ORDER OF COMPETITION
RULES & SCORING
This competition is comprised of three key stages - the Runway Parade, Unique Performance and the Lip Sync Showdown. Each section has specific scoring criteria, detailed on this page. Please review them carefully, as updates and adjustments have been made from previous King of the Underground competitions.
The competition guidelines are designed to create an entertaining and engaging show while allowing performers to showcase their theatrical talent and creativity. The rules and criteria are structured to encourage artistic innovation while providing judges with a clear framework to select the ultimate King. The judges are looking for a well-rounded performer who can demonstrate versatility and stage mastery across all three sections.
Through this journey, we aim to take the audience on an electrifying ride—one that highlights each performer’s unique presence, artistry, and Drag King excellence.
RUNWAY PARADE
The Runway Parade is your grand entrance and first chance to command the stage! As the MC introduces you to the audience, this is your moment to showcase your persona with confidence, charisma, and flair. Judges will be looking at your performance, stage presence, and how well you bring your Drag King character to life through costume, movement, expression, gaze, and gesture.
Your outfit should embody your Drag King identity. Whether it’s dapper and refined, exaggerated and campy, rebellious and punk, or dripping in satire, your look should have an undeniable "wow" factor. From vintage-inspired tailoring to avant-garde menswear or larger-than-life theatrical ensembles—this is your chance to make a bold statement before you even speak.
You will also be asked a question related to Drag Kings and related topics. These questions will be given ahead of time, but you won’t know which question you will be given.
Rules
Your runway outfit must be different from your performance costume.
No props or backup dancers are allowed during this section.
Judging Criteria
Individuality – A strong, distinctive Drag King persona.
Styling – Hair, Makeup, Costume, Shoes, Accessories, cohesiveness, visual presentation, and overall aesthetic.
Engagement – Use of stage and audience connection.
Q&A Portion – This is to test your on-mic capability. How well can you hold a crowd and how well can you handle being on the fly?
UNIQUE PERFORMANCE
This is your chance to own the stage and show the audience exactly what makes you King. Your performance should embody a fully realized character—a unique expression of your Drag King persona.
Above all, we want to be entertained. This is your moment to push boundaries, tell a story, or blow us away with raw talent. Whether your act is conceptual, camp, narrative-driven, or pure performance art, the only limit is your imagination. We want to see your biggest, boldest, most unforgettable routine—something that makes us think, makes us scream, or stirs up something deep inside. Bring your originality, skills, and artistic flair to the stage.
Rules
Performance length: Minimum 4 minutes, maximum 5 minutes.
Your Drag King character must be the central focus of the act.
No restrictions on costuming, music, or styling—express yourself freely.
Major props are allowed but must be approved by the producer and take no longer than 2 minutes to set up or remove.
Backup dancers are permitted for this section. Don’t let them overshadow you.
Audience interaction is encouraged.
Judging Criteria
Individuality – A strong, distinctive Drag King persona.
Styling – Hair, Makeup, Costume, Shoes, Accessories, cohesiveness, visual presentation, and overall aesthetic.
Performance & Engagement – Use of stage and audience connection.
LIP SYNC FINALE
This is the ultimate round where the Top 2 Kings, determined by their scores from previous categories, will go head-to-head in an epic battle for the crown.
Both finalists will face off, performing to a pre-selected song that will be sent to all competitors. This is your last chance to bring the energy, command the stage, and leave it all out there.
Rules
This is a LIP SYNC BATTLE. You must know all the words.
The contestants must wear an outfit that is different from the outfits used in the previous categories.
Major props are not permitted.
Audience interaction is encouraged.
Judging Criteria
Lip Sync Ability – Do you know all the words and how well do you perform the lyrics.
Individuality – A strong, distinctive Drag King persona.
Engagement – Use of stage and audience connection.
Styling – Costuming, visual presentation, and overall aesthetic.
GENERAL SHOW RULES
Please ensure costume and styling are separate looks for each show.
NO MESS – Due to time constraints and venue regulations there is to be no mess that requires clean up in the routines. This refers to the use of glitter, confetti, streamers and liquids.
Pasties (or equivalent nipple & genitalia coverage) must be worn as a minimum by all competitors at all times. This is also required for silicone chests.
Creating a Supportive Drag King Community
Get Weird is dedicated to fostering a positive, inclusive, and supportive environment for the Drag King community. Our goal is to celebrate and uplift a thriving, diverse, and dynamic space where both emerging and established performers can develop their craft, connect, and grow together.
All finalists are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism, respect, and integrity at all times.
We are committed to maintaining a welcoming and affirming theatrical space that embraces all bodies, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, and political perspectives—because Drag is for everyone.
Zero Tolerance for Bullying
Bullying is defined as “an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm.”
Bullying can happen both in person and online, and it goes against the core values of Cherry Bomb. We are committed to maintaining a positive, inclusive, and supportive competition environment. Any competitor found intimidating, harassing, or negatively influencing another contestant or a member of the Cherry Bomb production team will be in direct violation of competition guidelines and will face immediate consequences by being removed from KOTU and banned from all Cherry Bomb competitions.
We take this seriously—Drag is about lifting each other up, not tearing each other down.
Cultural Appropriation Policy
Cultural appropriation is defined as “the adoption of an element or elements of one culture or identity by members of another culture or identity in a manner perceived as inappropriate or unacknowledged. This can be especially controversial when members of a dominant culture appropriate from minority cultures.”
Throughout history, cultural appropriation has been prevalent in performance art, including Drag, often reinforcing harmful stereotypes and contributing to the political, social, and cultural exclusion of marginalized groups. Continuing these practices causes harm and disrespects the communities that Drag should aim to celebrate and uplift.
Get Weird enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy against cultural appropriation on stage. Any performer found presenting an act that misrepresents, exploits, or marginalizes a culture that is not their own will face immediate consequences by being removed from KOTU and banned from all Cherry Bomb competitions.
Drag is about creativity, inclusivity, and respect—it should honor cultures, not appropriate them.