Interview - Michelle Visage
The love for Drag race UK has grown to epic proportion. What do you think is the secret to the show’s success?
I think it’s because there is finally a show that marginalised people can see themselves reflected in. And that reflection is positive! For so many years, these stories weren’t told from the victors’ standpoint. So it is inspiring for queer kids from all cultures to know that a) they aren’t alone, b) that they matter and c) they can be anything they want to be! These queens, every single one of them, inspire me daily. And of course it’s Ru! Ru is the magic ingredient!
“ It is a show that literally brings families together and there is nothing more rewarding than that. We all deserve love.....and banana bread. “
How does it make you feel that many people have said that the show got them through a bleak winter in lockdown?
What makes me the happiest is that people have found our little show and it has brought them laughter, joy and maybe a little bit of tears. There is nothing more rewarding than a parent or a sibling reaching out to me to tell me how much Drag Race has helped them understand their LGBTQIA+ child or relative in a way they couldn't get their head around before. It is a show that literally brings families together and there is nothing more rewarding than that. We all deserve love.....and banana bread.
What were your favourite moments from last series?
Oh my Goodness, there were so many! For starters, we stopped 4 episodes in because of a WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC!!! So that was interesting.... I thought "I guess we will see which queens utilise this time to progress and who will just let it lie as is…” And I think we saw it all unfold! It was such a strong, great, talented cast of queens. I was fully impressed and even more so when we re-joined production.
Were there any surprises in series two for you?
For me Bimini was the biggest surprise. They used their time wisely over the lockdown. For the first few episodes I am not sure they were as focused and when we came back - it was a bash over the head with the growth of fabulousness! It was mesmerizing! I always have predictions and I am always right. But baby, I do LOVE a surprise!
How Is British Drag evolving?
I think British Drag is evolving much like the rest of the world: progressively. There is so much artistry in drag and it is all very subjective, like fine art. RuPaul's Drag Race has changed the face of drag publicly and for the masses, but drag has been around long before our lovely telly show and will continue long after. We have come so far and we have much more to explore. I, for one, am here for it ALL and I canny wait! BRING ON THE DRAG! 3
What makes series three different to previous series?
THE QUEENS. full stop. You can't compare seasons because the talent is so different. One thing you can count on is this: you will LOVE IT!
What is the talent like from the queens this year?
AMAZING!!!! I am so excited that we all get to go on another roller coaster ride with a new crop of queens vying for the crown, it is so exciting!
RuPaul’s Drag Race Series 3 airs weekly on BBC iplayer.
Interview courtesy of our friends at the BBC.
Imagery credit BBC, World of Wonder, Guy Levy