Goloka Bolte.

Do you have what it takes to be queen of the universe?

Casting call for international drag queen singing competition begins.

Hot off the press, a US based casting agency is looking for the best and most talented international drag performers for a new TV show. The casting call is out now, and you can sign up!
World of Wonder, the production company behind the Emmy award winning show RuPaul’s Drag Race, is looking for drag queens with a talented voice from all over the world. The show, most likely the highly anticipated Queen of the Universe, promises to be a “singing competition like no other” with queens competing on stage. The GayTimes mentions “the official synopsis for the series reads: “high heels, high octaves, high competition — this drag queen singing competition will blow your wig off.” No cash prize has been announced yet, but we’re assuming a lot would be on the line when someone is crowned the first “Queen of the Universe”.

While the casting director can’t confirm this casting call is for this show, the language makes it obvious. After all, how many drag queen singing competions are there? Variety reports that similar to the new AllStars season, Queen of the Universe will air on Paramount Plus, ViacomCBS’ new streaming service. These two shows would be the first RPDR related shows to air on streaming beyond the WOW Presents platform.
With seasons of Drag Race in countries all around the world from Australia to Holland, this would also be the first global drag competition for international queens to compete in. Watch out though, your voice should be better than Adore Delano and Courtney Act combined!
GayIceland chatted with Goloka Bolte, the Emmy award winning casting director behind RPDR and a few other amazing shows, to find out more about the competition

This is a casting call worldwide. It’s for a show that will be made in LA and aired only in the US? Or will it most likely be available on the WOWPresents platform available globally?
“This series is not intended for WOW PRESENTS. It will air in America as well as in other countries on a Major Mainstream Streaming Service.”

RuPaul’s Drag Race and the queens are taking over. After 2 seasons of UK Drag Race, Spain, Canada, Netherlands, and now Australia, how will this show be different?
“While RuPaul’s Drag Race is a competition for the best all-around queen, this will be a global music based extravaganza where a queen’s path to the crown is based on her singing talent!”

If you have the chops to slay the competition, you can submit your profile here.
What you’ll need for the application is:
Your Drag Name
Your Legal Name
Basic Contact Info
A photo of you in drag
A photo of you out of drag
A video of you singing acapella
Links to your social media accounts
A list of languages you speak

Crowning a first-ever Queen of the Universe?! So is it a show like the Voice or American Idol, or is it a pageant-type competition?
“Participants will be judged on their singing and performances first and foremost, but of course judges will also be considering their drag presentation.”

How many competitors will there be?
“You will have to watch and find out!”

Is this going to be the Eurovision of drag?
“Some people have likened it to that, but this is going to be a unique and original program.”

Drag queens from the US are already so fierce and many can sing very well. Is this open to everyone in the US too?
“This is an international casting, so of course queens from the US are included! We want to see queens from around the globe, Iceland included of course, showing what they can do!”

Most drag queens are lip syncers or their music is heavily auto-tuned. How will this come into play? These competitors can’t rely on pre-recorded audio?
“We are looking for vocal superstars and incredible performers! I’ve been casting RuPaul’s Drag Race for the last 10 years, so I know there are such incredible singers in the drag community. We’ve seen everything from operatic divas to country singers to hip hop and R&B artists. This show will give those musically inclined queens a chance to really shine!”

The entry form requires a video of an acapella song. What exactly are you looking for?
“We’d like to see something that shows range and highlights their strengths as a vocalist. Don’t choose a safe song, show us your whole octave range henny!”

What are some qualities or things that are a big NO for casting and auditions? What do you hate to see applicants do?
“I know this is cliché – but be yourself. That being said, it also helps to be a louder caffeinated version of yourself if you are selected for an interview! And when you fill out an application, take some time to tell us who you are. Sometimes people rush and give short answers, so it’s hard for us to get a feel for who they are. We want to know what makes you great, but also what your fears are – we’re looking for likable human beings with real stories, passions, and struggles.”

“We want to see queens from around the globe, Iceland included of course, showing what they can do!”

