Thailand’s Gawdland crowned winner of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World’
Thai drag performer Gawdland has made history by winning RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World, becoming the first Asian contestant to claim the title in the international spin‑off series. The finale of the show’s third season aired on Tuesday and marked a major milestone both for the artist and for Asian drag representation on the global stage.
Gawdland, whose real name is Tharathep Thaweephon, is a 24‑year‑old queen from Thailand who first rose to prominence on Drag Race Thailand season 3 in 2024. Her strong performance there earned her a place in the UK‑based global competition, where she competed alongside queens from the UK, Sweden, the United States, the Philippines, Germany, Mexico and France. Throughout the eight‑week season, she impressed judges with standout runway looks, compelling stage presence, and performances celebrating Thai culture.
Reaching the final four alongside Kate Butch (UK), Fontana (Sweden) and Mariah Balenciaga (US), Gawdland advanced through the Ultimate Lip Sync Smackdown. The final face‑off saw her and Kate Butch perform to Kylie Minogue’s What Do I Have To Do?, after which RuPaul crowned Gawdland the “Queen of the Mothertucking World”.
Her victory ended the UK’s pursuit of a third consecutive win in the franchise’s international format, with commentators noting Gawdland’s consistently strong track record across the season, including challenge wins that positioned her firmly as a frontrunner.
Speaking on stage after her win, Gawdland told audiences: “The world is your oyster - be crazy!” She later wrote on Instagram that the win belonged not only to her but represented “a new page in the story of Asian drag excellence”, highlighting the broader cultural significance of her achievement.
Support independent LGBTQ+ journalism
Scene was founded in Brighton in 1993, at a time when news stories about Pride protests were considered radical. Since then, Scene has remained proudly independent, building a platform for queer voices. Every subscription helps us to report on the stories that matter to LGBTQ+ people across the UK and beyond.
Your support funds our journalists and contributes to Pride Community Foundation’s grant-making and policy work.
Subscribe today
Comments ()