A drag queen's thoughts on the NEW cast of Drag Race UK

JC Aqueen

Quick disclaimer from the team that there will be language that others may find offensive through this due to some of the Drag Queens names.

So, it’s that time of year where we are introduced to the next cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. So, I thought why don't I share my thoughts on the queens and my predictions on the season? I do have to say that this is not my first reaction as I did film a video of my YouTube channel reviewing the cast. But somethings are better twice. So, let's begin!

We were first introduced to Mocha. My first thoughts were that I like their makeup and their outfit. We were then told "Just like the coffee, I'll give you the shits" This suggested that they could be a comedy queen. They are 26 and originate from Essex, (this is Cheryl's (Season 1) home county too) but they are now in London. They said that they are a "good time girl" with the soho perfection but the East London grit. They also described themselves as fashionable and funny. They made their Meet the Queens look and so this may mean that they would do well in a design challenge, but, they hate sewing. The next line she said I relate to a lot as a fellow drag queen "I can't afford people to make outfits, so I make them myself". They have made looks already for Pasty and Tyris from Season 7, so, we have already seen their work. They have been known to get into trouble in drag and argued with other queens. They said that they are a different girl now, but are they? They can't sing, dance or act which may halter their performance, we shall see… So, lets round these points up. I think that they may be strong in a design challenge, but I think that they would struggle in the other challenges. I think that their makeup is alternative and does look good, but it may struggle as there seems to be one kind of queen that does well in drag race, and they are not the sort. I think that they may "fuel a fire" if one is going on as they used to argue but not anymore (this may not be truthful). Overall, I think that they would do well but fall quickly landing them in roughly 8th to 12th place.

We were then introduced to KY Kelly who is from Staffordshire. Before we knew their name they said that "I’m waiting for a bag of chips” [said like Baga Chipz, a previous drag queen] "a man and a battered sausage”. This suggests that they could be a drag relation of Baga as Baga said something similar in their season 1 werk room entrance. KY Kelly is 42 and is a live singer and comedian. They are definitely an older queen as they have been doing drag for 16 years. The experience could come to their advantage. They do a lot of theatre work with their most recent being Everybody's Taking About Jamie. They are not a lip-syncer so they are most likely to lose “a battle for their LIFE”. I think they would like to cause arguments as they said "do not mess with KY unless you want the wrath of my tongue”. I think they could do well and bring the drama. With experience in theatre they could do well in an acting challenge or the infamous Rusical and possibly even snatch game. However, I think they may fall in a design challenge. I think that they could place 6th to 10th and may even make it to 5th place. Hold this space…

Third is Flesh. They are 25 and from Soho. They have been doing drag for 6 years have been dubbed as the supermodel of Soho. Their drag sisters are Bones (S7), Krystal Versace (S3), and Dede (S5). This may mean they have higher pressure as they are close with two past winners. They are influenced by 90s supermodels. They also are an Oxford graduate in English Literature! I saw this queen on several people's wishlist so I think that the whole of the UK is expecting them to go far. I don't think that they gave us as much as some other queens so they may have some tricks up their sleeve. Looking at challenges I think they may do well in lyric writing as the degree could help. I think that I would like them to get to top 4 and possibly even win.

We are then introduced to Paris Baby; they are 27 and from Hastings. They suggested they have a reputation “for the last 6 years, the name of everybody's lips has been Paris Baby" this may imply that they have a high standard that they need to fill if "everybody" has been talking about them. They listed dramas they have been a part of and said that all of the Soho queens blocked her. This could cause trouble as there are also a few Soho queens in this season. They are partly from Barbados and love to represent the culture. They then talked about preforming and said they can do 16 numbers back to back. This may hint at them being a lipsync assassin. They do not like the campness of UK Drag. This could cause drama as there are a few comedy camp queens in the season. They finished their segment by saying that they are a villain. I think that they may be strong when it comes to the dancing challenges but may fall in other ones. I think that they may bring the drama to the season and this could cause some interest. A key point is that they don't like the older style of drag and there are several older queens in the season. I would like them to make top 4 however I don't think it would happen as they haven't said what they are good at. I think they would make top 6 based on their ability to lipsync.

Then, we meet Tequila Thirst. They are 39 years old, they work in Chester but originally from North London. Within the first 20 seconds of meeting them, they made several jokes about alcohol, and it seems that this is their only form of comedy. They have been doing drag for 6 years and they are a host, singer, dancer and "they do it all". Out of drag they have a very corporate background and work in banking and have a master’s degree. They are British Vietnamese. From the minute or two that we saw I can tell that they are very chaotic. I think that this could annoy some people in the werk room and could lead to arguments. I think that they would place 10th to 6^th ish but their chaotic nature may see them slip and fall and they may be eliminated from the competition.

