The cast of RuPaul's Drag Race UK / Photo Credit: BBC
The cast of RuPaul's Drag Race UK / Photo Credit: BBC

RuPaul has been hard at working hand-picking some fierce talent to compete in the first-ever season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, and BBC Three have this morning unveiled all 10 of the British queens set to take part in the hopes of being named the UK's Next Drag Superstar.

Following the announcements that Mama Ru and the wonderful Michelle Visage would be flying across the pond, joining judges Alan Carr and Graham Norton on the panel, fans of the franchise have been waiting with bated breath to hear just who would be taking to the catwalk, strutting their stuff and, inevitably, lip-syncing for their lives this October.

Here are all 10 of the drag queens coming to RuPaul's Drag Race UK, showcasing their Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent:

Baga Chipz

Baga Chipz / Photo Credit: BBC
Baga Chipz / Photo Credit: BBC

One of the most recognisable names on the UK drag scene, Baga Chipz is a 29-year-old Northerner who's made a home for herself in London. Some have pulled up her history of backing Theresa May and the Conservative Party on social media following the announcement she'll be taking part, but Baga will be hoping the judges will simply be focusing on what she brings to the competition, rather than who she votes for come Election Day.

"I'm not one of those gorgeous beautiful Kate Moss lookalike drag queens," she says. "My style is more cabaret, old-school, sequin frocks, Shirley Bassey, Danny La Rue, Lily Savage kind of drag. I'm common as much, Baga Chipz from Walthamstow."

Blu Hydrangea

Blu Hydrangea / Photo Credit: BBC
Blu Hydrangea / Photo Credit: BBC

This 23-year-old describes herself as a "GCSE art project, high fashion from outer space, a cartoon character". Hailing from Belfast, Ireland, Blu is a queen whose strength lies in "my mug".

"I like to actually be outside of the box", she explains, and says that the "bitchiness" that sometimes can surround drag and Drag Race in general isn't something she's interested in getting involved with.

When it comes to challenges, she thinks she may struggle with comedy, but hopes that the world will find some laughter in her humour.

Cheryl Hole

Cheryl Hole / Photo Credit: BBC
Cheryl Hole / Photo Credit: BBC

Yes, that is a name inspired by Cheryl Cole! "Essex glamour with a touch of showgirl" is how Cheryl describes her drag persona, and says that her strengths come from her "personality" and "performance skills".

She promises to make jaws drop with her choreography and lip-sync skills, and is renowned as a true lip-sync assassin of the UK. She's always wanted to take to the world stage to showcase her talents, and that's exactly the platform she's found via drag.

Crystal

Crystal / / Photo Credit: BBC
Crystal / / Photo Credit: BBC

East London's Crystal is a circus-performing queen who describes herself as "glamorous, sparkly and ultimately, worthless". Hoping to tear down gender constructs using her creativity, she says she's "totally liberated" and has zero hang-ups.

"I'm not competitive with other people, but I'm very competitive with myself," Crystal says. Fortunately, she claims to be great with a sewing kit, so let's hope we get to see some of her sickening designs marching down the runway this October!

Divina De Campo

Divina De Campo / Photo Credit: BBC
Divina De Campo / Photo Credit: BBC

You may recognise Divina De Campo from the BBC's All Together Now, or from her jaw-dropping audition on The Voice UK. With an iconic laugh and "absolute freedom" when she's dolled up, she's going to, without a doubt, be the cause of many-a-meme this October!

"I decided to apply for Drag Race UK to make s**t tonnes of money!" she cackles, and we absolutely LOVE her for it. Fingers crossed there's a challenge that will allow Divina to showcase her operatic vocal ability!

Gothy Kendoll

Gothy Kendoll / Photo Credit: BBC
Gothy Kendoll / Photo Credit: BBC

With a friend who used to describe her as a Ken Doll, Gothy Kendoll's drag persona was born! She's somebody who will bring some "dark" and "striking" looks to the competition, and looks like she could be one of the most laid-back queens of the season.

"I'm not really a performance queen: I like to DJ; I like to host; and I like to throw parties," says Gothy. If that's the case, let's hope she can escape the bottom two and the lip-sync for your life, or she could be in trouble!

Scaredy Kat

Scaredy Kat / Photo Credit: BBC
Scaredy Kat / Photo Credit: BBC

We've finally got a queen willing to be open about their bisexual/questioning sexuality on Drag Race, and it's the youngest queen to ever compete! Scaredy Kat is a baby queen who's still a student, and is using her student loan to put together some amazing looks!

"I came up with my drag name because I'm just a bit of a pussy, really," she says. Hailing from Wiltshire, where there was once a gay bar which then got shut down, Scaredy isn't someone who comes straight from a drag scene. Could she be the dark horse of this competition?

Sum Ting Wong

Sum Ting Wong / Photo Credit: BBC
Sum Ting Wong / Photo Credit: BBC

A problematic meme turned into a fully-fledged drag name for Sum Ting Wong; a 30-year-old queen from Birmingham. Good luck to the Americans who are tuning in and hoping to understand a word of what these ladies have to say!

"Drag helped that 12-year-old me finally live out his dream," says this fierce competitor. "I could be singing on Trafalgar Square Pride to 20,000 people, or I could be doing a gig for four." This is a queen who simply loves being up on stage expressing herself, and that should be at the heart of every person taking part in Drag Race!

Vinegar Strokes

Vinegar Strokes / Photo Credit: BBC
Vinegar Strokes / Photo Credit: BBC

"I am a straight-up comedy queen," says Vinegar Strokes. "I do stand-up comedy; I sing in my own particular style. I'm like Tina Turner meets Lizzo meets Kat Slater." Certainly a queen with a huge and varied personality, then!

Hitting us straight from the West End stage, Vinegar thinks that viewers will describe her as "the heart of the competition", and reveals that her drag is inspired by "working class women who've built their way up and climbed their way through the mud and the s**t to get where they are".

The Vivienne

The Vivienne / Photo Credit: BBC
The Vivienne / Photo Credit: BBC

There's a lot riding on this competition for The Vivienne, who's already been selected as the UK ambassador for RuPaul's Drag Race by Mama Ru herself, in a competition a few years back. Still, she hasn't had a leg-up in Drag Race UK, and had to apply like everybody else.

With one of the best celebrity impersonations we've ever seen - Kim Woodburn - The Vivienne had better make it to the Snatch Game, or we're gonna riot!

For more on all of the queens, check out the super-sized introduction below:

RuPaul's Drag Race UK comes to BBC Three in October 2019.

EXCLUSIVE: Drag Race stars Trinity the Tuck, Jinkx Monsoon and Shea Couleé get political


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