When Drag Race Philippines premiered with its first season back in 2022, it took the country by storm and introduced a dozen queens that only avid fans of drag beyond the reality show could recognize. Since then, drag in the Philippines has become more visible to a wide audience, permeating the mainstream media and local television. With the massive success of Season 1, the second season was already written in the stars; the announcement was just a formality.

Drag Race Philippines Season 2 had bigger stiletto heels to fill, given how the first season was gratefully received by critics and audiences alike. Season 2 arrived with a bigger stage, a bigger werkroom, and a new format. Just like Season 1, it was also stacked with big personalities, including Tiny Deluxe, whose talent and charisma are far from her namesake.

The sad reality about competitions is that not every contestant gets the chance to fully showcase themselves. But with Tiny, who went home third (or second, if we’re counting the first two eliminated queens as a single elimination), being eliminated early in the competition didn’t actually hinder her from making an impression. She arrived with a clear goal: to build a brand as a drag queen who can sing — and we got to witness that during the first episode. Quoting her verse during the girl group challenge, she really is “Tiny, but extra large.” She may not have won the war, but it’s safe to say she left quite an impact.

From Childhood Dreams To Center Stage

Tiny is known as a live singing drag queen, and that reputation doesn’t come without merit. She can really sing, if the singing competitions she previously joined are any indication. “My drag persona is very diva. I’m a live singing drag queen. I always try to be as polished as I can."

There are two things you can’t clock about her: her singing and her makeup skills. And those skills didn’t just happen overnight. Before Tiny Deluxe was born, there was just Jayper. A fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race since he was young, Jayper was a singer first before he was a drag queen. “When I was 3 years old, I remember we had a DVD of performances of finalists from 'Star for a Night,' [a reality competition show hosted by Regine Velasquez]. I repeatedly watched Sarah Geronimo’s performance of 'To Love You More' — and that’s the first-ever song I have memorized."

Jayper’s love for singing goes way, way back, and that talent has always been imprinted in his DNA. He continued: “My grandmother could also sing, and she’s the one who pushed me to join contests as well. The first contest I joined was when I was 7 years old, and I performed ‘Hawak Kamay’ by Yeng Constantino. Winning my first contest motivated me to pursue singing further."

Part of Jayper’s identity has been shaped by his love for pop culture. And that includes performing, which has always been a central part of his life; thus, when he entered college, he joined a theater organization, where he first met Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale winner Brigiding. Through that organization, he also met Viñas DeLuxe (Drag Race PH Season 1, Slaysian Royale), who eventually became his drag mother.

The Birth of Tiny Deluxe

Before joining Drag Race, Jayper was no stranger to competition shows, having previously joined “Tawag ng Tanghalan,” a competition segment of the noontime show, "It’s Showtime."

“Being a live singing drag queen has become some sort of my edge, because there are only a few of us drag queens who sing in the Philippines.”

When asked about the things some people might be surprised to learn about him, he added: “Outside of performing, I’m also a makeup artist — but that’s no longer a surprise. I’m quite known for my makeup, and I’m also known for doing other people’s makeup. Before being a drag performer, I was already a social media personality, so I’m practically an open book.”

Being a skilled makeup artist is already a given for Jayper. He learned how to do his own makeup with the help of various beauty gurus on YouTube. As he puts it himself, those influencers taught him everything he knows about makeup artistry. His talent in singing, however, sets him apart from the rest — and it only evolved further when he became a drag performer.

“My first-ever drag performance was with Viñas and Maxie (Drag Race Philippines Season 3 winner) during the LoveYourself event in 2021. I think I officially started doing drag in 2021, though I wasn’t Tiny Deluxe at the time. I was actually using my real name because coming up with a drag name is a difficult decision,” said the drag performer.

As is the case with other drag queens, Jayper’s drag persona also underwent some sort of metamorphosis. His eventual drag mother, Viñas DeLuxe, was dabbling in vlogging at the time and invited Jayper to do video content. Out of nowhere, Viñas said, according to Jayper, “Alam mo, drag queen ka. Dapat mag-drag ka. (You know, you’re a drag queen. You should do drag.)”

That sparked something in him. When Viñas received a call from the Drag Race Philippines production in preparation for Season 1, Jayper didn’t hesitate to lend her a helping hand. “When Viñas received a call from Drag Race, she called me so I could help her write her talent show. That’s when we became even closer, and I was inspired to do drag more. Then she asked me, ‘Do you want to be a Deluxe?’ So, I was like, of course!"

And at that moment, Tiny Deluxe was born. A fan of Drag Race herself, the inspiration behind her drag name came from RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 2 winner Alaska. “The inspiration behind my drag name is from Alaska’s verse in ‘Read U Wrote U’ during All Stars 2: ‘Hey girls, my name is Alaska, I got a tiny little question to ask ya.’ Since I’m also a plus-sized girl, Tiny was born. Tiny comes off as ironic — like I’m called Tiny, but I’m a big girl."

