Baga Chipz explains why you “can’t just look good” to win Drag Race

“But for me, my style of drag, you need to be a performer. Entertain me, make me laugh.”

For Drag Race UK star Baga Chipz, being a performer is the most important quality in a drag queen.

The legendary star, who’s known in the UK scene for her appearance on Drag Queens of London and her regular role as a Porn Idol judge at Heaven, says you “can’t just look good” to stand out from the crowd.

“Don’t get me wrong, there’s a certain standard, but I’ve seen queens who look like Naomi Campbell who go on stage and the audience are like, ‘What can you do?’” she told us on the set of our exclusive Drag Race UK photoshoot. 

“I’ve seen people that have a beard and wear a black bin liner who have been absolutely hilarious and made the whole crowd roar. If you want to get into fashion and make up and all that, that’s brilliant.

“But for me, my style of drag, you need to be a performer. Entertain me, make me laugh.”

The Midlands-born performer, who described herself as a “very British drag queen, very fish and chips, mushy peas” and a “tart with a heart” was announced as an official cast member for the highly-anticipated UK spin-off this week.

According to Baga, this season she will be the “the aunty who says, ‘Oi you two, sort it out!’” and admited that fans will either love her or hate her. “I’m a cross between Honey Boo Boo and Vanjie.

“It’s constant buffoonery. Everyone has a personality, but I’m that times five.”

Drag Race UK is set to premiere this October on BBC Three and iPlayer. Baga will be joined by Blu Hydrangea, Cheryl Hole, Crystal, Divina De Campo, Gothy Kendoll, Scaredy Kat, Sum Ting Wong, Vinegar Strokes and The Vivienne.

RuPaul will return as host and main judge alongside best squirrel friend Michelle Visage, as well as newcomers Alan Carr and Graham Norton, who will rotate every episode like Ross Matthews and Carsson Kressley on the American original.