With the cast announcement for the sixth season of Drag Race España, Marcus Massalami has become the first full-time drag king to compete in the Drag Race franchise. His appearance marks a significant step forward for the series, bringing drag king artistry to one of the world’s most well-known stages.
Marcus enters the competition as a pioneer, representing a form of queer performance that has historically received far less visibility within mainstream drag television. He is the second drag king to compete anywhere in the Drag Race franchise, following Johnny Jones, who competed on the sixth season of Canada’s Drag Race. However, Johnny, also known as Velma Jones, performed as both a king and queen. Marcus therefore breaks new ground as the franchise’s first contestant whose drag identity is exclusively as a king.
View this post on Instagram
His casting also adds to the growing diversity of gender identities represented across the series. Marcus is the second cisgender woman to compete on Drag Race España, following Clover Bish in season three, and the sixth cisgender woman to appear across the wider Drag Race universe, following Victoria Scone, Clover Bish, Pandora Nox, Velma Jones and Malawitte.
Marcus is also a lesbian and a deaf performer who wears hearing aids, bringing further representation to a competition that continues to expand its understanding of who can take the stage.
For many fans, Marcus’s casting represents more than a milestone. It reflects a continuing evolution of Drag Race, from its early focus on traditional drag queen competition towards a broader celebration of the many identities and communities that exist within queer culture.
As season six prepares to introduce Marcus to audiences, anticipation is already building around what he will bring to the runway. Whatever happens in the race for the crown, Marcus Massalami has already secured his place in Drag Race history.
Drag Race España returns for Season 6 on September 27.
© 2026 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
Support GCN
GCN is a free, vital resource for Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community since 1988.
GCN is a trading name of National LGBT Federation CLG, a registered charity - Charity Number: 20034580.
GCN relies on the generous support of the community and allies to sustain the crucial work that we do. Producing GCN is costly, and, in an industry which has been hugely impacted by rising costs, we need your support to help sustain and grow this vital resource.
Supporting GCN for as little as €1.99 per month will help us continue our work as Ireland’s free, independent LGBTQ+ media.