The streaming platform Revry is set to air the second installment of King of Drag on Sunday, Sept. 20. Titled the first reality competition dedicated entirely to drag kings the series returns with eight contestants drawn from across the United States – from New York City and Los Angeles to Wichita and Des Moines. The new cohort – Chase Lounge, Cyrus K. Stratton, D. Vour, Lollygag, Papi Culo, Trade, Twinka Masala and Vera! – will battle for the coveted title inside a space Revvy dubs the “Man Cave.”
New host and expanded judging panel
Comedian and author Cameron Esposito steps into the role of full-time host for season two. Best known for stand-up specials, appearances on Comedy Bang! Bang! and the sitcom Take My Wife Esposito brings a blend of humor and advocacy to the show’s high-stakes format. In a recent interview she explained that hosting a competition means “being of service” to performers who are already living on the edge of visibility. “I’m here to provide stability and kindness while the kings showcase their art,” she said.
Joining Esposito on the judges’ bench are three figures who blend insider knowledge with broader drag experience. Veteran drag king Vico Ortiz returns, offering a perspective rooted in the king community. Former RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Gottmik contributes a queen’s eye for performance polish, while Revry co-founder and CEO Damian Pelliccione provides the network’s strategic outlook.
Gottmik hails drag kings as the art’s next frontier
During a screening at Beaches Tropicana in West Hollywood, Gottmik praised the inaugural cast, calling the kings “amazing” and declaring them “the future” of drag. The trans male drag performer, who also serves as a judge, recounted how the contestants transformed personal narratives into striking fashion statements. “It literally turned my world upside down,” Gottmik remarked, adding that the king outfits could “kill a lot of the girls on Drag Race’s ass.” The comment underscored a growing sentiment that drag queens have dominated mainstream attention for too long, while the king niche remains under-explored.
Gottmik’s enthusiasm aligns with Revry co-creator Christopher Rodriguez’s belief that season two will push the art form further. “Every one of these kings is so unique that they bring things we haven’t seen before,” Rodriguez said, noting that season one proved audiences were ready for a king-centered show. Pelliccione echoed this, describing the returning contestants as “artists, activists, and entertainers” who embody the power of performance and community uplift.
Historical context: from exclusion to inclusion
Drag kings have traditionally been sidelined by mainstream drag television. In 2016, RuPaul told The Advocate that a female-performed drag “loses the irony,” likening a mixed gender format to trying “to make a Mac computer compatible with a PC.” Such comments cemented a perception that king performances were “stale” compared to queen-driven shows.
Recent developments suggest the tide is turning. Drag Race España announced Marcus Massalami as the franchise’s first full-time drag king, signaling that the global brand may finally recognize king talent. Meanwhile, Revvy’s own King of Drag continues to expand visibility, offering a dedicated platform for the art form.
Audience reception and future prospects
Season one of King of Drag attracted roughly 2.2 million viewers, a strong showing for a niche reality competition. The series has sparked viewing parties in cities nationwide, proving that fan-driven events can extend the show’s impact beyond the screen. Esposito predicts that increased television exposure will translate into live-performance opportunities, helping kings secure sustainable incomes.
As the second season rolls out, the combination of a charismatic host, seasoned judges and a fresh roster of performers positions the show to “unstale the community,” as Gottmik put it. With the curtain set to rise on Sept. 20, the drag king scene stands on the brink of broader cultural recognition.
