TOP 10: "RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” Season 6 Promo Looks
“RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” is BACK for Season 6, and our 12 new UK queens have been RUVEALED! The promo theme this time was James Bond-inspired, and we can’t wait to see these international women of mystery in action when the season debuts this fall on WoW Presents+.
Below find the Great Pop Culture Debate's ranking of the Top 10 “Drag Race UK 6” promo looks — we actually ranked all 12, because we’re thoughtful like that — as well as our initial impressions after the queen reveal. Disagree with our takes? Tell us about it in the comments!
Also, if you haven’t been reading our “RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars” recaps every week, now is a great time to catch up! Check out the “Global All Stars” recaps here and come back each Saturday morning for new ones.
Here’s the “UK6” Promo/Meet the Queens:
12. Actavia (21, North Wales)
I really enjoyed Actavia’s Meet the Queen. She’s 21 and, boy, is she. Lots of enthusiasm, a bit light on content/experience. But so likable! I found myself instantly rooting for her. As for the look, the make-up is by far the most interesting element. The rest — a short black vinyl mini and a voluminous black trench lined in red — is chic, and I could believably see it as on a Bond villain. But does it have a ton of personality? Does it tell me who Actavia is as a queen? Not particularly. Given her bombastic attitude, this feels more Posh Spice than Scary Spice, and she seems more like the latter.
11. Lill (36, Manchester)
Per her Meet the Queen, Lill is actually an acronym — Living in Lavish Luxury. I don’t know if that’s true or she’s just taking the piss, but points for being cheeky. Lill’s promo look is giving Bettie Page pin-up more than it’s giving Bond Girl, but I assume that’s very much Lill’s personal style coming through. She seems like she vibes with that 50s bad-girl thing (which is ironic, as the Bond Girls almost certainly took some inspiration from that aesthetic). I believe she is part of the same house as Cheddar Gorgeous (“UK4”) and Banksie (“UK5”). Like them, she comes off a bit chill and above-it-all in her interview. We’ll see if that carries into the competition. BEAUTIFUL mug.
10. Chanel O’Conor (25, Scotland)
I really enjoyed Chanel’s Meet the Queen interview. She seems to take her craft seriously, but she doesn’t take herself seriously — that’s my ideal drag queen. This promo look is beautifully created, it is immaculate, and I get Bond villain. In motion, the long veil is dramatic. But in still pictures, it doesn’t have the same impact as many of the other girls on this list. Additionally, I was stunned that Chanel is a wee 25 years old — this is giving me Dame Shirley Bassey (again, on theme!), and I would have guessed she was significantly older. I don’t know if that was intentional on her part. Chanel has created looks for Lawrence Chaney and other “Drag Race” queens, so I’m excited to see what she can do this season. While this is beautiful, I wish it stood out more.
9. Dita Garbo (47, Kent)
I’m a little torn on this one. I loved Dita’s Meet the Queen. I LOOOOOVE that we have a queen pushing 50 on this season — it’s so rare to have older queens on modern-day “Drag Race” — and my god is Dita BEAUTIFUL. She looks younger than a few of these other gals, despite being the most seasoned of them all. I also think she gave us something that could plausibly be worn by a Bond villain, AND which showed off her astonishing body — remarkable for ANY age. My issue here is that a lingerie set for a promo look is just never going to excite me. Even if you come out in the most beautiful, custom lingerie — and this outfit may very well be exactly that! — I’m going to question if that’s the best way to introduce yourself to the world. That said, the outfit speaks to Dita’s burlesque background and she does look sensational. So maybe I should shut the hell up and just appreciate this gorgeous creature.
8. Kiki Snatch (25, London)
Kiki has TONS of energy in her Meet the Queens — probably the most of any of the girls this season. In it she says that what’s inside her head is not for anyone else to understand, and that also applies to this bonkers AF promo look. It certainly isn’t bad. It definitely isn’t boring! It’s just wacky. A bright orange tuxedo with glittery lapels, and pants that have been turned into chaps, but also with straps? It’s like Elton John night at a formal gay bath house, and even as I type this, I’m convincing myself that I may actually love it? I do wish the hair was pumped up. I’m not sure what James Bond villain this is supposed to be, but I bet it would be a wild movie.
7. Kyran Thrax (26, Lancashire)
WILD. Everything about this is wild! The Meet the Queen interview was a rollercoaster — plenty of personality here! — and this promo look is like a fever dream. If you told me the promo was “fashion demon,” I would say, “Yes! Nailed it!” Bond Villain? I mean, I’d like to see that movie! It’s giving David Bowie visits the Fey, and that sounds cool as fuck. But I don’t think it quite meets the brief. Still, it is visually effective. I think Kyran may have the best make-up and hair of all the queens in the promo — certainly in the Top 3 — and she seems lovably weird but in a relatable way. So excited to see more from her, even if I don’t fully understand, or even PARTIALLY understand, what she was attempting to do here.
