikita Vegaz and Yvonne Nightstand
Nummer vier, Ziehmutter (Foster Mother) - Kelly Heelton and Victoria Shakespears
On the runway, category is Rave Parade. Loreley Rivers, Metamorkid and Victoria Shakespears receive positive critiques, with Loreley Rivers winning the challenge. Nikita Vegaz, Pandora Nox and Tessa Testicle receive negative critiques, with Nikita Vegaz being safe. Pandora Nox and Tessa Testicle lip-sync to "Atemlos durch die Nacht" by Helene Fischer. Pandora Nox wins the lip-sync and Tessa Testicle sashays away.
Guest Judge: KonstantinosTheStylist
Mini-Challenge: In teams, play "Zack Zack" (Chop Chop)
Mini-Challenge Winners: Metamorkid, Loreley Rivers, Pandora Nox and Tessa Testicle
Main Challenge: In pairs, improvise in a courtroom drama
Farewell Message:"Das is mein Arsch." ("This is my ass.")
6
6
"Snatch Game - Germany Season 1" "Snatch Game at Sea"
10 October 2023 (2023-10-10)
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens do a split-face photoshoot. Metamorkid and Nikita Vegaz win the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens play the Snatch Game. Dianne Brill and Gianni Jovanovic star as the celebrity contestants. The cast consists of:
On the runway, category is Dinner is Served. Kelly Heelton, Pandora Nox and Yvonne Nightstand receive positive critiques, with Kelly Heelton winning the challenge. Loreley Rivers, Nikita Vegaz and Victoria Shakespears receive negative critiques, and are announced as the bottom three. They lip-sync to "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus. Loreley Rivers and Victoria Shakespears win the lip-sync and Nikita Vegaz sashays away.
Guest Judge: Raffaela Zollo
Mini-Challenge: Split-face photoshoot
Mini-Challenge Winners: Metamorkid and Nikita Vegaz
Mini-Challenge Prize: A €1,250 cash tip courtesy of Bruno Banani
Farewell Message:"Meine Schwestern, bleibt, wie ihr said. Ich bin nicht STINKSAUER. ICH LIEBE EUCH. 💋 Uns gehört die Welt... 💋 OHHH NE!" ("My sisters, stay as you are. I am not SICK. I LOVE YOU. 💋 We own the world.... OHHH NO!")
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7
"Poor But Sexy" "Arm aber sexy"
17 October 2023 (2023-10-17)
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens perform as rock star groupies. Metamorkid wins the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens create three looks for The German Ball: Dreifache Enthüllung (Three-in-One Reveal), Future Me and Arm Aber Sexy (Poor But Sexy).
On the runway, Kelly Heelton, Metamorkid and Pandora Nox receive positive critiques, with Kelly Heelton and Pandora Nox both winning the challenge. Loreley Rivers, Victoria Shakespears and Yvonne Nightstand receive negative critiques, with Yvonne Nightstand being safe. Loreley Rivers and Victoria Shakespears lip-sync to "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here (Hex Hector Dance Mix)" by Deborah Cox. Loreley Rivers wins the lip-sync and Victoria Shakespears sashays away.
Guest Judge: Estefania Elisa
Mini-Challenge: Perform as rock star groupies
Mini-Challenge Winner: Metamorkid
Mini-Challenge Prize: A €1,000 cash tip
Main Challenge: The German Ball
Runway Themes: Dreifache Enthüllung (Three-in-One Reveal), Future Me and Arm Aber Sexy (Poor But Sexy)
Challenge Winners: Kelly Heelton and Pandora Nox
Bottom Two: Loreley Rivers and Victoria Shakespears
Farewell Message:"VAGABUNDA - "Vagabunda Pop Star" my debut single OUT NOW Ich liebe euch soooooooo sehr. Beijos VS ♡" ("BITCH - "Vagabunda Pop Star" my debut single OUT NOW I love you soooooo much. Kisses VS ♡")
8
8
"Comedy Roast"
24 October 2023 (2023-10-24)
For this week's mini-challenge, the queens have to convince Dianne Brill to let them into her club. Kelly Heelton and Metamorkid win the mini-challenge. For the main challenge, the queens perform a comedy roast in front of the judges.
On the runway, category is A Hairy Affair. Metamorkid and Yvonne Nightstand receive positive critiques, with Yvonne Nightstand winning the challenge. Loreley Rivers and Pandora Nox receive negative critiques, and are announced as the bottom two. They lip-sync to "Chandelier" by Sia. Pandora Nox wins the lip-sync and Loreley Rivers sashays away.
Guest Judge: Estefania Elisa
Mini-Challenge: Convince Dianne Brill to let you into her club
Mini-Challenge Winners: Kelly Heelton and Metamorkid
Mini-Challenge Prize: A €500 cash tip
Main Challenge: Perform a comedy roast in front of the judges
Farewell Message:"Vergesst nie, wer ihr seid. Ihr seid STARS! Ich liebe euch, ihr blöden Tölen! 💋" ("Never forget who you are. You are STARS! I love you, you stupid clods! 💋")
9
9
"Web Show"
31 October 2023 (2023-10-31)
For this week's main-challenge, the queens pair up and star in their own web show.
Wet Web Show - Kelly Heelton and Pandora Nox
Tits and Tricks - Metamorkid and Yvonne Nightstand
On the runway, category is Opera Queen. Kelly Heelton, Metamorkid, Pandora Nox and Yvonne Nightstand receive positive critiques. Metamorkid and Yvonne Nightstand are the top two queens of the week and lip-sync for the win. They lip-sync to "Rock Me Amadeus" by Falco. After the lip-sync, Metamorkid is announced as the winner of the challenge. Barbie Breakout then announces that no one is going home.
Guest Judge: Estefania Elisa
Main Challenge: In pairs, star in your own web show
For this week's main challenge, the queens makeover Drag Race fans.
On the runway, category is Dragtastic Dirndl Makeover. Pandora Nox and Yvonne Nightstand receive positive critiques, with Yvonne Nightstand winning the challenge. Kelly Heelton and Metamorkid receive negative critiques, and are announced as the bottom two. They lip-sync to "Heart to Break" by Kim Petras. Metamorkid wins the lip-sync and Kelly Heelton sashays away.
The queens all return for the reunion. Discussions include: Pandora Nox being the third cis woman to compete on Drag Race, Barbie Q being the first queen from Bolivia, Tessa Testicle's elimination, Victoria Shakespears' lip-syncs, Metamorkid and Yvonne Nightstand's showmance, and the eliminated queens showoff some of their unaired runways. It is then announced that Victoria Shakespears is this season's Miss Darling.
Miss Darling: Victoria Shakespears
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12
"Grand Finale - Germany Season 1" "Finale"
21 November 2023 (2023-11-21)
For the final challenge of the season, the queens perform a lip-syncing dance number to RuPaul's song "Call Me Mother".
On the runway, category is Best Drag Look. The eliminated queens all return to the runway. The three finalists are told that they will be lip-syncing to "Rise Like a Phoenix" by Conchita Wurst. It is announced that Pandora Nox is the winner, leaving Metamorkid and Yvonne Nightstand as the runners-up.
Main Challenge: Perform a lip-syncing dance number to RuPaul's song "Call Me Mother"