We are halfway through and the 6th queen is Lucky Roy Sing. They are 36 and from Manchester. They are the first south Asian queen on drag race UK. This may mean that they are feeling pressure to do well. They have been doing drag for over 10 years. They have won acting awards which is likely they will succeed in an acting challenge. They are mother of house of spice and have several drag children. They hinted at a dark side when there is drama. They are looking forward to snatch game, a design challenge and the roast. Overall I would like to see them in the top 4 and I think that their years of experience will help them. I think that they are an all-rounder which would help. However, I don't think that they would win for some reason, but I can't predict the future. I have a gut feeling.

7th is Coral Hole Mandi. They are 27 and from Belfast. First of all, they are showing a more Horror / ALT drag style. Despite them looking good, Drag Race may not be the most suitable show for them to showcase this. They have been doing drag for 3 years. At their show you can expect to see horror icons, rock and emo, tentacles, fur, tits galore and they like to freak the audience out. This reminds me of Charity Kase from S3 as they had more of a horror alt style. They have a degree in marine biology, and this influenced their drag name. They described themself as 100% annoying 100% of the time. This could lead to drama and tension in the werk room. I think that they would place between 8th to 5th as I think they are polished enough to get this far. However, I think that there is a lack of alt drag on drag race along with other forms of drag such like drag kings for example. With the lack of this kind of drag, I think that it could prevent them from getting to the top 4. This is sad as we say all drag is valid, but this is the truth with drag race.

8th is Naya Thorn. They are 24 and from Dudley. They have been doing drag for 5 years. They say they are pretty well known. If you are going to their show, expect theatre and emotion. This could serve well in a lipsync. Additionally, they said if they are on a mic, they will talk and talk and talk. This may make them land in the bottom while doing the roast or a comedy challenge. They are a bit of an actress (they delivered a VERY good impression of a straight man). They have higher standards but don't always live up to them. This could cause drama as you need to "practice what you preach" and the queens may challenge her is she is not fitting her own expectations. Overall, I think they would make top 4 as they are a bit of an all-rounder and could potentially be the final 2. Their drag is VERY polished, and I think the judges will see this. However, I think that they could be a threat to the other queens as it would take something large to make them land in the bottom.

Then we saw Anita Piss. They are 37 and from Birmingham. Within the first 20 seconds of meeting them they already made the "I need a piss" joke. They have been doing drag for 7 years. They want to do something that is a bit grudge and dirty, something more than just a pretty face. This could work but it would have to fit in with the themes of the runways or challenges. Their dad is Jamaican and their mum is British. They are going to pull from these different cultures. In the 1 and a half to 2 minutes that we saw of them, they referenced "piss" three times. This suggests that this may be there only comedy point to pull from. In this case, I believe that they would do well until a comedy challenge or a roast. I think that they would place 12th to 6th.

10th is Ma Danni X. They are 48. I am already obsessed with them and I think it is mainly because of their makeup. They lived in Australia for 12 years and 20 years in the London drag scene. They have worked with several famous people including Ruby Wax and Lily Savage. The edit shows them listing them so this may come across as a brag to the other queens. Drag is a passion to them and they always knew they wanted to do drag. They worked as a professional dancer. I think that they are an all-rounder so I think they could do well. I would like to see them in the top 3 but overall, I don't think that it will happen. In this case, I am predicting that they would land in the top 6.

The 11th queen we meet is Alik. They are 29 and from Brighton. Firstly, I am OBSESSED with their makeup. They are in a relationship with Scaredy Kat from season 1. This suggests that they may have a small upper hand on what to expect and be able to go far in the competition. I didn't recognise them until they said that they are one of the queens who run around Brighton and interview people. They have been doing drag for 8 years. They described themselves as well rounded. I would like to see them in the top 4 as I think they could definitely make it. However, I am about 75% sure of this, but I don't know why. So, with that being said, I think they would definitely make top 6 as they can use their all rounder knowledge and their 8 years experience to their advantage.

Last is The Delta Quadrant. They are 32 and from Darlington. I don't have much to say about this queen, but I think that they may place 12th to 10th as I see them as a gimmick queen and it may be hard for them to change to fit the judges comments and adapt to them. They even said that this is a risk to be a queen that shows a drag style that is not common on drag race. I don't have much to say about so I guess we would have to see how they do.

Overall, I think that this is going to be an interesting season as there are quite a few London based queens that would have interacted. I am keen to see the interactions between Flesh and Paris Baby as Flesh blocked Paris along with the other Soho queens. It would also be interesting to see the interactions as they may not have worked together before so it may be completely new queens and new interactions.

I think there will also be some drama as there are different styles of drag and a few "annoying " queens and I think that some people may not hold back on confronting people.

So, I can't currently say anymore but I am excited to watch and review the season with you all. I will see you for my blog spilling my thoughts and opinions of the first episode of Drag Race UK Season 8.

See you soon.

Jc Aqueen x