I know I speak for everyone when I say that 2020 has been a flaming bag of dog shit on our doorsteps but fear not, the big gay ‘Drag Race’ team have turned into quite the aggressive feeders for drag-based content this coming January. Not only did we get to meet the queens of Drag Race Season 13 but we’ve now been blessed with the cast reveal of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 2 and I want to cry joyous little salty tears of gay happiness.
Don’t get me wrong, I was excited for the cast reveal of Season 12 but let’s be honest, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 2 is the one we’ve been waiting for. But trust and believe mawma – I shall be multitasking like the baddest of bad bitches.
You know I love a good bit of crass, camp comedy and I know RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 2 will have me overdosing on the good stuff. But enough about my rambles and how much I loved the first UK season, let’s meet the queens!
The Drag Race UK Season 2 Trailer
The trailers we’ve seen truly make me proud to be British. I think both UK seasons have given us a vibe that feels truly British. The first one featured an old lady looking living room that wouldn’t be out of place in a classic sitcom. Season 2 is giving us all the joyous cabaret scene that UK drag thrives upon. The queens look fabulous, the trailer was stellar and I can’t wait for the show to begin.
But you know what that means, it’s time to have a look at our new contestants!
The cast of Rupaul’s Drag Race UK Season 2
Firstly, how gorgeous do these creatures all look together? You know this season is going to be wild! Secondly, I’m sure you noticed the queens were dressed as the pride flag colours but how many of you realised that the queens were dressed as the updated pride flag complete with the trans stripes and the black and brown stripes? Oh, you want progress – the UK has you covered!
There are a few things we know so far. We know that the competition had to halt after a few episodes do to the Coronavirus outbreak. We know the competition picked back up afterwards so expect to see a change where social distancing is taken seriously.
Dawn French confirmed that she is a guest judge for an episode post-lockdown and she stated that the judges sat between perspex dividers for health and safety. That’s right, the Vicar of Dibley star will be making an appearance so let’s hope they get her in for an acting or comedy roast challenge!
Other notable names are Gemma Collins who is said to be doing the Snatch Game, Lorraine Kelly will be making a return, Jordan Dunn, MNEK will return after his stellar coaching on the Girl Band challenge which saw the Frock Destroyers shoot to global fame and the legendary Liz Hurley! My Lord, we have been spoilt! Anyway, I digress, let’s meet the contestants of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 2, shall we?
Meet The Queens of Season 2
This the fun bit! The Dragdom really has spoilt us this December and I want to scream with delight.
Asttina Mandela – 27, London
Look: Boot – I’m not crazy about the outfit if I’m honest. Like a leotard – I just want a bit more from it. It’s just a neoprene dance outfit and I get that this is what she does but it was just a little too minimalist for me if I’m being completely honest. I do like the natural-looking hair with the outfit though – you get the full dancer aesthetic from her overall look so I will give her that.
First Impressions: Well, we know this queen is going to be a fierce dancer. You just have to look at her resume. But will this fierce backing dancer be able to break through as a frontline drag superstar? Only time will tell.
A’Whora – 23, London (via Nottinghamshire)
Look: Boot – Overall I think this is a nice look but there’s something about it that makes me boot it. I think the gloves, nails and puff cuff is beaut but I can’t work out if I like the actual dress itself or not. I think it feels a bit too student-art project for my liking but the colour is beautiful. The weird cum-held curl that goes around her eye annoys me too – I just want to cut it off and the gems she’s stuck on it makes it distracting from the otherwise interesting makeup. It’s good, but it’s not quite tootable for me.
First Impressions: I’m not sure as of yet. I stan a northern queen but couldn’t get enough of a vibe of her personality to form an opinion. However, her voice fills me with joy and I think she’s going to make her presence known in the competition.
Bimini Bon Boulash – 26, London (via Norfolk)
Look: Toot – I am absolutely obsessed with this outfit. Bimini Bon Boulash is serving us Anne Boleyn realness with her headpiece and corset/bustier. I think the colour looks stunning on her and the shape is excellent. Yes, a leotard is a bit of a cop-out but in this case, I disagree. I think having a big flowing skirt would have taken away from the gorgeous corset detailing and those immense sleeves. Not only that but the giant wig, the tall fascinator and enormous cheekbones make for a fantastic look.
First Impressions: I’m finding Bimini quite fascinating. There’s something about her vibe that I find intriguing. She reminds me a bit of Baga Chipz but if Baga was a Dalston twink. Just from the video, I think Bimini is going to have quite an amusing dead-pan sense of humour and blasé response to challenges.
Cherry Valentine – 26, Darlington
Look: Toot – Love this outfit. Cherry looks like fierce competition with makeup skills to match. Her silhouette looks lush and the fringing details on the dress is beautiful. She looks like a high-fashion rework of the Queen of Hearts.
First Impressions: I am loving Cherry Valentine. She has a personality that I seem to really gel with. Cherry definitely seems like a queen with a really fun personality and a whole heap of confidence. Also, Cherry stated she grew up on a caravan site, is she the first-ever drag queen traveller we’ve had on the show? I’m calling it now – I think Cherry is going to be one to watch in this competition.