What have been some of your favorite casting moments?
“Every season of Drag Race is a favorite! Another all time favorite memory was surprising a group of amazing couples with a live wedding at the Grammys for the Same Love wedding ceremony: Queen Latifah was the officiant and Madonna as their wedding singer! We were crying our eyes out backstage, as it was such an emotional moment celebrating marriage equality and love.

One of the things I love about casting real people is no two days are ever the same, and you find incredible people in the most surprising places. One day I might scout a food delivery driver for a game show with Snoop Dogg without ever leaving the office, and on another day I might have to ride an airboat through the swamps of Louisiana looking for off the grid characters for a show like Swamp People. It’s never boring!”

What was it like winning an Emmy for Outstanding Casting?
“A dream come true! Being recognized by the industry for your work is amazing, but it’s so much more special because it was for RuPaul’s Drag race, a show that’s close to my heart. The show celebrates & champions the LGBTQ community, has a message of love and inclusivity, gives hope to so many people, and makes the queens who participate into global superstars! And the queens are absolute stars and the reason for the award – their talent, heart, personalities and artistry continue to amaze me year after year!”

You’ve also worked on many other shows. Tell us a bit about the most fun one to work on.
“In addition to this show, right now I’m also working on The Real Magic Mike. Everyone keeps offering to “help” screen guys, thinking it’s all just sexy half naked men. I’m not saying that’s NOT part of the job, but really it’s a heartwarming project about men looking to find their mojo more of a makeover series.

I’m a huge fan of real estate, so I’ve loved casting for the whole Million Dollar Listing franchise. But really, I love it all and have cast all types of shows over the years. As long as it’s fun and positive and something people will walk away from with a happy memory, a cash prize, unforgettable adventure – or maybe even a crown and title of queen of the universe!”

Á. Óskarsson
Á. Óskarsson

Á. Óskarsson offers a variety of products and services to sports centers, swimming pools, schools, kindergartens, and the general public. The company specializes in sport-related products, activity-focused games, and a wide range of solutions for sports facilities.

Á. Óskarsson has been involved in numerous big projects related to building sports facilities and has made it their benchmark to offer good quality products and equipment since the company was founded.

See links to social media in the upper left-hand corner

—————-

Á. Óskarsson selur fjölbreytt vöruúrval fyrir íþróttahús, sundlaugar, skóla og leikskóla og einnig ýmsar vörur til einkaafnota. Fyrirtækið selur vörur til íþróttaiðkunnar og leikja ásamt því að bjóða upp á ýmsar lausnir fyrir íþróttamannvirki.

Á. Óskarsson hefur komið að fjölda stórra verkefna við byggingu íþróttamannvirkja og hefur frá stofnun kappkostað að bjóða vandaðar og endingargóðar vörur.

Tenglar á samfélagsmiðla eru í efra horninu vinstra megin.

Webpage/vefsetur

Blush

    Blush was founded in 2011 when it started selling high quality sex products. The goal from the beginning was to change the market and take the discussion about sex products to a higher level. Today Blush provides professional services in a pleasant environment that fulfills different needs, both for individuals and couples. Blush respects diversity and wants to set a good example in all of its messaging to target audiences. Sexual health and equality in sex is important and Blush wants to focus on those issues through education and open discussion. Blush works in a socially responsible manner for society, their customers and the environment.

    Check out Blush’s website: https://blush.is/

    Omnom Chocolate
    - award-winning chocolate maker

      Omnom Chocolate is an Icelandic craft chocolate company based in Reykjavík. We produce handcrafted chocolate from organic cacao beans sourced ethically and sustainably. We’ve developed direct relationships to create premium chocolate with fine flavor cacao beans.

      Our creative flavors are carefully crafted by meticulous chocolate makers. The cacao beans are roasted, winnowed, ground, and refined into melty-smooth chocolate.

      Omnom’s process is one of constant exploration, invention, and experimentation. If it doesn’t please us, if something isn’t absolutely delicious, there’s no reason to be doing it. So, we always start with our taste buds and follow our instincts. Our team searches for the finest ingredients in the world and new ways to improve chocolate. This obsession with knowing where our ingredients come from has led us around the corner to dairy farms in the Icelandic countryside and all the way to rainforest cacao farms of Nicaragua.

