Two of Drag Race Philippines' beloved queens are stepping into the heels of Trisha Echevarria for the stage adaptation of the film.
The world of Die Beautiful is heading to the stage, and two drag superstars are taking center stage with Drag Race Philippines queens Maxie Andreison and Viñas Deluxe have been tapped to alternate as Trisha Echevarria in Die Beautiful: The Musical, the upcoming stage adaptation of Die Beautiful.
The casting was announced nearly a decade after the film first captured audiences with its heartfelt story of identity, friendship, and self-expression. In an Instagram reel, Viñas Deluxe also shared snippets of their audition process for the musical.
“Omgg ito na! Nainspire ako maging Drag Queen nung napanood ko si Mama Pao [Paolo Ballesteros] sa TV… Ngayon gaganap na tayong Trisha. Maraming salamat po lord! ” they shared in the caption alongside mentioning Maxie Andreison.
Originally portrayed by Paolo Ballesteros, Trisha is a transgender woman whose final wish is to be transformed into a different celebrity each night of her wake. The role earned Ballesteros Best Actor awards at both the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival and the Tokyo International Film Festival, making it one of the most celebrated performances in contemporary Filipino cinema.
The musical adaptation has been in development following auditions held earlier this year, with creators searching for a performer capable of balancing comedy, drama, music, and emotional depth. According to director Jun Robles Lana and the creative team, Trisha requires a performer who can embody the character’s charisma, vulnerability, and resilience onstage.
The announcement also marks a major milestone for both queens. Maxie Andreison, fresh off her winning run on Drag Race Philippines Season 3, and Season 1 fan favorite Viñas Deluxe will each bring their own interpretation of one of Philippine queer cinema’s most iconic characters.
Die Beautiful: The Musical is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated local theater productions in recent memory that places drag artistry at the heart of a story already beloved by generations of Filipino audiences.
Photos from IMDB’s Official Site and VINASDELUXE (via Instagram)
