Around GMA

Article Inside Page

M1ss Jade So has reflected on her Drag Race Down Under vs The World journey, calling her latest international stint just the beginning of a bigger chapter.

The Filipina drag artist finished in third place alongside hometown queen Vybe in the inaugural Drag Race Down Under vs The World, while British queen Michael Marouli emerged as the winner.

Jade was among the season's frontrunners, earning three badges and turning heads with her distinct Dakesang Goddessa aesthetic and imaginative runway looks.

During the finale, Jade opened up to host Michelle Visage about the evolution of her drag persona.

She explained that her Goddessa concept began during her college years, starting with Dollification as she embraced her femininity as a trans woman.

“Now that I've learned my attitudes, emotions, and whole personality and life, I am now trying to learn everything to make the best version myself by [creating] Goddessafication,” Jade shared.

Jade also spoke about the responsibility of representing Filipino drag on the global stage and standing alongside other trans queens.

“I need to stand with my trans sisters for us to not experience discrimination, violence, and harassment,” she said in a confessional.

Her artistry earned praise from the judges, with Michelle describing her as “a fantastic queen, incredibly strong competitor, and love personified.”

Meanwhile, Michael called Jade one of the most interesting and intriguing people he had encountered, praising her unique perspective.

For the finale runway, Jade showcased an angelic-meets-alien metallic look for the “Best Mothertucking Drag” category. The outfit incorporated Baybayin characters representing “charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent,” as well as the words “drag superstar.”

Lazy Susan, the Drag Race Down Under Season 4 winner, praised Jade's runway presentation as “one of the all-time runway packages ever witnessed on the show.”

“It's never just one thing, it's evolving and changing, your concepts are so exciting,” Susan told her.

Michelle likewise praised Jade's final look as “outrageous” before highlighting the personal growth behind her drag.

“That little kid that didn't feel like they belonged is there shining on that stage right now as the beautiful woman in front of me,” Michelle said. “You are beautiful, gifted, talented, so kind and loving, and I saw all of that.”

Following the finale, Jade took to Instagram to thank the people who supported and helped shape her journey.

“Beyond grateful for everything we've become,” she wrote.

Jade expressed her gratitude to “the universe, the world, World of Wonder, Michelle Visage, Down Under sisters, Philippines, BSK, Hoesik, my drag sisters, the creatives I've worked with, my sponsors, my friends, the Susos, the Vortexa citizens, HausofM1ssJadeSo and my family.”

She added that these people and communities helped shape her “Goddessafication.”

“Thank you ... for shaping the goddessafication with me,” she wrote.

For Jade, however, the journey does not end with the competition.

“This is just the beginning of the road to act iii,” she said.

“No more giving up, it's always going to be leveling up.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by M1ss Jade So (@m1ssjadeso)

RELATED GALLERY: Meet the queens of 'Drag Race Philippines S4'