Jason Reid gives his 50 pence on Drag Race UK
I’ve been putting off writing about Drag Race UK, not because I’m apathetic towards it but because I had a sense there would be wall-to-wall articles from people who are miraculously all of a sudden experts on drag, and I wasn’t wrong. So far that reason – and because I’m enjoying this first season so far – here I am with my thoughts.
First off, the girls are all beautiful, talented and brave. Some of them are very familiar to me, going back almost a decade, and I’ve sat on judging panels in front of them admiring their work. I think we can all agree that we’re proud of what they’re achieving right now and how positively they’re representing LGBTQ+ cabaret, in spite of our respective reservations about the show.
Because I didn’t set my expectations high I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how many standout moments there have been: the beautiful bond between Sum Ting Wong and Vinegar Strokes (both should have remained in the competition longer; Vinegar brought so much heart), Divina De Campo nailing every single runway look, The Vivienne as Donald Trump and Pete Burns, “take it to the hodgepodge, hodgepodge”, Sum Ting as HRH The Queen on an actual stamp, Jade Thirlwall as a judge, “overconfidence is not cute”, Baga Chipz in Downtown Draggy, “who put 50p in Cheryl”, Divina’s maniacal laugh, The Vivienne’s veneerers, Sir David Attenborough in Snatch Game (!!), Baga dropping a dramatic ‘dear’ into conversations, Cheryl casually wearing her wigs in the workroom in boy mode, Crystal using an angle grinder on her crotch as Geri looked on like a horrified Daily Mail reader from the shires and THE FROCK DESTROYERS!
But my absolute favourite (comedy) moments have been RuPaul trying to decipher the British slang – the bemused expressions as Cheryl talks about shitting her knickers or something. The thing is, they seem to think us Brits drink tea 24/7, talk exclusively in Cockney rhyming slang and curtsy to Her Maj when in fact we obsess over the Cock Destroyers, swear like troopers and are now teaching the world what camp really is.
When the show was first announced many people were concerned that it would be lacking in British flair. But it’s transpired to be quite the opposite. Quintessential bawdy British humour has shone throughout. These big characters have taken their finely crafted gay wit and sensibilities from the stages of pubs and clubs to the largest broadcaster in the world. Incredible, and wonderful. As Baga would say: “That’s what you call campness, dear.”
Following the girl band episode – which by the way is definitely one of THE best episodes of any Drag Race ever – the Frock Destroyers (Baga, Blu, Divina) made history by being the first drag group to score a UK chart hit. It was sitting at number 3 in the iTunes chart at one point. This is a major milestone for UK drag, and the show. Could it be that Drag Race UK is already being received better than its US counterpart, or is this just the honeymoon period? Expectations will now be higher than ever for future seasons.
Amongst all the challenges and successes, it’s worth noting the social issues that the show has touched upon. Many of which have been articulated rather beautifully by Divina De Campo. Maybe we should just make Divina Prime Minister and not bother with all this general election nonsense? The segments about section 28 and growing up gay ‘back in the day’ hit home with me, and I’m glad they were spoken about to a large audience because straight people and young LGBTQ+ people need to hear it. And those that do know, mustn’t forget because the mistakes of the past can quite easily be replicated through complacency…and letting the country slip into the hands of a far-right government for five more years.
Drag Race UK has proven its critics wrong. It’s a huge hit, but it’s far from perfect as a representation of LGBTQ+ UK drag in 2019.
The foundations have now been laid and I hope they decide to listen to us who work in this great industry and open the show up to everyone, no matter how they identify. Coming off the back of such a successful first season would be the ideal time for RuPaul to make history again and show that she truly stands with everyone in the LGBTQ+ community. Then the sky will be the limit for Drag Race UK.
Quote of the season: “Your belief is your belief, my existence is my reality” – Divina De Campo
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