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What does the Future Hold?
With the finale wrapped on season 5 of Gusu’s Drag Race and the recent announcement that Lan Qiren and Baoshan Sanren are leaving the show for good, this Songbird that it would be a good time to take a look at where our season 5 queens are now and have a little chat about the future.
XXY
Xue Yang has taken their brief run on drag race and used it to launch a new career on the silverscreen in the alternative horror film scene as a new type of Scream Queen—specifically, the one who does the killing. After striking gold with their film Yi City, an instant cult classic starring drag race staples Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen, as well as teen superstar A-Qing, XXY has continued to produce hit after hit, becoming a household name in horror.
Peony Gold
Peony Gold has taken a step back from the spotlight of performance and, instead, has started to work behind the scenes as a stylist to the stars. Bequeathing the title of Mother of Jins to Jiggy Stardust, Peony Gold started Gold Star Gowns back in December, and has already dressed big name celebs for the red carpet, including Jiang Yanli at the Golden Globes. She continues to demonstrate a level of taste for fashion that sets her apart, and we’re sure to expect big things from Peony Gold.
Jinny Xun
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows for the cast of Gusu’s Drag Race season 5. In a season wrought with scandal, none has come out worse for the wear than Jinny Xun. Following the season 5 finale, it was revealed the Jinny Xun had been involved in several attempts at sabotaging her fellow queens, ranging from petty (stealing pages from scripts) to sketchy (swapping one queen’s melatonin with caffeine pills) to downright criminal (damaging set equipment during the wire-work episode).
As a result, the queen is now being investigated and faces possible criminal charges, and hasn’t been seen in public since the finale aired.
Zizi Green
One of the younger queens, Zizi Green has taken her act to cyberspace, where she has a new web series reacting to gay media alongside weekly guest stars. In addition to her internet stardom, she also recently signed as the new face for Darling Dare cosmetics. This young queen is well on her way to building her empire.
Sue Me
Sue Me made a name for herself on the show as the queen with a chip on her shoulder. The chip is sure to go, as she was recently hired as the host of YouTube talk show Reel Gossip only to be fired after only two episodes. Rumor has it, she butted heads with the crew and her co-host, D-List starlet Wang Lingjiao, ultimately resulting in her getting booted from the show.
Last we heard, Sue Me had started up her own channel and was working on her own show, Gossip Reel. No word yet on whether Sue Me has been sued for that one.
The Little Mistress
We love to see a baby queen succeed! The Little Mistress has been a breakout star since season 5 aired, immediately becoming a fan favorite, as much for her bark as for her fashion. Alongside Miss Jingyi and Yuanna Wen, the Little Mistress is performing across the country in a touring show, while also launching her own line of shoes, Fairy — catering to queens of all types and sizes, ranging from size 4 to 22.
Miss Jingyi
The second member of our Junior Trio out there touring the country and making a name for herself, Miss Jingyi has embraced her comedic chops and started a podcast where she interviews lesser-known queens in every state and asks them all the same question: What’s the Drag? It’s a pretty delightful mix of gender theory, LGBTQIA history, and more than dash of humor to make it all go down.
Yuanna Wen
How does a young queen do it? It must be all that youthful energy, because this old little bird could never. In addition to her show touring nationwide, Yuanna Wen has started a charity, Yuanna Friend , which is just as sappy and sweet as it sounds, providing support to homeless LGBTQIA youth in the form of housing, food banks, and tuition assistance. Currently operating out of Yiling, she has plans to expand the charity to other cities by the end of the year.
Sandu Shengshou
Sandu Shengshou is a dancing queen to her core, and so it should come as no surprise that she is continuing to run the Lotus Pier Dance Academy as the primary instructor and choreographer. Word on the street is that she was approached by a certain streaming service with a series offer to showcase her competitive dance team on their way to Nationals, where they’re hoping to grab their 3rd consecutive title. No word yet on whether she’s accepted, but a Songbird can dream.
