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Declined by Aesurias 6 months ago.
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Comment: Only two of the references are independent and show notability (#11 & #15), the rest are either about people who were there or from Instagram and similar. If you can find a few more, the article may be able to show Notability.Naraht (talk) 05:45, 31 December 2025 (UTC)
- Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. WizardofONDS (talk) 21:19, 17 November 2025 (UTC)
Ottawa's Next Drag Superstar is a multi-week drag competition held at The Lookout Bar in Ottawa, Canada.[1] Since its debut in 2022, the competition has showcased local drag talent across multiple seasons, emerging as a respected platform for drag artists of all styles to reach an engaged audience.
Tasked with a variety of diverse weekly theme challenges, such as "Halloween in May", "Superbowl Halftime Show", "Queer Icons", and the Snatch Game, entrants are evaluated by a panel of qualified judges. The competition awards prizes and provides a platform for emerging drag artists to showcase and develop their performance abilities.
The competition is hosted by Ottawa-based performer Vera,[2] and co-produced by Vera and Chris Fry, with Absolut and The Lookout Bar serving as the presenting sponsors.
Season 1
editIn early 2022, The Lookout Bar announced casting for a new competition open to drag performers of all styles, in pursuit of the ultimate showcase of Ottawa drag talent.
The debut cast of 12 contestants was announced on April 26, 2022.[3] After 9 weeks of competition, Karamilk was the inaugural winner of Ottawa's Next Drag Superstar at the June 30, 2022 Grand Finale.[4]
| Contestant | Placement |
|---|---|
| Karamilk | Winner[5] |
| Oliver Twisted | Runner-Up |
| Sophia Sapphire | Finalist |
| Yeti | Finalist |
| JD Merciii | 5th place |
| Zak Zinya | 6th place |
| Ben Dover | 7th place |
| Spicy Pancetta | 8th place |
| Bae Root | 9th place |
| Emma Mahn | 10th/11th place |
| Minnie Monroe | 10th/11th place |
| Erwin | 12th place |
| Contestant | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karamilk | WIN | SAFE | WIN | HIGH | WIN | SAFE | WIN | BTM | WINNER |
| Oliver Twisted | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | HIGH | HIGH | HIGH | BTM | SAFE | RUNNER-UP |
| Sophia Sapphire | SAFE | BTM | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | BTM | ELIM |
| Yeti | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | HIGH | BTM | HIGH | WIN | ELIM |
| JD Merciii | SAFE | SAFE | BTM | SAFE | BTM | HIGH | HIGH | ELIM | — |
| Zak Zinya | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | ELIM | — | — |
| Ben Dover | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | ELIM | — | — | — |
| Spicy Pancetta | SAFE | BTM | SAFE | BTM | ELIM | — | — | — | — |
| Bae Root | BTM | SAFE | SAFE | ELIM | — | — | — | — | — |
| Emma Mahn | SAFE | SAFE | ELIM | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Minnie Monroe | SAFE | SAFE | ELIM | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Erwin | ELIM | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | CONGEN |
Legend
| Result | Description |
|---|---|
| WINNER | Contestant won the competition. |
| RUNNER-UP | Contestant finished as runner-up. |
| WIN | Contestant was the winner of the week. |
| HIGH | Contestant received positive critiques. |
| SAFE | Neither top nor bottom. |
| BTM | Contestant was in danger of elimination. |
| ELIM | Contestant was eliminated. |
| CONGEN | Contestant was selected by the cast as the Congeniality Award winner. |
Season 2
editFollowing the success of the debut season, in Spring 2023, 13 new competitors were revealed as the cast for the second season of ONDS on April 14, 2023.[6]
After 10 weeks of competition, Elle Faekwa was crowned as the second winner of ONDS at the June 29, 2023 Grand Finale.[7]
| Contestant | Placement |
|---|---|
| Elle Faekwa | Winner |
| Freya Frostbite | Runner-Up |
| Love | Finalist |
| Slushy | Finalist |
| Stella Soleil | 5th place |
| BJ Stroker | 6th place |
| Lady Justice | 7th place |
| Abysskiss | 8th place |
| Xtra | 9th place |
