Reality TV has long belonged to the queens – drag queens that is, with RuPaul’s Drag Race empire mostly highlighting the be-gowned among us. This summer, however, free LGBTQ platform Revry reinvents the queer royalty genre with King of Drag, the first-ever drag king competition series premiering on June 22. Hosted by actor Murray Hill, this show features 10 drag kings who’ll compete for the title prize across six episodes. Among those hopeful hunks is Austin’s own hometown hero Alexander the Great, who’ll be hosting viewing parties at Cheer Up Charlies on Sundays with Bobby Pudrido & Brigitte Bandit when episodes premiere and solo at Oilcan’s for Tuesdays’ behind-the-scenes screenings.
The well-informed Austin drag enjoyer will recognize Alexander immediately as the aerial ace whose performing history includes hosting former happy-hour drag show Kingdom and sparkling alongside award-winning burlesque ensemble the Jigglewatts, not to mention his many other spotlight appearances across all ATX stages. His entry into televised competition was much quieter by contrast. “I just moved quickly and silently,” he recalls, “because it was one of those things where I was like, ‘You know what? I think I could actually maybe do this. So let me just focus and not, you know, cause a bunch of hullabaloo.’” After auditioning during his winter work break and getting a final call back, Alexander learned in February he’d been cast and by March – hidden by South by Southwest hustle and bustle – he was off to Hollywood.
For the consummate live performer, Alexander says the biggest change was being on a real-deal television set. “When I do shows and when I perform, it’s just me [and] the DJ hitting my music and let’s go,” he explains. “But when you’re filming something, you’re on someone else’s schedule. They tell you when the show starts. Which is great! I love structure, so it’s actually really kind of nice just to be like, ‘Cool. What are we doing next?’” He also found plenty of inspiration in his fellow castmates, who include fellow Texan by way of Dallas’ Buck Wylde, D.C.’s King Molasses, and Pressure K of ATL.
“I feel like with drag reality TV, a lot of times we’re used to seeing drag performers fight and drama,” Alexander says, “and this was so opposite of that. The 10 of us together are really just something special. Each one of us has a different story and represents a different community and identity. And I’m just so excited for people to see what my castmates do.”
While the comedown from competition has been tough – Alexander approximates that he slept for four days after returning to ATX – the hardest part has been keeping quiet about the entire experience. “Like I’ve been a different person, but I have to be like, ‘Oh, lol, everything’s cool,’” he jokes. “I just want to talk about the powerful impact that this is going to have.” As a longtime advocate for transgender Texans as well as a member of the city of Austin LGBTQ commission, he hopes that viewers understand that trans people in Texas can thrive beyond the state’s oppressive legislation. “I think a lot of times, like, trans people get so focused on our survival,” Alexander says, “but like, what about our success? What about our achievements?”
“In my drag career, I’ve been able to inspire other people to become drag kings, and successful drag kings at that,” he says, “and I just want to continue that and open the door, pull people behind me, and, again, represent for trans people, specifically here in Texas, where every day is some sort of fight, [that] they’re strong as heck.”
The Great King of Drag Party
Sunday 22, Cheer Up Charlies
instagram.com/alexander.great.king
High Tea
Tuesday 24, Oilcan Harry’s
instagram.com/alexander.great.king
This article appears in June 20 • 2025.
