Any opportunity we get to chat to Drag Race UK megastar Divina De Campo, we jump at, quite frankly, because she is always utterly charming and infectiously joyous. To coincide with the release of her new EP, Gratify, Jason Reid WhatsApp’d Queen D to find out more, and for all the latest goss…
Hey Divina! Love the new single. So are you now a bona fide recording artist?
Well, you know I’ve been an international recording artist for a very long time, laying down backing vocals for incredible bands such as Conquest of Steel [Laughs]. Yes, I guess this makes me a bona fide recording artist. Which is amazing!
What’s the inspiration behind the song?
The inspiration for Gratify is that sort of desire, particularly now, for instant gratification. Out of everybody I know I am probably the least patient person. It’s very much a personal thing as well as a political thing. It also encapsulates what my career has been like: the modern and pop stuff mixed with the classical operatic singing.
I want to chat a bit about lockdown. It’s fair to say you’re a very politically conscious queen, even more so since appearing on Drag Race, and you’ve utilised that huge platform in a positive manner in order to educate and bring about change. As we slowly ease out of lockdown from what has surely been the strangest few months of our lives; if you were given the opportunity, what would you like to say to Boris Johnson?
I would say to Boris Johnson that now is not the time to be behaving like the bumbling idiot and clown. Now is the time to do the actual work. Too much of what this government has been doing has been winging by the seat of their pants and playing to the gallery, rather than actually doing the work and putting the systems in place to make sure that people are safe. They’ve got stuff really wrong so far, but that doesn’t mean they will always get things wrong. They can still make things better and get things right. That’s what I would say to him: Do the work!
I’ve asked everyone this question, so you’re getting it too. What will you take from lockdown – the enduring message that you think may stay with you for years to come?
What I will take away from this, is that I need to make more time to speak to the people I love. I’ve spent so much time working over the past 15 years, achieving things and having a great time doing it, but I haven’t given my family as much time as they deserve.
Finally, share some happiness from your life. You have loads going on. We all need cheering up.
There are so many things going on that I’m super excited about. I won the Digital Drag Fest award for Best Vocals – I shared that with Jan Sport, which I was super-excited about because she is an incredible vocalist. Obviously, on June 26th Gratify is out. Plus the other thing that’s good is, we’re having a nice summer – thank the world for that. At least we’re having some nice weather [laughs].
Gratify is available for pre-order now, and drops on iTunes and all major streaming services platforms on Friday 26th June
