RuPaul’s Drag Race continues to take over the world one country at a time. The latest international spinoff of the Emmy-winning series, Drag Race España, will feature some of Spain’s best and brightest drag artists on a global platform. Joining host Supremme de Luxe will be fashion designer Ana Locking and TV personalities Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi.
With varied résumés behind them, Calvo and Ambrossi bring perspectives to the Drag Race universe that haven’t existed before.
Javier Calvo’s career before ‘Drag Race España’
Calvogot his breakout role as an actor in 2008 on the Spanish TV series Física o Química portraying gay teenager Fernando “Fer” Redondo. The show explored serious problems including drug addiction and eating disorders that attracted controversy at the time, but Calvo was lauded for his portrayal of a gay man in his debut role.
In 2013, Calvo co-created and co-directed the musical La llamada with Ambrossi; the two worked together in 2017 on the film adaptation of the play as well. The following year, Calvo had guest spots on shows such as Amar es para siempre and Los misterios de Laura (the latter of which becoming adapted in the US and led by Will & Grace star Debra Messing).
Javier Ambrossi’s career before ‘Drag Race España’
Like Calvo, Ambrossi has had experience on screen, with several supporting roles on Spanish TV shows including El comisario, Amar en tiempos revueltos, Sin tetas no hay paraíso, and Cuéntame cómo pasó. However, the majority of work has been behind the scenes, such as with the stage production of La llamada.
Together, they’ve become prolific working partners and are known professionally as “Los Javis.” They also share a more personal relationship: the two have been dating since 2010.
Los Javis’ most recent claim to fame
2020 was Los Javis’ biggest year yet, and has set the stage for both Calvo and Ambrossi’s rise to the Drag Race judges’ table in 2021. It began with the release of their critically acclaimed miniseries Veneno.
Veneno, which premiered in the US on HBO Max, chronicled the life of Spanish entertainer and trans pioneer Cristina “La Veneno” Ortiz. The show was groundbreaking in its inclusion of countless trans actors as well as Ortiz’s real-life friend, Paca “La Piraña,” playing herself.
Los Javis have become even more of a household name in Spain thanks to the success of Veneno. In late 2020, they joined the Spanish version of The Masked Singer as judges, so they’re no stranger to the reality TV competition judging game.
