RuPaul's Drag Race UK season 2 queens serve wild royal realness
Queening Out With Miz Cracker
EW's Joey Nolfi goes live with 'RuPaul's Drag Race' star Miz Cracker.
Queen Elizabeth found quaking in a ditch!
RuPaul's Drag Race UK season 2 has unveiled the cast of 12 queens that will compete for Britain's second most coveted crown when the beloved series returns to BBC iPlayer in Britain and WOW Presents Plus in the United States at the top of 2021.
Among the dozen ladies vying for the title across the 10-week second season are comedy queens, runway beauties, a cabaret diva, a vegan journalist, a former X-Factor contestant, a nurse, and eclectic oddballs representing the best of the United Kingdom's queer scene.
"Early in 2021, season 2 will arrive with all the hope, joy, laughter, and glitter you've come to expect from our brilliant queens," RuPaul said of the season in a press release earlier this year, further confirming that the World of Wonder-produced series is "currently casting season 3 with the best and brightest Great Britain has to offer."
RuPaul's Drag Race UK crowned its season 1 winner, The Vivienne, in November 2019 at the end of a season that featured guest appearances by Andrew Garfield, Geri Halliwell, Cheryl, Maisie Williams, and Michaela Coel. Emmy-winning host RuPaul presided over the global franchise's first British court of judges, which also included American co-judge Michelle Visage, beloved talk show host Graham Norton, and comedian Alan Carr — all of whom will return for season 2 alongside a yet-to-be-announced roster of celebrity guests.
Stateside, RuPaul's Drag Race will welcome 13 new queens (including the series' first trans man contestant, Gottmik) to compete on season 13 when it premieres Jan. 1 on VH1, following a year that saw the worldwide Drag Race family expand to include two American winners (Jaida Essence Hall and Shea Couleé) as well as champions from spinoffs in Canada (Priyanka) and Holland (Envy Peru), with the new Drag Race Spain also on deck for 2021.
For now, check out the full roster of RuPaul's Drag Race UK season 2 queens (in alphabetical order) ahead of the WOW Presents Plus premiere on Thursday, Jan. 14 at 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT.
World of Wonder
Asttina Mandella
Age: 27
Hometown: London
"I’m from East London where we love to play on being trashy and be a mess. That’s my drag scene. I love to get ugly and be silly. East London allows you to explore and go crazy with no rules... She’s a professional queen. I am known for giving very extravagant MTV style performances. I have up to 12 dancers with a big concept show. There are lights, and pyrotechnics, and extravagance. It’s very interactive, sometimes with a bit of comedy. I have been dancing since I was tiny, and I have been dancing professionally since I was 20 years old. I am trained in ballet, tap, contemporary, Latin, hip hop, funk, and street and it’s all in my show. I have worked with Little Mix, Pussycat Dolls, Melanie C, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Fleur East, Kanye West at the Brits. Now it’s my time to be on the poster and get the headlines. I can't wait."
World of Wonder
A'Whora
Age: 23
Hometown: London (via Nottinghamshire)
"I’m a fashion designer and A’Whora is my muse, best friend, and alter ego. She is well known as a fashion queen, but I’m here to prove she’s so much more than that. She is different to anyone you will ever meet. She is striking, she has presence, and you will never see her in a High Street dress. I’m gagging at the thought... Initially, because of my obsession with fashion, I decided to become my own mannequin, but really, I used drag as a form of escapism during a difficult time in my life, when I just wanted to just leave who I was and become somebody else. Yes, George is camp, and flamboyant but he’s nerdy, goofy, and he has a timid side. A’Whora is the polar opposite to George. She’s invincible."
World of Wonder
Bimini Bon Boulash
Age: 26
Hometown: London (via Norfolk)
"My drag style is ever-changing. I like to be super feminine and incorporate many sources of inspiration. I would never fit my drag into one box! I like to mix the ridiculous with a bit of politics. I’ve got a lot of different acts. Some are burlesque, some are me being covered in oat milk, with a strong vegan message behind it. I’m mainly silly, which is what I love about drag. Expect the unexpected... I have a degree in journalism, and I have done a lot of social activism, which is something I’d like to pursue further. I invented veganism about seven years ago…haha! No, I’ve been vegan for about seven years. I love yoga, and I’ve never been healthier. My nails are great, my teeth are great, and my hair’s great."
World of Wonder
Cherry Valentine
Age: 26
Hometown: Darlington
"In the world of drag, just like a Cherry, I sit on top! Cherry Valentine is everything. She is glamour, she is a club kid, she’s dark, she’s gothic, she’s a dancer, she’s flippy. Look at me, I am a queen. I’m a high fashion queen. I look fierce, and my body is hourglass perfect — as there’s nowt worse than a saggy boob. I like to say my drag is insidious glamour — a beautiful lady possessed by the devil. I’m not always a drag queen, I’m a drag artiste, there’s a subtle difference... Growing up on a gypsy camp, my view of life was really different to others, and doing drag has really opened my eyes, and given me a new lease of life. I never thought I’d be doing this. I just thought I’d grow up, do my dad’s job, do a few cars up, so to be sat here right now, I feel really proud of myself. The world is now my stage and that’s exciting. It gives me shivers!"
World of Wonder
Ellie Diamond
Age: 21
Hometown: Dundee
"I’m 6'4 out of heels, and in drag, I love to go even taller. I like the biggest wigs, heels, outfits, lashes, makeup, and ass. I would describe my drag as a cartoon character that has come to life — this outfit is inspired by one of my favorite films, The Wizard of Oz. I love bold color, patterns, and ideas. I take inspiration from my favorite movies, cartoons, anime, and put it all together to create this beautiful 6'8" drag queen that you see before you. If you were to search online for a photo of a drag queen, then a picture of me would come up!"
