Itβs almost that time of year β a new bunch of queens are about to be put through their paces in the UKβs biggest drag contest.
Yep, RuPaulβs Drag Race UK is back for another season.
On Tuesday afternoon, the BBC unveiled the 12 fabulous queens whoβll be dancing, sewing, acting, impersonating and, perhaps above all, stunning their way through the competition in the hopes of being crowned the UKβs next Drag Race superstar.
Shall we get into it? Letβs get to know the queens, shall we?
Actavia
Age: 21
From: North Wales
She says: βI would describe myself as a bit of a chameleon, and I always like to add a villainess look to my drag aesthetic but Iβm really approachable β I promise!
βIf you were to come to an Actavia show, you would see a blend of camp, dancing, energy, and a bit of stupidity. My shows are high energy and you would definitely be out of breath just watching me.β
Chanel OβConor
Age: 25
From: Scotland
She says: βI make all of my own clothes, and Iβve created looks for other queens too. In fact, a lot of my work has already featured on the show as Iβve made outfits for Drag Race UK Series two winner Lawrence Chaney and for various other queens. Iβm so proud of that, but itβs now time for me.
βI created the character of Chanel OβConor as a way for me to βplay pretendβ in a world I could never be in - being rich, being famous and being a natural ginger. I mixed my love for powerful women and fabulous fashions to create a baby version of Chanel OβConor β someone who is pure luxury, Austrian royalty twice removed and sips champagne in her private submarine in Lake Como!β
Charra Tea
Age: 23
From: Belfast
She says: βIf you were to come to a Charra Tea show, expect to see a pop culture parrot. I love incorporating random niche quotes in my shows from all the UK pop culture legends - Gemma Collins, Kim Woodburn, Nadine Coyle β I love them all!
βIβm fun, fresh, Iβm not afraid to be tacky and be myself and I love primary colours. I want that crown!β
Dita Garbo
Age: 47
From: Kent
She says: βI serve burlesque Hollywood glamour. My influences are burlesque icon Dita Von Teese and Hollywood starlet, Greta Garbo. Hence my name β Dita Garbo. I like to say Iβm the burlesque lovechild of Dita Von Teese and Greta Garbo! But I can switch it up if I need to keep up with the kids!
βThe nice thing about being older [Dita is Drag Race UKβs oldest contestant ever] is that you come to the competition with a lot of wisdom. If the younger queens need it, Iβll give them some motherly love and advice, but if they annoy me, Iβll tell them!β
Kiki Snatch
Age: 25
From: London
She says: βIβm not just a look queen, Iβm a big performance queen. I can dance and sing whilst looking pretty doing it! Youβre going to get cartwheels, splits, dips, tricks, games with the audience, games... Youβre just going to have a fun, fabulous time.
βIβm a bundle of joy and I love to party and so [the name] Kiki comes from me loving a βkikiβ, which is drag lingo for having a good time. And Snatch of course can mean many things applicable to me β a snatched waist, a snatched face or snatching the Drag Race UK crown!β
Kyran Thrax
Age: 26
From: Lancashire
She says: βIβve been doing drag for four years, and Iβve been doing it full time for two. I absolutely love it. Iβve done fashion shows, drag brunches, commercials, performances in theatres and clubs. Youβve probably even seen me on a cinema screen and now, Iβm finally here!
βIβm very inspired by Lady Gaga β sheβs a creative genius! Iβm also inspired by art house horror films and of course, my mum!β
La Voix
Age: 43
From: Stockton-On-Tees
She says: βI am a seasoned diva and I cannot wait to get going!
βIβve competed in Britainβs Got Talent, starred in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, working with Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley; Iβve starred in various pantomimes over the span of twenty years; Iβve worked on EIGHTY cruise ships (yes eighty!) and Iβve toured all over the world with my one woman showβ¦ and now Iβm here on RuPaulβs Drag Race UK!β
Lill
Age: 36
From: Manchester
She says: βIβm gorgeous, Iβve got great style, Iβm creative, fun and Iβm easy like a Sunday morning.
βI would say my drag is very creative and rebellious. I love getting stuff from charity shops, cutting things up and transforming old tatty stuff into the stunning! Iβve got a thousand different references that influence my dragβ¦ the best thing about me is my sense of style.β
Marmalade
Age: 24
From: Cardiff
She says: βI would describe my drag as Hollywood glamour, all wrapped up in a gorgeous Welsh sense of stupidityβ¦ I like to think that I give vintage aesthetic with a modern twist!
βMy original drag name was Marmite, mainly because I really liked Marmite. But one day, I accidentally said I was called Marmalade. I realised it sounded much better so I stuck with it. Believe it or not, Iβve never actually had marmalade. I have no idea what it tastes like!β
Rileasa Slaves
Age: 32
From: London
She says: βI grew up in the small Caribbean island of St Lucia, with dancehall music, Soca and Calypso as the soundtrack to my life, and then later I fell in love with London, the city that gave me permission to be myself. And so my drag is sunshine with a touch of spice!
βMy biggest competitor is me! I want to get out of my head and have some fun, with my eyes on the prize!β
Saki Yew
Age: 33
From: Manchester
She says: βIβm originally from Melbourne, Australia, but love brought me all the way across the globe to settle down in to life as a booked and blessed Manchester drag queen.
βYou wonβt be able to take your eyes off me! You can expect to see a showgirl whoβs going to perform her heart out, whether it be a ballad or a dance anthem. Itβs really important to me, to represent my cultural identity in my drag and so I serve Australian showgirl glamour, mixed with high energy Filipino sass and a sprinkle of Northern wit and realness. I think I am a bit of a Frankenstein drag queen!β
Zahirah Zapanta
Age: 28
From: Nottingham
She says: βThe look is correct, the hair is laid, the performances are fabulous, but the personality is a chaotic mess! Iβm so proud of my British Filipino roots and it has influenced my drag so much
βI was born in the Philippines and came to the UK with my family when I was 10 years old, settling in Nottingham. Growing up, I was well known where I grew up. I was always quite flamboyant and my family actively encouraged me to be a beauty queen. As a teenager, it felt like a natural move to showcase my love of makeup and dressing up on YouTube. I built a fanbase, created a network, forayed into drag, learnt more about the art and I became a beauty queen!β
RuPaulβs Drag Race UK returns to BBC Three later this year. Watch the full Meet The Queens introductory video below: