Drag queen Joe to hit the runway for BBC Three show
Act has spot in Ru Paul’s Drag Race
A POPULAR Portsmouthborn drag queen is set to slay the runway in front of millions of viewers on RuPaul's Drag Race UK next year.
Well-known cabaret act Joe Black was named as one of 12 contestants from across the UK who will be taking part in the second series of the BBC Three show that launches in January.
As part of the show, that will air on BBC iPlayer, Joe will be put to the test in a series of lip-sync, comedy, dance, acting and sewing challenges with the last standing queen named the Uk's next drag superstar by American drag legend RuPaul Charles.
Joe, who is from Portsmouth but now lives in Brighton, explained why he applied for the show - that has run for 12 seasons so far in the USA. The 30-year-old said: 'I thought why not?
'I have been performing for 13 years, and I have travelled the world and been to
America, Australia, Europe.
'Drag Race made me feel like packing up my things again and embarking on a brand-new adventure.'
When asked about what fans of the show can expect, he said: 'I may look a tad harsh or strange on first glimpse, but I enjoy a ballad, and I always try to be kind and nice. I may look mean but I’m full of love. 'I’m very musical, I sing in a character voice, I play piano, but mostly I am an expert in clownery. I’d like to channel my inner thespian and take on an acting challenge.'
Joe, who is known locally for hosting the long-running House of Burlesque Show at the King's Theatre in Southsea, will be competing against other established queens including Ginny Lemon from Worcestershire, Lawrence Cheney from Glasgow and Tayce from Newport in Wales.
He added: 'I think that drag is such a celebration of life and creativity. Drag for me means I can channel all of the things that I most love: heroines, villains, cartoons, stars of the silver screen. Drag has given me such power and strength, I love it.'
Series two of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK begins on January 14, at 7pm on BBC iPlayer.
‘I may look a tad harsh or strange on first glimpse, but I enjoy a ballad
Joe Black