As much as it is our Roman Empire, RuPaul's Drag Race UK is like many reality shows in that it has grown into a machine over the years; one that propels reality stars into the harsh light of fame for a limited time. And while some manage to stay lit in the ever-shining spotlight of the show, others return to the wings, and that move is rarely documented.
The reality of reality competitions like Drag Race UK is that not every queen can win the show (or become Ru's instant fave without rhyme or reason); most go on the show, give it a good go, grow their profile and return to doing what they love day-to-day and having good days and bad days just like the rest of us.
One of those queens is Drag Race UK series two and three star, Veronica Green. Amongst Drag Race fans, Veronica is famous for being one of the only queens to star in two series of the reality competition back-to-back (she was allowed to come back for series 3 after contracting COVID-19 while filming series 2) and her iconic gaming-inspired drag looks. Right now, however, this Ru Girl is rehearsing for panto at The Centenary Theatre Berkhamsted, where she's starring as The Wicked Baroness in Cinderella – a role she's definitely going to have to exercise some acting muscles for because IRL she is an actual gem.
During an exclusive chat with heatworld about her upcoming festive venture, the conversation, naturally, turned to that of Drag Race. In the past, Veronica has been honest about how she struggled with elements of the Drag Race process and when asked whether she believed going on the show puts all drag stars on easy street, she responded, 'Oh my gosh, no absolutely not.'
She elaborated, 'The unfortunate side – sort of like the downside – to the Drag Race stardom is that people assume that you’re a millionaire, people assume that you’re constantly booked, that you’re constantly working, but there is a bit of a pecking order, there is a bit of a hierarchy.'
She went on to stress, that yes, they may all be 'Ru Girls', but they are also all very different performers with different strengths and different followings. She explained, 'What I discovered after being on the show as well is that as drag performers we’re all lumped in together. Drag Race showcases so many different styles of drag, so many art forms within the art form; there’s singers, there’s dancers, there’s models, seamstresses, there’s people who want to work in fashion, there’s people who want to sing… but the people then who book you, a lot of the time, it’s who’s the most popular. You’ll see some people popping up at fashion events who have no business being there and people doing music who can’t sing. It’s the business side of things where the waters get muddied.'
Veronica concluded, 'Navigating that has been very hit and miss. I’ve literally lost jobs because I didn’t have enough followers. I’ve been kicked off a job because I didn’t win the show – I was replaced with a winner. To some people that’s what they care about – that I wasn’t the winner. It has closed a few doors, but I just have to make my way through.'
Catch Veronica Green in Cinderella at Berkhamsted's Centenary Theatre from 19 to 31 December 2024. Click here for tickets and further information.
WATCH: 'We're Gonna Get Cancelled!' RuPaul's Drag Race UK Finalists Play Heat's Drag Bags
Ben Pulsford is a digital writer for Bauer Media, writing for both Closer online and heatworld. When he's not getting paid to gossip about Big Brother, Love Island and The Real Housewives of Cheshire, he's storming the London LGBTQ+ scene as drag queen, Beary Poppins. Both Ben and Beary are awaiting an invite to join The Real Housewives of Cheshire for series 18. The budget's not there, but the drama is.