International drag icon, RuPaul, is back in Blighty with his cult competitive reality show. Rooted in camp, British pop culture, and famed for its unpredictability, Drag Race UK fans will be delighted with a rambunctious new cast, and a competition with even more twists, more laughs and more sass.
So start your engines, and control your excitement as a fresh new set of amazing drag queens compete to be crowned The UK鈥檚 Next Drag Race Superstar in one the world鈥檚 most unpredictable, glamorous, and fiercely entertaining races.
About to embark on its sixth season, the multiple award-winning flagship 成人快手 Three show is highly anticipated every Autumn by its huge young and ardent fanbase. The competition sees hopeful drag queens compete across ten weeks in a variety of spicy challenges and iconic games designed to test their drag mettle, with the winner of the week being awarded a coveted RuPeter badge, and the bottoms of the week facing a lip sync for their life and the risk of elimination.
RuPaul, affectionately known as Mama Ru, leads an esteemed judging panel that includes regular judges, Michelle Visage, Alan Carr, Graham Norton and a bevy of celebrity guest judges, who this year range from Mabel to Simon Le Bon!
Together, they deliberate the fate of the queens but it is queen of queens, Mama Ru, who has the final word on who shantays or sashays away from the competition.
RuPaul鈥檚 Drag Race UK is a World of Wonder production for 成人快手 Three and 成人快手 iPlayer commissioned by Fiona Campbell, Controller, 成人快手 iPlayer and Youth Audiences and Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the 成人快手. The Executive Producers for World of Wonder are Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, RuPaul Charles, Bruce McCoy and Johnni Javier and the 成人快手 Commissioning Editor is Ruby Kuraishe.
JA3
Meet the Queens
Handpicked by RuPaul, this year鈥檚 cast of twelve gorgeous drag queens represent a heady mix of charisma, uniqueness, nerve, talent, and accents with queens from across the Nations - Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and England coming together in a bid to be crowned The UK鈥檚 Next Drag Race Superstar.
Actavia
21, North Wales
Pronouns out of drag: He/Him
Pronouns in drag: She/Her
Tell us about yourself!
Hello! I鈥檓 Actavia, I am 21 years old, and I'm from a tiny little town in North Wales called Bala but I now live in Manchester. Bring on the Welsh!
How does it feel to be a Ru girl?
This is literally like a dream come true. It's such a clich茅 thing to say but I just can鈥檛 believe it鈥檚 real and that I鈥檓 here.
How long have you been doing drag?
I quickly became obsessed with all things drag around five years ago when I was 16 years old however, being from such a small town, drag was never something that was around me. After discovering Drag Race, everything just clicked! I鈥檝e always loved performing and being on stage so I knew drag was for me and here I am!
How would you describe your drag?
I would describe myself as a bit of a chameleon, and I always like to add a villainess look to my drag aesthetic but I鈥檓 really approachable 鈥� I promise!
What can we expect to see at an Actavia show?
I come alive on stage. If you were to come to an Actavia show, you would see a blend of camp, dancing, energy, and a bit of stupidity. My shows are high energy and you would definitely be out of breath just watching me.
What鈥檚 the drag scene like in your hometown of Bala?
It's honestly tiny. I always say the drag scene there is absolutely immaculate - because I AM the drag scene there! There is no other drag queen in my town, as far as I'm aware!
What are you most looking forward to in the competition?
I鈥檓 a dancer so I love anything where I can move my legs. I鈥檓 so excited to do anything that鈥檚 thrown at me in this competition and grab it by the horns!
Would you say you鈥檙e competitive?
I wouldn鈥檛 say I鈥檓 competitive, but I do enter a lot of competitions and I am now on the biggest drag competition now so actually鈥� I guess you could say I am!
What would it mean to you to win it?
To be crowned as the UK鈥檚 Next Drag Race Superstar would just be the ultimate validation not only for myself, for all the hard work I鈥檝e put into my drag over the years. It would just mean the world!
Chanel O鈥機onor
25, Scotland
Pronouns out of drag: He/Him
Pronouns in drag: She/Her
Tell us about yourself!
Hello! My name is Chanel O'Conor, I'm 25 and I鈥檓 originally from the Isle of Bute in Scotland.
We hear you鈥檙e a talented seamstress?
I make all of my own clothes, and I鈥檝e created looks for other queens too. In fact, a lot of my work has already featured on the show as I've made outfits for Drag Race UK Series two winner Lawrence Chaney and for various other queens. I鈥檓 so proud of that, but it鈥檚 now time for me. I want to show off all of my creations ON ME - and I want to win!
