MANILA—Filipino-Canadian drag queen Melinda Verga became the first contestant eliminated from the third season of Drag Race UK vs. The World.

The premiere episode did not feature any eliminations, with host and judge RuPaul noting that the first week was “in the spirit of getting to know everyone better.” Swedish-Brazilian queen Fontana (Drag Race Sverige) took home the season’s first badge, while most other contestants were deemed safe. Some viewers noted that Melinda and fellow veteran Mariah Balenciaga (Drag Race Season 3, All Stars Season 5) had weaker performances in the opening challenge.

Melinda’s elimination came in Week 2 during the maxi challenge, RuMix, which tasked queens with redesigning a past outfit of a competitor while improving another contestant’s previous look. Melinda selected a bridal look by Drag Race Germany alum The Only Naomy and attempted to revamp her own “Out of the Closet” outfit with a punk-inspired, Vivienne Westwood–style plaid ensemble.

Despite her efforts, Melinda landed in the bottom and lost the Lip Sync For Your Life to Naomy, performing Dannii Minogue’s I Begin to Wonder.

Other Pinay Queens

Minty Fresh, representing the Philippines from the inaugural season of Drag Race Philippines, also landed in the Bottom 3 alongside Melinda and Naomy. However, Minty was saved by challenge winner Gawdland (Drag Race Thailand), who successfully redesigned a past look by Fontana while improving her own Thai Futuristic outfit.

Minty’s strategy involved revamping a past look from Sminty Drop, another hometown queen, and her Let There Be Light outfit from her elimination in Drag Race Philippines.

Bulacan-born Zahirah Zapanta (Drag Race UK) was among the safe queens, along with Sminty, British queen Kate Butch, and Serena Morena (Drag Race Mexico).

Melinda’s early exit marks the first loss for the Filipino-Canadian queen, while the Pinay representatives continue to make their mark on the global Drag Race stage.