Meet your 'Canada's Drag Race' queens

What screams summer better than a feisty, fierce and fabulous group of performers ready to outshine each other in the ultimate herstorical competition? Bring on those drums because there’s a whole lot of banging to do and now we know the 12 queens who will be competing for the first Canada's Drag Race crown.So just who are the queens vying for that coveted title, and $100, 000 prize, by owning familiar OG Drag Race bits like Snatch Game, Rumail, the reading challenge, puppets, makeovers and untucked sessions? Sashay below to learn all about the contestants from across the True Great North heading to the werkroom in just a couple of short months.Anastarzia Anaquway, TorontoThis performer is inspired by her Caribbean roots and the American drag pageant scene, and it seems to be working out for her. She’s already won more than 15 pageants, including Miss Canada International, Miss Gay Toronto and Miss Black Continental @ Large. “Being on Drag Race is the culmination of an amazing 17-year career,” she said in a statement. “It allows me to represent all the little black boys and girls in third world countries like the Bahamas that have huge dreams but no resources to make them a reality.”Boa, Toronto“Boa” isn’t just this Queen’s real last name, it’s also a sassy acronym: “B**** on Arrival.” Boa says she isn’t running a comedy show, but it’s safe to say her goofy mannerisms and ability to react with a microphone in-hand will definitely help her shine. Also worth mentioning? Boa promises that if you put her in three-inch block heels she can high-kick and cartwheel with the best of them. “I love drag because it gives me the opportunity to be my authentic, goofy self and bring my audience happiness. When an audience is happy, so am I! I like my drag to allow people to let loose, have fun, laugh and forget about all the negativity in the world.”Ilona Verley, VancouverThis two-spirit indigenous artist is all about representation. She grew up Nlaka'pamux and wishes that she had someone like her to look up to in the mainstream media. Now, she hopes to be that change with her fantastic her head-to-toe pastel colourways and dedication to her large social media fanbase. “Drag is important to me as it is how I visually express how I see myself on the inside, and how I manifest my female energy as a two-spirit person!” she says.Jimbo, VictoriaHave you ever met a Queen with a background in clowning? Introducing Jimbo, the performer who loves to incorporate Krusty-inspired elements into her drag. Her inspirations don’t stop there though: this queen is all about the cabaret, singing and stand-up. If an uncomfortable situation presents itself, and that's a guarantee in the world of Drag Race, she’ll be looking for the laughter. “Drag is the perfect gateway for self-discovery and self-expression,” she says. “It’s the beautiful culmination of courage, joy, performance, and artistry that inspires and entertains. Drag is a personal and political statement that challenges the social constructs to help inspire change in the world.” Juice Boxx, TorontoIf you aren’t thirsty yet you will be after meeting Juice Boxx. The “bubbly sinful and sexy” performer is always looking to spice up her act, and with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Diploma of Makeup Artistry and Special FX it sounds like she has all the tools she needs in her box to deliver week after week. “I’m so excited to be on the first season of Canada’s Drag Race and I can’t wait to show the world how incredible Canadian drag really is.”Kiara, MontrealDoing drag has become so important to Kiara that she recently quit her job and put her schooling on hold so that she could focus exclusively on it. As one of the few queens of colour in the Montreal scene, she’s proud to represent her community and is hoping to further her career by being on the inaugural Canadian spin-off of a show that’s meant so much to her. “Being on Canada’s Drag Race is a dream come true,” she says. “I’m beyond excited to be on my favourite TV show and I can’t wait to make queer Canadian her-story!”Kyne, Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont.This YouTube star has more than 100,000 subscribers who tune in to see her unique takes on makeup, costumes hair and art. Put her near a karaoke machine though and she may just blow you away on a whole other level. Growing up, her family loved to belt out songs by Céline Dion and Whitney Houston, and fans are sure to see both influences when Kyne makes her debut on the show. “Drag is my vehicle for all my joy, ambition and creative energy,” she explains. “It makes me feel alive.”Lemon, TorontoThis transplanted Canadian now lives in New York City, where she was chosen by RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Sasha Velour to be a model in her New York Fashion Week collaboration with Opening Ceremony. With such fierce pedigree and experience, Lemon wants to bring some of the Big Apple's bustling influence to Canada, showing how vivacious the drag scene can really be. “I am so excited to be on Canada’s Drag Race so I can show the world I’m not only that b****, I’m that Canadian b****,” she says.Priyanka, TorontoIf this Queen seems to know how to werk a camera that’s because she does: she was a kids' TV host for years before switching to a full-time career in drag, which has definitely taken off. In 2019, she made Toronto headlines when she graced the cover of NOW Magazine, having been voted by readers as Favourite Toronto Drag Queen. Now she’s got her eyes on an even bigger prize with this competition. “I love drag so much. I had a drag queen perform at my 26th birthday party and they suggested I do drag. Now three titles, two music videos, and one big opportunity to be on Canada’s Drag Race,” she says. “I could be Canada’s First Ever Drag Superstar… what’s my name?!”[video_embed id='1724971']RELATED: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' judge Ross Mathews discusses his evolution in Hollywood'[/video_embed]Rita Baga, MontrealRita is a staple on French-Canadian television, having appeared on a slew of shows like Ils De Jour, Elles de Soir and Bonsoir/Bonsoir. Offscreen she’s just as involved in the LGBTQ+ community, and was an integral member of the bid committee that submitted Montreal for World Pride 2023. “I'm beyond excited to be part of this journey!” she says. “I want to make my province proud and to be the very first francophone to own a Drag Superstar title. Dreams DO come true!”Scarlett Bobo, TorontoIf Scarlett happens to eat fire, light herself on fire, or perform aerial skills this season don’t worry: that’s just her doing her. Not only did the performer go to circus school (because she was bored!) but she also created and produces Empire’s Ball, a drag competition that helps inspire queer youth. “I love, love, LOVE doing drag because it allows me to live my truth every day and there are no rules to what I am allowed to do, say, or accomplish,” she says. “Canada’s Drag Race lets me express every side of myself and show others how to be fearless and authentic. I want to prove that you can stay true to who you are, no matter what.”Tynomi Banks, TorontoIf you’re into the drag scene in Toronto, odds are you know the name Tynomi Banks. This queen is one of the most celebrated drag performers in the city, and is also known as the Dancing Queen of Toronto. She’s been on the scene for years and even revealed that the first time her own mother saw her in drag was when she performed at World Pride 2014 in Toronto. “Tynomi Banks is fun, flirty, and fashionable. She will entertain you, all the while stealing your man in plain sight and you won't even realize it's happening,” she says.Canada’s Drag Race debuts July 2 on Crave, with new episodes dropping Thursday nights on Crave TV, Crave.ca and the Crave app.[video_embed id='1957458']RELATED: Your first look at 'Canada's Drag Race'[/video_embed]