International drag icon, RuPaul, is back in Blighty with his cult competitive reality show. Rooted in camp, British pop culture, and famed for its unpredictability, Drag Race UK fans will be delighted with a rambunctious new cast, and a competition with even more twists, more laughs and more sass.
So start your engines, and control your excitement as a fresh new set of amazing drag queens compete to be crowned the UK’s Next Drag Race Superstar in one the world’s most unpredictable, glamorous, and fiercely entertaining races.
About to embark on its sixth season, the multiple award-winning flagship BBC Three show is highly anticipated every autumn by its huge young and ardent fanbase. The competition sees hopeful drag queens compete across ten weeks in a variety of spicy challenges and iconic games designed to test their drag mettle, with the winner of the week being awarded a coveted RuPeter badge, and the bottoms of the week facing a lip sync for their life and the risk of elimination.
RuPaul, affectionately known as Mama Ru, leads an esteemed judging panel that includes regular judges, Michelle Visage, Alan Carr, Graham Norton and a bevy of celebrity guest judges, who this year range from Mabel to Simon Le Bon!
Together, they deliberate the fate of the queens but it is queen of queens, Mama Ru, who has the final word on who shantays or sashays away from the competition.
Handpicked by RuPaul, this year’s cast of twelve gorgeous drag queens represent a heady mix of charisma, uniqueness, nerve, talent, and accents with queens from across the Nations coming together in a bid to be crowned the UK’s Next Drag Race Superstar.
We caught up with Kyran Thrax, 26, from Lancashire…
Pronouns out of drag: He/Him, They/Them
Pronouns in drag: She/Her
Tell us about yourself!
Hello, I’m Kyran Thrax, I’m 26 years old, and I’m originally from Lancashire.
How does it feel to be a Ru girl?
The idea that I’m here right now just feels so correct! I’m raring to go, the timing is perfect. I am going to be a monster.
Why drag?
I’m a performer, and whilst studying Acting and Contemporary Theatre at drama school, I was doing Shakespeare, expressionism, and clowning… and so I thought why not put it all together and mix it with my love of make-up and drag. And so here we are! I’ve been doing drag for four years, and I’ve been doing it full time for two. I absolutely love it. I’ve done fashion shows, drag brunches, commercials, performances in theatres and clubs. You’ve probably even seen me on a cinema screen and now, I’m finally here!
Who or what are your drag inspirations?
I’m very inspired by Lady Gaga – she’s a creative genius! I’m also inspired by art house horror films and of course, my mum! Also, the London drag scene is wild – when I first came here, I saw so many subcultures and avenues of drag that it gave me the creative freedom to create Kyran Thrax!
What are you most excited about?
I’m excited for every challenge – apart from the sewing challenge. I can make amazing things in my brain, but then actually constructing and sewing them is a whole other ballgame!
Are you competitive?
Yes. When people first meet me, they can be intimidated because I’m quite a lot, but once you get to know me, you’ll find that I’m really soft and silly. There’s not a mean bone in my body. I actually hate confrontation. If you shout at me, I’ll most likely cry!
What would it mean to you to take the crown?
It would mean absolutely everything to me to win Drag Race UK. I have been through so much in life and just to be here is amazing. I’m going to cherish every single moment.