Minge Gay
Alas, sometimes a queen puts on her wig and size 16 biscuit cutters for the last time. Minge Gay announced shortly after the finale that she was retiring from drag, stating that, “I had a good run, and I love every moment of it. But I’ve made my mark and said what I had to say. It’s time to make room for a younger generation.”
Although she may no longer be performing, Minge Gay is still staying close to the scene, acting as mentor and teacher to new drag talent and continuing to manage and expand the Nie family. “Drag comes and goes,” Minge Gay says. “But motherhood is forever.”
Jiggy Stardust
Ah, the Dimpled Diva of the Drag Race Divide herself. Jiggy Stardust has been laying low since the finale, though word of her doings have been leaking through the internet. Nothing is confirmed, but speculation runs rampant about Jiggy’s maybe-maybe-not involvement in this season’s sabotage. I’m not saying anything for certain (and birdy wouldn’t want to get sued), but a certain lady was seen exiting the JinLinTV station as a part of Jin Guangshan’s retinue. Given recent events at JinLinCO, maybe someone should tell her to exercise some caution.
For more dish on Jiggy, go check out my Interview with a Secret Sister, wherein I sat down with Qin Su (Jiggy Stardust’s episode 10 drag doppelganger) to get the dirty deets on what exactly went down on the Drag Race set. I promise you, the tea is PIPING.
Fangela
Some people believe in success being big and showy, and some prefer to bask more quietly in their riches and fame. Since the Finale, Fangela has returned to her regular gig at her homebase club in Qinghe, though the crowds are somewhat bigger than before.
Says the queen, “I never really wanted to be a drag superstar in the first place. Seems like a lot of work. But nothing wrong with a little income boost for making my art.”
The Yiling Patriarch
Oh boy, I can’t do this one all on its own. So let’s bring her in, folks:
… and Hanguang Jun
I’m here to answer the question that you’ve all been dying to know: was that kiss a stunt, or was it real?
Well, my canaries, brace yourselves. Because what’s that I hear? Why, it’s our first ever Gusu’s Drag Race wedding bells!
That’s right! The Yiling Patriarch and Hanguang Jun made it official official two weeks ago after they jetted off together for “a little getaway” and came back sporting matching rings and declaring they were married!
The pair eloped in Gusu, where it’s rumored that Zewu Jun, Sandu Shengshou and Lan Qiren were in attendance. My invitation must’ve been lost in the mail. But speaking of Lan Qiren …
Lan Qiren and Baoshan Sanren
It’s the end of an era.
Following the season finale, Lan Qiren and Baoshan Sanren announced that they would be stepping down as the hosts and judges of Gusu’s Drag Race.
“It was time,” Baoshan Sanren said in a statement to the press. “The show has done great things for the community, but at some point the formula starts to have the opposite effect. Drag shouldn’t be boxed into just what makes for good television, and it shouldn’t just be about satisfying the limited tastes of the judges. Drag should always be bigger than a single show and the opinions of a few people.”
Said Lan Qiren of the decision: “I could no longer in good conscience participate in Gusu’s Drag Race. A person must always strive to act morally. My morals and those of the show’s producers and the network are no longer in alignment, therefore it is time for me to move on.”
It remains unknown what the future holds for Gusu’s Drag Race, or either of the imitable judges, but I for one wish them a bright future and the best of luck!
Which leads me to my announcement. Excuse me for a moment, while I wax poetic.
The time has come, the Songbird said,
To rest my weary wings—
Neither shoes nor lips nor wigs nor drag—
Nor the cattiness of queens—
Not even tea that’s boiling hot—
Shall make this Songbird sing.
O canaries, said the Songbird,
We’ve had a pleasant run!
But my wings must take me home again,
I have no rumors left: there’s none!
And this is scarcely odd because
I’ve told you every one!
I will be hanging up my hat on my Drag Race career. It’s been a wild ride, but for me it’s come to an end. What’s next for the Songbird? Don’t ask me, I’m sure I don’t know! But I hope to see you there.
Until we meet again, my canaries.
~Songbird
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