THEGAYUK

Category: Drag

  • Cast of Drag Race season 9 pay homage to George Michael video – WATCH

    The contestants from RuPaul’s Drag Race season 9 paid tribute to the late George Michael in a reworking of his hit ‘Too Funky’.

    NYC drag queen Peppermint and singer-songwriter Ari Gold covered Michael’s song as a duet that also features the CuCu loving Cynthia Lee Fontaine.

    British singer George Michael died at the age of 53 on Christmas day. He was found dead in his Oxfordshire home in Goring from natural causes.

    His iconic ‘Too Funky’ video was released in 1992 as part of the Red Hot + Dance album which raised money and awareness to fight HIV and AIDS.

    Peppermint’s video starts with Cynthia Lee Fontaine asking the question, “would you like me to seduce you?” in Spanish followed by Sasha Velour, Alexis Michelle, Valentina, Shea Couleé, Charlie Hides, Kimora Blac, Trinity Taylor, Eureka, Farrah Moan, Jaymes Mansfield, Aja and Peppermint walk down the run was just like Linda Evangelista, Tyra Banks and Julie Newmar did in George’s original video.

    Speaking to Billboard Peppermint said that George Michael was an “absolute inspiration to me and many queer people during a time when being openly gay was a career killer.”

    She went on to say: “It’s likely the public would have rejected him had he come out in the ’80s and instead he had them dancing, celebrating, and even singing along to lyrics about the life & love of a queer man. I think it just shows that we are all more alike than different. We really wanted the chance to pay proper tribute to George Michael.”

    Watch the video here:

  • Charlie Hides makes the cut for RuPaul’s Drag Race

    Charlie Hides makes the cut for RuPaul’s Drag Race

    Drag sensation Charlie Hides is to star in Season 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

    Hurrah, so the new cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race has been announced and Charlie Hides has been confirmed for the show. We take a look back at some of the take out from our interview with the Massachusetts-born Charlie Hides.

    So how did Charlie get into the world of drag? 

    As a kid I was in school shows and entertained my family with different characters. I used to do impersonations of my classmates and teachers and of TV personalities. The first time I did actual drag was as a teen ager as a way to sneak into nightclubs when I was still underage.

    Charlie is, of course, utterly famous for his videos of Cher and Madonna did you know it takes around 20-30 hours to film each one?

    I have so much fun making the videos, I don’t consider it work. Sometimes I come home from a gig and film till 4 in the morning but I keep going as long as I’m having fun. The day I filmed the Exorcist scene for my Halloween video. The guy from SKY showed up to install a new box in the bedroom. There were lights and camera all around the bed and I still had on some green make up. The look on his face was priceless.

    How have the celebs reacted to his parodies of them?

    Kylie has been very sweet and said some very nice things about me on Twitter and in interviews. And I’ve heard that Cher has started using some of my catch phrases with her sisters and friends.

     

     

  • Michelle Visage: All Stars could cause people to hate you

    You may recall that this past season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars was a bit of a train crash for some contestants. Well, super judge, Michelle Visage has suggested that you should only go on the show if you’re “stable” and willing to take the risk.

    is doing All stars a risky move for established drag acts
    CREDIT: PR SUPPLIED

    Speaking exclusively to THEGAYUK.com RuPaul’s Drag Race super judge, Michelle Visage has suggested that the All-Star version of the show is tough going and only the most “stable” should apply; and it can be a bad idea if you don’t think you can handle pressure. Answering concerns that doing an All-Star version could cause you to damage your brand, Michelle said that there was always the risk of the audience falling out of love with you and that they could end up hating you.

    In fact, you should just stay clear if you’re worried about destroying all the good work you’ve done in creating your brand.

    She told us,

    “There’s always that risk because if you were loved first time around and you f*** up the second time around, there is the risk that people are going to hate you.
    “It can be a bad idea if you’re not sure that you can handle it. If you’re not sure you can handle it, you shouldn’t do it.”

