Canada's Drag Race announces new judges following Stacey McKenzie departure

Damn. The only decent Canada’s Drag Race judge, Stacey McKenzie, won’t be able to return to the series due to COVID-related challenges,” the official Twitter account for the competition series said on Monday (Jun. 28, 2021).

“We’ll miss her killer lewks, positive vibes, & energy but know that she’ll be cheering on the S2 queens! Stay tuned for updates on our judges soon!” the statement continued.

#CanadasDragRace fans, we’re sad to share that Stacey McKenzie won’t be able to return for Season 2 due to COVID-related challenges. We’ll miss her killer lewks, positive vibes, & energy but know that she’ll be cheering on the S2 queens! Stay tuned for updates on our judges soon! pic.twitter.com/TAIftE9KCD
— Canada's Drag Race (@canadasdragrace) June 28, 2021

McKenzie (America’s Next Top Model) is the second judge to leave the show for Season 2 following Jeffrey Bowyer Chapman (unREAL), who cannot participate due to filming Disney’s Doogie Howser reboot Doogie Kealoha, M.D.

Joining the only remaining original Canada’s Drag Race judge Brooke Lynn Hytes will be stylist Brad Goreski and The Handmaid’s Tale star Amanda Brugel, as well as Traci Melchor, who was the resident “Squirrel Friend” on season one and has now been promoted to the judging panel.

Hold on to your beavers, cause there’s a new Fab Four in town! Joining our #QueenOfTheNorth @Bhytes1 at the judges table for Season 2 of #CanadasDragRace are @AmandaBrugel, @MrBradGoreski and @StayFabulous. See the full announcement here: https://t.co/MDWcSaMfYj pic.twitter.com/BGihqdiP1a
— Canada's Drag Race (@canadasdragrace) June 29, 2021

The three new judges all released statement via a press release and on Twitter.

“I am incredibly honored to be joining the Drag Race family,” said Amanda Brugel. “Now that the world has been introduced to the exceptional talent of our northern queens, I feel so fortunate to be able to champion the next class of drag royalty!”

I have been a fan of the art of drag for over twenty years. So much creativity, artistry, resilience and talent. This is an immense honour and I am deeply grateful for this opportunity. ⁦@CraveCanada⁩ ⁦@canadasdragrace⁩ https://t.co/HrO5Wiax7T
— Amanda Brugel (@AmandaBrugel) June 29, 2021

“I’m a huge fan of Canada’s Drag Race and am absolutely thrilled to be joining the show,” said Brad Goreski. “The drag in Canada is incredible, so I can’t wait to see the amazing looks and artistry that the Season 2 queens are going to bring to the runway.”

“Joining Canada’s Drag Race as a judge is a dream come true,” said Traci Melchor. “I’ve been invested in this franchise since the beginning, and every season I see its impact in the lives of the queens it features and the community it celebrates. There’s no other show that brings the funny, the fabulous, and the family together quite like Drag Race!”

So, I’ve got some news…. 💕 https://t.co/szJmylnvu7
— Traci Melchor (@stayfabulous) June 29, 2021

Now don’t fuck it up.

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