In an electrifying and delectable chocolate box-themed “Meet the Queens” special, now available on BBC iPlayer, the curtain has risen on the cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series 5. Much like savouring an assorted box of chocolates, this season promises an array of tantalising runway looks, jaw-dropping lip-sync battles, and a fresh cohort of queens ready to captivate us.
Watch the “Meet The Queens” video for RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series 5 here:
Table of Contents
Alexis Saint-Pete
Age: 28
Location: London
Pronouns out of drag: He / Him
Pronouns in drag: She / Her
Alexis Saint-Pete said: “I’m the Polish Billy Elliot! I started doing ballet at the age of four, and I loved it. I was so good that I won a place at dance school in the UK and so I moved here when I was 12. Here, I have been able to grow, spread my wings and be my fabulous self, without feeling afraid to walk down the street. I love my country, but I feel more comfortable and safer here in the UK because in Poland, we don’t have as much LGBTQ+ representation or acceptance.”
Follow Alexis Saint-Pete on social media here:
Banksie
Age: 23
Location: Manchester
Pronouns out of drag: They / Them
Pronouns in drag: She / Her
Banksie says: “I’m of the Family Gorgeous [drag family of Cheddar Gorgeous who was the series four runner-up] and I like to describe myself as the bin baby of the family – I run around being a bit of a prat.”
Follow Banksie on social media here:
Cara Melle
Age: 26
Location: London
Pronouns out of drag: She / Her
Pronouns in drag: She / Her
Cara Melle says: “I’m at the top of my game. I serve amazing looks, I perform the hell out of anything and I bring main character energy to the game. I want to show the world who I am. It’s very important to me because when growing up, I never saw any Black trans women on TV, and now I get a chance to represent black trans women. Although, I’m seriously shaking in my boots at the thought of performing in front of my idol RuPaul! But hey, I’m mostly fearless, so let’s do it!”
Follow Cara Melle on social media here:
DeDeLicious
Age: 20
Location: Kent
Pronouns out of drag: He / Him
Pronouns in drag: She / Her
DeDeLicious says: “I like to be camp and stupid. I’m all about the facial expressions and jumping around. I want to be up in the crowd dancing and having a great time! I’ve done gigs in LA, Ibiza and the iconic London Palladium. I just can’t get enough. The stage is exactly where I belong.”
Follow DeDeLicious on social media here:
Ginger Johnson
Age: 34
Location: County Durham
Pronouns out of drag: He / Him
Pronouns in drag: She / Her
Ginger Johnson says: “I love a challenge. I am the person that throws himself down the well and tries to climb out of it and there is no deeper well for drag than Drag Race. Every element of your drag is going to be put to the test. I love that so that’s why I’m here.”
Follow Ginger Johnson on social media here:
Kate Butch
Age: 26
Location: Buxton
Pronouns out of drag: They / Them
Pronouns in drag: She / Her
Kate Butch says: “I’m a stand-up comedian, live singer, hostess, compere, and podcast host, to name but a few of my drag roles, but really I am a theatre and performance queen at heart. I would describe my drag style as ‘Hollywood starlet with a migraine’ – I love a bright clashing pattern with an hourglass silhouette.”
Follow Kate Butch on social media here:
Michael Marouli
Age: 39
Location: Newcastle
Pronouns out of drag: He / Him
Pronouns in drag: She / Her
Michael Marouli says: “I was born and raised in Newcastle, but I’ve lived and performed in Gran Canaria for the past 17 years. Gran Canaria has a huge drag scene. Everybody comes from all over the world. It’s bright, it’s colourful, we party and we celebrate. It’s just fabulous.”
Follow Michael Marouli on social media here:
Miss Naomi Carter
Age: 23
Location: Doncaster
Pronouns out of drag: He / Him
Pronouns in drag: She / Her
Miss Naomi Carter says: “Well Naomi Campbell and Beyoncé [are who are an inspiration to me and my drag] of course, but I love all the icons Diana Ross and Nina Simone are big inspirations too. I’m really inspired by Black music and culture. I’m half Gambian, and half British, and so that’s very much part of my drag identity too.”
Follow Miss Naomi Carter on social media here:
Tomara Thomas
Age: 25
Location: Hartlepool
Pronouns out of drag: He / Him
Pronouns in drag: She / Her
Tomara Thomas says: “I actually started drag when I was 14 years old at dance school, but I went on to be a professional dancer and more recently I was travelling around the world performing on the cruise ships. However, I would watch the girls in my shows and wish that I was wearing their costumes and doing their roles, so during lockdown when I was back home unable to work, I started to do make up transformations on myself, and so Tomara Thomas came out again. I moved to London and I was lucky to get a few gigs and two years later here I am on Drag Race UK.”
Follow Tomara Thomas on social media here:
Vicki Vivacious
Age: 36
Location: Cornwall
Pronouns out of drag: He / Him
Pronouns in drag: She / Her
Vicki Vivacious says: “I have got a pretty impressive CV, let me tell you! I’ve worked with Little Mix, toured with Dannii Minogue, sang in the West End and I’ve also been in a girl band. I’ve literally done it all and now it’s my time to shine. I am also known as ‘The Forces sweetheart’ as I go around the country servicing our armed services. I’m like the Dame Vera Lynne of drag! What happens on the barracks stays on the barracks, but I leave them smiling from ear to ear!”
Follow Vicki Vivacious on social media here:
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series 5 promises to be an exciting mix of talent and personalities, and fans can’t wait to see which queen will ultimately claim the coveted crown and become the UK’s next drag superstar. They will reign supreme, following in the footsteps of series four winner, Danny Beard. Not only that, but we’ll be seeing the previous winner a lot more as he will be hosting the show “The After Shave with Danny Beard”, which will also be shown on BBC Three, following the release of each episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series 5.
It has also been confirmed that RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series 5 will premiere on September 28, 2023, which will then be followed up by Danny Beard’s recap show afterwards.
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series 5
Follow RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series 5 on social media here:
Follow RuPaul on social media here:
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series 5 airs on BBC Three and the BBC iPlayer in the UK from 9pm on September 28, and streams on WOW Presents Plus worldwide apart from Canada who can watch the show on Crave.