    But it’s not all bad if you’re up for the challenge. Doing All-Stars could help further your career, she told us,

    “I think that if you’re stable and you know which way you’re going to play the game and you feel con dent, then it can be a really good thing.
    “Here’s the bottom line, it’s a TV show. Somebody goes home every week and this is the best of the best.”

    Michelle does have a key to keeping herself safe from the Trolls. She revealed to us, that she blocks hate immediately and never gets involved with social media disputes.

     

    You can read the full interview with Michelle Visage in the latest issue of THEGAYUK magazine completely free, subscribe here.

  • Michelle Visage reveals how many seasons there will be of Drag Race

    Michelle Visage has hinted how long she reckons RuPaul’s Drag Race will continue for…

    CREDIT: Mathu Anderson

    In an exclusive interview with THEGAYUK.com RuPaul’s Drag Race judge, Michelle Visage revealed that there’s no end in sight for the ever popular show. Joking she revealed that she’d even go on to judge with a zimmer frame – as long as it’s covered in jewels and glitter.

    Michelle, who will be in the UK next month for her tour, Christmas Queens, told us,

    “Season 50… Sign Me Up!

    “There’s no end in sight. There’s no reason I can’t be sitting there with a fabulous glittered walker. I could be 90-years-old and still judging drag queens. I’ll still be fierce and so will they. There’s just no end in sight.

    She also revealed that the show’s last season was the most watched in its history and the highest rating show the Channel had ever received.

    “The bigger the show gets, the more attention it gets… Season 8 and then All Stars, (was) the biggest season we’ve ever had. Drag Race was the highest rating local TV has ever had in the history of the channel.”

     

    So would you be up for watching series 50 of RuPaul’s Drag Race?

    You can read the full Michelle Visage interview in the latest issue of THEGAYUK, completely free by subscribing here.

     

     

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Jinkx Monsoon and Major Scales: Unwrapped

    ★★★★★ | Jinkx Monsoon and Major Scales: Unwrapped

    CREDIT: Nate Watters

    I have to confess that I had mixed emotions at the prospect of seeing Jinkx Monsoon (Seattle’s youngest M.I.L.F. and the victorious underdog from Season 5), and Major Scales at the Soho Theatre. Firstly, I’m a huge fanboy of Jinkx. Who doesn’t love a narcoleptic Jewish drag queen? Secondly, though, I don’t like Christmas and this is a Christmas show. When I say I don’t like Christmas I mean in a pathological, itchy toothed, nails scraping into my palms kind of way. Whilst Jinkx is my favourite queen of all time from RuPaul’s Drag Race the prospect of a Christmas-themed show in November made me feel vaguely psychotic and almost had me reaching for the brandy bottle.

    I really needn’t have worried. Major Scales describes this as a show holiday show for those exhausted by the holidays. There’s not a trace of Mariah Carey and no fake bonhomie. Instead Major takes on the role of pro-Christmas advocate whilst Jinkx drily drawls about how rubbish it actually can be. Especially for an unconventional queer Jewish drag artiste.

    They cover subjects such as what gifts to give to give to queer children, why singing a song about seducing a fat old man is just plain weird (Santa Baby) and how to spend time with your right wing Trump/Brexit loving relatives. There are some witty covers of Bowie, a Del Ray and Miley Cyrus as well as a clever reworking of a Kander and Ebb number. Predominantly, they sing their own compositions with Jinkx showcasing her fabulous singing voice. She not only looks good and has impeccable comic timing but she’s a cracking singer and can belt out a tune with panache. Her persona is waspish and bitchy but not in a terrifying way. There’s an underlying inner kitten that is hiding under the bitchy exterior. Whilst the show is slick and professional it still has a dark and anarchic edge to it that is endearing.