World of Wonder
Ginny Lemon
Age: 31
Hometown: Worcestershire
"I’m basically a drag troll. I’m the hairiest woman in show business! I’m the only non-binary drag queen in the UK… with a sense of humor! I don’t do traditional drag; I am a character. My look is a '90s daytime TV presenter. I wear my face which suits me. For me, it’s not about makeup. It’s all about the performance... I did X-Factor in 2017, and I sang Liberty X’s "Just a Little Bit". Really, I’m a singer-songwriter, and drag is how I do that. I’ve been doing drag since 2016 so I was quite a new Drag Queen when I did X-Factor."
World of Wonder
Joe Black
Age: 30
Hometown: Brighton (Portsmouth)
"I come from the world of cabaret so it’s all ostrich feathers, glitter, and burlesque. What a lovely place to come from. Oh, and I am the first person from Drag Race to hail from Brighton... Imagine you’ve found yourself in some seedy 1920s Berlin cabaret joint where we will have a dark, delicious, and deviant time. I bring all the wonky eyebrows and eyeshadow of the traditional seaside drag with a bit of haunted glamour; I sometimes think I’m a bit too much for people, but the nanas love me."
World of Wonder
Lawrence Chaney
Age: 31
Hometown: Glasgow
"I’m from Glasgow and every single stereotype that you are thinking right now about a Scottish person is true for me! I love Irn-Bru, and a caramel wafer. I’m almost the Austin Powers “fat bastard” of drag! I think of my Scottishness as an asset. I am definitely very proud to be Scottish and Glaswegian... I am a mix of Rab C. Nesbitt and Susan Boyle! I take a lot of pride in my appearance. I want to look fierce! I make most of my own costumes. I do my own hair and makeup. I even make my own hip pads. I do it all, and I take huge pride in being literally self-made. I love anything pastel coloured. My favorite color is purple. If it reminds me of a chocolate bar, then I’m there."
World of Wonder
Sister Sister
Age: 32
Hometown: Liverpool
"If you turn up to a Sister Sister show you’re going to get my absurd comedy timing. You will get some fantastic looks and to keep you on your toes, there’s some mild morbidity too. My comedy style is very dry. I think it sometimes takes a few dim-witted people a couple of seconds to catch on. That’s what I love. I have a saying: 'If you’re not having fun, what’s the point?' Like most people, I got into drag after a breakup. I kicked him out, bought some makeup, and started painting. I started with a big blue circle on my face! I love being experimental with paint. I started in art school and went from painting on canvases to painting on my face instead."
World of Wonder
Tayce
Age: 26
Hometown: London (via Newport, Wales)
"I am doing this for Wales, for my parents, and my family. I’m doing it for all those little buggers who have looked at me and thought I was an absolute freak. I’m doing it for myself. I’m doing it for Gavin and Stacey! Honestly, I can’t believe I’m here right now. I’m here, I’m queer, I’m here to let these girls have it and show them what Wales has to offer. The job’s a good un, Bob’s your uncle, Linda’s your aunt... The Tayce look is very ‘model-esque’, very villainess, very street fighter. I’m dark and edgy. Sometimes I like to switch it up, look at me now… I’m like a bird of prey, or a bird of paradise, a sexy owl. You don’t know what you’re going to get! I love powerful femme fatales and divas. I was always dancing to Beyoncé, Ciara, and J.Lo growing up. They made me feel powerful and now, and I love to give the power back to people when I’m on stage. It’s always very high energy. I dance the house down. I live for it. So, you’re definitely leaving hot and sweaty. I love a band with drums and electric guitar. I am obsessed with music. My dad was the bass guitarist in Wham way back in the day, so I was always around music. I do have a bit of a reputation for being late to the odd gig, but, honey, when I get out of that cab I come with heels on and eyes beat. Get me on that stage with the music on and watch me work!"
World of Wonder
Tia Kofi
Age: 30
Hometown: London (via Essex and Nottingham)
"My name, Tia Kofi, is very camp and very British. Tea or coffee, darling? It’s very me, and at the very least, it’s memorable! I’m a mashup of the drag styles. I love comedy, camp, old school, contemporary, and cultural references. As there aren’t a huge number of POC queens on the scene, I’ll often throw in something from my Nigerian heritage too. I’m also a geek. One day I might be a character from Doctor Who, and I love channeling a bit of Star Trek. My drag is a melting pot... I’m giving you end of the pier, Blackpool. I was raised by older queens! Keeping old school drag alive is very important to me, and so you can expect anything. She’s doing live vocals, she’s all dancing, she’s camp, she’s glamour, she’s also a mess — an expensive mess. Honestly, she has been known to stretch to as much as five pounds on a dress."
World of Wonder
Veronica Green
Age: 34
Hometown: London (via Rochdale)
"When I was a little boy, my brother and I used to make our own comic books, and when our baby sister, Veronica, came along we were so jealous that we invented a supervillain in our comic books and called her Veronica Green! Unwittingly, my sister’s birth sparked off my drag persona! She’s going to be mortified at all of this — I stole her prom dress and everything... My background is musical theatre, I’ve been in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for about five years out of the last 10, but ultimately, I found musical theatre too restrictive for my hopes and aspirations. I was once laughed at an audition for panto once where I said I wanted to play Cinderella, but why not!? I want to be doing roles that you’d never expect a nerdy, geeky man to be doing. I’m here to mix things up, break down barriers, and switch the game up."
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