insiderblmAfter a series that saw a dramatic Covid shutdown, spectacular performances and a Top 40 single, the second-ever winner of Drag Race UK has been announced as Glasgow queen Lawrence Chaney.
Lawrence – who calls herself “Scottish drag royalty” – says about the latest season: “It was something that really blew us away filming it and I’m glad it’s blown everyone away watching it.”
“Genuinely, I love Drag Race as a fan,” Lawrence adds. “It’s been a big part of [my life] since before doing drag. It’s more than just a career.”
“Scotland babes, I brought the crown home,” Lawrence said in the final episode.
In episode five, Lawrence formed the girl group the United Kingdolls, who released a version of the song UK Hun.
In Thursday’s final episode – when the queens were tasked with performing an original solo verse and choreography for RuPaul’s song A Little Bit of Love – Lawrence triumphed over fellow finalists Ellie Diamond, Tayce and Bimini Bon Boulash to take the crown and the title of “the UK’s next Drag Race superstar”.
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The finale prize is a trip to Hollywood where Lawrence will film her own series with the producers of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
“Condragulations to our first Scottish queen, Lawrence Chaney,” host RuPaul said. “Your charisma uniqueness nerve and talent have charmed the world. To our runners up, the incredible Bimini Bon Boulash and Tayce, I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot more of you in the future.
“To all our amazing queens, thank you for sharing your much-needed love, light and laughter during these challenging times.”
Judge Alan Carr said about Lawrence: “He just makes you love him even more! I guess that’s called charisma.”
Fellow judge Graham Norton added: “As an audience member what Lawrence Chaney has is a fully-formed character. It is performance but it comes from somewhere. It is really who that person is. A bit of pain, a bit of grit, doesn’t take herself that seriously and yet takes this seriously.”
Lawrence says she loves all the winners of the earlier Drag Race seasons around the world and is now thrilled “to be up there with them making history.”
“The truth is for years people have been sleeping on Scottish drag queens,” Lawrence says, “but this season was so fresh. It was super special and I think that’s what people connected with.”
So what’s next for the 24-year-old performer? Lawrence cheekily hints it might be time for a drag queen in the Tardis. “I love Doctor Who and I love Drag Race. I probably won’t get cast on Doctor Who – unless they want a drag queen Doctor!”
‘Drag is political – no matter what’
This series of the BBC Three reality show saw the contestants have conversations on everything from race to gender identity – with fans praising the show for the frank exchanges.
“We have the responsibility to make sure that people in five years who are rewatching the season get to know more about queer history through us,” Lawrence says. “You’ve got to be woke and not be afraid to talk about certain topics.”
Bimini, from London, and Ellie, from Dundee, agree.
“I think Drag Race is the crossover that can have those conversations and can change people’s minds,” 26-year-old Bimini says.
“I think it’s important for everyone to be political and to have a view of what’s going on in the world and not just sit on the fence and let things go by. Otherwise change would never happen.
“Drag is political. No matter what. Drag came from a place of protest – and that should always continue no matter how mainstream it gets.
“What we’re trying to do is advocate for social change and social justice. A lot of my acts have been social justice acts or political acts… I just make them a bit sexy.”
Ellie adds: “A lot of my queer knowledge and upbringing came from Drag Race. So now being that queen that other people are watching is kind of a cool thing.”
