Exit interview with Dakota Schiffer
How would you describe your experience in the competition?
My time on Drag Race was wonderful! It was amazing and such a rollercoaster. I couldn't be happier and I wouldn't change it. I was so proud to be a part of the competition, represent my community and be the first trans queen to be on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. It was an opportunity I did not take lightly and I hope I made my fellow brothers and sisters proud.
What were your highlights?
Well of course, headlining at Yaastonbury with “Queens of the Bone Age” and winning the Girl Group Challenge was pretty amazing.
And then, I also won the Sewing Challenge with Baby! I’ve known Baby for years on the drag scene so it was great to work with her and then win the design challenge. Hands down, it was my most memorable experience. After being in the bottom in week one, I never thought I’d get such high praise. It was the best moment - I still have the dress hung up on my bedroom wall!
And during the improv challenge, Catty Man, seeing Alan Carr break character at my Danny Dyer voice was certainly affirming for my comedy skills! I loved that no one was expecting it and being able to surprise people in that challenge was really exciting.
How do you think you changed or grew during the competition?
I certainly learnt to have more faith in myself. I hate that I didn’t give myself the credit while I was there, but now watching myself back, I can feel so proud of how I did and how I persevered in challenging moments.
What have you learned/learned about yourself?
I have learnt that I can’t walk the runway without doing something stupid with my arms! But in all honesty, my self-confidence has grown so much. I think as a trans person specifically learning to love yourself can be such a tricky journey and those societal expectations have affected me massively my whole life. I am so thankful that I can be proud of my journey.
What looks are you most proud of and why?
It has to be my sewing challenge dress as that’s definitely one of the looks I’m most proud of. As much as sewing it was chaos, I am so grateful I got to redeem myself and be the first queen with two badges! I am also really proud of my entrance look, not because it was the grandest or most elaborate, but it was my first custom outfit ever and it holds a special place in my mint green heart!
What was your most emotional moment?
Being able to talk about my twin and my coming out journey in episode two was so important to me. Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to wear their amazing knitted creation so I am very glad that when I went back to the Werk Room after being eliminated, I ran to go put it on ahead of writing my mirror message.
You famously said you hate musicals during the Rusical challenge. Does this mean you aren’t planning on a musical career?
Fortunately for Lea Michelle I won’t be coming for her Broadway spot as Funny Girl anytime soon!
What’s next for Dakota Schiffer?
I have got some exciting fashion opportunities coming up and watch out for my creative directorial debut - I have a music video coming out within the week! And bring on fashion week as I want to take activism and the fashion world by storm! I would love to be a community advocate for trans people. Hopefully, people who watched the show can feel represented and find something in common with me. I have got a lot to look forward to!
Drag Race UK Series 4 will airs weekly on BBC iPlayer and worldwide on WowPresents Plus.