The most recent, jaw-dropping season of the Boulet Brothers Dragula has concluded. Season “666,” as frequently referred to by the hosts themselves, saw a draw of “wild card” cast members who have auditioned for the show for years. As “the world’s next drag supermonster” is crowned, fans of the show have iconic quotes and new favorite artists to fawn over until season 7.
Each year, Dragula invites 10-13 drag artists to compete to earn $100,000 and a headlining spot on the Dragula world tour. The competition scores the artists on exemplifying the four components of Dragula: “drag, filth, horror & glamour.” Pulling from a diverse casting of artists, unique in their background, experience, and identity, Dragula pushes the boundaries of visibility. Offering a platform to the imperfect authenticity of alternative Queer art, season 6 continues this monsterous mission.
WARNING: The article contains graphic imagery, including fake gore, fake blood, and fake vomit. The article will also contain spoilers for the recent season of Dragula.
Blithe are the Boulets in Season 6
One of the most notable differences in Dragula season 6 is the seemingly uplifted spirits of our haunted hosts. Swanthula and Dracmorda serve killer looks before each floor show, as well as their genuine and laid-back sense of humor. The Boulets open and close each episode with a sinister introduction the the episode’s challenge and a bloody murder for each eliminated contestant. However, between the first and last scenes, audiences get to hear the pairs real laughs between their characterized evil cackles. The Boulets have seemingly invited audiences in for a closer look.
Throughout the cut-throat competition, the Boulets are cunning with their critiques and do not hold back from directness. Understanding the expectations to which the competitors are held, they expect only the best in each weekly challenge. Opening the season’s premiere by joking about whether they will argue over any of the contestants. Throughout the season, they play a sort of tug-of-war in deliberations, defending their favorite artists before holding them to the high quality they expect.
Group Therapy Amidst the Competition
Among the many memorable moments that are continuously referenced throughout the season is none other than “Chicken Gate.” As critiques of the third episode landed Yuri and Desiree Dik in the bottom two, the Cauldron heated up with debate. As usual, competitors voiced their opinions, defenses, and disagreements with the judges’ critiques. Upon criticism of their floor show look, Dik hurled their prop of a raw chicken in Yuri’s direction. Yuri in response, threw their drink at Dik.
Following this and other heated interactions in the cauldron, one competitor repeatedly diffused the tension. Auntie Heroine made multiple remarks critiquing the behavior of their fellow competitors. In two/three separate cauldrons, they ceased the arguments between the bottom two artists. A returning competitor from season 2, Majesty, attempted to redeem their loud-mouthed character. Heronie, however, called them out for narcissistic behavior. Majesty left the competition shortly after.
Among horrific creations, Dragula is known for showcasing the alternative Queer subculture, priding itself on peer accountability. Moments on previous seasons show artists calling out offensive language commonly used in the drag community. In this season, Heronie took the reigns for accountability, assuming the role of the therapist. From un-based diagnoses to sparking and fusing drama on their own terms, Heronie has created a polarizing character throughout the season.
Fan Favorite Freaks
The terror didn’t stop at the (literally) gag-worthy fright feat challenges to the skin-crawling floor show looks. Fans were at the edges of their seats, rooting for their favorite competitors. Among the biggest arcs this season was the drama trio from Illinois, Aurora Gozmic, Auntie Heroine, and Scylla, proving horror doesn’t stop at ones hometown.
Yuri held the arc of most growth shown throughout the show. Landing in the bottom and up for “extermination” on the third? episode, they ultimately survived and slowly rose to the top. The Boulets themselves even crowned Yuri the winner of the 8th episode for their “Frankenhooker” look, congratulating them on their growth. Yuri competed nearly two years prior on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, and has kept true to their motto of bringing “trash” drag to life.
Yuri also sported great versatility with their ability to pull off death-defying glamour throughout the competition. They earned high marks on performance challenges such as The Ghost Train lip-sync. Yuri proved to be the lovable sweetheart from Aukland and may not have won the show, but they definitely won the hearts of fans.
The Crowning of the Creeps
Ultimately, Auntie Heronie, Asia Consent, and Grey Matter rose to the top three competitors of season 6. Heroine’s drag is self-described as the bridge between extreme alternative drag and traditional pageant drag. Consent prides herself on the tenant of filth, drawing on her experiences as a trans woman of color to personify feelings of worthlessness. Matter has experience as a haunt actor, bringing his creatures from the haunted houses of Houston, Texas to the main stage.
It’s been a hard-fought season, and each of the top three are deserving of the crown in their unique talents. The Boulets themselves have admitted toward the last three episodes that it had become hard to tell who would go on to win. But alas, there can only be one. And the winner of season “666” is…
