Exclusive Interview - Crystal
Crystal, welcome to Spill the Tea my love. How are you holding up in this new world we are currently living in?
Oh it’s fine! Doing the same as everyone - attempting to stave off insanity and boredom.
Many will recognise you from the first series of Drag Race UK, but before you walked into the werkroom there was a journey to get there. When did you first discover drag was for you?
To be honest, I hadn’t been doing drag for thaaaat long before drag race. I discovered drag quite late compared to many - at around 30 - and I think it takes a long time to hone your aesthetic. But definitely, from the first time, I was hooked.
How would you describe your Drag style now?
Sexy, desperate and mean.
“it’s just incredibly important to be able to see people like you in the world - surviving and thriving - it makes you understand your own place and what your potential can be.”
What made you want to apply for the first series of Drag Race UK?
It was a no-brainer! I never thought there would be a Drag Race series that I could apply for - it was incredibly exciting that the franchise came to the UK! We all had no idea what to expect.
What is your favourite memory from the show?
Probably the first step onto the runway on episode 1. I was the first one out and it was just so surreal - like stepping into the TV! The show is really hard, really demanding but there are lots of moments that are totally magic!
Series 2 has just started, what do you think of the Queens and who is your favourite?
They’re all a bunch of absolute monsters - I hate them all. j/k - I’m loving it and there are 4-5 queens on there I know quite well so I couldn’t possibly pick a favourite! I love how WEIRD the cast is.
Now we must talk about your fabulous new podcast ‘Things That Made Me Queer’. The title gives it away a little but tell us more and what topics you will be covering?
I interview a different celebrity guest each week and we discuss the things that helped shape them into the queer they are today. Each guest has to bring a person, place, film or tv series, music and a wildcard that helped inform their queer identity. So we talk sexual awakenings, style icons and the things that gave us permission to be ourselves.
What made you pick a podcast over a YouTube channel chat?
A YouTube channel didn’t even occur to me to honest! Maybe that can be a spin-off
Photographer - Peter Fingleton
You are joined by some of your icons growing up, how was that experience?
Really cool! I definitely had to swallow my nerves a bit for a couple chats, but it was mostly easy. I’ve had a small taste of fame myself now, and it makes you realise that there’s nothing worse than someone who stops treating you like a normal person just because you’re famous.
Why do you think it’s important for the Queer community to have icons growing up?
If you mean representation, well, it’s just incredibly important to be able to see people like you in the world - surviving and thriving - it makes you understand your own place and what your potential can be. You definitely will hear my guests talk about that!
Where can people listen to the podcast?
Wherever you get your podcasts, weekly every Tuesday.
Before you go which Queen deserves a shout out from you?
All my East London Divas! Baby Lame, Margo Marshall, Freida Slaves, Grace Shush, Chiyo, Lady Noelia
Credit - Photographs - Peter Fingleton