Why drag?
I discovered drag as a child watching comedy specials that starred iconic drag characters such as Lily Savage and Dame Edna. From watching these legends, I became obsessed and fell completely in love with drag. Growing up, I used to escape the island for a drama class on the mainland every Saturday, which is where I discovered my true love for experimenting with character creation. From that, I took a drag show to the Edinburgh Fringe and it just snowballed from there - I鈥檝e now been doing drag for eight years!
How did you create the persona of Chanel?
I created the character of Chanel O鈥機onor as a way for me to 鈥榩lay pretend鈥� in a world I could never be in - being rich, being famous and being a natural ginger. I mixed my love for powerful women and fabulous fashions to create a baby version of Chanel O鈥機onor 鈥� someone who is pure luxury, Austrian royalty twice removed and sips champagne in her private submarine in Lake Como!
What are you most excited for?
I鈥檓 so excited to meet Ru and cannot wait to see her up close and see her fabulous outfits. I feel like I鈥檓 going to learn so much from Ru 鈥� she is an icon!
Are there any challenges you are worried about?
I am so nervous for any dance challenges. I鈥檓 not typically a dancer. I鈥檓 a 鈥榮tand by the bar, buy a drink on my husband鈥檚 credit card and be politely escorted to the VIP area鈥� kind of dancer!
What would it mean to you to win the competition?
I鈥檝e worked so hard and put so much effort into my drag that to win the Drag Race UK crown would be truly incredible. To bring it home for Scotland, one more time would be amazing. Give me the crown baby!
Charra Tea
23, Belfast
Pronouns out of drag: He/Him
Pronouns in drag: She/Her
Introduce yourself!
Hello world! My name is Charra Tea, I'm 23 and I am from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Woo!
How does it feel to be a Ru girl?
I feel like I'm on a prank show and any minute now, someone's going to pop up and say, 鈥淛ust joking!鈥�. I鈥檓 so excited! Meeting RuPaul for the first time is going to be so surreal. I'm obsessed and I鈥檓 hoping she can understand this gorgeous Belfast accent.
What inspires your drag?
I was an artsy kid growing up and I've always been drawn to big, bold, bright colours which I incorporate into my drag. Some people call it tacky, but I love that and I embrace the tacky!
What would you see at a typical Charra Tea show?
If you were to come to a Charra Tea show, expect to see a pop culture parrot. I love incorporating random niche quotes in my shows from all the UK pop culture legends - Gemma Collins, Kim Woodburn, Nadine Coyle - I love them all!
How did you get into drag?
My drag aspirations began after I watched the movie Hairspray. I thought to myself I want to do that and now I鈥檝e been doing drag for around five years! I love the transformation and confidence that drag gives me.
What鈥檚 the drag scene in Belfast like?
There鈥檚 not a massive drag scene in Belfast, but in our little scene is expanding with something for everyone. There are so many amazing drag queens in the area, I'm so proud to represent Belfast on Drag Race UK.
What are you most excited about?
I鈥檓 definitely not a seamstress, but I can put an outfit together. If it stays on, that鈥檚 another story! I've also been in a few school plays in my time, so I think I might have the acting and comedy challenges sorted! This is the Olympics of drag so I'm just excited for everything! I鈥檓 especially excited to show people that even a little shy child like me can grow up to fulfil my dream!
How competitive are you?
I鈥檓 very competitive. I always like to be the best. I've only competed a few times in drag, and only won once, so hopefully I can win again. Fingers crossed!
What would it mean to be the UK鈥檚 Next Drag Race Superstar?
To win Drag Race UK would be incredible. Who goes on Drag Race and doesn't want to win? I鈥檓 fun, fresh, I鈥檓 not afraid to be tacky and be myself and I love primary colours. I want that crown!
Dita Garbo
47, Kent
Pronouns out of drag: They/Them
Pronouns in drag: She/Her
Tell us about yourself!
I鈥檓 Dita Garbo, I鈥檓 48 years young from the sunny seaside town of Folkestone in Kent, and I鈥檓 so excited to be putting Folkestone on the map!
How would you describe your drag?
I serve burlesque Hollywood glamour. My influences are burlesque icon Dita Von Teese and Hollywood starlet, Greta Garbo. Hence my name 鈥� Dita Garbo. I like to say I鈥檓 the burlesque lovechild of Dita Von Teese and Greta Garbo! But I can switch it up if I need to keep up with the kids!
