I’D LOVE TO HAVE VICTORIA BECKHAM AS A JUDGE
As Rupaul’s Drag Race UK returns for a second series, judge Graham Norton tells us what to look forward to
AFTER the success of the UK spin-off of hit US series Rupaul’s Drag Race in 2019, it was only a matter of time before we welcomed the next wave of UK drag queens to our screens.
Serving up their own unique brand of charisma, nerve and talent, the 12 new contestants making up the class of 2021 will be hoping to win over returning judges Michelle Visage, Graham Norton and Alan Carr, alongside a weekly celebrity guest.
Here, chat show king Graham tells us about working with the show’s host, the legendary Rupaul, and why he loves the British drag scene.
First of all, pre-lockdown, what was like to be back on set?
COMING back on set for series two was just joyful. I was so excited to see who the drag queens were going to be, and it’s gorgeous to see Rupaul. I can’t tell you what that’s like to be sitting on the panel and then see Rupaul come around the corner, it’s almost religious. It’s like an apparition, a miraculous apparition when she shows up. She has an inner glow and beauty. You really feel like you’re in the presence of a deity when Rupaul glides down that runway.
How would you sell Rupaul’s Drag Race UK to someone who hasn’t seen it?
RUPAUL’S Drag Race UK: come for the wigs, stay for the tears.
How was the first lockdown for you?
LIKE everyone, I found lockdown very stressful but then I was very lucky because I got to head back to Ireland for four months and being in a rural place made lockdown much easier.
Being right by the sea meant you could forget for a few minutes what was really going on.
What makes series two of Drag Race different to the first series?
IT’S bigger and it’s better. There are more queens. But again, what’s great is there is an absolute range.
There are baby drag queens who have done very little, and some much more experienced people. I had heard of a couple, but I’d never seen them do their act before.
Although, lots of experience doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re going to fare well on Drag Race.
What do you love best about the British drag scene?
I THINK what makes the British drag scene special is how funny it is. It doesn’t just have a sense of humour, it has a sense of humour about itself.
I think that’s a real difference that you get watching the other versions.
No matter how dramatic or tense it is, the British queens are still having a laugh.
What do you think the future of Drag is?
I THINK Drag Race has brought a whole new audience to drag. I hope we don’t lose unpolished drag because, I have to say, that’s my favourite. I love going to a bar and somebody stumbling out about half 11, in a ratty old wig and a dress from a charity shop, and being really funny.
Who would be your ideal guest judge?
VICTORIA BECKHAM has got to come on at some stage. I’d love to have her.
What would be your all-time favourite lip-sync song to sing to?
MY FAVOURITE lip-sync song would be if somebody did Shirley Bassey, I Who Have Nothing.
A decent drag queen could make a meal out of that! I’d pay good money.
Rupaul’s Drag Race UK Series 2 will be available on BBC Three via iplayer on Thursday.