Tiny Deluxe on Her 'Drag Race' Journey

Going home early in Drag Race was a devastating experience that only those who have lived it can truly describe. But being part of a groundbreaking show as big as Drag Race is a win in itself. For Tiny, although she went home early, her experience on Drag Race was nothing short of fantastic.

“I had so much fun. Para akong bata na dinala mo sa Disneyland (I felt like a kid being taken to Disneyland). I never thought that dream would be within reach. When I auditioned, I had made peace with not making it. I was even more ready not to make it. I had just started doing drag, and I had never performed in bars as a drag queen. I only performed during viewing parties, but never in actual drag bars. I just feel blessed to be there [on Drag Race]," she explained.

Although Tiny Deluxe was cast in Drag Race with relatively little experience as a drag queen, she arrived with a clear brand. Sadly, despite a cohesive look, she went home during a design challenge in Episode 3.

“I have so much to show. I have a good runway package, I think, which I wasn’t able to showcase. And I still stand by my look," said Tiny. "I wish I had gotten to do the Snatch Game. I feel like if I had made it that far, things might have aligned for me. I was excited for the Snatch Game and for the Rusical. As a Communication student, I was also looking forward to the branding challenge."

When asked if she would be willing to join Drag Race again, she didn’t hesitate to answer, “Yes,” adding, “I had so many firsts on Drag Race as a drag queen, and since then, I’ve experienced a lot after my season, so that could be my [weapon].”

Life After 'Drag Race'

Tiny Deluxe joined another competition after her stint on Drag Race, this time as one of the contenders on the reality singing competition show, The Clash. “It is different from Drag Race. I’m the only drag queen there. I was the first drag artist to join The Clash, I believe. I was so happy. Apart from wanting to join the program, I also want to represent the drag community, especially since drag is only starting to become mainstream in the Philippines. We’re only starting to get a spotlight. That’s why most people aren’t aware that some drag queens can actually sing. Even though I didn’t win, I was still very happy.”

Losing in a competition never really diminished Tiny’s spark. If anything, it only made it shine brighter. “I don’t feel like luck has been elusive toward me; I feel like it’s still not in my favor. If there’s a chance or opportunity to join a competition, I always grab it. But I wish I had been less harsh to myself. Before, I had a tendency to compare myself to others because, of course, it’s a competition. I learned to accept that not every time is your time.”

The drag culture in the Philippines has been slowly entering the mainstream media. But if there’s something Tiny Deluxe wants to debunk, it’s that drag queens are only constricted to one mold. For her, drag is more than just entertainment. Drag is a statement, drag is art, and drag is political.

“[I want to debunk the idea] that drag queens just do lip syncs. Drag is more than just entertainment. A lot still can’t accept the fact that drag is very political. It started that way — political. When you dress up as a woman, as something that you’re not supposed to dress up, it’s very political,” she said. “They need to understand that drag is performance art. It takes storytelling. Drag isn’t shaped in one specific mold.”

Compared to other veteran queens, Tiny Deluxe is still relatively new to the business. However, her experiences performing in singing contests as a child, along with her stints on competition shows, have helped her gain a full understanding of the kind of performer she is. “I feel like my drag grew with me. I started very young, and I was also a very different person when I started doing drag. I learned it’s not always about getting everyone’s attention or earning everyone’s approval. Over time, I evolved into someone more confident, but more intentional. I’m no longer trying to be everything at once. I know my strengths now, and that’s where I will focus.”

What’s Next for Tiny Deluxe?

Music will always be at the heart of everything Tiny does. And we haven’t seen the last of Tiny, that’s for sure. The queen revealed that she’s set to release her own music soon, hinting at a bold new chapter in her career.

“I just recently signed with a record label. I am releasing my own music, finally. I’m very excited. I’m working on that. I wrote a few [originals], which I’m very happy about. Hopefully, I get to record them soon and have them released very soon,” Tiny Deluxe shared. “I’m really excited because ako ‘yun eh (it’s me) — it’s my artistry. It’s my emotions and my story, and, finally, I’m telling that to the world through my own music, which I’m very, very passionate about. No specific dates yet, but it’s very certain.”

In true RuPaul’s Drag Race fashion, we asked Tiny what she would tell her younger self, to which she responded: “To younger Tiny Deluxe, I will tell her to slow down and trust her own voice. You don’t have to figure out everything right away. And please, don’t be so hard on yourself. Comparison will steal the joy from what you’re doing.”

Of course, there wouldn’t be a Tiny Deluxe without Jayper. And for the young Jayper, Tiny has some words too: “You just need to keep going. You just need to keep believing in yourself. Sometimes, the only person who will believe in you is yourself. Some people would say, ‘Sasali ka nanaman dito, sasali ka nanaman dyan. Gagawin mo nanaman to. (You’re going to join here again, you’re going to join there again. You’re going to do this again).’ And yes, you will do it. You will do anything that you want to do because you know you want it and you know you can."

Catch all the latest from Tiny Deluxe on Instagram and TikTok.

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