I can jump, split, kick, turn, shablam, drop, turn, backflip, split again鈥� but then I might need some help getting up!
You are the oldest contestant we鈥檝e had on Drag Race UK. How will you use that to your advantage in the competition?
The nice thing about being older is that you come to the competition with a lot of wisdom. If the younger queens need it, I鈥檒l give them some motherly love and advice, but if they annoy me, I'll tell them!
How did you start in drag?
I first got into drag in Madrid, Spain years ago, where I was in an androgynous drag group called Lujuria, which means 'lust鈥� in Spanish. It was so much fun. Sadly, I don鈥檛 have any photos to show you as it was back in the day before mobile phones! I took a fifteen-year break from drag to travel the world as a professional dance teacher, but once a drag queen, always a drag queen! I re-emerged as a burlesque diva a few years back, and I鈥檝e even set up my own little Folkestone drag scene.
What challenges are you most excited to take on?
I can sew, I can dance, and I can sing too so I鈥檓 excited for any challenges that require those skills! I鈥檝e been a performer all my life and I鈥檓 so proud and happy to have been invited by Ru into the Drag Race UK sisterhood and I can鈥檛 wait to show what I can do as a mature lady!
Why do you deserve to be the UK鈥檚 Next Drag Race Superstar?
I鈥檝e got a ton of experience and knowledge that I can bring to the competition plus I would be the oldest winner of RuPaul鈥檚 Drag Race UK! So, watch out girls because here I come!
Kiki Snatch
25, London
Pronouns out of drag: They/Them
Pronouns in drag: She/Her
Tell us about yourself!
Hey, I鈥檓 Kiki Snatch, I'm 25 years old from London and I'm going to snatch your hearts, baby!
What can you expect at a Kiki Snatch show?
I鈥檓 not just a look queen, I鈥檓 a big performance queen. I can dance and sing whilst looking pretty doing it! You鈥檙e going to get cartwheels, splits, dips, tricks, games with the audience, games... You鈥檙e just going to have a fun, fabulous time. That鈥檚 why they call me Kiki!
Who are your drag influences?
My drag is inspired by iconic female artists such as Mica Paris, Donna Summer, Beyonc茅, Ciara and Teyana Taylor. I鈥檓 also inspired by the women in my family 鈥� they are all so fierce and powerful.
Tell us about your drag name origins?
I鈥檓 a bundle of joy and I love to party and so Kiki comes from me loving a 鈥榢iki鈥�, which is drag lingo for having a good time. And Snatch of course can mean many things applicable to me 鈥� a snatched waist, a snatched face or snatching the Drag Race UK crown!
How does it feel to be a Ru Girl?
I鈥檓 so excited and I just can鈥檛 contain it! I remember where I was when I got the call. I was just about to start work and I heard the word 鈥楥ondragulations!鈥�. I couldn't scream out loud, so I did a silent scream and hid myself for a little bit, and then composed myself!
What challenge are you most excited for?
I cannot wait to get onto Snatch Game. I鈥檓 also looking forward to a girl group challenge because that has me written all over!
Why do you deserve the crown?
Because I鈥檓 here to SNATCH the crown and shut it down! Winning the title would prove that the kooky and misunderstood ones can come out on top too.
Kyran Thrax
26, Lancashire
Pronouns out of drag: He/Him, They/Them
Pronouns in drag: She/Her
Tell us about yourself!
Hello, I'm Kyran Thrax, I'm 26 years old, and I'm originally from Lancashire.
How does it feel to be a Ru girl?
The idea that I'm here right now just feels so correct! I'm raring to go, the timing is perfect. I am going to be a monster.
Why drag?
I鈥檓 a performer, and whilst studying Acting and Contemporary Theatre at drama school, I was doing Shakespeare, expressionism, and clowning... and so I thought why not put it all together and mix it with my love of make-up and drag. And so here we are! I鈥檝e been doing drag for four years, and I鈥檝e been doing it full time for two. I absolutely love it. I鈥檝e done fashion shows, drag brunches, commercials, performances in theatres and clubs. You鈥檝e probably even seen me on a cinema screen and now, I鈥檓 finally here!
Who or what are your drag inspirations?
