Drag Idol is well underway, with venue heats taking place all over the UK in The Admiral Duncan, Halfway To Heaven, The Two Brewers, The Trades Hall Walthamstow, Central Station, Charles Street Tap Brighton, Mary’s Cardiff, Queens Court Leeds, Via Manchester, The Cockatoo Club Manchester, The Village Inn Birmingham, Eden Bar Birmingham and Marilyn’s Lowestoft.
Drag Idol UK 2025 already has 6 venue representatives
Venue representatives are Miss Very Cherry (Admiral), Irene Brew (Halfway), Tuppence A’Bag (Trades Hall), Danny Diamond (Via), Pam Sandwich (Cockatoo) and Cherry Good (Village Inn) and there will be many more joining in the next few weeks before the national semi-finals take place followed by the grand final at The Two Brewers on Thursday 26th June. The competition really can boost the careers of new cabaret performers onto the scene, and two examples of that are chatting with Flick this week; Son of a Tutu and Mx Louis Cyfer, both previous winners.
Flick chats with Son of a Tutu
Son of a Tutu is a well-known British-Nigerian drag queen, activist, speaker, and actor. He is known for his work as a drag artist, and his involvement in activism, including the #YouCanDoBetter viral video. Son of a Tutu is also known for his public speaking, having spoken in professional settings about his experiences as an LGBTQ+ person of colour.
What year did you compete in Drag Idol?
I competed twice. I first competed in 2010, and Baga Chips won that year. So I came back the following year in 2011, and won the whole thing!
How was your drag idol experience?
Absolutely fascinating, it was a learning journey for me as I’d never done drag before drag idol. It moulded and shaped you and gave you a career afterwards, which is incredible and is the beauty of this competition. Whether you win it or not the exposure it gives you, the development opportunities, it just prepares you to have a career in this particular industry. Which not even many people on the DRAG RACE can attest to. That’s the beauty of Drag IDOL.
How has your career developed since Drag Idol?
I’ve been busy working my Tutu off baby! I’ve been on stage, on screen, in theatres. I was in the film Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and I’m even an award winning actress for the short film Lemon, thank you Iris Film Festival. Of course being up and down the country at various venues as well. Drag has become more mainstream now but Drag Idol has always been there from the start.
What advice would you give anyone competing in Drag Idol this year?
Be yourself, Be confident, rehearse your material and just go for it! Do not let the setbacks set you back! Do not let the missed opportunities set you back. All they do is make you stronger, hone your craft, and you will come back bigger and stronger than before. Drag Idol is here to help you, you have nothing to worry about.
Flick chats with LoUis CYfer
LoUis CYfer is a UK-based international drag king performer and actor, with a successful career in theatre.
What year did you compete in Drag Idol?
Back in 2014 and I am still the only drag king to have ever bloody won the competition, so far.
How was your drag idol journey?
Life changing, honestly. I literally hit the road running at a very sweet point in drag when things were just on the up. It opened up loads of opportunities for more different kinds of drag, and what i’ve loved is even since there we have seen more kings on the scene, more drag things, people blending gender and it’s just been bloody great!
How has your career developed since Drag Idol?
Just simple things like playing a leading man on the west end, travelling the world, and about to perform at the globe theatre. They are just casual things like that, really. And a lot of those opportunities have come from drag and from Drag Idol.
What advice would you give to anyone competing in Drag Idol this year?
I think it would be to set your own expectations and blast them out of the water. Don’t worry about pleasing other people, or if you haven’t found yourself yet, just give it a go. Get yourself out on the stage! To be able to say that at the end of the day, you had the courage to get up there onstage is a win in my eyes. Whatever happens after that is a bonus.
The competition is open to anyone who thinks they can wow the judges and take the crown at the final in June. There are still available slots, so if you think you could be the next winner, head to the website www.dragidoluk.co.uk and enter now.
Flick will be back just before the final, where they will introduce us, chat with the four finalists, and let us know what is in store.
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