The UK is set to get its own version of RuPaul’s Drag Race, fronted by London drag queen, DJ and producer Jodie Harsh and TV presenter Jonathan Ross.
Speaking to the Daily Star, Ross said:
“I’ve been working with Jodie on a UK version of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Unfortunately we have had to take a break because of some family issues.
But we’re hoping to pick it up again in the near future. I am definitely serving ‘middle-aged-realness!'”
Ross is also a fan of Meth’s Lab — the name of an off-the-wall burlesque/drag/cabaret night in London’s Camden. He adds “I love drag and I love Meth – the performer – as well as Betty Bottom Dollar. I think it’s a fabulous art. I am a huge fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
But what would the UK version of Drag Race be like?
Ross is a middle-aged straight man with no drag experience, and Jodie Harsh, although a well-respected DJ and occasional presenter, does not sing, dance or serve up comedy or ‘realness.’
You’re most likely to see Harsh behind the DJ booth at London club night ‘Room Service’ – RuPaul is in another league entirely.
On the other hand, Harsh is full of surprises, so who knows what might be in store… Watch this space!
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DarkZephyr
Sounds fun! Maybe there can be interesting collaborations between the two shows in the future.
prohomo
What would that straight, white, privileged, 50 something prat, know about drag? The label of drag queen is closely tied to the early gay rights movement. There is a culture related to drag in the gay community that straight men rarely participate in. And I’m not surprised that hack Jodie Harsh is involved in this. Jonathan Ross sees £££ and nothing more. Jodie Harsh is bitter that she can’t apply for the real RuPaul’s Drag Race. I hope sincerely hope RuPaul doesn’t involve himself in this. If the Jonathan Ross wants to hit the gay clubs in drag for the shits and giggles, be my guest. But what Jonathan Ross is really doing is trying to take ownership and seek recognition for something that is beyond him and his understanding of its roots. For example, could you imagine Black Entertainment Television being owned and run by a white person and having the TV shows on Black Entertainment Television hosted by white celebrities? It wouldn’t be tolerated or accepted by the African American community. Jonathan Ross has the arrogance and the audacity to think he can take drag culture, take ownership of it and reap the awards from it. It wasn’t a straight man that lead the Gay Rights Movement, it was 3 drags queens and a lesbian that sparked the Gay Rights Movement. That’s all I have to say. The library is permanently SHUT DOWN
AxelDC
It will be titled “Tory Party Conference”.