As we come to the end of the year, we look to ending it with a positive outlook. Bella B. Campbell had an incredible year, the highlight of it was their win at MX Drag Great Britain. Here Bella celebrates that win and shares the joy.
Mx Drag Great Britain was a life-changing experience for me. From start to finish, I was tested mentally, physically and spiritually and pushed to my limits. Still, all was absolutely worth it for the outcome of my taking home the national title!
About MX Drag Great Britain
Mx Drag GB is not just a beauty pageant; it couldn’t be further from that. This competition reflects our work within the LGBTQIA+ community and communities outside of our own, with a great emphasis on charity fundraising in particular. We also gain points in 6 other rounds, three runway looks, audience votes, a written exam, and congeniality. I won 4 out of 7 and scored very highly across the three I didn’t manage to snag!
Charity fundraising
I am most proud of my charity work. Being from Middlesbrough, one of the poorest towns in the country, I managed to raise around £4000 for the Charlie and Carter Foundation and Pride Action North. These are both incredible charities, helping to support families of children with life-limiting illnesses and queer youth with health services such as counselling and therapy.
Raising this money was very important to me; having known the founders of the charities and hearing their stories and the mission of their causes made it all the more personal for me, and getting to raise funds doing what I love to do was the best part.
Throughout the competition, I hosted multiple charity drag shows, showcasing local talent and bringing together communities with different backgrounds and ethnicities to bring them the power and joy that drag brings me.
So, I cannot thank my fellow drag sisters enough for generously offering up their time to perform, helping sell raffle tickets and bingo strips, and helping me keep the crowd entertained throughout my fundraising efforts. Between MX DRAG and MR GAY GB, we raised just shy of £50,000 for these charities!
Successful scores
As mentioned, I won 4 out of 7 of the scored categories. I was so glad to win the written exam and all the runway categories. As a drag queen, our voices are often the loudest, and I pride myself on using my voice to help educate those who wish to be, and even sometimes those who don’t!
The written exam was a knowledge test of LGBTQIA+ history, culture, and current affairs concerning our community in the UK and worldwide. Afterwards, I discovered that I had only dropped one mark across the entire exam, which was very rewarding.
I was also very proud to snag wins in all three runway categories. I owe much of this success to my drag niece Jordynn, owner of NIGHTCRAWLER FASHION, who helped massively in the process of bringing my ideas and sketches to life.
We represented our hometown or our country in national costume. As a person with a huge interest in fashion, and given that Vivienne Westwood was a matriarch of the British fashion industry for many years, I took inspiration from some of her runway couture. I used that across all three of my looks, with references to Mugler sprinkled in here and there.
Looking forward
Throughout the competition process, I considered what my next steps would be going forward if I were to win the title. And I have concluded this. There are a few specific charities and causes that I will be working with over the next year, including work exploring the experiences of autistic youths and their sexuality. I also highlight these charities and their work in helping those in need both within our community and outside of it.
I also aim to use my privilege as a white cisgender man to help amplify the voices of those around me who may be less heard or listened to and allow them to speak on their own experiences, to not diminish them but rather highlight them. In addition to these goals, I hope to work closely alongside my fellow winners, our reigning Mr Gay GB, Andy Gardiner, and reigning Mr Gay World, Paul Carruthers, and help out in any way I can with the goals and causes they champion.
Camaraderie
Throughout the competition, I have been super fortunate to grow strong relationships with my fellow finalists, who were all a great support network. We all uplifted and encouraged each other, and everyone wished everyone the best of success in the competition. Some of these are friendships I will cherish for years to come.
To my fellow winners: Our reigning Mr Gay GB, Andy Gardiner, you are an incredible artist. I have experienced your passion for art through theatre and dance, and I have missed it as that chapter of my life closed over the years. You have reignited that fire and lust for training in dance within me. Your work advocating for mental health is incredible, and I look forward to seeing your growth and prowess shine over the next year. I hope to be alongside you for the ride.
And to our reigning Mr Gay World and one of my closest friends, Paul, your work ethic and dedication to your role are inspiring and admirable. The care you provide for your patients and team is something I have experienced from you in a less professional setting, but just as meaningful to me. Watching your confidence grow from competing in Mr Gay last year to taking the world title this year has been incredible. Your education and efforts in supporting the trans community are incredible and will continue to provide hope and sanctuary for those who need it most.
Thank you
Thank you to the team at Mr Gay Great Britain for gracing me with this platform and trusting me to represent your brand with grace and dignity over the next year. My appreciation is endless. And to our CEO, Stuart Hatton Jr, you have been an incredible supporter, constantly encouraging and reassuring me that I was doing what I was supposed to and helping me fight harder for the win. You have been the best surrogate pageant dad a queen could ask for.
In closing, winning this title is just the beginning of my journey. I am committed to continuing my advocacy for all within my community and will bring along people who can contribute as much as I possibly can. In order to make a difference and make a much-needed change, I want to contribute to bringing equality to everyone within the LGBTQIA+ community with those outside our domain. I want to bring the light and wonder of our world to those who have not yet seen it and celebrate those who celebrate us.
See more of MX Drag Great Britain Winner: Bella B. Campbell at https://www.instagram.com/bellabcampbell/
