Bear World Magazine Interview – Drag Roast Australia 2026

11th July 2026 Luka Musicki

Poster above: Drag Roast Heats Up Australia this Winter National Tour (16-28 July 2026)

A global all-star cast and Australia’s fiercest drag performers are sharpening their tongues and stepping into the spotlight for Drag Roast, a high-energy live spectacle blending drag, stand-up comedy, lip sync performances and outrageous celebrity roast culture into one gloriously unfiltered night out.

Since Bear World Magazine (BWM) did the interview with Misty Boxx, Holi Dae Knight, and Frock Hudson, who are some of the most fabulous drag queen bears from Melbourne, this was a fantastic opportunity to do more drag interviews. For those who do not know what a ’ drag roast ’ is, it is built around comedy, camp, and audience interaction. So, I have ensured that the interview has equal parts playful, insightful, and a little cheeky, with Australian references to match their personas.

The cast for the Drag Roast is wonderfully diverse—some are comedy queens, some fashion icons, some performance powerhouses. They are the wonderful and talented Reuben Kaye, Art Simone, Kween Kong, Raja, Darlene Mitchell, Jane Don’t, Nicole Paige Brooks, Thorgy Thor, and William.

Again, I have ensured to have a mix of questions to produce entertaining, quote-worthy responses while also giving the BWM readers a clear insight into the performers’ personalities, the connection between drag and the bear community, and the excitement surrounding the Australian tour. I made sure to balance humour with thoughtful discussion, making it well-suited for a feature in BWM.

Pictured above (L-R): Raja, Reuben Kaye, and William

Luka Musicki (L.M.): G’day Reuben Kaye, Art Simone, Kween Kong, Raja, Darlene Mitchell, Jane Don’t, Nicole Paige Brooks, Thorgy Thor, and William – welcome to the BWM interview! I appreciate your time today.

Firstly, congratulations on bringing Drag Roast to Australia! Bear World Magazine celebrates the global bear community, and we know there’s a huge crossover between bears and drag fans, so we’re excited to chat with all of you before you start your tour in Brisbane on 16^th July 2026, then Sydney on 18^th July, then Newcastle on 19^th July, then Hobart on 22^nd July, then Melbourne on 24^th July, then Adelaide on 25^th July, and finish in Perth on 28^th July 2026. It will be a great night!

Pictured above: Kween Kong, Nicole Paige Brooks, and Jane Don’t.

Now I have some interview questions to ask you all. The first part is collective, and then individual later on. I understand that some of you would like to answer, and some have those quick coffee breaks.

Collectively:

Drag Roast

For someone who’s never experienced Drag Roast, what can audiences expect that they absolutely won’t see at a regular drag show?
- Art Simone: Jokes aside, I think the most exciting thing about the Drag Roast is the lineup. There has never been a time when such huge global names in the drag world have come together to put on a show like this. The lineup is MASSIVE (and that’s just Reuben’s mouth)!
- Darlene: The gloves are off! No rules!
- Thorgy Thor: First of all, what is a regular Drag show? Boo! I’ve been doing this a long time, and I refuse the term regular. It’s always different! However… A roast is supposed to be inappropriate fun. Same things that are inappropriate for the humour of it all. Refuting cancel culture! It’s all good fun, and we are all laughing at each other, telling inappropriate jokes. Race, gender, politics! It’s all up for grabs under one roof where we can all laugh together.
Roasting is an art form. What’s the secret ingredient to delivering a savage joke without actually hurting someone’s feelings?
- Art Simone: With a premise of a Roast, all the participants are willing to enter in with the knowledge that anything is up for grabs, no one is safe, and that’s what makes it fun! But I think if you lead with truth and always punch up, the audience and participants will be on your side.
- Darlene: I’m definitely not the one to ask how to roast. Did we see the television show?! Banana!
- Thorgy Thor: Well… It all depends on who is being roasted and how they take the joke… We are all living on stage! If somebody really gives me a dig… I can’t take it personally. It’s a good read! This is the one opportunity where everyone can go in! Keeping in mind tact. My only ask from the Australian audience is.. keep an open mind! I’m from New York, so I really don’t have a filter! I apologise in advance.
Has anyone in this cast ever genuinely left you speechless with a roast?
- Art Simone: We have some pretty heavy hitters in this cast, but to be honest, the Queen I’m most intrigued to see is Darlene after her (in)famous Roast on RuPaul’s Drag Race. I was floored with that performance, and I can’t wait to see what tricks (or bananas) she has in her handbag.
- Darlene: Jane Don’t will go down in the HERstory books!
- Thorgy Thor: Yes. I’ve done a huge tour in the United States for like 90 cities. And I will never forget two queens. They did not prepare. It was embarrassing for them. The audience literally let out a huge boo when they were reading me during their set. Because they called me out on my elimination from All-Stars three before it aired! It was a huge boo! So I will not let everyone know that Aunt Simone goes home in episode one! Whoops!
Is there anything that’s completely off-limits during a roast? Or is absolutely everything fair game?
- Art Simone: Everything is fair game! Even some of the audience members have the opportunity to join in on the fun!
- Darlene: All is fair! Let’s rip, ladies!
- Thorgy Thor: Again… We are all under one roof, being allowed to read each other for one night only.… Nothing is off-limits… I can take a joke as far as I can throw it!… Without destroying somebody’s reputation. Although I am a gossip queen and I know everything about everyone! So let’s see! lol