      In only a few short years, we’ve grown from our 50 sq. m. petrol station space and become an award-winning chocolate maker. Now, with our headquarters in 101 Reykjavík, our chocolate is sent out around Iceland and all over the world.

      At the end of the day, our goal is to make chocolate.

       

      Nasdaq

         

        Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a global technology company serving the capital markets and other industries. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software and services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence.

        With over 4,300 employees in 39 offices around the world, at Nasdaq we all contribute to the success of the company and its culture, and each one of us has the ability to make a difference. When it comes to our core mission and values, we embrace the role of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) as a fundamental driver of our corporate growth, workplace culture and market development. We strive to create a culture that embraces the power of different perspectives—a culture where people’s unique backgrounds and different experiences helps us fuel innovation and support our clients around the world.

        Our unique position at the center of the capital markets allows us to see firsthand how these values have redefined corporate culture and success, deepening and accelerating our own commitment to champion inclusive growth and prosperity, as we strive to create more equitable opportunities to help people of all backgrounds reach their full potential. Most notably, we published our diversity statistics for the first time in 2020. These metrics serve as a quantitative assessment of where we are today and help determine what strategies we need to adopt to enhance diversity in the workplace. We recognize that we have much work to do, but we are steadfast in our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive culture—one that reflects the communities in which we live, allows all employees to be their true, authentic selves and fosters individual growth and achievement.

        As we move forward together, we will continue advancing diverse ideas and perspectives that help fulfill the promise of a more inclusive and prosperous world. We aim to set the pace for rethinking capital markets and economies anywhere and everywhere. To learn more about the company, technology solutions and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on Twitter @Nasdaq, or at www.nasdaq.com.

        Blue Lagoon
        - One of the 25 Wonders of the World

        Named by National Geographic as one of the 25 Wonders of the World, the Blue Lagoon is a shimmering expanse of warmth, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Its unique geothermal seawater
        comes from 2.000 meters within the earth where seawater and freshwater converge in a tectonic realm of porous lava and searing heat. Propelled by extreme pressure, the water ascends to the earth’s surface, emerging enriched with silica, algae, and minerals—the elements that endow Blue Lagoon geothermal seawater with its radiant, healing properties.

        From its humble beginnings in the shadows of a geothermal power plant, Blue Lagoon has evolved into a world of wonder, now encompassing two hotels, three restaurants, three
        geothermal lagoons, a subterranean spa, a renowned line of skin care, a thriving research center, and a wealth of spa and refreshment facilities.

        Achieving harmony with the volcanic landscape, the lagoon and its surrounding architecture embody the unification of the man-made and the natural, and adhere to the highest principles of sustainability.

        The Blue Lagoon. A wonder of the world. A world of wonder.

        Landsbankinn
        - leading financial institution
        Landsbankinn

        Landsbankinn is a leading Icelandic financial institution. It offers a full range of financial services and is the market leader in the Icelandic financial service sector with the largest branch network.

        The present bank was established on 7 October 2008 but the history of its predecessor dates back to 1886. The bank is owned by the National Treasury of Iceland, which holds 98.2% of its share capital, and other shareholders who own 1.8%.

        Landsbankinn’s strategy is to provide comprehensive financial services that meet customer’s needs. It emphasizes providing exemplary service to customers, developing e-banking for their convenience, increasing the efficiency of support functions, modernizing its technology and ensuring effective utilization of its balance sheet.

        The bank’s vision is to be exemplary and its role is to be a trusted financial partner.

        Special emphasis is placed on promoting a performance-oriented culture in the bank. To follow up on the implementation of this strategy, the bank has defined key goals which are measured regularly to determine progress. These goals include, for example, customer satisfaction and loyalty, profitability, cost efficiency and the correlation between risk appetite and employee satisfaction.

        Landsbankinn wishes to lead the development of a sustainable society in Iceland by integrating economic, social and environmental concerns in its operations. The Bank aims to ensure that both its owners and society at large benefit from its activities.

        It intends to achieve this aim by building solid infrastructure and a strong team of 1.100 employees, by listening to its customers and by respecting and encouraging its employees to actively participate in their community. Landsbankinn was a founding member of Festa, a Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility, and is a member of the UN Global Compact.

