Karl Stefanovic debuts his drag queen alter ego on the Today show

Karl Stefanovic proudly debuts his drag queen alter ego as she bravely makes her TV debut live on the Today show

Karl Stefanovic has finally let his sassy feminine side fly.

The 46-year-old proudly unveiled his drag queen alter ego ‘Karlene’ during Friday’s episode of the Today show. 

Karl was overcome with inspiration in the segment, designed to promote Stan’s highly-anticipated new series, RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under. 

True colours! Karl Stefanovic finally let his sassy feminine side fly on Friday, debuting his drag alter ego ‘Karlene’ live on Friday’s episode of the Today show

‘Honey, let me tell you it’s liberating,’ he said of the transformation. 

His co-hosts Alison Langdon, Alex Cullen  and Brooke Boney couldn’t control their laughter as Karlene chatted away.

She went on to lip sync ‘I will Survive’ alongside a number of the queens from Stan’s new drag series. 

'Honey, let me tell you it's liberating': Karl was overcome with inspiration in the segment, designed to promote Stan's highly-anticipated new series, RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under

 ‘Honey, let me tell you it’s liberating’: Karl was overcome with inspiration in the segment, designed to promote Stan’s highly-anticipated new series, RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under

‘Karlene’ wore a plunging bedazzled mini-dress and a ruffled robe.   

He wore an enormous blonde wig, glossy makeup and a imitation beauty spot.

The veteran journalist left his thighs bare, completing the look in a pair of white stilettos and the versatile business socks that he wore to work. 

Ready, honey! 'Karlene' strutted around in an enormous blonde wig, full face of makeup and bedazzled mini-dress. He completed the look in stiletto heels and the versatile business socks he arrived to work in

Ready, honey! ‘Karlene’ strutted around in an enormous blonde wig, full face of makeup and bedazzled mini-dress. He completed the look in stiletto heels and the versatile business socks he arrived to work in

Karl clearly struggled to walk in heels during the segment. 

The stunt was a hit on social media, with fans gushing over the journalist’s surprise transformation. 

‘Brilliant!!!!! Tears of laugher!! What a legend,’ one fan wrote. 

Cheer squad: Supportive co-hosts Alison Langdon, Alex Cullen and Brooke Boney couldn't control their laughter during the segment

Cheer squad: Supportive co-hosts Alison Langdon, Alex Cullen and Brooke Boney couldn’t control their laughter during the segment

‘Hairy chest and hairy legs do it for me…not. Best medicine in the world is laughing, thank you Karl.’ 

‘STICK TO YOUR DAY JOB KARL,’ said one contrarian.  

The eight-part Drag Race Down Under series will be hosted by RuPaul himself, with drag icon Michelle Visage and comedian Rhys Nicholson rounding out the panel.

RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under premieres as a Stan exclusive on May 1. 

Queen Karlene! The stunt was a hit on social media, with fans gushing over the journalist's surprise transformation

Queen Karlene! The stunt was a hit on social media, with fans gushing over the journalist’s surprise transformation 

Business as usual:  The eight-part Drag Race Down Under series premieres as a Stan exclusive on May 1 and will be hosted by RuPaul himself

Business as usual:  The eight-part Drag Race Down Under series premieres as a Stan exclusive on May 1 and will be hosted by RuPaul himself