Drag Race Philippines paid tribute to the late Misua, who passed away earlier this year while filming season four of the World of Wonder competition series.
The 27-yaer-old, whose real name is Jason Elvie Ty, sadly died in her sleep on April 2nd amid filming on the season’s second episode.
“We are heartbroken to share that Misua, a talented Queen set to appear on season four of Drag Race Philippines passed away in her sleep the morning of April 2. She brought light, artistry, and joy to those around her, and she will be deeply missed,” World of Wonder announced at the time of her passing.
“We have paused production to care for and support our cast and crew during this incredibly difficult time. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all who loved her,” the statement continued. “We are in contact with her family who have asked for privacy during this hard time.”
During Drag Race Philippines‘ season four, episode two, which debuted on Friday (October 2), the series paid tribute to the late drag queen, and vowed to honor her throughout the season.
During the episode, the queens were tasked with a girl group challenge, and Misua and the others had recorded their vocals for the main stage competition.
As the queens prepared for the challenge, the screen faded to black after Misua‘s final confessional on the show. Two title cards appeared on screen.
“We are heartbroken to share that Jason Elvie Ty, known to many as Misua, passed away in her sleep on the morning of April 2, 2026. Misua was a talented queen from Cagayan de Oro. She brought light, artistry, and joy to everyone around her. She will be deeply missed,” the first read.
The second stated, “Her passing occurred during the filming of this episode. Production was temporarily halted to care for the queens and provide support for the cast and crew. We honor Misua’s memory and her beautiful spirit that she generously shared with the world. We pay tribute to her today and for the entire season. Light and love, dearest Misua.”
After a pause in production, the queens returned to the Werk Room, breaking down in tears as they reflected on Misua‘s impact.
“It’s really hard to fathom that we’re in a competition and then all of a sudden we heard that news. This is like a wake-up call that life is really short,” Bombalicious Eklaver shared. “It’s an honor and a privilege to get to know Misua in a short amount of time.”
“We were talking about how we’re not behind the scenes anymore, you know?” Misua‘s close friend outside of the competition, Merckz, added through tears, referring to her and Misua’s work as a choreographer and fashion designer helping past Drag Race Philippines queens prepare for the show. “She told me, ‘Sis, we’re in the spotlight now.’”
During the episode, the queens honored Misua by shouting her name and lifting their hands in the air before getting ready for the main stage.
Before the performances, host Paolo Ballesteros addressed the judges panel in an emotional moment.
“Tonight, we pause with heavy hearts. On behalf of [production company] World of Wonder and the entire Drag Race family, we extend our deepest condolences to the Ty family, the House of Lafeya, and to all who knew and loved Misua. Misua, you will always have a place in our hearts. Thank you so much, and goodbye, queen Misua. We love you.”
Mama Pao added, “For the rest of the season, [we’ll] honor you,” and said the show will continue that night “exactly as she would’ve wanted.”
During Misua‘s group’s performance, Manza swirled a yellow flag in the air as the lights dimmed for Misua‘s verse in the song.
At the end of the episode, Mama Pao said, “Can I get a ‘We love you, Misua, up in here?’” She followed by also honoring late judge Jiggly Caliente, who passed away last year, “And we love you also, Jiggly!”
You can watch Misua‘s “Meet the Queens” intro for the season in the video above, starting at the 16:39 mark.
Following her passing, Misua‘s close friends and family are sharing the looks she created for the show on her Instagram.
“these are the looks she imagined, built, and poured herself into, but never got the chance to present it herself. you always get a little bit of Misua in whatever she created. there’s an ache in that… there probably always will be,” they shared on her Instagram page. “but her work deserves to keep moving; to be seen; to be remembered; to find the people it was always meant for. thank you for carrying Misua with you. the kindness you’ve shown over the past five months has held all of us more than you’ll probably ever know. we’ll be here, sharing her work, one look at a time.”
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