# Queen of the Universe
**Queen of the Universe** was an American international drag-singing competition television series in which drag queens from around the world competed in live vocal performances for the title of "Ultimate Queen of the Universe" and a $250,000 cash prize. It aired on the streaming service [Paramount+](https://www.edgepedia.org/paramount) for two seasons, from December 2, 2021 to June 22, 2023, and was produced by World of Wonder and MTV Entertainment Studios, the companies behind *RuPaul's Drag Race*.[1](https://rupaulsdragrace.fandom.com/wiki/Queen_of_the_Universe) • [2](https://www.ismyshowcancelled.com/article/2023-06-23/paramount-cancels-queen-of-the-universe/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | International drag singing competition, described as "Eurovision-like," with live singing in front of a studio audience and a judges' panel[3](https://wtmtv.com/tvshows/queen-of-the-universe/) • [4](https://www.shinncommunications.com/files/2021/11/Queen-of-the-Universe-Paramount-Canada-Press-Release.pdf) |
| Run | Season 1: December 2 to 30, 2021 (6 episodes); Season 2: June 2 to 22, 2023 (8 episodes)[1](https://rupaulsdragrace.fandom.com/wiki/Queen_of_the_Universe) |
| Host | Graham Norton, a five-time BAFTA TV Award winner, hosted both seasons[4](https://www.shinncommunications.com/files/2021/11/Queen-of-the-Universe-Paramount-Canada-Press-Release.pdf) |
| Judges | Michelle Visage, Trixie Mattel, and Vanessa Williams (both seasons); Leona Lewis (season 1); Mel B (season 2)[1](https://rupaulsdragrace.fandom.com/wiki/Queen_of_the_Universe) |
| Winners | Grag Queen of Brazil (season 1) and Taiga Brava (season 2); the prize was $250,000[1](https://rupaulsdragrace.fandom.com/wiki/Queen_of_the_Universe) • [2](https://www.ismyshowcancelled.com/article/2023-06-23/paramount-cancels-queen-of-the-universe/) |
| Production | Created by RuPaul; produced by World of Wonder and MTV Entertainment Studios[5](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/53904/queen-of-the-universe) • [4](https://www.shinncommunications.com/files/2021/11/Queen-of-the-Universe-Paramount-Canada-Press-Release.pdf) |
| Cancellation | Cancelled on June 23, 2023, one day after the finale, and removed from Paramount+ on June 30, 2023[6](https://www.tvmaze.com/news/2709/queen-of-the-universe-queen-of-the-universe-canceled-at-paramount-after-2-seasons) |
## Spoilers
### Seasons
**Season 1.** The series was announced on February 25, 2021, casting began on May 6, 2021, and filming took place at London's Excel Centre on several dates in September and October 2021 with live audiences.[10](https://rupaulsdragrace.fandom.com/wiki/Queen_of_the_Universe_(Season_1)) On September 27, 2021, [Graham Norton](https://www.edgepedia.org/graham-norton) was announced as host, and on November 10, 2021, the fourteen international contestants competing for the title and the $250,000 prize were revealed.[10](https://rupaulsdragrace.fandom.com/wiki/Queen_of_the_Universe_(Season_1)) The season ran for six episodes from December 2 to December 30, 2021.[1](https://rupaulsdragrace.fandom.com/wiki/Queen_of_the_Universe) Contestants came from ten countries: the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Denmark, Australia, Canada, England, France, China, and India.[4](https://www.shinncommunications.com/files/2021/11/Queen-of-the-Universe-Paramount-Canada-Press-Release.pdf) On December 26, 2021, Grag Queen of Brazil was crowned the winner, with Ada Vox as runner-up.[10](https://rupaulsdragrace.fandom.com/wiki/Queen_of_the_Universe_(Season_1))
**Season 2.** Paramount+ announced the season 2 premiere date of Friday, June 2, 2023, in the United States and Canada, again hosted by Norton.[11](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/paramount-plus/releases/?view=101957-paramount-announces-new-premiere-date-for-international-drag-singing-competition-queen-of-the-universe-and-reveals-first-look-clip) Mel B joined the judging panel for this season.[1](https://rupaulsdragrace.fandom.com/wiki/Queen_of_the_Universe) The season ran for eight episodes, with the final four episodes, culminating in the finale "The Winner Is...", released together on June 22, 2023.[5](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/53904/queen-of-the-universe) Taiga Brava won the title.[1](https://rupaulsdragrace.fandom.com/wiki/Queen_of_the_Universe)
## Format and judging
The series was structured like a conventional vocal talent contest rather than a lip-sync competition. Each episode featured contestants debuting a new musical performance in front of a live audience and the "Pop Diva Panel" of judges.[4](https://www.shinncommunications.com/files/2021/11/Queen-of-the-Universe-Paramount-Canada-Press-Release.pdf) Judge Michelle Visage, a platinum-selling recording artist and longtime *Drag Race* judge, drew the distinction directly: "It's a singing competition first, it's a drag competition second."[7](https://www.nickiswift.com/735336/queen-of-the-universe-season-2-release-date-cast-and-more-information/) [Vanessa Williams](https://www.edgepedia.org/vanessa-williams), a multi-Emmy and Grammy nominee, said the panel judged "the quality of their talent and musicianship" alongside star quality.[7](https://www.nickiswift.com/735336/queen-of-the-universe-season-2-release-date-cast-and-more-information/) In interviews before season 2, Visage, Trixie Mattel, and Williams said great drag could not overcome lackluster singing.[8](https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/TV/2023/05/31/Queen-of-the-Universe-judges/3331685123744/)
Judging covered more than vocals. A parents' guide to the series described contestants being evaluated on what they wore, their attitude, and their performance, with costuming, vocal choices, and dancing all part of a performance's interpretation of a song.[9](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/queen-of-the-universe)
