RuPaul Drag Race contestant from Essex says representation is important

A drag queen competing in BBC's RuPaul's Drag Race said it was "so important to have drag in the mainstream right now".

Superfan of the show, Kyran Thrax, from Essex, has been wowing the judges since season six started in September.

They said representation for the LGBTQIA+ community was really important and added: "Some people are full of hate, and I believe it's because they don't understand."

RuPaul's Drag Show first hit TV screens in the UK in 2019 and talented drag queens have been competing against each other to be crowned the winner.

Thrax said they first got into drag while studying acting and contemporary theatre at the University of Essex.

They said: "I would always play around doing different make-up looks, and my housemate said to me 'you love doing makeup and fashion, and you're a performer, why don't you try putting them together and see what happens?' and then, Kyran was born!"

Thrax graduated in 2021 and has been doing drag for four years.

Over the past three episodes, the contestants have taken part in a variety of challenges which have been critiqued by judges Michelle Visage, Alan Carr and Graham Norton.

But head judge RuPaul always has the final say.

Thrax said they have been inspired by drag superstar Sasha Velour and the winner for season six will be announced in November.