Interview - Lovelle
Lovelle, welcome beaut to Spill the Tea! You are a very talented Queen but first, how did you get into Drag?
Thank you very much! I have always been a fan of the art of Drag since being told to watch Drag Race by some friends. I think the first season I watched was Season 3! I then got into doing Drag when I was cast as an Angel in the UK Tour of Kinky Boots! I loved every second of it and knew that when the show was over it wouldn’t be the end of Drag for me!
How did you choose your Drag name?
Well, my original Drag name was ‘Nat West’! Each of the Angels got to decide our own names and I randomly decided on ‘Nat West’ when I walked past one of the banks. When the show finished I decided I needed a change (and there was already a Nat West on the socials!). I played around with a few names but finally landed on ‘Lovelle!’. Essentially, its just a fancier way of saying my actual surname, and more often than not people think that’s how last name is pronounced. I like how it sounds and I feel like it suits my character!
“My dream is for Lovelle to have her own cabaret show with a little 3 or 4 piece band and sing loads of jazz covers of Popular songs!“
Did you have any rejected names and if so, what were they?
The rejected names were: Nat West, Natalie Love, Natalie Treasure! (I think, there were probably more!)
How would you describe your Drag style?
At the moment my Drag style is definitely leaning more towards the vintage, old school, 1930-50’s era. I love a good wiggle dress and I’m obsessed with the hairstyles of that period! So beautiful!
What emoji describes your Drag?
🎙
You have very powerful set of lungs behind you, do you sing live or lip sync?
Thank you! I will admit, I am yet do my first live Drag gig but when I do I will absolutely be singing live...with the occasional lip sync thrown in I’m sure! My dream is for Lovelle to have her own cabaret show with a little 3 or 4 piece band and sing loads of jazz covers of Popular songs!
What is your favourite song to lip sync to?
Hmm...I’m yet decide this! I have some plans for the future that will combine a few things so I’ll have to let you know!
What is your favourite track to cover?
I love all the Postmodern Jukebox songs and love to try and belt them out! Their version of ‘Focus’ by Ariana Grande is sensational!
RuPaul’s Drag Race has helped catapult Drag into the mainstream, but Drag goes beyond Drag Race, what one other Queen deserves a shout out from you?
A Queen that deserves a shout out that works their arse off is Misty Van Cartier! So talented and such a lovely person. I also need to say that Samantha Stone is another beautiful Queen who deserves a shout out!
You don’t just step onto the stage in Drag as you also act! How did you get into acting?
I’ve been acting since I was about 4! I was obsessed with performing and being centre of attention haha! I started going to Dance classes when I was 10 and started going to a theatre club when I was about 12! I was about 15/16 when I decided that theatre is something I could do professionally and just decided to go for it! There was no plan B!
With an impressive resume behind you, having acted in shows like the Book of Mormon and Singin’ in the Rain, what has been your favourite production so far?
Oooo this is always such a hard question! I’ve got a few favourites for different reasons...
Kinky Boots because...it’s Kinky Boots! Being an Angel was the best!
The Book of Mormon because it was my West End Debut and my first Swing job!
Singin’ in the Rain because its a beautiful show and my favourite MGM!
Both Drag and acting work has been changed by Covid. How have you found the past year
Obviously the past year has not been ideal but at the moment I’m very grateful for what I do have. I’ve got a full time job, a wonderful boyfriend, a lovely flat and amazing friends! This past year as definitely made me appreciate what I have more. But I cannot wait to be able to get back on stage and perform again!
Looking to a more positive future what does it hold for you?
I feel very lucky to say that I do have some exciting things coming up. I’ve just been cast as one of the Queenz (@queenztheshow) for an upcoming workshop, which is so exciting and I will also be part of the West End Drag Brunch team when they start up again!
Any last shout outs?
I want to shout out to every Drag Artist out there trying to make it work during this pandemic. As venues start to reopen, there are some exciting things on the horizon and I can’t wait for everyone to be able to show what they can do!!
