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 Lill, 36, from Manchester…
Pronouns out of drag: They/Them
Pronouns in drag: She/Her
Tell us about yourself!
Hiya! My name’s Lill, I’m 36 years old, and I’m from the best place in the world – Manchester! I’m gorgeous, I’ve got great style, I’m creative, fun and I’m easy like a Sunday morning.
How would you describe your drag?
I would say my drag is very creative and rebellious. I love getting stuff from charity shops, cutting things up and transforming old tatty stuff into the stunning! I’ve got a thousand different references that influence my drag. I adore fashion and my favourite designer is John Galliano, who inspires a lot of my fashion looks. The best thing about me is my sense of style. My style is usually glamourous pin up girl, but sometimes it can be freaky and weird! Fashion comes and goes, but style is forever.
What are the origins of your drag name?
Lill is an acronym for Living in Lavish Luxury. My friend made it up for me one day, and I ran with it! I like to think I’m living in lavish luxury always! I appreciating each moment as it comes, I spoil myself rotten and I have a great time.
How does it feel to be a Ru girl?
It feels absolutely crazy to be here. I’ve been doing drag for about ten years and I absolutely love it. Drag is the best! I feel like I’m finally here at the top of my game and looking absolutely correct.
What challenges are you most confident about?
I’m very good at making things, and so I would say a sewing challenge. I’ve already made some costumes for Drag Race UK queens Banksie and Cheddar Gorgeous, and so I feel really confident that my looks are strong and no one is going to be able to top them!
I’m also looking forward to anything that lets me be funny! Whether that’s an acting challenge or a comedy roast, that’s somewhere where I feel I’d be able to have some fun.
What’s the biggest misconception about you?
I think it takes quite a while for people to get to know me. At first, people might think that I’m a bit rude or a bit stoney faced, but I’m definitely not. I’ve got the biggest, softest heart. I’m just a bit shy at first!
What would it mean to you to take the crown?
I believe I deserve to win because I’ve got great style, I’m a fab performer, I’m a lot of fun and nobody else does it quite like me. It would be fabulous to receive validation from RuPaul, the judges and all of the Drag Race fans out there!