As we are sure you must know, Divina De Campo was the runner up in the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. She’s working all over the UK, is in panto and had just finished the official Drag Race tour when we had a catch up with her.
How are you and how has the Drag Race tour been?
I’m good and yes the tour’s been great. I have had the flu so maybe not my finest moment, but I’m glad people have had a chance to see us all on stage and not just in the competition. I just love performing and it’s been great to be with the girls again, especially when we’re not all trying to get the better of each other.
What kind of reaction have you had from people since the show?
Everybody’s been so lovely, very generous and kind. The whole thing has been very positive thankfully.
Looking back, when was the first time you put on a frock?
I was always dressing up as a child. I was always the Wicked Witch of The West or the Fairy Princess… basically I was always in a dress.
What about going out in drag?
I was about 17 or 18 and I went as Christina Aguilera from the Moulin Rouge video. I had practically no clothes on with just this enormous blond wig. I looked hideous and you know for the next at least ten years I probably looked hideous as well.
So how did you go on to become a performer?
It started at university; my now husband really encouraged me, because he knew that was my thing, that’s what I really loved.
Did you enjoy the process of filming the show?
Honestly I really felt the pressure of it. I’d heard other girls from the American show say similar things about the hard work and stress and that it’s not always fun and I do think that’s true. I think competitions are unhealthy for me personally. I get worked up, and all through the show I kept thinking I was going to get pulled into an office and told they’d made a mistake and I shouldn’t be there.
Do you think the show has shown the world what the UK drag scene is all about?
I don’t think UK drag gets the credit it deserves, which doesn’t make any sense to me, because the pool of talent here is incredible. I hope that the show will show the world how brilliant the UK drag scene is, and I’ve said before that I would love to see the UK show embrace female and trans performers, they are a massive part of the UK scene and have been for years.
What advice would you give to performers thinking of entering?
Just do it if you want to. It’s obviously been a great showcase for all the girls in the series, it raises your profile and has a positive effect on your career.
What are you doing now?
My new EP Decoded is out now, I’m in a family panto in Bolton and then an adult panto, Sinderella with Stacy Layne Matthews and Jamie Campbell in various venues and then going to Australia and I’m doing a big UK tour next year all around the country.
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