Zahirah Zapanta

Zahirah Zapanta
Zahirah Zapanta in 2026
Born
Marc Lemuel Ramos Zapanta

Philippines
OccupationDrag performer
Television

Marc Lemuel Ramos Zapanta,[1] known professionally as Zahirah Zapanta, is a Filipino-born British drag performer who competed on the sixth series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK and the third series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World.[2][3][4]

Early life

Zapanta was born in the Philippines, and raised in Obando, Bulacan. His family moved to Nottingham when Zapanta was ten years old.[5]

Career

Drag performer Zahirah Zapanta competed on the sixth series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. She and Saki Yew were the show's first two contestants of Filipino descent,[5][6][7] and Zahirah Zapanta was the show's first to be born in the Philippines.[8] Zahirah Zapanta placed tenth overall and has been described as a "fan favourite" by Attitude.[9] She later competed on the third series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World.[10][11][12]

In 2025, Zahirah Zapanta accused Manchester Pride of failing to compensate her and other performers.[13]

Personal life

Zapanta is based in Nottingham and uses the pronouns she/her in drag and he/him out of drag.[14] Zapanta has said M1ss Jade So is a favorite contestant from the Drag Race franchise.[8]

Discography

Singles

Filmography

See also

References

  1. ↑ "A-Z (feat. Zahirah Zapanta)". music.apple.com. Apple Inc. Archived from the original on December 27, 2024. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
  2. ↑ Fox, Dale (2024-10-18). "Zahirah Zapanta reflects on being mistaken for Saki Yew: 'We all deserve to be recognised for our individuality'". Attitude. ISSN 1353-1875. Retrieved 2026-05-27.
  3. ↑ "'Drag Race UK' star Zahirah Zapanta flaunts Pinoy roots with premiere Filipiniana look". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs.
  4. ↑ "Filipina drag queen Zahirah Zapanta ends 'Drag Race UK' Season 6 journey". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs.
  5. 1 2 Martinez, Gavin (2024-10-02). "Filipina drag queen honors roots with Filipiniana look on 'Drag Race UK'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. ISSN 0116-0443. Archived from the original on 2024-10-06. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  6. ↑ Antonio, Josiah (2024-09-27). "'Mismatches, typecast': Saki Yew, Zahirah Zapanta share struggles of Asian queens in UK". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs.
  7. ↑ Antonio, Josiah (2024-09-03). "Filipina drag queens Saki Yew, Zahirah Zapanta join 'Drag Race UK' season 6". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. Archived from the original on 2024-09-27. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  8. 1 2 Damshenas, Sam (2024-09-12). "'A new direction for the franchise': Drag Race UK stars on "mind-blowing" season 6". Gay Times. ISSN 0950-6101. Archived from the original on 2024-10-15. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  9. ↑ Sugg, Aaron (2026-01-08). "RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World Series 3 cast revealed: Kate Butch, Sminty Drop and Zahirah Zapanta return". Attitude. Archived from the original on 2026-01-26. Retrieved 2026-05-27.
  10. ↑ "Meet the RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World series 3 Queens". BBC. Archived from the original on 2026-01-08. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
  11. ↑ Purnell, Kristofer. "Zahirah Zapanta exits 'Drag Race UK vs the World 3,' last among Filipinos". The Philippine Star. OCLC 854909029. Retrieved 2026-05-27.
  12. ↑ Wratten, Marcus (2026-03-04). "Drag Race UK's Zahirah Zapanta on her relationship with Mariah Balenciaga and Kate Butch: 'That's my baby'". PinkNews. Retrieved 2026-05-27.
  13. ↑ Billson, Chantelle (2025-10-16). "Manchester Pride accused of failing to pay performers as administration fears grow". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 2026-05-20. Retrieved 2026-05-27.
  14. ↑ "Meet the queens competing on RuPaul's Drag Race UK season 6". Out. ISSN 1062-7928. Archived from the original on 2024-09-16. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  15. ↑ "Enter the Void". music.apple.com. Apple Inc. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  16. ↑ "A-Z (feat. Actavia)". music.apple.com. Apple Inc. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  17. ↑ "RuPaul's Drag Race UK: "Girl Groups..,With A Twist!"(S06 E04) -". Werrrk. 2024-10-21. Retrieved 2026-05-27.
  18. ↑ Duncan, Charlie (2024-10-23). "Drag Race UK star says fellow queen tried to use this 'trick' to change girl groups". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 2026-03-26. Retrieved 2026-05-27.
  19. ↑ Drag Race UK stars wish La Voix luck as she sashays onto the Strictly dance floor. 2025-09-20. Archived from the original on 2025-11-01. Retrieved 2026-05-27 – via www.independent.co.uk.

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