I'm very inspired by Lady Gaga - she's a creative genius! I'm also inspired by art house horror films and of course, my mum! Also, the London drag scene is wild 鈥� when I first came here, I saw so many subcultures and avenues of drag that it gave me the creative freedom to create Kyran Thrax!
What are you most excited about?
I'm excited for every challenge - apart from the sewing challenge. I can make amazing things in my brain, but then actually constructing and sewing them is a whole other ballgame!
Are you competitive?
Yes. When people first meet me, they can be intimidated because I鈥檓 quite a lot, but once you get to know me, you鈥檒l find that I'm really soft and silly. There's not a mean bone in my body. I actually hate confrontation. If you shout at me, I鈥檒l most likely cry!
What would it mean to you to take the crown?
It would mean absolutely everything to me to win Drag Race UK. I have been through so much in life and just to be here is amazing. I鈥檓 going to cherish every single moment.
La Voix
43, Stockton on Tees
Pronouns out of drag: He/Him
Pronouns in drag: She/Her
Introduce yourself!
Hello, darlings! I'm La Voix, I'm 43 and I鈥檓 from Stockton on Tees. I am a seasoned diva and I cannot wait to get going!
How does it feel to be a Ru girl?
I'm so excited. When they rang me and told me the news, I couldn't believe it! Shocked isn鈥檛 even the word. I had to clear my diary 鈥� I鈥檓 very busy you see.
Describe a typical La Voix drag show?
I鈥檓 known for big, loud belty songs and I love to make 鈥榚m laugh. Comedy and singing are my thing.
You are indeed a very busy queen. Tell us about your career highlights?
Where do I even start?! I鈥檝e competed in Britain's Got Talent, starred in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, working with Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley; I鈥檝e starred in various pantomimes over the span of twenty years; I鈥檝e worked on EIGHTY cruise ships (yes eighty!) and I鈥檝e toured all over the world with my one woman show鈥� and now I鈥檓 here on RuPaul鈥檚 Drag Race UK!
Do you have time to list some of the famous names you鈥檝e worked with?
Some of the names I've worked with are Mickey Rooney, Claire Sweeney, Les Dennis, Pamela Anderson, David Gest, Cilla Black, Joanna Lumley, Jennifer Saunders, Zoe Ball, Nigella Lawson, Lulu鈥� did I mention Claire Sweeney? Jane McDonald, Rylan, Ant and Dec, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Piers Morgan... Is there anyone I haven鈥檛 worked with at this point?!
I鈥檇 love to work with RuPaul, Adele and Madonna next 鈥� I鈥檓 hoping that this competition gives me the chance to!
Who are your drag inspirations?
The big divas. Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey and Liza Minnelli. Just all the greats 鈥� big, belty confident women!
You鈥檙e already a very established performer. Why Drag Race UK now?
I wanted to do Drag Race because drag has changed so much since I first started drag back in prehistoric times, twenty years ago. I thought Drag Race UK would be an amazing second chapter of my career and a personal challenge to immerse myself in the new world of drag. Also, I just love RuPaul!
How competitive are you?
Oh, I鈥檓 the queen of competitions. I鈥檝e done quite a few! I love a competition. It pushes me out of my comfort zone. I鈥檓 not going in with a game plan. I鈥檓 going in there with an open mind, extra tights and a secret hidden bottle of vodka. I love the adrenaline of it all. Bring it on!
Are you nervous about anything in the competition?
I鈥檓 not the best dancer and all of the other queens are probably going to be death dropping and splitting all over the main stage. Meanwhile, I鈥檒l just be sat in the corner with a cup of tea quietly praying.
What would it mean to you be crowned the UK鈥檚 Next Drag Race Superstar?
It would be phenomenal. If I were to win, it would be life changing. For me, it鈥檚 more than winning Drag Race UK. It鈥檚 a relaunch and rebirth for my drag.
Lill
36, Manchester
Pronouns out of drag: They/Them
Pronouns in drag: She/Her
Tell us about yourself!
Hiya! My name's Lill, I'm 36 years old, and I'm from the best place in the world 鈥� Manchester! I鈥檓 gorgeous, I鈥檝e got great style, I鈥檓 creative, fun and I鈥檓 easy like a Sunday morning.
How would you describe your drag?
I would say my drag is very creative and rebellious. I love getting stuff from charity shops, cutting things up and transforming old tatty stuff into the stunning! I鈥檝e got a thousand different references that influence my drag. I adore fashion and my favourite designer is John Galliano, who inspires a lot of my fashion looks. The best thing about me is my sense of style. My style is usually glamourous pin up girl, but sometimes it can be freaky and weird! Fashion comes and goes, but style is forever.
