Drag fans rejoice! RuPaul’s Drag Race UK has just been confirmed for a second season, and the first season isn’t even over yet.
In recognition of their new majesty, RuPaul, BBC Three has just committed to broadcasting another season of the award-winning global hit in 2020 – and applications for the next set of sickening queens are now open.
To apply for the next series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, just sashay over here. But hurry, applications need to be in by Friday November 15, 2019.
In honour of the new season being commissioned, we approached an eclectic mix of drag artists we want to see in the second season and asked what they would bring to the show, if allowed.
The answers we got were… diverse.
Hardik Mistry.
Who is he?
I’m here to get British Asian representation on the drag king circuit. It’s time to claim back some space and drive our narratives.
What would you bring to Drag Race?
I’m not a huge fan of Drag Race. It’s played a role in the recent greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ culture, but sadly it promotes a narrowly defined aesthetic that excludes really exciting artists.
It’s also complicit in the dilution of queer culture. I don’t want polished and palatable, I want raw and political. So I’m happy to keep drag kings our own queer little secret for a bit longer.
Instead I’m super stoked that I have an open mic slot at Woof x Louche’s Anti Drag Revolution organised as a direct response to Drag Race’s exclusionary policies by Chiyo Gomes, who is my drag idol.
Chiyo Gomes.
Who are they?
What would you bring to Drag Race?
Drag can be the orthodox Pop Idol lip-syncs we see on Drag Race, but to think it’s limited to just that is a big misconception. Maybe that’s why Drag Race UK limits its casting to predominately cis white men. Maybe they’re not ready for us to completely redefine what it means to do drag.
I think that’s what I’d bring to the show. New flavours. Drag can be burlesque, spoken word, dance, sex work, politics and more. Catch me all over the country serving just those things. Drag is pink. Drag is radical.
And when you’re QTIPOC (queer, trans or intersex person of colour), your existence is also punk and radical. I’ll be damned if I don’t show this in my work.
Rubyyy Jones.
Who are they?
A 33-year-old neo drag artist frequently found showing off at London’s RVT, The Glory, Underbelly and Vaults.
What would you bring to Drag Race?
I would go on Drag Race, and I would bring Big Fat Energy and the transmuted trauma of being first a woman, and now a femme, in the world!
The Crossy.
Who are they?
A 26-year-old non-binary performer, lip sync artist, host and singer. I don’t tuck, I don’t shave, I don’t wear lashes nor nails, but I can entertain a crowd for hours.
What would you bring to Drag Race?
You’ll never see me on Drag Race because RuPaul cannot be bothered explaining to the cis-hetero viewers that there’s a lot more to drag than ‘yas mama fierce death drop’. Also because 90% of the jokes they make are about being ‘a man in a dress’.
Holestar.
Who is she?
A 42-year-old belting live performer at The Glory and anywhere that’s open minded about vaginas – hey, you all came from one.
What would you bring to Drag Race?
Regardless of RuPaul’s opinion on non cis males doing drag, I’ve no interest in being on the show. Being judged by people who know nothing about the rich diversity of British drag doesn’t tickle my pickle.
I wish anyone doing the show the absolute best but it’s so over produced and manipulated for drama that I’d be out in the first week, I’m too opinionated and honest. I also suck at sewing, lip syncing and sucking up.
Louis F.U.C.K.
Who is she?
I’m a 26-year-old drag performer and cabaret clown. I constantly switch personas depending on who I want to take down next.
What would you bring to Drag Race?
I would jump at the chance at bringing my femme charged satirical breakdowns of public figures. I could bring more political drag onto Drag Race, as well as a lot more penises made out of tights and ping pong balls.
Cramps.
Who are they?
I’m not sure I think of myself as a drag artist. I’m a performer who happens to have a complex relationship to gender identity and expression, so that comes across on stage whether I intend it to or not.
What would you bring to Drag Race?
I’d be crap on Drag Race. I don’t like competing.
Don One.
Who are they?
A sharing kind of drag king with a big voice and a cheeky comedy streak!
What would you bring to Drag Race?
I would bring big Brummie bouncy energy. Less about following fashion and more about sharing the love.
Richard Von Wild.
Who are they?
A lip-syncing, dancing King who loves all types of music.
I’ve been doing drag for five years and cosplaying for 11.
What would you bring to Drag Race?
Many contestants in past seasons have been slammed for their outfits being too ‘costumey,’ but that’s what I love about my drag. I take the elements of my cosplay life and bring them to the stage.
Adam All.
Who are they?
What would you bring to Drag Race?
Non-toxic maleness and punching up into the face of misogyny. But with a smile, and jazz hands.
I’m not a huge fan of comparing subjective art, but if it meant spearheading a movement I would take one for the team.
But perhaps it’s time we had our own show. Maybe not a competition, more collaborative.
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK premiers on BBC iPlayer at 8pm on Thursday October 3rd.