Bear Community:

Bear World Magazine celebrates bears from all over the world. What has your experience been performing for bear audiences over the years?
- Art Simone: Some of my most memorable and enjoyable memories amongst the queer scene have been at bear events as both a performer and attendee. I’ve always felt an incredible sense of community and love!
- Darlene: Bears know how to throw a gay ass party! And they have welcomed me with open arms!
- Thorgy Thor: Some of my best friends are bears. They are always naked in Jack straps at camp in the US! I am not a bear. But I always wanna go and watch all of them fuck each other. While I’m sitting in a chair in the woods, watching. I’m a pervert! What’s wrong with that?
Some of the biggest supporters of drag around the world are bears. What do you think makes the relationship between bears and drag so special?
- Art Simone: It’s gotta be the honey, HONEY!
- Darlene: Both have that same sort of attitude of middle fingers to the rest of the world and continuing on! There is something so welcoming yet still so defiant and rebellious about both Bear and drag culture!
- Thorgy Thor: The last 25 years I have done Drag! in New York City and all of the world! Hairy huge men have always been my good friends.. helping me execute shows in lighting and props and back up dancing!… I’ve also bartended, performed, and DJed at many bear parties. Literally the best community there is!
The bear community has always embraced confidence, authenticity and body positivity. Do you think drag and bears naturally share those same values?
- Art Simone: I believe both communities do, and I think we both inspire other people from outside our communities to live authentically, freely and proudly!
- Darlene: Absolutely! All are welcome just as you are!
- Thorgy Thor: That’s a tough question because individuals are always different.… Years and years ago, I did a huge, successful show called Saliva at the Ritz in New York City. And I booked and accepted all kinds of Drag!… including bearded queens and Drag of all sizes and shapes. That’s what I think about with this question. Values? That’s an individual question to ask each performer.
If you had to create a drag persona inspired entirely by bear culture…What would she look like?
- Art Simone: I think if I were able to grow a beard, you’d be looking right at her!
- Darlene: Oh, honey! Hairy chest, sweaty pits, hanky in the back pocket, and the CPAP machine on hand! Show me their bellies, boys!
- Thorgy Thor: If I weighed 300 pounds and walked around as a performer and identified as a bear… I would love to spank and whip! With consent, of course! Consent is sexy!

Australia:

Are there any Australian landmarks, beaches, cafés, wildlife or tourist spots you’re hoping to visit between shows? Any places for the fans to catch up?
- Art Simone: I think most of tourism Australia has me on a ban list for out aussie-ing the Landmarks. But I’ll be encouraging our first-time visitors to soak up as much as they can!
- Darlene: I need to find out what the hell a Tasmanian Devil is!

Social Media:

Drag fans love memes. Which queen in this cast is most likely to accidentally become the next viral meme?
- Art Simone: Nicole Page Brooks, of course, that girl opens her mouth, and a meme falls out. She is the MEME QUEEN!
- Darlene: LOVE Thorgy!
- Thorgy Thor: Probably me! I never shut up, and I’m happy to say things that are wrong or right or drama-filled!… Me or Nicole Paige Brooks!
Who’s most likely to post backstage chaos before the producers even know it happened?
- Art Simone: My Down Under Vs The World sister Nicole Page Brooks again, keep an eye on her.. She’s always on TikTok, living on it and causing chaos!
- Darlene: Y’all know William is coming, right? I mean, there’s your answer. No brainer!
- Thorgy Thor: Probably William.

