Aurora Matrix ditches runner-up label, wins Canada's Drag Race All Stars crown and $100,000
The Toronto drag queen, who placed second on season four, returned to the franchise determined to shed her past and won.
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Aurora Matrix is no longer a runner-up. The Toronto drag queen, who placed second on Canada's Drag Race season four, returned for All Stars determined to rewrite her story—and won the competition and $100,000 prize.
Matrix started strong, winning episodes two and three, but landed in the bottom three in episode four and faced Makayla Couture. She won the face-off and stayed in the competition. The six-episode reality show on Crave followed fan-favourite queens returning to compete for the title of "Canada's Ultimate All-Star."
For years, Matrix carried the "runner-up" label from her initial appearance. Coming back to All Stars, she knew she had to raise her game. "I came back with a mission," Matrix said. "I knew I had to do better than the last time, and I feel like that was what gave me the edge this time around. I was so determined to make it to the end and make it to the top."
Matched against other big names in drag, including Pythia—a judge on RuPaul's Drag Race—and other seasons' runner-ups, Matrix pushed forward anyway. She incorporated her Chinese heritage throughout the season, bringing her signature dragon aesthetics and cultural elements to challenge performances. For the pageant challenge, she created the "Empress of the North" look, updating her dragon-body wrap from season four with a gold dragon appliqué.
"It was the perfect opportunity to do something a little more glam, a little more polished, and then gold is a colour that in ancient China was only used and worn by the Emperor and the Empress; by royalty," Matrix explained. "It was the perfect moment to bring all those beautiful elements together and show that I am the Empress of the North, and this is the final form of who Aurora Matrix is."
Priyanka and Jimbo were the main judges on All Stars. Matrix was honoured to be judged by Priyanka, a fellow drag performer with whom she started her drag career. The victory, Matrix said, proved something to herself, her loved ones, and the world. She's now looking ahead to potentially touring internationally, particularly across Asia, and hopes her success inspires the next generation of Queer Asian performers. As HighOnCity reported in August, Matrix had watched herself perform as Mayor Olivia Chow on the same season.
The facts
Who won Canada's Drag Race All Stars?
Aurora Matrix, a Toronto drag queen who placed second on Canada's Drag Race season four, won the All Stars competition and the $100,000 prize.
How many episodes was Canada's Drag Race All Stars?
Canada's Drag Race All Stars was a six-episode reality show that aired on Crave.
Which episodes did Aurora Matrix win?
Aurora Matrix won episodes two and three of Canada's Drag Race All Stars.
Who were the main judges on All Stars?
Priyanka and Jimbo were the main judges on Canada's Drag Race All Stars.
