County Down queen Jonbers Blonde is taking part in this year’s RuPaul Drag Race UK and she hopes to impress the judges.
RuPaul’s Drag Race returns to our screens in just two days, on 22 September. BBC Three have revealed this year’s contestants, and one NI queen is set to take the stage.
Among those taking on the Werk Room this year is Banbridge’s own Jonbers Blonde.
She has worked as a backup dancer for the likes of Years and Years, Mel C and Jessie Ware and is hoping to impress the judges with her performance skills.
Meet the County Down drag queen taking part in RuPaul’s Drag Race – Banbridge’s Jonbers Blonde
33-year-old Jonbers Blonde described her drag as ‘high fashion pig’ that involves plenty of movement. We’ll be graced with an Irish flute and “plenty of animal and Irish references”.
She said, “I put myself into the fashion category. Although I’m more than that, I’m a performer too. I love to perform.
“I’ve been around the world with Melanie C, and I’ve danced as a backing performer for Years and Years and Jessie Ware. The list could go on!
“You’re going to see a lot of movement! It’s like coming to watch a crab perform. There’s a lot of moving back and forth. I‘m a storyteller too, so accompanied by my Irish flute, you‘ll get a great yarn with plenty of animal and Irish references!”
The origin of Jonbers Blonde – where did the name come from?
When asked where the name Jonbers Blonde came from, this queen had a funny story to tell. She said, “One night, I was at my friend’s house dressed to the nines and I came down the stairs and my friend’s dad looked up from his paper and said, ‘Jonbers, looking like that you’re going to get very lucky!’ and since then “Jonbers” just stuck!”
Jonbers is confident in her wealth of experience in all things drag race. She said, “I can dance. I can move. I’ve got fashion skills. I’m not afraid to be silly. I’ve got a unique voice. You put all that together and you got this big muppet here! What more do you want?
“I really do have the fashion skills, as I’m also a stylist. I have worked at Vogue International and I have been fashion editor of several magazines. I’ve also walked the runways in London and Paris.
“I’m going to treat each runway as RuPaul’s Met Ball. Each week, I plan to go big and wild! Although, I am a high fashion girl, I’m not afraid to get mucky. I’m like a pig in muck!”
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK 2022 – will you be tuning in?
Fans of the show rejoice as it’s coming to our screens in just two days. Each week, the contestants will face challenges that will put their drag prowess to the test.
They have the ultimate goal of not ending up in the bottom two, lip-syncing for their lives and facing elimination. Queen of queens, Mama Ru, of course, has the ultimate say in who sashays or shantays in the end.
Every week, RuPaul will be joined on the panel by Michelle Visage, a special celebrity judge, and on a rotational basis, Graham Norton and Alan Carr!
Will you be tuning in this Thursday night on BBC Three to see Jonbers Blonde, the County Down drag queen taking part in RuPaul’s Drag Race UK this year?
