RuPaul’s Drag Race UK crowns seventh queen

naomi clarke,BBC News CenterAnd

Georgia Levy-Collins,BBC News Center

BBC Silllexa Diction wears a gold dress, Bones wears a black and red striped outfit, Elle Vosque wears a pink puffy outfit, and Catrin Feelings wears a black jacket and blue tulle skirt. — Drag Race UK finalists put to the test one last time

The seventh winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series has said he will celebrate by spending some of his prize money on a trip for himself and the show’s runner-up.

Elle Vosque, Catrin Feelings, Bones and Sillexa Diction are put to the test one last time in the series finale.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for the seventh series finale of Drag Race UK.

The four finalists sat down with judges RuPaul and Michelle Visage to reflect on their time on the reality show, offering Sillexa and Catrin some dazzling final looks before they were asked to leave.

Bones and Elle then faced off in a lip-synch battle for the crown to You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) by US disco singer Sylvester.

Bones entered the world of drag seven years ago and is now a popular fixture on London’s Soho scene.

BBC/World of Wonder/Guy Levy Bones wears a black dress and holds a staff above his head. — Bones entered the world of drag seven years ago and is now a popular fixture on London’s Soho scene.

Following a live performance, Bones was declared the winner and received the £25,000 cash prize.

The drag superstar told BBC Newsbeat that it could be a whole year of her reign before she could find words to describe how she felt.

“It’s a good crushing game. I think it gets better after the season. I feel very lucky, to be honest,” he said.

Bones revealed who he and fellow finalist Elle are. Coming from West Belfast, They promised each other that if either of them won, they would take the other one on vacation.

He said they haven’t made any reservations yet, but a trip to Europe, the Caribbean or possibly a cruise has been suggested.

Originally from Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, Bones entered the world of drag seven years ago and is now a popular fixture on London’s Soho scene.

The prize money will also go towards the development of drag, which is known as an expensive art form.

“This money is what every drag queen dreams about. It’s almost like a scholarship to be creative and produce. So for sure, I’m going to step up everything you see,” he said.

This is the second year the winner of the UK edition has received a cash prize since it started in 2019.

Bones said the UK spin-off, now in its seventh series, said the art form had become more popular but also “more saturated”, meaning it was “now up to the queens to make (things) happen for them”.

The 25-year-old actor, known as Paul Greaves, received three “RuPeter” pins, which are awarded to the winner of each episode’s maxi challenge throughout the series.

Bones was joined by her mother, Diane, during her sit-down with RuPaul and Michelle in the finale.

She said her parents were “very supportive” growing up, and she tried to pass that love on to others in her community who did not receive the same care.

Bones, known as Paul Greaves, was accompanied by their mother Diane in the final.

BBC/World of Wonder/Guy Levy Paul Greaves wears a blue jumper with a red, blue and white pattern. They wear three badges. They sit next to their mother, Diane, who is wearing a patterned blouse. She has blonde hair and the two are laughing. — Bones, known as Paul Greaves, was accompanied by their mother Diane in the final.

Drag Race fan Benjy Kusi told BBC Newsbeat he felt Bones was “a really worthy winner”.

“I thought Bones always swallowed the catwalks, they have such a huge presence when they get on stage,” he said.

One of the highlights of the series was the contestants getting makeovers for a cast of celebrities.

Bones transformed classical singer Charlotte Church into her transvestite sister named Blood, and the pair wore matching cream silk and lace outfits as part of their vampire wedding extravaganza.

Benjy said the make-up was “one of the best make-ups of any season of Drag Race.”

Benjy Kusi says he feels Bones is a “really worthy winner”

Abena Kusi Benjy is bald and smiling at the camera. She has a gold nose ring and hoop earrings. He stands in front of a bright yellow background. — Benjy Kusi says he feels Bones is a “really worthy winner”

Drag Race remains popular, but fans complain that various spin-offs, including versions in Europe, Canada and Australia, have oversaturated the brand.

And after seven years on our screens, there are those who think that this in itself could create change.

Benjy said he thought the UK version would attract “more interest” if the show reflected more of the “wonderful, beautiful diversity of the scene”.

Drag performer and fan Nick agrees that the show reflects only a “tiny slice” of drag culture in the UK.

“People want to see something new, and they’re like, ‘Oh, look, another group of early 20s, especially skinny white queens doing the same old, same old things,'” they added.

“It’s very flattened and we don’t learn much.”

Bones told Newsbeat: “I don’t think I could ever tell he was tired because baby, if he’s been working, he’s been working and he’s been working for a long time.”

But the drag star said he “loved” the series, although he liked that other versions had changed the format and suggested the UK edition “might mix it up a bit”.