Hollywood Jade, choreographer and creative force behind Canada’s Drag Race, steps into the world of The Traitors Canada season 3, bringing his strategic mind and unmatched charisma to a game full of deception and high stakes…
By Richard Holman
If you’ve watched Canada’s Drag Race at any point, chances are you’ve already seen Hollywood Jade’s influence. He’s the guy making sure queens can strut, kick, spin, and sell the routine even when they’ve got six-inch stilettos cutting into their ankles. He’s been behind some of the most memorable numbers on that stage — the ones that stay GIF’d and replayed long after the episode ends.
But this fall, Hollywood’s trading sequins for suspicion. He’s stepping into Season 3 of The Traitors Canada, where charm won’t be enough and alliances are built to collapse. For a choreographer who’s spent years teaching performers how to keep their cool under pressure, this new stage is going to test him in a way no rehearsal ever could.
Who exactly is Hollywood Jade?
Born Jade Anderson, Hollywood Jade has carved out a reputation as one of Canada’s most in-demand choreographers and movement directors. He’s worked with international artists like Meghan Trainor and Snoop Dogg, served as creative director for Jully Black, and been part of the drag scene long before it was mainstreamed into living rooms.
His style blends grit with glamour. He started his own dance company, Urbanesque, back in 2011, mixing hip-hop with burlesque and cabaret — a mash-up that feels very “Hollywood,” larger-than-life but grounded in raw movement. On Canada’s Drag Race, he’s become known as the tough-love mentor: the one who can clock a performer’s weak spot in two beats but also knows exactly how to push them through it. Queens often credit him for helping them find not just their steps but their confidence.
And then there’s his community work. Hollywood Jade isn’t shy about speaking up for representation, especially for Black queer artists who often get sidelined. He’s hosted Pride events, choreographed for galas, and made sure his presence means visibility for more than just himself. He’s even appeared on the cover of IN Magazine (you can read our July/August 2021 Hollywood Jade cover story right here).
Why The Traitors is a whole new game
Now, let’s be clear: The Traitors Canada is nothing like a drag stage. There’s no panel of judges scoring your runway walk. There’s no choreography to hide behind. The game is simple on paper but brutal in practice: figure out who the traitors are before they pick you off. Trust no one, but somehow make people trust you.
For Hollywood Jade, that’s a fascinating fit. His whole career has been about reading people quickly, figuring out what they need, and adjusting in real time. That’s exactly what this show rewards. If he can sense hesitation or bluff the way he does when a queen misses a beat, he could slide far into the game.
But there’s also the flip side: his charisma. On Drag Race, his confidence makes people lean in. On The Traitors, that same magnetism could get him flagged as dangerous way too early. The question is whether he can downplay it long enough to survive.
What Hollywood James brings into the castle
Think about it: here’s a man who’s worked under bright lights with celebrities and drag legends, wrangled rehearsals full of big personalities, and built a career on balancing confidence with control. That kind of skill set doesn’t just vanish when you drop him into a Scottish castle (or Canadian stand-in).
- Performance under pressure? He’s done that his whole life.
- Navigating egos and drama? Literally part of his job description.
- Selling a story, even when it’s half smoke and mirrors? That’s choreography at its core.
In other words, he’s not walking in unprepared. He’s walking in with tools most players won’t even realize he has.
Why fans are fired up
The moment Hollywood Jade’s name hit the cast list, Drag Race fans were stoked. Because let’s be honest: he’s not just another reality contestant, there is an offering here that is untapped. Though he is already a presence — and someone who’s made TV better by being on it, there is so much more to learn and unravel. Watching him shift from directing performances to playing his own survival game is a rare chance to see a familiar figure in a totally different spotlight.
And it’s not just about seeing if he can “win.” It’s about watching how he plays. Will he lean into charm and keep people close? Will he channel that choreographer toughness and call shots early? Or will he quietly adapt, letting the bigger targets go down first while he builds something solid underneath?
There’s real curiosity there — because unlike some of his fellow cast members, Hollywood comes in with a career that’s already defined him as a leader. The question is whether leadership in rehearsal translates into cunning inside a game designed to punish trust.
The Traitors premiers October 21st
When The Traitors Canada drops on October 21, all eyes will be on who cracks first, who betrays whom, and who can outlast the paranoia. For Hollywood Jade, this is a pivot. He’s not the coach in the rehearsal room anymore — he’s a player in a game where even allies might be planning his downfall.
But if history tells us anything, it’s that Hollywood Jade doesn’t shrink from the spotlight. He takes it, flips it, and makes it work for him. Whether that’s enough to survive the traitors and win the pot is anyone’s guess, but one thing’s guaranteed: he’s going to be one of the most entertaining people to watch this season.
The Traitors Season 3 Full Cast Have Been Revealed!
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