Ellie Diamond – 21, Dundee
Look: Toot – Ellie looks like a cross between a garden gnome, a ballet dancer and a German Hummel figurine and I’m fully here for it. Her phallic hood makes me chuckle – I don’t know if it was intentional but I thoroughly enjoyed it all the same. Also, she’s got some beaut makeup skills and the wig is lush.
First Impressions: Ellie seems like a cool character. It’s nice to see some Scottish queens make it on the show as I know they’re filled with good banter. I think Ellie is going to make a fine addition to this season.
Ginny Lemon – 31, Worcestershire
Look: Toot – You know what she is babe? She’s a fucking Croc Destroyer! I’m sure a lot of you will think I’m mad for tooting this look but I honestly love it. The giant glasses give me all the Sue Pollard fantasies I need, that paired with the giant earrings and the primary-coloured makeup and she’s a winner. The oversized beret is a treat and I love a queen that comes out in crocs – what’s not to love, this whole outfit is pure comedy gold and it perfectly sums up Ginny Lemon in a nutshell.
First Impressions: “FANCY A SLICE?!” Oh, absolutely. It’s to no surprise that I am a Ginny Lemon fan. I think she’s beyond fabulous, camp, trashy and joyous. I feel like the American audiences are going to be confused by her aura and it only makes my love for her grow stronger.
Joe Black – 30, Brighton (Portsmouth)
Look: Toot – I love Joe’s fascination with old Hollywood glamour with a modern gothic twist. I love Joe’s Bette Davis haunting makeup and Daphne Guinness wig. Joe Black seems to be a queen who knows her fashion history and so she’s one I’m going to be intrigued by.
First Impressions: I think Joe is going to be a force to be reckoned with in this competition. Joe comes across as a true old-school professional with a new age mentality and visual. She seems like a good laugh too and definitely one I will be rooting for in the competition.
Lawrence Chaney – 23, Glasgow
Look: Toot – I think the colour of this dress is stunning and I know that all the colours make up the Pride flag so I don’t know who got choices of what colours to represent but this one suits her beautifully. I also think Lawrence’s makeup is phenomenal and I love a queen who wears clothes with a nod to the past and this Mary Queen of Scots look just kills me. It’s a treat to see a beautifully polished plus-sized queen who looks like a true force to be reckoned with.
First Impressions: So far I am obsessed. I hadn’t heard of Lawrence Chaney before the Meet The Queens was released but I’m already fanboying pretty hard. Lawrence seems hilarious and you can already see she’s great at her craft. I hope she makes it to Snatch Game because I feel like she’s going to do somebody pretty unique and out of the box.
Sister Sister – 32, Liverpool
Look: Toot – This look honestly gives me life. She came dressed as a giant pillow with lips on them and already I’m living. If you know anything about Sister Sister you know one of her iconic looks is a blue glittery orb around her lips and I feel this was a nod to that.
First Impressions: She seems really fun. I honestly think Sister Sister is somebody I would want to hang out with and I can’t wait to see what she’s going to bring to the show. Liverpool has a very strong bunch of talented drag queens and Sister Sister is going to be no exception!
Tayce – 26, London (Via Newport, Wales)
Look: Toot – Well doesn’t she look bloody polished. This outfit is so pageant and it feels like something you would see on the American queens. Tayce’s makeup is exquisite and the wig looks beautiful on her.
First Impressions: I really like Tayce’s personality. I bet she’s a good hoot and it’s a treat to see a Welsh queen on the show. I think Tayce is going to surprise us. She looks polished but I don’t think she’s going to be just a ‘look queen’, I think she’s going to have it all.
Tia Kofi – 30, London (via Essex & Nottingham)
Look: Boot – I have to be honest, I’m not crazy about this outfit and I know she’s worn more interesting looks. I also think the wig line could do with being pushed back an inch because it makes her forehead look too tiny in my opinion.
First Impressions: Tia didn’t give me much from her interview but I think she’s going to be fun. I appreciate that she doesn’t spend much on her outfits and I feel like her performances are what will make her stand out in the competition. Also, I just have to add that her name is brilliant.
Veronica Green – 34, London (via Rochdale)
Look: Boot – I don’t hate this outfit, I just don’t love it enough to give it a toot. The colour looks gorgeous on her and I enjoy the old Hollywood way she’s styled the whole ensemble. But it does feel like a dress I’ve seen time and time again – it’s done well, but it doesn’t scream originality to me.
First Impressions: I think Veronica is going to give you a modern take on an old school British drag vibe. She’s got the retro glamour in spades and a really warming personality. She’s a West End Wendy so are we going to see some comparisons to Divina from Season 1? Probably but I think she has her own unique and classically British drag style that I can’t wait to see.
And those are our queens! Honestly how amazing do they all look?! I genuinely think this is going to be one of the best seasons of Drag Race that we’ll have seen in a very long time.