        Landsbankinn has been a proud sponsor of the Reykjavik Pride since it was first celebrated in Iceland.

        Dohop
        - get inspired
        Dohop

        Dohop allows people to find the cheapest flights available with just one click. Founded in Reykjavik in 2004, it is the only Icelandic company of its kind and quickly became the go-to tool for finding cheap flights among the locals. Dohop finds the best deals among hundreds of different airlines and online travel agencies, to make sure that the user is getting the cheapest price. Dohop also offers hotel and car rental search engines, so users can make all of their travel bookings from a single website.

        Dohop‘s specialty is finding so-called “self-connect” flight options, which can save travelers money by booking a ticket through two or more different airlines. The ability to look for these self-connect option is what sets Dohop apart from its competition, as it can save people hundreds of dollars on certain routes.

        More recently, Dohop has developed a unique product called Dohop Go!, which allows users to check for the cheapest available flights from their home airport. This tool is perfect for those who are looking for travel inspiration but are not willing to overpay for their flight ticket. Dohop Go! is now available in the Dohop Flights App, both for Android and iOS, along with its traditional flight, hotel, and car search engines. “

        VSÓ Ráðgjöf

           

          VSÓ Ráðgjöf er alhliða ráðgjafar- og verkfræðifyrirtæki sem leggur áherslu á trausta og faglega þjónustu sem tryggir viðskiptavinum hagkvæmustu lausnir hverju sinni, skilar raunverulegum árangri og stuðlar að samkeppnisforskoti.  Á skrifstofum VSÓ í Reykjavík og í Noregi starfar yfir 80 manna samhentur hópur verkfræðinga og annarra tæknimenntaðra starfsmanna.

          Macland
          - for all your Apple needs
          Macland

          From starting out as a proper startup with only a good idea and the need to change things, to becoming an established company with 6 employees. Starting from scratch and expanding organically has allowed us to love our expansion and take our customers on the ride with us.

          Macland is located at Laugavegur 23 (101, Downtown Reykjavik)
          For all your Apple needs. We are here.

          Ísey skyr
          - once tasted never forgotten

          Our Story
          Once upon a time, 1,100 years ago in fact, Nordic settlers began arriving in Iceland. They brought with them the skills and knowledge for producing skyr. As time passed, the know-how and recipe for this nutritious food slowly faded out elsewhere in the Nordic region. Luckily, the Icelandic skyr-making tradition continued.

          For centuries, Icelandic skyr formed a cornerstone of the national diet, helping to keep people strong in living conditions that were often harsh. On family farms countrywide, it was the women who nurtured this dairy and passing on both the recipe and the original Icelandic skyr cultures from mother to daughter.

          Ísey skyr builds on this remarkable legacy. It was some of those very same women, the recipients of their mothers’ expertise, who, around 90 years ago, taught Icelandic dairy scientists the art of skyr-making. The production process is more high-tech these days, and the quality standards more rigorous. However, the basic recipe and the use of original cultures to ferment the skimmed milk remain the same. Protein rich, fat-free, creamy and delicious – Ísey skyr is as relevant to consumers now as it was all those centuries ago.
          This is our secret and you are in on it

          You can read more about Ísey skyr on our website.

          Contact Us


          PGlmcmFtZSBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lmdvb2dsZS5jb20vbWFwcy9lbWJlZD9wYj0hMW0xNCExbTEyITFtMyExZDI3ODQyLjM0NzA2NDA3OTU4ITJkLTIxLjkwMDg1MDg1NzkxODQyITNkNjQuMTQxNzA3ODE2NzAyMDEhMm0zITFmMCEyZjAhM2YwITNtMiExaTEwMjQhMmk3NjghNGYxMy4xITVlMCEzbTIhMXNlbiEycyE0djE0MzMzMzc5MTUyMjYiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDAlIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMCUiIGZyYW1lYm9yZGVyPSIwIiBzdHlsZT0iYm9yZGVyOjAiPjwvaWZyYW1lPg==
          Thank You. We will contact you as soon as possible.