## Cancellation and removal
On June 23, 2023, one day after the season 2 finale, Paramount+ canceled *Queen of the Universe* along with three other originals, *Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies*, *Star Trek: Prodigy*, and *The Game*, as the streamer prepared to combine with [Showtime](https://www.edgepedia.org/showtime-tv-network).[12](https://www.thewrap.com/paramount-plus-cancels-star-trek-prodigy-grease-queen-of-the-universe-showtime-merger/) The cancellation was reported as part of an overall cost-cutting effort that included removing the shows from the platform.[2](https://www.ismyshowcancelled.com/article/2023-06-23/paramount-cancels-queen-of-the-universe/) The series was set to be removed from Paramount+ on June 30, 2023.[6](https://www.tvmaze.com/news/2709/queen-of-the-universe-queen-of-the-universe-canceled-at-paramount-after-2-seasons) As a result, the complete series became unavailable on Paramount+ in the United States, although it remained accessible in some other countries and on World of Wonder's own streaming service, WOW Presents Plus.[13](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/queen-of-the-universe) • [14](https://www.moviefone.com/tv-shows/queen-of-the-universe/9t248XF7GRhdpK1ZghkuT5/)
## Reception and context
The series entered a television landscape in which *RuPaul's Drag Race* had spawned numerous spinoffs and a broader universe of drag-themed streaming entertainment; a 2023 *Time* piece placed season 2 of *Queen of the Universe* within that wave of drag programming.[15](https://time.com/6283950/queer-eye-drag-race-ultimatum-2023/) Critics responded moderately: the season 1 Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes stood at 55% across four reviews, with reviewers praising the variety of the international queens and the talent on display while some audience members felt the show did not focus enough on vocal skill.[16](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/queen_of_the_universe/s01) On IMDb, the series held a weighted rating of 7.1/10 from about 1,100 users.[17](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15790598/ratings/) A scholarly commentary described the show as a reality series in which drag queens compete in a legitimate singing competition, in the manner of *American Idol* or *The Voice*, and asked what such performances mean for the singing voice as a marker of gender and identity.[18](https://etsu.elsevierpure.com/en/publications/queens-of-the-universe-how-singing-drag-queens-are-changing-how-w/)
## References
1. [Queen of the Universe, RuPaul's Drag Race Wiki (Fandom)](https://rupaulsdragrace.fandom.com/wiki/Queen_of_the_Universe)
2. [Paramount+ Cancels 'Queen Of The Universe', IsMyShowCancelled.com, June 23, 2023](https://www.ismyshowcancelled.com/article/2023-06-23/paramount-cancels-queen-of-the-universe/)
3. [Queen of the Universe, WTMTV](https://wtmtv.com/tvshows/queen-of-the-universe/)
4. [Paramount+ Announces Star-Studded Panel of Judges for New Global Singing Competition "Queen of the Universe" (press release, November 2021)](https://www.shinncommunications.com/files/2021/11/Queen-of-the-Universe-Paramount-Canada-Press-Release.pdf)
5. [Queen of the Universe, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/53904/queen-of-the-universe)
6. ["Queen of the Universe" Canceled at Paramount+ After 2 Seasons, TVmaze News (citing Deadline), June 23, 2023](https://www.tvmaze.com/news/2709/queen-of-the-universe-queen-of-the-universe-canceled-at-paramount-after-2-seasons)
7. [Queen Of The Universe Season 2 Release Date, Cast, And More Information, Nicki Swift](https://www.nickiswift.com/735336/queen-of-the-universe-season-2-release-date-cast-and-more-information/)
8. ['Queen of the Universe' judges say singing comes before drag, UPI, May 31, 2023](https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/TV/2023/05/31/Queen-of-the-Universe-judges/3331685123744/)
9. [Queen of the Universe, Parents' Guide and TV Review, Common Sense Media](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/queen-of-the-universe)
10. [Queen of the Universe (Season 1), RuPaul's Drag Race Wiki (Fandom)](https://rupaulsdragrace.fandom.com/wiki/Queen_of_the_Universe_(Season_1))
11. [Paramount+ Announces New Premiere Date for International Drag Singing Competition "Queen of the Universe", Paramount Press Express, March 13, 2023](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/paramount-plus/releases/?view=101957-paramount-announces-new-premiere-date-for-international-drag-singing-competition-queen-of-the-universe-and-reveals-first-look-clip)
12. ['Star Trek: Prodigy,' 'Grease' Series Canceled and to Be Removed From Paramount+ Ahead of Showtime Integration, TheWrap, June 23, 2023](https://www.thewrap.com/paramount-plus-cancels-star-trek-prodigy-grease-queen-of-the-universe-showtime-merger/)
13. [Queen of the Universe, streaming availability, JustWatch](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/queen-of-the-universe)
14. [Queen of the Universe, Moviefone](https://www.moviefone.com/tv-shows/queen-of-the-universe/9t248XF7GRhdpK1ZghkuT5/)
15. [Reality TV Is Struggling to Meet a Painful Moment for LGBTQ Rights, Time, 2023](https://time.com/6283950/queer-eye-drag-race-ultimatum-2023/)
16. [Queen of the Universe: Season 1, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/queen_of_the_universe/s01)
17. [Queen of the Universe (TV Series 2021–2023), Ratings, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15790598/ratings/)
18. [Queens of the Universe: How Singing Drag Queens Are Changing How We Hear, ETSU Research Portal](https://etsu.elsevierpure.com/en/publications/queens-of-the-universe-how-singing-drag-queens-are-changing-how-w/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › Unscripted, reality, and web-native series › Reality and competition franchise editions › Got Talent and other variety talent-show franchises*
*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license