Windsor-raised performer brings hometown pride to Canada’s Drag Race

Dulce, the drag persona of Pablo Jimenez-Lopez. (Source: Handout)

A Windsor-area drag artist is about to make waves on the national stage.

Dulce, the drag persona of Pablo Jimenez-Lopez, is one of 12 performers competing on Season 6 of Canada’s Drag Race, premiering Nov. 20 on Crave.

Now based in London, Jimenez-Lopez says Windsor still holds a special place in his heart, even as he represents his new home city on the show.

“I’m so excited,” Jimenez-Lopez told CTV News. “I think any drag queen’s dream is to get on Drag Race. So the fact that I get to live it, and being from such a small town specifically, it feels surreal.”

Born in Mexico and raised in Amherstburg and Windsor, Jimenez-Lopez spent his teen years exploring identity and creativity locally.

“My first show was in Windsor,” he said. “The first drag queens I ever met, the first drag show I went to was Windsor. So Windsor definitely holds a really important place in my heart.”

He credits the city’s diversity and his time at Walkerville Collegiate for helping him discover drag in the first place.

“I met so many different people,” he said. “It was during my time at Walkerville that I even realized that there were drag queens and that I could even possibly be one.”

Known for her dance-heavy, high-octane performances, Dulce has earned a reputation for dazzling audiences with flips, splits and show-stopping stage presence.

She proudly infuses her Mexican heritage into her art, paying homage to the powerful Latin women who have inspired her.

“I would say my persona is… I don’t even know if I would call it a persona, it’s just me glammed up,” said Jimenez-Lopez. “You can do [dress-up] as an adult, too. It can be your job, your career, it can launch you on TV.”

After many auditions, Dulce finally got the call that would change everything.

“I had been auditioning for so many years,” said Jimenez-Lopez. “You can’t be discouraged if it’s not your time this year, if it’s not next year, it’ll be after that. I’ve always said I am my biggest fan because you have to love yourself more than anybody else.”

As for what to expect from the new season?

“Super exciting challenges, amazing runways, and a lot of amazing guest judges,” he teased. “It’s not always super nice, it’s not always best friends, but that’s what we’re there for. When you put a bunch of divas in a room, it’s bound to be exciting.”

For Jimenez-Lopez, the experience goes beyond personal achievement — it’s about representation.

“I think it’s an honour that I get to be one of the few queens that’s outside of Toronto or that main hub to get on the show,” he said. “I’m bringing all those cities with me because all those cities shaped me.”

Season 6 of Canada’s Drag Race premieres Nov. 20 on Crave, with new episodes streaming weekly.