What are the origins of your drag name?
Lill is an acronym for Living in Lavish Luxury. My friend made it up for me one day, and I ran with it! I like to think I'm living in lavish luxury always! I appreciating each moment as it comes, I spoil myself rotten and I have a great time.
How does it feel to be a Ru girl?
It feels absolutely crazy to be here. I've been doing drag for about ten years and I absolutely love it. Drag is the best! I feel like I鈥檓 finally here at the top of my game and looking absolutely correct.
What challenges are you most confident about?
I鈥檓 very good at making things, and so I would say a sewing challenge. I鈥檝e already made some costumes for Drag Race UK queens Banksie and Cheddar Gorgeous, and so I feel really confident that my looks are strong and no one is going to be able to top them!
I鈥檓 also looking forward to anything that lets me be funny! Whether that鈥檚 an acting challenge or a comedy roast, that鈥檚 somewhere where I feel I鈥檇 be able to have some fun.
What's the biggest misconception about you?
I think it takes quite a while for people to get to know me. At first, people might think that I'm a bit rude or a bit stoney faced, but I'm definitely not. I've got the biggest, softest heart. I'm just a bit shy at first!
What would it mean to you to take the crown?
I believe I deserve to win because I鈥檝e got great style, I鈥檓 a fab performer, I鈥檓 a lot of fun and nobody else does it quite like me. It would be fabulous to receive validation from RuPaul, the judges and all of the Drag Race fans out there!
Marmalade
24, Cardiff
Pronouns out of drag: He/Him
Pronouns in drag: She/Her
Introduce yourself!
Greetings one and all! My name is Marmalade, I am 24 years old and I am the crown jewel of Cardiff drag.
How would you describe your drag?
I would describe my drag as Hollywood glamour, all wrapped up in a gorgeous Welsh sense of stupidity. When I was sixteen, I saw the most fabulous photo of the Hollywood starlet, Lana Turner in the film The Prodigal and that was it! All I wanted from then was to become that image. My favourite leading ladies are Rita Hayworth, Lana Turner, Faye Dunaway, Barbara Streisand. Also, two of my all-time favourites are Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn in Death Becomes Her. I like to think that I give vintage aesthetic with a modern twist!
What is the drag scene like in Cardiff?
The Cardiff drag scene is very tiny. There are very few queens and kings there. That said, it's a mighty scene. We're a gorgeous set of very talented weirdos. I am the prettiest though. I mean, look at me!
Your work has already appeared on Drag Race UK. Tell us more?
Outside of drag, I am a full-time seamstress. I鈥檝e made outfits for Drag Race UK alumni such as Lawrence Chaney, Victoria Scone and Tia Kofi, but it鈥檚 now my time to step into the spotlight so here I am! I started sewing out of complete necessity, as there weren鈥檛 many drag seamstresses in Cardiff, and now it鈥檚 become a career and my passion and my major superpower.
Where does your drag name come from?
My original drag name was Marmite, mainly because I really liked Marmite. But one day, I accidentally said I was called Marmalade. I realised it sounded much better so I stuck with it. Believe it or not, I've never actually had marmalade. I have no idea what it tastes like!
Are there any challenges you鈥檙e nervous about?
I鈥檓 not worried about any of the challenges. I have watched Drag Race since the very beginning and I know exactly what I need to bring and guess what, I'm bringing it. If I do falter, I'm also bringing delusion to back me up. I'll just tell myself that I did great!
How important is it for you to represent Wales?
I am so excited to represent my hometown of Cardiff, and my home country. There's so much talent in our small but mighty nation and you're going to see it right here!
Rileasa Slaves
32, London
Pronouns out of drag: He/Him
Pronouns in drag: She/Her
Tell us about yourself?
Hey boo! My name is Rileasa Slaves, I'm 32 years old from London, but I was born in St Lucia. She's international baby!
People say you鈥檙e the spitting image of a certain pop star... tell us more?
I have been told I resemble a certain worldwide superstar named Rihanna. Like Rhianna, I鈥檓 also a Caribbean queen, a glamazon, and a superstar, but I鈥檓 not Rihanna. I鈥檓 the real Rileasa, ready to be rileasa鈥檇 onto the world.
What have been your career highlights?
