10 Best TV Shows Like Queen Of The Universe

Premiering in 2021, Queen of the Universe is a singing competition that brings together drag queens from all over the world. Fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race would also be drawn to the series as both shows are produced by the studio World of Wonder.

With energetic performances and global representation, the Paramount+ original proved to be a hit among fans of singing shows and drag reality shows. The star-studded guest panel along with Graham Norton’s hosting proved to be another highlight to draw in audiences. Even though the debut season ended a few days back with Brazil’s Grag Queen emerging as the winner, fans of Queen of the Universe can binge their way through these other exciting reality shows.

10 RuPaul’s Drag Race- Available On Hulu

The episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race are undeniably impactful when it comes to drag representation in pop culture. The brainchild of the titular drag queen, actor, and model, the show revolved around RuPaul’s search in finding “America’s next drag superstar”.

Even though it started out as an American reality series, the show’s multiple foreign editions went on to represent drag queens from other nationalities and cultures. And it is this inclusive spirit that is also represented in Queen of the Universe with contestants like Rani Ko-He-Nur from India and Woowu from China. Further, the show also includes RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni like Season 7 contestant Trixie Mattel and DJ/judge Michelle Visage, both of whom serve as judges.

9 The Graham Norton Show- Available On BBC America

With an ongoing 29-season run, The Graham Norton Show is one of the most popular talk shows in the world right now. Not only does the show attract viewers for its superstar guests but also host Graham Norton’s laidback charm. Most of the episodes find the guests at their most candid selves, opening up about hilarious anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories in a very unscripted fashion.

Graham Norton might have won over some new fans with his stint as the host for Queen of the Universe. So, if any newly-converted Norton aficionados are looking to know more about the Irish comedian and presenter, they must check out a few of the many episodes of The Graham Norton Show.

8 Dragging The Classics: The Brady Bunch- Available On Paramount+

The Brady Bunch might be a beloved American TV classic, but this television special serves as an interesting update on the show featuring drag queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race as well as the original “Bunch”. The crossover is a reworking of the Season 2 episode “Will The Real Jan Brady Please Stand Up” and is bound to delight fans of both shows.

Fans of Queen of the Universe would enjoy this TV special given how the latter’s cast includes executive producer RuPaul and judge Michelle Visage. If Queen of the Universe helps in normalizing drag representation in the singing reality format, Dragging The Classics: The Brady Bunch reinvents the sitcom genre with drag queens joining the cast.

7 The X Factor: The Band- Available On Sling TV

A special edition of The X-Factor, The Band pitted individual contestants vying for a place in a band that would then compete further to join Simon Cowell’s label. Joining Cowell are judges Nicole Scherzinger and Leona Lewis.

Like other seasons of The X-Factor, this one too plays out as a launching pad for upcoming artists and their careers. It is for such sentimental value alone that fans of singing reality shows will enjoy it. Further, The X-Factor Season 3 winner Leona Lewis’ inclusion showcases her judging skills which she would also use on Queen of the Universe.

6 The Masked Singer- Available On Hulu

The concept of The Masked Singer is pretty unique for a musical show. Each episode features singers and celebrities dressed up head to toe in flashy costumes. Then, it is up to the panelists to identify the celebrity through not just the costumed character’s mannerisms but also other clues that are provided throughout the episode.

An interesting spin on the game show genre, The Masked Singer might be of interest to fans of Queen of the Universe if they are looking for a show with A-list celebs as contestants, and a general aura of loud, wholesome fun among the judges and audiences.

5 RuPaul’s Drag Race UK- Available On Wow Presents Plus

The British edition of RuPaul’s Drag Race follows the same approach as the original with RuPaul and a judging panel deciding who is Britain’s next drag superstar. While RuPaul and Michelle Visage reprise their roles as RuPaul’s Drag Race judges, they are joined by British humorists Graham Norton and Alan Carr.

This is, of course, not Norton’s only tryst with drag as he went on to host Queen of the Universe. For audiences of the latter, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK would make for a good watch if they wished to see the host on the judge’s seat.

4 The Trixie & Katya Show- Available On Apple TV

Trixie Mattel might be one of RuPaul’s most popular contestants, entering Season 7 as a contestant and winning Season 3 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. Apart from her several ventures after the show, she ended up joining forces with fellow drag queen Katya for The Trixie and Katya Show. A spin-off of their famed YouTube comedy series UNHhhh, each episode features Trixie and Katya talking about topics like “Death”, “Sexual Health”, “Spirituality” and much more. It has easily become one of the most popular TV shows featuring RuPaul’s Drag Race Queens.

With her stint as a judge on Queen of the Universe, Trixie Mattel continues to show her effortless sass and versatility.  The Trixie and Katya Show bears further testimony to this as the titular drag queens engage in wholesome “podcast-like” banter.

3 AJ And The Queen- Available On Netflix

Starring RuPaul as the titular “Queen”, Netflix’s AJ and the Queen is a road comedy revolving around a homeless kid and a down-on-her-luck drag queen as they embark on an unexpected cross-country trip. The journey proves to be life-changing for both individuals as they prep for a major beauty pageant. Needless to say, AJ and the Queen is filled with several RuPaul’s Drag Race cameos.

When it comes to the representation of drag queens on TV, most of the shows end up falling in the reality genre including the likes of Queen of the Universe and RuPaul’s Drag Race. AJ and the Queen breaks the mold with its fictional narrative, opening up the avenue for more drag queen-led comedy shows.

2 Lip-Sync Battle- Available On Paramount+

Hosted by LL Cool J and Chrissy Teigen, Lip-Sync Battle features high-profile celebrities facing off against each other by simply lip-syncing on songs. Every lip-sync performance is accompanied by a larger-than-life musical set, complete with vibrant sets and backup dancers.

While the lip-syncing stars aren’t actually singing, unlike the contestants on Queen of the Universe, both shows brim with energy and display some brilliant entertaining skills on behalf of the performers. The overall glitz and glamor will impress fans of Queen of the Universe.

1 Painted With Raven- Available On WOW Presents Plus

RuPaul’s Drag Race alumnus and renowned makeup artist Raven gets her own series with Painted With Raven, a reality show bringing out the best from the world of makeup.

If Queen of the Universe brought out the next big drag singing sensation, Painted With Raven attempts to do the same with the world’s next makeup star. Both reality series show how far the genre has come, incorporating skills and art forms that go beyond the average singing and dancing routines.

About The Author

Shaurya Thapa
(727 Articles Published)

Shaurya Thapa is an Indian freelance journalist who mostly dabbles in writings on cinema, music, and human interest features. When it comes to Screen Rant, he writes lists on a wide array of subjects ranging from international films to mainstream Netflix series and comic book trivia. He also hosts a podcast called ‘BhindiWire’, an Indian parody of IndieWire.

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