    Major Scales is not only a great writing talent and ‘straight man’ to Jinkx’s distinctly kinked woman but is also a fine pianist and singer too. This is a duo that shouldn’t be missed. Whether you’re hiding in a bunker till January to avoid all the tawdry fuss or are already humming Christmas tunes under your breath and decking a tree with glittery things, this is an endearing and funny show. Get down to the Soho Theatre for an intimate experience with one of America’s hottest drag queens.

    Run at the Soho Theatre until 10th December 2016

    Follow Chris Bridges on Twitter

  • You won’t believe what X Factor’s Johnny Robinson looks like now

    You won’t believe what X Factor’s Johnny Robinson looks like now

    Remember Johnny Robinson from X Factor? Well, you won’t believe what he looks like now!

    CREDIT: Johnny Robinson / YouTube

    Well, Johnny Robinson, or should we say, Sarah Lee is looking rather fabulous as he talked to the Loose Women in October to promote his new single “Deliver Me”.

    CREDIT: ITV/YouTube

    Johnny appeared in the same series of X Factor as Kitty Brucknell. The series eventually crowned girl group, Little Mix as the winners.

     

    Speaking to the Loose Women panel, he quipped that he hadn’t had a “sex-change” but that Sarah was his drag self, which had been locked up in the closet along with all the wigs and frocks.

    He revealed that his alter ego had existed before his appearance in the 20011 series of the X Factor and had, in fact, auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent as his drag self, but didn’t get through.

    The production team from BGT suggested that he go for X Factor instead.

    Johnny Robinson
    CREDIT: ITV / YouTube

     

    Johnny Robinson
    CREDIT: ITV / YouTube

    Johnny/ Sarah rocked blonde locks and heavy eye makeup on set with the Loose Women panel.

     

    His follow-on single from “Eaten Alive” is called “Deliver Me” and is a high energy dance track and we have to say his vocals are AWESOME.

     

    You can buy the track from here

     

     

  • RuPaul just won an EMMY

    Can we get an AMEMMY?

    © s_bukley Depositphotos

     

    RuPaul – queen of Drag queens just landed himself an EMMY for Outstanding Host in his show RuPaul’s Drag Race, beating out the stiff competition from Ryan Seacrest, Jane Lynch, Steve Harvey and Heidi Klum.

    Totally taken aback by his win, RuPaul said to E! News ,”I’m in a state of shock right now. I really did not expect this!”

    The show RuPaul’s Drag Race has been broadcasting since 2009 – and has just been green-lit for it’s 9TH SERIES and has become one of the world’s most visible LGBT programmes.

  • Drag mayhem on top of Snowdon

    Drag mayhem on top of Snowdon

    A cock in a frock on a rock… Drag queens are gearing up to scale Wales’ tallest mountain, Snowdon.

    Next summer, a gaggle of drag queens are set to climb Mount Snowdon, one of the UK’s tallest mountains in aid of four charities.

    Organiser, Miss Roxy Ritz said,

     “I was supporting one of my drag queen colleagues, Crystal Ball, who was performing at a local venue and went outside to get some fresh air.

    I was speaking to one of the venue locals who mentioned that they lived in Wales near Snowdonia, which got me talking about Priscilla Queen of the Desert (don’t ask how!). After going back inside I did a little thinking and then it came to me… Queens of Snowdonia!”

    “The idea of drag queens hiking up Snowdonia excited me, so for the next couple of days as I built on the idea, I asked a few people to see what they thought about it and, lo and behold, Queens of Snowdonia progressed from conception, so to speak.”

    The challenge was accepted by Miss Jason, Betty Swollocks, Sissy Sucks and Stephanie Von Clitz and even Dave Lynn.

    © AMzPhoto Depositphotos

     

    Miss Roxy Ritz wants to ultimately get a minimum of 20 drag queens to take part with the aim of raising £10,000 for the causes. You can find out more on their facebook page.

    The four charities the queens aim to raise the cash for are: Macmillan Cancer Research, Terrence Higgins Trust, Cancer is a Drag and Sussex Beacon.