Drag has opened so many doors for me. I鈥檓 a trained contemporary dancer, and I have performed on tour with Becky Hill, travelled all over Europe and even performed at Glastonbury! It was an amazing moment to perform to such a big crowd. And now, I鈥檓 on Drag Race UK!
Who or what influences your drag?
I grew up in the small Caribbean island of St Lucia, with dancehall music, Soca and Calypso as the soundtrack to my life, and then later I fell in love with London the city that gave me permission to be myself. And so my drag is sunshine with a touch of spice!
What does drag mean to you?
The first time I did drag, I had so much fear in my bones. A lot of my fear came from my religious upbringing in the Caribbean and the difficulties you can face being part of the LGBTQ+ community in the Caribbean. Becoming Rileasa has given me the opportunity to face my fears.
Are you competitive?
My biggest competitor is me! I want to get out of my head and have some fun, with my eyes on the prize!
Why do you deserve the crown?
I deserve to take the crown because I鈥檓 bringing the island flavour, the sauce and a little something special to the competition that y'all have been missing out on! The world is ready for Rileasa to be crowned the UK鈥檚 Next Drag Race Superstar. Let鈥檚 go!
Saki Yew
33, Manchester
Pronouns out of drag: He/Him
Pronouns in drag: She/Her
Introduce yourself!
G鈥檇ay mate! I'm Saki Yew and I'm 33 years old. I'm originally from Melbourne, Australia, but love brought me all the way across the globe to settle down in to life as a booked and blessed Manchester drag queen.
What can you expect from a Saki Yew show?
There鈥檚 a lot of energy - you won鈥檛 be able to take your eyes off me! You can expect to see a showgirl who鈥檚 going to perform her heart out, whether it be a ballad or a dance anthem. It's really important to me, to represent my cultural identity in my drag and so I serve Australian showgirl glamour, mixed with high energy Filipino sass and a sprinkle of Northern wit and realness. I think I am a bit of a Frankenstein drag queen!
What skills do you bring to the competition?
I鈥檝e been a drag queen for over thirteen years, and I have an extensive entertainment CV. As well as serving face and showgirl glamour, I am also a very experienced sewer and crafter. I particularly love crochet. My love of crochet comes from when I was on tour with The Lion King and during breaks in acts, I would crochet blankets, beanies, scarves. I even crocheted a beanie for my dog! Here鈥檚 hoping, that the opportunity arises to crochet in a design challenge!
What challenges are you looking forward to?
I can鈥檛 wait to show off in a girl group challenge and a Rusical! With my musical theatre background, these challenges are made for me.
How competitive are you?
I鈥檓 super competitive. I can play dirty if I want to, but let's see how the girls play first! I've got my eyes on the crown, so the girls had better watch out鈥�
What would winning the crown mean to you?
Taking the crown would mean the world to me. A dream come true, and for any little boys and girls watching out there, they might see that winning at life could be a possibility for them too.
Zahirah Zapanta
28, Nottingham
Pronouns out of drag: He/Him
Pronouns in drag: She/Her
Introduce yourself!
Mabuhay! I鈥檓 Zahirah Zapanta, I鈥檓 28 years old from Nottingham and I鈥檓 your beauty queen!
How does it feel to be here as a Ru Girl?
I am feeling incredible, beautiful and most importantly humble! I鈥檓 so excited to be here.
Describe your drag?
The look is correct, the hair is laid, the performances are fabulous, but the personality is a chaotic mess! I鈥檓 so proud of my British Filipino roots and it has influenced my drag so much. As a little kid, I constantly watched beauty pageants such as Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss Continental, and the UK has given me a unique and eclectic edge. I grew up with a lot of powerful women in my life. Growing up with Filipino aunties, my mum, my sister and lesbian aunties has definitely shaped Zahirah. The genetics do help me look this fabulous too!
Tell us about your journey to drag?
I was born in the Philippines and came to the UK with my family when I was 10 years old settling in Nottingham. Growing up, I was well known where I grew up. I was always quite flamboyant and my family actively encouraged me to be a beauty queen. As a teenager, it felt like a natural move to showcase my love of makeup and dressing up on YouTube. I built a fanbase, created a network, forayed into drag, learnt more about the art and I became a beauty queen!
How excited are you to meet Mama Ru?
Mama Ru is a celestial omnipotent being that has been a part of my life and my heart for so long! Getting to meet her is my dream. It鈥檚 unreal to think she鈥檚 a real person!
Are you in it to win it?
Of course, I'm most definitely in it to win it!