My life could be a real drag
igt hopeful in race to become the ‘irish Rupaul’
AN Ireland’s Got Talent hopeful has revealed how he’d love to front an Irish version of Rupaul’s Drag Race.
Dubliner Paul Ryder will take to the stage during this Saturday’s episode as his alter ego Rupaul Ryder – a name inspired by the hit US reality show.
The 30-year-old Tallaght choreographer runs his own drag competition and said Ireland is home to some of the best drag queens in the world. When asked if he’d like his own TV show, Paul told the Irish Mirror: “It’s the reason I’ve been doing [my show] The Ringmaster’s Drag Race for the last 10 years. “I could see it on something like TG4 or TV3. Ireland has unbelievable drag queens, some of the best in Europe. I think you would fill that television show with uber talent, I don’t think there’s a doubt about that.”
During his audition, Paul was reunited with his idol Michelle Visage, who is a judge on Rupaul’s Drag Race as well as Ireland’s Got Talent.
The pair previously met when Paul invited Michelle to be a guest judge for his stage show a few years ago.
He said: “It was weird because when I was walking out I was like, ‘What if she doesn’t know me?’. I didn’t want to be that person and say, ‘Remember we met at that thing years ago?’
“Luckily the moment I walked out she said ‘Oh, I know you’. The dance teacher’s biggest fan was his father Paul who was always at the front of the audience cheering him on before he died in 2014. Paul said he believes his father would be “so proud and happy” to see him on IGT. He added: “I think he’s up there cheering, clapping, pouring himself a pint and having a wonderful time.”