| Omari B. Johnson | 10th place |
| Honey Jack | 11th place |
| Holli Cow | 12th place |
| Ostara | 13th place |
| Contestant | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elle Faekwa | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | — | SAFE | HIGH | WIN | WINNER |
| Freya Frostbite | HIGH | SAFE | HIGH | HIGH | SAFE | — | WIN | BTM | HIGH | RUNNER-UP |
| Love | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | HIGH | — | BTM | WIN | BTM | ELIM |
| Slushy | SAFE | BTM | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | — | SAFE | HIGH | HIGH | ELIM |
| Stella Soleil | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | HIGH | HIGH | — | HIGH | SAFE | ELIM | — |
| BJ Stroker | SAFE | WIN | HIGH | SAFE | ELIM | WIN | HIGH | ELIM | — | CONGEN |
| Lady Justice | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | BTM | BTM | — | ELIM | — | — | — |
| Abysskiss | HIGH | HIGH | SAFE | WIN | ELIM | ELIM | — | — | — | — |
| Xtra | SAFE | HIGH | BTM | ELIM | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Omari B. Johnson | SAFE | SAFE | ELIM | — | — | TOP2 | — | — | — | CONGEN |
| Honey Jack | BTM | SAFE | WTH | — | — | HIGH | — | — | — | — |
| Holli Cow | SAFE | ELIM | — | — | — | ELIM | — | — | — | — |
| Ostara | ELIM | — | — | — | — | ELIM | — | — | — | — |
Legend
| Result | Description |
|---|---|
| WINNER | Contestant won the competition. |
| RUNNER-UP | Contestant finished as runner-up. |
| WIN | Contestant won the challenge. |
| HIGH | Contestant received positive critiques. |
| SAFE | Neither top nor bottom. |
| BTM | Contestant was in danger of elimination. |
| ELIM | Contestant was eliminated. |
| CONGEN | Contestants were selected by the cast as the Congeniality Award winners (tie). |
Season 3
editFollowing a January 2024 casting call, 12 new contestants were announced as the competitors for the third season of ONDS on April 5, 2024.[8]
After 10 weeks[9] of competition, Shebiscuit emerged as the winner of the season at the June 27, 2024 Grand Finale.[10]
| Contestant | Placement |
|---|---|
| Shebiscuit | Winner |
| Portia Züm Züm | Runner-Up |
| Anni Elation | Finalist |
| Peter Packer | Finalist |
| Banshii Waylön | 5th place |
| Shea Muah | 6th place |
| Mx. Tique | 7th place |
| Karen Ligays | 8th place |
| Della Dustball | 9th place |
| Morgan Mercury | 10th place[11] |
| Bug the Drag Thing | 11th place |
| Mizrabelle | 12th place |
| Contestant | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shebiscuit | SAFE | SAFE | HIGH | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | HIGH | WINNER |
| Portia Züm Züm | HIGH | HIGH | SAFE | WIN | HIGH | WIN | SAFE | HIGH | WIN | RUNNER-UP |
| Anni Elation | SAFE | WIN | TOP2 | HIGH | HIGH | HIGH | SAFE | WIN | HIGH | ELIM |
| Peter Packer | WIN | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | HIGH | HIGH | HIGH | BTM | ELIM |
| Banshii Waylön | TOP2 | SAFE | LOW | BTM | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | BTM | ELIM | — |
| Shea Muah | LOW | WTH | - | - | IN | BTM | BTM | ELIM | — | — |
| Mx. Tique | SAFE | HIGH | LOW | BTM | SAFE | SAFE | ELIM | — | — | CONGEN |
| Karen Ligays | SAFE | BTM | SAFE | HIGH | SAFE | ELIM | — | — | — | — |
| Della Dustball | SAFE | SAFE | WTH | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Morgan Mercury | LOW | ELIM | — | — | ELIM | — | — | — | — | — |
| Bug the Drag Thing | LOW | WTH | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mizrabelle | WTH | — | — | — | HIGH | — | — | — | — | — |
Legend
| Result | Description |
|---|---|
| WINNER | Contestant won the competition. |
| RUNNER-UP | Contestant finished as runner-up. |
| WIN | Contestant won the main challenge. |
| HIGH | Contestant received positive critiques. |
| TOP2 | Contestant participated in the lip sync for the win. |
| SAFE | Neither top nor bottom. |
| IN | Contestant won their way back into the competition. |
| BTM | Contestant was in danger of elimination. |
| ELIM | Contestant was eliminated (or OUT). |
| WTH | Contestant withdrew from the competition. |
| CONGEN | Contestant was selected by the cast as the Congeniality Award winner. |
All Stars