6. La Voix (42, Stockon on Tees)
You might recognize La Voix from the late, lamented “Queen of the Universe,” the drag singing show that was too-briefly on Paramount+. She really leaned into the campy elements of the Bond villain theme, so much so that it almost borders on Disney cartoon (which she refences directly in the Meet the Queens interview). The outfit is well made, it fits the theme, it has some visual appeal with the stoning. Is it particularly exciting? I’m not sure. It also ages her; La Voix is in her early 40s, but based on this I would have guessed at least a decade older. The look does feel very La Voix, based on her previous TV appearances, which also include “Britain’s Got Talent,” where she was a semifinalist. Her MTQ was effective in capturing her brassy personality, as well as her primary talent, live singing. We’ll see if La Voix fares better than her fellow “Queen of the Universe” competitors Leona Winter (“Drag Race France 3”) and Regina Voce (“Drag Race Mexico 1”), who made it to their finals but failed the snatch the crown.
5. Zahirah Zapanta (28, Nottingham)
Zahirah has loads of personality in her Meet the Queens interview. While it might veer toward abrasive at times, I always appreciate a girl doing too much to a girl barely registering. Zahirah is originally from the Philippines, and she is a ravishing beauty. Her promo look doesn’t register terribly well in still photos, as the beautiful details get lost in the deep, rich fabric choice. But in video it’s exquisite. I don’t fully understand the…moon?…piece in the middle, but it’s dramatic!
4. Rileasa Slaves (32, London)
Rileasa and her drag mother, Frieda Slaves, have been highly anticipated “DRUK” contestants for years, so it’s exciting to see one of them make the cast. If you think Rileasa resembles icon Rihanna, you’re right — and she knows it. I liked the energy in Rileasa’s Meet the Queens interview, though it’s clear she is not a comedy queen. As for the promo look, I’m assuming that enormous fur is faux — I cannot imagine the show allows them to use actual fur at this point — and it is stunning. The eye details in the jewelry are giving me Solitaire from the Bond film Live and Let Die, which was set in the Caribbean, so that’s fitting given Rileasa’s St. Lucia origins. The skintight latex-looking brown dress is a bold choice, as is that blunt-banged bob. I’m giving points for the unexpected here.
3. Saki Yew (33, Manchester)
Points for a filthy pun name! Saki Yew is beautiful, and I think her promo look is among the most successful in terms of visual interest (that hat is crazy!) and fitting the brief (I could absolutely see Grace Jones’ May Day wearing this outfit). Unlike some of the other girls in all black, Saki’s details don’t get lost in the still photo. There’s a mix of fabrications — shiny latex tights, chic matte trench — and it all works well. I am concerned about Saki’s energy levels in her Meet the Queens, which start out strong but quickly fizzle. Wishing her the best in this competition!
2. Marmalade (24, Cardiff)
I loved Marmalade’s Meet the Queen interview, which had that uniquely British mix of dry humor, exceptionalism, and self deprecation. Marmalade is the drag daughter of “UK3” star Victoria Scone and drag granddaughter of “UK vs. the World 2” winner Tia Kofi — pretty impressive pedigree. She identifies herself primarily as a seamstress, and that shows in her beautiful promo look. You can clearly see her Old Hollywood inspirations, arguably going back to early 20th Century Broadway and the Ziegfeld Follies. Does it scream “Bond villain”? I’m not sure. But it is lovely and striking. The feathers, honey. They’re EXPENSIVE.
1. Charra Tea (23, Belfast)
Now THIS is a memorable promo look! Charra Tea is out here with a giant collar piece that resembles a blown-out b-hole, and I APPROVE. In all seriousness, I think this is glamorous, it is dramatic, it could absolutely be a high-end Bond villain. I take issue with the length of the skirt — I think it would be more effective if it went all the way to the floor, maybe with a slit in the front — but it’s still really good. GORGEOUS color. And that wig and mug? Beautiful. Charra’s Meet the Queen interview hinted at a bit of nerves, but she also came off super likable. Excited to see what this Northern Ireland queen can do!
What do you think of the “Drag Race UK6” promos? Which queens had your favorite looks? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. And make sure you check out our previous “Drag Race” recaps!
And make sure to check out our other Top 10 lists for more great pop-culture rankings!
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