The countdown for season two of RuPaul's Drag Race UK [1] is officially on, and we've never needed it more. The second season of the UK edition, which starts on BBCThree on 14 Jan., comes almost a full year after the first instalment, and the anticipation has been real. The judging panel sees the return of Drag Race royalty Michelle Visage, alongside Graham Norton and Alan Carr, plus a number of celebrity guest judges.
On the topic of the first season, Visage told BBC that "series one was a massive hit because we were waiting it. We were waiting to see whether it was going to be different to the US one, what it would it look like, and whether it would be properly British and show UK drag in a positive light." When asked about her ideal celebrity judge, she revealed "just to let everybody know we have asked Dolly Parton for eleven, twelve, thirteen years." C'mon, Dolly!
One familiar face set to make an appearance is Liz Hurley, you know, the one from The Royals and Gossip Girl [2]? She's not quite Dolly Parton, but we are excited. Joining her and making their Drag Race debuts are supermodel Jourdan Dunn, pop sensation MNEK, Table Manners host Jessie Ware, and everyone's fave presenter: Maya Jama [3].
After a stellar first season [4] with last year's winner, The Vivienne, and runner-up Divina de Campo, what sort of queen could possibly top it? It's time to find out . . .
Keep reading to discover all of the contestants competing on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.
Asttina Mandella
Twenty-seven-year-old Asttina Mandella is from East London. She describes herself as "Serena Williams and Naomi Campbell [5] if they had a baby, plus Azealia Banks!" An everyday streetwear fashion queen, Mandella "loves to get ugly and be silly," and having worked with pop icons like Little Mix and The Pussycat Dolls, there's no doubt in our minds that she'll be one to watch.
Follow Asttina Mandella on Instagram at @asttinamandella [6].
Tia Kofi
Thirty-year-old Tia Kofi (yes, like the age-old question: tea or coffee?) is from Essex and Nottingham but currently based in London. She's already set to be the baby of the group, telling BBC that "I'm quite shy and retiring in real life, and so I'm worried about the other queens." She added, "I can't be dealing with fierce queens. They're so glamorous and they scare me. I hate confrontation. If I get any of that I will cry. I'm a child!" Keeping old-school drag alive is super important to this queen, so expect to see a "melting pot" of drag culture on your screen. Her words!
Follow Tia Kofi on Instagram at @TiaKofi [7].
Bimini Bon Boulash
Twenty-six-year-old Bimini Bon Boulash is from Norfolk and based in London. Crowned Miss Sink The Pink back in 2019, they describe themself as a "non binary bad b*tch" and are known to be the "bendiest queen" in all of East London. For existing fans of Bimini, don't forget they've got their own merch for sale here [8]! We can't wait to see them shine.
Follow Bimini Bon Boulash on Instagram at @biminibabes [9].
Lawrence Chaney
Twenty-three-year-old Lawrence Chaney is from Glasgow, Scotland. Self-proclaimed Scottish drag royalty, she told BBC that "I'm kind of like Mary Queen of Scots, although I hope one of these English drag Queens doesn't chop off my head."
On her aims for the show, she said that "as a plus size supermodel from South East Glasgow, I want to set a precedent." Adding to this, she said, "I really want to show the world what this big diva can do. We can look fierce, wear high fashion too, not every joke needs to be a fat joke."
Follow Lawrence Chaney on Instagram at @lawrencechaney [10].
Veronica Green
Thirty-four-year-old Veronica is from Rochdale in Lancashire but based in London. Her drag name is actually inspired by her baby sister Veronica, whom she and her brother turned into an evil comic-book character when she was born. "Veronica is a sweet and innocent Lancashire rose, with many petals and a few little thorns," she told BBC.
Follow Veronica Green on Instagram at @veronicaqween [11].
Tayce
Twenty-six-year-old Tayce is from Newport, Wales. Inspired by the likes of Jennifer Lopez [12] and Beyoncé growing up, this queen is sure to be a bit of a firecracker! She describes herself as "dark and edgy" and a "sexy owl", and we must admit, it's quite the combination.
Follow Tayce on Instagram at @itstayce [13].
A'Whora
Twenty-three-year-old A'Whora is from Nottinghamshire but now lives and works in London. A fashionista at heart, she's deeply inspired by fairy tales and princesses, particularly Sleeping Beauty aka Princess Aurora, and her drag name is proof of just that.
"Because of my obsession with fashion, I decided to become my own mannequin," she told BBC. "I used drag as a form of escapism during a difficult time of my life, when I just wanted to just leave who I was and become someone else."
Follow A'Whora on Instagram at @awhora [14].
Sister Sister
Thirty-two-year-old Sister Sister is from Lily Savage, Liverpool. "The drag scene is incredibly varied," she told BBC. "I think I fit in to the middle of lots of different worlds. I've always had a strong aesthetic and I've always had a strong sense of what I think is funny."
She got into drag after a bad breakup and since has enjoyed experimenting with the art that comes with performing. Her "game plan" for the show is to "just be cheery. You can't battle with someone who is smiling." She's not wrong . . .
Follow Sister Sister on Instagram at @officialsistersister [15].
Cherry Valentine
Twenty-six-year-old Cherry Valentine is from Darlington. She moved to Manchester to kick-start her drag career, and the rest is history. "In the world of drag, just like a Cherry, I sit on top!" she told BBC.
But she's not just a drag queen; she's also a fully qualified mental health nurse! "I believe that everyone could do with a bit of therapy (especially now), and I think that being a nurse, has helped create my drag and that drag has helped my nursing."
Follow Cherry Valentine on Instagram at @thecherryvalentine [16].
Ellie Diamond
Twenty-one-year-old Ellie Diamond is from Dundee, Scotland. A "big queen in a tiny pond", she's competitive and hard-working, and she doesn't take no for an answer.
Having experienced a slightly newer part of drag, she revealed that "Scottish queens are different to every other queen in the scene in that we are self-sufficient." A true DIY [17] queen, she's doing this "for the baby queens who want to try drag but don't have the biggest budget." Her advice? "Use your creativity and passion for the art form and learn how to do it yourself!"
Follow Ellie Diamond on Instagram at @elliediamondofficial [18].
Ginny Lemon
Thirty-one-year-old Ginny Lemon is from Worcestershire. With virtually no drag scene in the area, Birmingham tends to be their preferred spot. In fact, Ginny Lemon thinks "people need to wake up to how fabulous Birmingham is!"
They told BBC that they're "basically a drag troll", one who wears yellow because "someone once said I was too fat and ugly to wear yellow, so I thought well, I'm going to make it my signature colour!" Now this is the energy we're here for.
Follow Ginny Lemon on Instagram at @ginnylemon69 [19].
Joe Black
Thirty-year-old Joe Black is the first to come from Brighton, and with that promises "all the wonky eyebrows and eyeshadow of the traditional seaside drag with a bit of haunted glamour." Sign. Us. Up.
Having performed for 13 years, she's a total expert and very musical. "I sometimes think I'm a bit too much for people, but the nannas love me," she told BBC.
Follow Joe Black on Instagram at @misterjoeblack [20].