editOn August 26, 2024, a surprise special All Stars edition of ONDS was announced[12] for September and October 2024, with 12 previous contestants returning in a non-elimination format to compete for weekly stars (1 each for the Top 2, 1 from the Fan Vote) and to lip sync for a weekly cash prize[13]
After 6 weeks of competition, BJ Stroker was crowned the winner at the October 24, 2024 Grand Finale.[14][15]
| Contestant | Original Season | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| BJ Stroker | 2 | Winner |
| Xtra | 2 | Runner-Up |
| Bae Root | 1 | Finalist |
| Yeti | 1 | Finalist |
| Oliver Twisted | 1 | 2 Stars |
| Anni Elation | 3 | 1 Star |
| Sophia Sapphire | 1 | 1 Star |
| Lady Justice | 2 | 1 Star |
| Mizrabelle | 3 | 1 Star |
| Holli Cow | 2 | 0 Stars |
| Minnie Monroe | 1 | 0 Stars |
| Slushy | 2 | 0 Stars (DNC) |
| Contestant | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BJ Stroker | HIGH | WIN | HIGH | SAFE | WIN | TOP2 | WINNER |
| Xtra | TOP2 | FAN VOTE | SAFE | WIN | – | SAFE | RUNNER-UP |
| Bae Root | FAN VOTE | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | FAN VOTE | ELIM |
| Yeti | WIN | SAFE | HIGH | SAFE | TOP2 + FAN VOTE | WIN | ELIM |
| Oliver Twisted | HIGH | TOP2 | FAN VOTE | – | SAFE | SAFE | – |
| Anni Elation | HIGH | SAFE | SAFE | TOP2 | SAFE | SAFE | – |
| Sophia Sapphire | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | FAN VOTE | HIGH | SAFE | – |
| Lady Justice | SAFE | HIGH | TOP2 | SAFE | HIGH | HIGH | – |
| Mizrabelle | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | CONGEN |
| Minnie Monroe | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WTH | – | – | – |
| Holli Cow | SAFE | HIGH | SAFE | WTH | – | – | – |
| Slushy | WTH | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Legend
| Result | Description |
|---|---|
| WINNER | Contestant won the season. |
| RUNNER-UP | Contestant finished as runner-up. |
| WIN | Contestant won the main challenge that week (1 Star). |
| TOP2 | Contestant participated in the lip sync for the win (1 Star). |
| HIGH | Contestant was among the top performers that week. |
| FAN VOTE | Contestant was voted as the audience favourite (1 Star). |
| SAFE | Neither top nor bottom. |
| ELIM | Contestant was eliminated. |
| WTH | Contestant withdrew. |
| – | Contestant not competing that week. |
| CONGEN | Contestant was selected by the cast as the Congeniality Award winner. |
Judges' Panel
edit| Judge | 1[16] | 2[17] | 3[18] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sally O'Callaghan | Main | Main | Main |
| Cyril Cinder | Main | Main | |
| Shea D. Ladie | Main | Main | |
| Jeff Shepherd | Guest | Main | Main |
| Kiki Coe | Main | Guest | Guest |
| Adrianna Exposée | Main | ||
| Trinity King | Main | Guest | Guest |
Notes
- Each week of competition involves a rotating combination of the main panel judges, plus special guest judges of prominence and expertise from within the drag and performing arts communities in the Ottawa area.
- Past guest judges include Drag Race stars Kimmy Couture, Aimee Yoncé Shennel, and Saltina Shaker, Ottawa drag performers Devona Coe, Caligula, several ONDS alumni, Live 88.5 radio personality Jen Traplin,[19] Ottawa event producer Bren Egan, Lookout owners Kelly Brant and Sue Plowman, DJ Roxy Sunset, and more.
- For the All Stars edition, the judges' panel consisted of one main panel member and one guest, such as past winners and alumni, choreographer Kevin Atkinson, burlesque artist and activist Miss Patience Plush, and more (except the Finale, which was the full main panel, with guest Karamilk[20]).
Alumni Achievements
editOttawa's Next Drag Superstar alumni have continued to contribute to the drag community locally, nationally, and internationally, and have performed strongly in other competitions and events. Notable achievements include:
- In November 2025, Season 1 Winner Karamilk was announced as a competitor on Season 6 of Canada's Drag Race[21]
- 7 Capital Pride Pageant titles[22][23][24][25]: Mr. Capital Pride 2023 (Omari B. Johnson), 2024 (BJ Stroker), 2025 (Zak Zinya); Miss Capital Pride 2024 (Vera), 2025 (Portia Zum Zum); Mx. Capital Pride 2023 (Abysskiss), and 2025 (Banshii Waylon).
- 3 Absolut Empire's Ball (Toronto) winners: Karamilk, Sophia Sapphire, and Yeti[26] (2023), and finalist Anni Elation[27] (2025).
- 2 Queer of Halloween winners: Erwin (2022[28]), and Lady Justice (2023[29]).
- 2 Mr. Luscious King winners: Oliver Twisted[30] (2024) and Peter Packer[31] (2025).
- 3 Ottawa Award nominations[32] (Vera - Best Emcee, 2023, 2024, 2025) and 1 win[33] (Chris Fry - Best Organizer/Promoter, 2025).
- 1 Drag Pen winner[34]: Minnie Monroe (2022)
- 1 Newbie Awards Big Slay winner[35]: BJ Stroker (2023)
- 1 Naughty or Nice winner[36]: Yeti (2022)
- 1 Sleigh the Runway[37] winner: Elle Faekwa (2023)
- In 2024, Holli Cow appeared as a contestant on the OutTV show Dating: Unlocked.[38]
- Many alumni have since joined the regular weekend roster at The Lookout, and/or host and coordinate various weeknight theme shows, becoming mainstays in the bar's programming.
References
edit- ↑ "The Lookout Bar website".
- ↑ "Vera - Host of ONDS".
- ↑ "ONDS S1 Poster - @thelookoutbar".
- ↑ "Karamilk wins ONDS S1: @thelookoutbar".
- ↑ "Step Right Up! Queens Announced as CANADA'S DRAG RACE Returns for Season 6, November 20". Bell Media.
- ↑ "ONDS S2 - Cast Reveal Video - @thelookoutbar".
- ↑ "Elle Faekwa wins ONDS S2".
- ↑ "ONDS 3 Cast Reveal Video".
- ↑ "Promo Video - Season 3 Finale".
- ↑ "Shebiscuit wins ONDS S3 - @thelookoutbar".
- ↑ "Morgan Mercury recaps Ottawa's Next Drag Superstar". CKCU FM.
- ↑ "ONDS All Stars - Cast Reveal".
- ↑ "ONDS All Stars - Star System Explainer".
- ↑ "He's a Winner, Baby - BJ Stroker wins ONDS All Stars".
- ↑ Lawrence, Savannah. "Breaking new ground: The Lookout Bar crowns it's first king as Ottawa's Next Drag Superstar".
- ↑ "ONDS S1 Judge Reveal".
- ↑ "S2 Judge Announcement - ONDS S2".
- ↑ "ONDS 3 Judges - The Lookout Bar".
- ↑ "ONDS S1 - Snatch Game - Jen Traplin".
- ↑ "ONDS All Stars Finale Judges".
- ↑ Bisson, Marc-Olivier (19 novembre 2025). "La drag queen ottavienne Karamilk rejoint Canada's Drag Race". Le Droit.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ↑ "Mx. Capital Pride 2023 - Abysskiss".
- ↑ "Mr. Capital Pride 2023 - Omari B. Johnson".
- ↑ "Capital Pride Pageant 2024 - Royal Court". National Arts Centre.
- ↑ "Capital Pride Pageant 2025 - Results". Photographs by AC.
- ↑ "Haus of Injustice Members - AEB 2023".
- ↑ "Clown Car - Finalists for AEB 2025".
- ↑ "Erwin wins Queer of Halloween 2022".
- ↑ "Lady Justice as winner of QOH 2023".
- ↑ "Mr. Luscious King 2024 - Oliver Twisted". Capital Kingdom.
- ↑ "Mr. Luscious King 2025 - Peter Packer". Capital Kingdom.
- ↑ "Vera - Nominee for Best Emcee".
- ↑ "Ottawa Awards 2025 - Best Organizer/Promoter".
- ↑ "Drag Pen S 1-3 Winners - The Lookout Bar".
- ↑ "Newbie Awards 2023 - Hosted by Saltina and Sunshine".
- ↑ "Naughty or Nice 2022 @thelookoutbar".
- ↑ "Sleigh the Runway - Presented by Kiki Coe and Icesis Couture".
- ↑ "Dating: Unlocked, Season 2".
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