Drag star Yuri has more than 64,000 followers on Instagram, where she showcases her glamourously ghoulish looks. Photo: Supplied/Alex Ryan
- An Auckland drag artist is on the upcoming season of The Boulet Brothers' Dragula.
- Yuri is the first Australasian to appear on the horror-themed American competition show
- A premiere party for the show's sixth season is happening on Karangahape Road
A 28-year-old Aucklander is sharing her monstrous talent with the world.
Tāmaki Makaurau's own Yuri (Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi) could be 'The World's Next Drag Supermonster'.
Yuri is one of 12 contestants in the upcoming season of the horror-themed American competition show The Boulet Brothers' Dragula.
She is the first-ever Australasian to have competed on the show.
The drag artist said the experience was daunting, but she was proud to have represented Aotearoa and her Māori heritage.
"I had to do things I never thought I'd have to do in my life.
"But I got to show off my art and represent people who aren't always represented on a global stage."
Auckland drag artist Yuri is the first Australasian to compete for the title of 'The World's Next Drag Supermonster'. Photo: Supplied/Alex Ryan
Yuri started exploring makeup and fashion from a young age.
"Growing up I would play with my sister's makeup and alter my clothes - anything I could do creatively."
She was inspired to get into drag after seeing drag queen DeeDee Vine on Karanaghape Road.
"I thought 'wow that's amazing, I want to try doing this'."
Yuri competed on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under in 2022, which was won by Spankie Jackzon.
At the time she was studying fashion design at university, but dropped out to appear on the show, where she came in sixth place.
She is the second person to appear on both Drag Race and now Dragula.
Yuri said Dragula reached out to invite her to be on the show's sixth season (which it is calling season 666).
She jumped at the opportunity to travel to Los Angeles to film Dragula, but she said preparing for the show was stressful.
"I was flat out sewing preparing - I had no sleep and lots of energy drinks."
The talented seamstress makes all her own garments.
But compared to her American competitors, she said it can be hard to get resources in New Zealand.
"It takes ages to get things shipped over.
"When you're getting ready for these kinds of shows you don't have much time so you just have to make do with what you've got."
She said while drag can be a tough gig, it has allowed her to travel the world.
"I'm a struggling artist as a lot of queens are.
"But I've put on shows for hundreds of people which I never thought I'd do."
To celebrate the seasons first episode, Yuri is hosting a premiere party on Tuesday at Karangahape Road's Phoenix Cabaret, featuring special guests.
She thought it would be nerve-racking but exciting to watch herself on screen.
"It's going to be messy and chaotic but in the best way."
"I hope I did New Zealand proud."
Dragula season 666 premieres on Shudder and AMC+ on 1 October.
