With just a week to go before the curtain is raised on this years Drag Idol UK heats, the class of 2013 ready themselves for two months of competition, that if victorious will walk away with over £4000 worth of bookings and see their career being spring – boarded to possible stratospheric cabaret success – much like previous winners, who continue to sparkle and entertain all over the country. The elite few share their wisdom and tongue-in-cheek tips on how to clinch the crown with Jason Reid this week…
KELLY MILD (2007)
Always remember to tuck ‘it’! It’s really very easy when you get the hang of it. And important. I mean come on, no one wants to be distracted by a chipolata buffet. Also, know your act inside out and back to front, then if you fuck it up it’s your own fault. Do NOT try to ad-lib on the night #epicfail. Really try and enjoy yourself and the whole experience, because if you can’t enjoy it the chances are no one else will.
TANYA HYDE (2008)
Having won five years ago people often ask me for pearls of wisdom to survive Drag Idol. And the thing I always say is, if you’re going to base your act on another established artist, don’t completely copy it. There is nothing worse for a judge than watching someone else doing your act better then you. Just ask Baga Chipz!
Never ever answer back to a judge either, especially a fellow drag queen as they’ll bitch slap the new girls as quick as lightning. I’m known as the Dannii Minogue type judge of the competition; but unlike her, I can be very easily swayed with sexual favours…
KEVIN CRUISE (2009)
Because you only have ten minutes to win over the audience and judges try to engage them in the first thirty seconds. As a performer feeling like you have the crowd in the palm of your hand from the start will make you much more confident (however don’t stick a cruise ship on a skateboard – I have that trade marked) [laughs].
Be clever and work your bollocks off. It always pays off and if nothing else you’re creating good karma. Be ruthless and abuse the social media: Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. Really show the world you mean business; want a successful career and that you deserve to be the winner of Drag Idol 2013.
Oh, and very importantly, don’t trust Rose Garden when she says she can make you a star and asks for favours of an uncouth kind in return.
BAGA CHIPZ (2010)
My first piece of advice would be to just be yourself. We already have a Sandra, Rose Garden, Dave Lynn and so on. You’ve gotta stand out! I’ve had people say that I’m too crude and I’m a right bastard, but, you know what, I say, ‘fuck ‘em.’ This shite can pay your bills and give you a fabulous and fun career if you do it right.
Have a unique look; and if you’re a vocalist make sure your vocals are shit hot and you’re hitting those high notes. Finally, use the people that inspire you and the things that influence you, in your act. I use Lynn Perrie, Su Pollard and the Roly Polys. Inspiration get’s my vaginal juices flowing [laughs]. Good luck ducks!
SON OF A TUTU (2011)
You’ve got to have a strategy: Baga slept with her judges; La Voix bribed hers; Tanya got her judges drunk; Kelly threatened violence (she’s such a bitch); Kevin Cruise promised to disappear forever if victorious (he didn’t tell them he’d pop up on telly); and I used juju mind tricks. All of the aforementioned have been done and the judges are getting wiser as the standard of trickery gets higher each year, so be original, daring and be PREPARED. Don’t forget to have fun and let your audience feel it. SNAP A LASH!
LA VOIX (2012)
Be super confident – even if you’re not feeling it. Do not let the audience know that. Whatever your artistic strength is utilise it as best you can to get you through. Have a stiff one before you go on (interpret that as you wish) and give it 110% the moment you hit the stage. I never thought I’d get far in the competition, but I did and it’s changed my life.
Finally, do try to smile at Jason Reid all night, especially if he’s judging, because he can get your name in the papers you know [laughs].
