RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is returning for Series 8 this autumn – and we’ve finally met the 12 queens competing for the crown.
The new cast will face ten weeks of challenges, runway looks and lip-syncs, with £25,000 and the title of the UK’s Next Drag Race Superstar up for grabs. RuPaul returns alongside Michelle Visage, Alan Carr and Graham Norton, while this year’s celebrity guest judges are still under wraps.
And it’s a particularly interesting cast, bringing together queens from across the UK with backgrounds spanning cabaret, fashion, activism, musical theatre and even marine biology.
Brighton queen Alik hopes to break the ‘Brighton curse’
Representing Brighton is Alik, 29, who has been performing in drag for eight years and describes her style as a mix of “goth glamour” and punk.
She also has a background in gymnastics and trampolining, which she hopes will give her an advantage when it comes to performing.
But Alik is well aware that previous Brighton contestants haven’t always had the easiest time on Drag Race.
“Brighton girlies have not had the best track record on Drag Race UK, but I'm here to smash that curse,” she said.
Alik is also the partner of Series 1 contestant Scaredy Kat – and says there’s a little friendly competition involved in her appearance.
“They didn't do great on their season, but they were young and they have learned a lot since and I'm just excited to do better than them!”
Who else is competing?
Lucky Roy Singh, 36, from Manchester, becomes the first South Asian queen to compete on Drag Race UK. The award-winning activist describes her drag as an East-meets-West celebration of culture, heritage and history, and says winning would mean a great deal to the British South Asian community.
ma_danni_x, 48, arrives with 28 years in drag. Her career has included working with George Michael, Ruby Wax, Samantha Fox and Lily Savage, as well as an appearance on Britain’s Got Talent.
Belfast's Coral-Hole Mandi brings one of the more unusual inspirations to the competition. With a background in marine biology, her drag is influenced by the ocean, mermaids and sea creatures – ranging, in her words, from “cartoon candy gorgeous mermaid” to “bog witch”.
Flesh, 25, is a Soho queen inspired by 90s supermodels and British fashion. She's also best friends with reigning Drag Race UK winner Bones and has an English Literature degree from Oxford University.
Meanwhile, KY Kelly brings nearly 16 years of experience from the UK cabaret circuit, while Darlington’s The Delta Quadrant describes herself as the “Deborah Meaden of drag”, complete with power suits, shoulder pads and a signature bob.
Completing the cast are Anita Piss, Mocha, Naya Thorn, Paris Baby and Tequila Thirst - bringing everything from musical theatre and live vocals to fashion, comedy and high-energy lip-sync performances.
Paris Baby, from Hastings, has already volunteered herself for a potentially important role this series, declaring: “The world has been waiting for the UK to have a real villain, so here I am!”
When does Series 8 start?
The BBC hasn't confirmed the exact premiere date yet, but RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will return to BBC Three and BBC iPlayer this autumn.
In the meantime, Meet the Queens is available on BBC iPlayer now, offering a first look at all 12 contestants ahead of the new series.
The full Series 8 cast is Alik, Anita Piss, Coral-Hole Mandi, The Delta Quadrant, Flesh, KY Kelly, Lucky Roy Singh, ma_danni_x, Mocha, Naya Thorn, Paris Baby and Tequila Thirst.
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