     

  • RuPaul’s Drag Race green lit for 9th season

    RuPaul’s Drag Race green lit for 9th season

    RuPaul must be laughing all the way to the bank, hunties…

    RuPaul
    CREDIT: Photography Mathu Andersen

    Drag Race Season 9 has officially been greenlit by Logo. More queens, more dramz..

    And it’s no wonder – speaking to THEGAYUK a past sponsor (who didn’t want to be named) confirmed that being attached to the show in anyway is very lucrative for business.

    The insider told us,

    “The viewing figures might be smaller than your normal reality TV show, but boy is that audience engaged. We were only involved for a short while, but the pick up in business was phenomenal”.

    In a press release the show’s producers said that the “…season premiere saw a ratings spike of nearly 20% from last season’s kickoff among P18-49 (348,000 viewers) and now ranks as one of the most watched debuts in the show’s history.

    Start your engines… we can’t wait.

     

    READ our Drag Race Interviews:

    RuPaul | Bianca Del Rio | Courtney Act | Kasha Davis | Kelly Mantle | Michelle Visage |  Nebraska Thunderf*** |

  • Patrick Stewart As A Woman Is Slightly Amazing

    Patrick Stewart As A Woman Is Slightly Amazing

    Sir Patrick Stewart looks incredible all done up in drag. 

    CREDIT: Joe Seer/Bigstock
    CREDIT: Joe Seer/Bigstock

    Veteran actor Patrick Stewart got all did up… and looks incredibly distinguished. In fact some people on Twitter have compared him to Helen Mirren – to be honest we can’t see it, however we can see Terence Stamp in Priscilla Queen Of The Desert.

    ADVERT

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    He wore a bright pink frock and layers of jewels to promote his new show while  Blunt Talk in Los Angeles.

     

    ALSO READ: Patrick  Stewart Shows Of His Toned Hot Bod!

    ALSO READ: Patrick Stewart is not qay despite being outted by noted magazine editor

     

    Jacki Weaver, Elvis Mitchell and Adrian Scarborough joined the 75-year-old actor at the event.

    The series, starring Sir Patrick follows Walter Blunt when he moves to Los Angeles to host a nightly cable news show.

  • RuPaul Drag Queen: The Marines Don’t Give A F**k If You’re Gay Or Straight

    Mackenzie Claude has spoken about his time in the Marines in an exclusive interview with TheGayUK, revealing that being good at your job was more important than your sexuality.

    Former Marine turned drag queen Mackenzie Claude AKA Nebraska Thunderf**k who starred in season five of RuPaul’s Drag Race has spoken about how the Marine’s treated him in a time of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, revealing that they really didn’t care about his sexuality.

    Don’t Ask / Don’t Tell was a compromise policy in which gay and lesbian service people were allowed to serve the US military from 1993 to 2011. It originated from the Clinton administration. However gays and lesbian could not be openly gay.

    Speaking about his enlistment, Mackenzie said,

    Well, I enlisted under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, so I was open in my personal life, but when I joined the military I was advised to go back into the closet and I did. This was going to be a career that I was embarking on and I didn’t want anything to get in the way of my hard work and my commitment. With Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, if the wrong person found out that you were gay, or suspected you of being homosexual, they could present that to the chain of command and there would be an investigation that would take place. You could be discharged from the military simply for being homosexual”

    However it was in the Marines where Mackenzie learned the truth about what they truly felt about homosexuality.

    He said,

    After a couple of years serving with these people in the Marines I learned something, that the Marines don’t give a fu*k if you’re gay or straight, they just care that you do your job right. I was a good medic, so eventually I was able to open up to them. We have a lot of downtime in the military, so we pass it by sharing stories and they were fascinated by mine. They had so many questions and were so open and welcoming. The military was a very positive experience for me.

    President Obama ended DADO on September 20th 2011.

    Read Mackenzie’s full interview in the latest issue of THEGAYUK

    The March issue of THEGAYUK is available now on digital newsstands which you can download on your iPhone, iPad, Kindle Fire or Android device