Quick Fire Questions:

If Drag Roast had a warning label, what would it say?
- Art Simone: May contain nuts!
- Darlene: Duck & Cover!
- Thorgy Thor: Don’t be offended, please.
Describe this tour in just three words.
- Art Simone: Piss yourself laughing!
- Darlene: You. Will. Gag.
- Thorgy Thor: Unhinged and Rude
Every cast has “the responsible adult”, who definitely isn’t it and why?
- Art Simone: Too many to name!
- Darlene: Thorgy! You ever heard the phrase “Drink Responsibly”, well Thorgy definitely doesn’t.
- Thorgy Thor: Probably me! Because I give no shits! I look forward to being cancelled.
Who laughs the hardest at their own jokes, and what is that joke?
- Art Simone: Nicole Paige Brooks
- Darlene: Me, because if you can’t laugh at yourself, how the hell are you gonna laugh at somebody else? Oh look, a BURGER!
- Thorgy Thor: I’m not giving away any jokes…But I welcome all jokes from all queens! I can’t wait to laugh at myself, please! Bring it!
Who takes the longest to get ready backstage?
- Art Simone: Me!
- Darlene: William! Water takes forever to run clear!
- Thorgy Thor: Always Alyssa Edwards! But she is not on this tour, thank God!
Who is most likely to be ‘fashionably late’ and why?
- Art Simone: Me (from still getting ready!)
- Darlene: Raja! The edible, mama. The wine, honey!
- Thorgy Thor: Don’t keep the audience waiting! I hope nobody.
Who’s most likely to accidentally roast themselves?
- Art Simone: Darlene Mitchell
- Darlene: Nicole Paige Brooks!
- Thorgy Thor: Probably Nicole Paide Brooks
Loudest queen?
- Art Simone: Nicole
- Darlene: William
- Thorgy Thor: Me
Most Roastable queen?
- Art Simone: Kween Kong
- Darlene: William
- Thorgy Thor: William
Hardest to Roast?
- Art Simone: Jane Don’t
- Darlene: Raja
- Thorgy Thor: The host!
Messiest dressing room?
- Darlene: I’d guess Thorgy
- Thorgy Thor: Absolutely, me with my ADHD.
Biggest diva?
- Art Simone: Reuben Kaye
- Darlene: Nicole
- Thorgy Thor: Nicole Paige Brooks
Fashion assassin?
- Art Simone: Raja
- Darlene: Jane Motherf**king Don’t
- Thorgy Thor: Raja
Funniest off stage?
- Art Simone: Nicole
- Darlene: Jane!
- Thorgy Thor: Me!
Biggest flirt?
- Art Simone: William
- Darlene: Raja!
- Thorgy Thor: Me!
Most chaotic traveller?
- Art Simone: TBC!
- Darlene: Nicole
- Thorgy Thor: Me!
Most likely to miss their flight?
- Art Simone: Nicole
- Darlene: Raja
- Thorgy Thor: NOT me
Best singer?
- Art Simone: Reuben
- Darlene: Jane
- Thorgy Thor: Can any of them sing?
Best improviser?
- Art Simone: Thorgy
- Darlene: Jane
Biggest softie?
- Art Simone: Raja
- Darlene: Raja
Most likely to adopt a koala if given the chance?
- Art Simone: Darlene
- Darlene: Thorgy, family resemblance
- Thorgy Thor: Darlene
Most likely to end up on Australian news?
- Art Simone: Me!
- Darlene: William
- Thorgy Thor: Me

Individually:

Art Simone:

Q: Australia has such a unique drag scene, especially with Drag Race Down Under. What makes Australian drag different from anywhere else in the world?

A: Aussie drag is so isolated from the rest of the world, so it’s definitely got its own flavour which revolves around humour, colour and camp – which makes us the perfect ingredient for a roast!

Darlene Mitchell:

Q: You’re one of the newest faces in the lineup coming out of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18. What’s it like stepping into a cast packed with Drag Race legends?

A: I’ve arrived y’all! Being part of this cast is a dream! I’m ready to take over the world, starting with this roast! Am I the ICON?!

Thorgy Thor:

Q: You’re brilliantly unpredictable. – blending live music, comedy and chaotic energy. Have you ever completely surprised yourself during a live performance?

A: Every time! I always meticulously prepare… Then I get there, and it’s a free-for-all, and I go off script every time with my ADAC brain… Perfect for a LIVE roast.

Thank you, Reuben Kaye, Art Simone, Kween Kong, Raja, Darlene Mitchell, Jane Don’t, Nicole Paige Brooks, Thorgy Thor, and William, for your time attending the interview with Bear World Magazine.

For our Australian readers, you can get tickets now (it is starting this week, 16 to 28 July 2026) to the Drag Roast at www.itdevents.com, with the best seats available from $89 + Booking Fee. And we welcome all international readers to possibly book a flight, accommodation, and tickets to the fabulous show.

TourDates: