PARAMOUNT+ ANNOUNCES CAST OF INTERNATIONAL DRAG SINGING COMPETITION "QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE" PREMIERING FRIDAY, MARCH 31

Season Two Cast Lineup to Feature Contestants from Nine Countries Including the U.S., Mexico, Brazil, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Israel, the United Kingdom, Italy and Australia Vying for a Cash Prize of $250,000

Global Drag Icon and Multi-Emmy(R) Award Winner RuPaul to Serve as Executive Producer Alongside World of Wonder and MTV Entertainment Studios

Feb. 22, 2023 - Paramount+ today announced the premiere date and legendary cast lineup for the highly anticipated second season of QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE. Hosted by five-time BAFTA TV award winner Graham Norton, the new season will premiere exclusively on the service Friday, March 31 in the U.S. and Canada, and on April 1 in the U.K., Latin America, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Australia.

QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE follows the world's most talented drag queens as they battle it out for global domination, and countries go head-to-head spotlighting their top talent.

Each episode will feature the world's fiercest queens as they debut a new musical performance in front of a live audience and the Pop Diva Panel of judges in the hopes of being crowned the "Queen of the Universe." This season, global superstar Mel B joins the returning judges including platinum-selling recording artist, three-time Emmy-winning producer and judge of "RuPaul's Drag Race" Michelle Visage; multi-Emmy and GRAMMY(R) nominee Vanessa Williams; and American drag superstar Trixie Mattel.

Meet the QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE season two cast:

· AURA ETERNAL (Palermo, Italy) Instagram: @aura_eternal

Having previously appeared on the second season of "Drag Race Italia" where she made it to the top three, Aura Eternal has already demonstrated sickening skills in her homeland. But now Aura's ready to show the rest of the world she's got vocal chops that equal her stunning looks and is ready to become the next singing drag queen global sensation!

· CHLOE V (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) Instagram: @dragchloe

With Brazil having won last season's QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE, Chloe V knows she's got big stilettos to fill. But with a powerhouse voice and gag-worthy looks that could turn a drag queen green with envy, she's confident nobody in the competition can knock her down and steal that crown!

· JAZELL ROYALE (Orlando, Fla., U.S.) Instagram: @jazellbarbieroyale

Jazell Royale is more than just a gorgeous face and an award-winning pageant queen, and the time is now for her star to shine. She may be known in the USA for her many titles and viral videos, but she hopes that the QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE stage will allow her to be remembered for her biggest asset - her voice!

· LOVE MASISI (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Instagram: @lovemasisi

Having lived in several different countries throughout their adventurous life, Love Masisi is now proud to call the Netherlands home. After a previous appearance on "Drag Race Holland" season 2, they're ready to showcase their passion for music and spread a message of hope and love all over the world.

· MAXIE (Manila, Philippines) Instagram: @maxieandreison

Maxie may already be known in the Philippines as a top-tier performer and LGBTQ advocate, but now she's ready to be known as a universal singing sensation! Although she's appeared on TV several times beginning when she was just a kid, she's never left her home country. Now she's ready to step onto the QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE stage for a shot at her dream.

· MILITIA SCUNT (San Francisco, Calif., U.S.) Instagram: @militiasf

Known in California for her edgy drag looks and her soulful singing voice, Militia Scunt is ready to conquer the universe and become the next singing drag queen superstar. A triple threat with singing, dancing, and style skills, she's confident she's got the goods to smack down the competition and bring the crown to the USA - period!

· MISS SISTRATA (Tel Aviv, Israel) Instagram: @misssistrata

Miss Sistrata, reporting for beauty! This former soldier is ready to walk onto the QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE stage like the true diva that she is. And with vocal abilities and looks that leave audiences gagged and begging for more, she's ready to make her mark on the competition.

· TAIGA BRAVA (Cancun, Mexico) Instagram: @taigabrava

Taiga Brava arrives to the main stage from the sunny shores of Cancun, ready to make both her homeland and family proud of her vocal skills and jaw-dropping drag looks. With her effervescent personality and unshakeable confidence, she's confident she's got what it takes to bring the crown home to Mexico.

· TREVOR ASHLEY (Sydney, Australia) Instagram: @trevor_ashley

Trevor Ashley is a seasoned theater queen who's been part of the Australian drag community for over 20 years. Despite her many career successes (including winning the Aussie equivalent of the Tony Award) this is her first televised singing competition - and the diva from Down Under is ready to deliver!

· VIOLA (Coventry, England, U.K.) Instagram: @playedbyviola

At only 19, Viola may be the youngest contender in the competition but don't be deceived - she's a talented musician who's been working towards this opportunity her entire life. Having joined the drag community only a few years ago, this rising star is ready to show the universe just how bright she can shine.

Global drag icon and multi-Emmy(R) Award winner RuPaul serves as an executive producer on the series, alongside MTV Entertainment Studios and World of Wonder, the producers of the Emmy Award-winning franchise "RuPaul's Drag Race."

About Paramount+

Paramount+, a direct-to-consumer digital subscription video on-demand and live streaming service, combines live sports, breaking news and a mountain of entertainment. The premium streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel. The service is also the streaming home to unmatched sports programming, including every CBS Sports event, from golf to football to basketball and more, plus exclusive streaming rights for major sports properties, including some of the world's biggest and most popular soccer leagues. Paramount+ also enables subscribers to stream local CBS stations live across the U.S. in addition to the ability to stream CBS News Network for 24/7 news and CBS Sports HQ for sports news and analysis. For more information about Paramount+, please visit www.paramountplus.com and follow @ParamountPlus on social platforms.

About Paramount Media Networks & MTV Entertainment Studios

Paramount Media Networks & MTV Entertainment Studios is one of the preeminent media entities in the world that connects with global audiences through its nine iconic brands - MTV, Comedy Central, VH1, CMT, Pop, Logo, Smithsonian, Paramount Network and TV Land - as well as MTV Entertainment Studios which produces acclaimed series and movies and the award-winning, Oscar-nominated MTV Documentary Films.

About World of Wonder

World of Wonder (WOW) has reshaped international pop culture, earning 30 Emmys, inspiring two Oscars, creating global network WOW Presents Plus across 190 territories, and bringing drag culture to the world stage via RuPaul's Drag Race and DragCon. WOW's pioneering television portfolio includes other smash-hit franchises like Million Dollar Listing. Their film division WOW Docs produces groundbreaking documentaries including Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures, Party Monster, and The Eyes of Tammy Faye. WOW also operates YouTube channel WOWPresents, music label World of Wonder Records, the WOW Podcast Network, and year-round international live events. Co-founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato have been profiled in Variety's Reality TV Impact Report. Honors for their trailblazing work include the IDA Pioneer Award, Realscreen's Global 100 list, and the OUT 100. In 2022, World of Wonder was ranked #2 among film and TV powerhouses in Fast Company's World's 50 Most Innovative Companies.