BBC Three announced on Monday that 10 new queens are in the running for ‘Britain’s Next Drag Superstar.’
The star-studded upcoming season features appearances from names like Aisling Bea, Alexandra Burke, Cush Jumbo, Daphne Guinness, Joel Dommett, Kristen McMenamy, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Suranne Jones and Yasmin Finney.
Viewers will also see the return of regular panelists RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Graham Norton and Alan Carr.
Last season saw Danny Beard take home the crown and title of ‘UK’s Next Drag Superstar’. Danny also made herstory as the franchise’s first-ever bearded champion.
The winner of season five will join The Vivienne, Lawrence Chaney, Krystal Versace and Danny in the Drag Race UK Hall of Fame.
Keep reading to get to know the queens of season 5!
Alexis Saint-Pete
“I’m the Polish Billy Elliot! I started doing ballet at the age of four, and I loved it. I was so good that I won a place at dance school in the UK and so I moved here when I was 12. Here, I have been able to grow, spread my wings and be my fabulous self, without feeling afraid to walk down the street. I love my country, but I feel more comfortable and safer here in the UK because in Poland, we don’t have as much LGBTQ+ representation or acceptance.”
Banksie
“I’m of the Family Gorgeous [the drag family of series four runner up Cheddar Gorgeous] and I like to describe myself as the bin baby of the family - I run around being a bit of a prat.”
Cara Melle
“I’m at the top of my game. I serve amazing looks, I perform the hell out of anything and I bring main character energy to the game. I want to show the world who I am. It’s very important to me because when growing up, I never saw any Black trans women on TV, and now I get a chance to represent black trans women. Although, I’m seriously shaking in my boots at the thought of performing in front of my idol RuPaul! But hey, I’m mostly fearless, so let’s do it!”
DeDeLicious
“I like to be camp and stupid. I’m all about the facial expressions and jumping around. I want to be up in the crowd dancing and having a great time! I’ve done gigs in LA, Ibiza and the iconic London Palladium. I just can’t get enough. The stage is exactly where I belong.”
Ginger Johnson
“I love a challenge. I am the person that throws himself down the well and tries to climb out of it and there is no deeper well for drag than Drag Race. Every element of your drag is going to be put to the test. I love that so that’s why I’m here.”
Kate Butch
“I’m a stand-up comedian, live singer, hostess, compere, and podcast host, to name but a few of my drag roles, but really I am a theatre and performance queen at heart. I would describe my drag style as ‘Hollywood starlet with a migraine’ - I love a bright clashing pattern with an hourglass silhouette.”
Michael Marouli
“I was born and raised in Newcastle, but I’ve lived and performed in Gran Canaria for the past 17 years. Gran Canaria has a huge drag scene. Everybody comes from all over the world. It’s bright, it’s colourful, we party and we celebrate. It’s just fabulous.”
Miss Naomi Carter
“Well Naomi Campbell and Beyoncé [inspire my drag] of course, but I love all the icons Diana Ross and Nina Simone are big inspirations too. I’m really inspired by Black music and culture. I’m half Gambian, and half British, and so that’s very much part of my drag identity too.”
Tomara Thomas
“I actually started drag when I was 14 years old at dance school, but I went on to be a professional dancer and more recently I was travelling around the world performing on the cruise ships. However, I would watch the girls in my shows and wish that I was wearing their costumes and doing their roles, so during lockdown when I was back home unable to work, I started to do make up transformations on myself, and so Tomara Thomas came out again. I moved to London and I was lucky to get a few gigs and two years later here I am on Drag Race UK.”
Vicki Vivacious
“I have got a pretty impressive CV, let me tell you! I’ve worked with Little Mix, toured with Dannii Minogue, sang in the West End and I’ve also been in a girl band. I’ve literally done it all and now it’s my time to shine. I am also known as ‘The Forces sweetheart’ as I go around the country servicing our armed services. I’m like the Dame Vera Lynne of drag! What happens on the barracks stays on the barracks, but I leave them smiling from ear to ear!”
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