RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season 5 is gearing up for its fall release on WOW Presents Plus by announcing its star-studded list of guest judges.
The celebrities judging this season of UK’s top drag stars include comedian/actor/writer Aisling Bea, singer-songwriter, pop star and stage star Alexandra Burke, The Good Wife actor and OBE Cush Jumbo, Heartstopper star Yasmin Finney and style icon, designer, actor, producer and musician Daphne Guinness.
Other celebrity guest judges include actor/comedian and presenter of BBC’s Survivor Joel Dommett, supermodel and fashion icon Kristen McMenamy, pop icon and singer-songwriter Sophie-Ellis Bextor and BAFTA Award-winning actor of film, TV and stage Suranne Jones. Other celebrity cameos include British Vogue Editor-in-Chief and European Editorial Director of Vogue Edward Enninful OBE, celebs Carol Vorderman and Alexandra Burke, Strictly Come Dancing star Karen Hauer and star choreographer Claudimar Neto.
Several of the guest stars gave statements about their upcoming turn on the show, with Bea saying that she felt honored to be back.
“Needless to say they did not have to DRAG me back to be a judge,” she said. “This season the contestants all blew me away with their incredible talent. What an honour to be back!”
Burke also mentioned how her guest appearance on Snatch Game was a dream.
“Oh my goodness, I had the best time ever being a part of the iconic Snatch Game!,” she said. “I’m the biggest fan of RuPaul and the show. I’ve been desperate to appear on Drag Race, and so to be there was a real honour and I’m dreaming of being able to do it again and again!”
Jumbo said, “It was an honour to join the judging panel for RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. I am a massive fan of the show so it was a “pinch me“ moment being sat next to Ru, and watching the fabulous Queens!”
Guinness said how she felt to be back with RuPaul, stating, “I am honoured to be on the Judges’ panel with my dear friend Ru. Drag, sequins and humour! What more could one want?”
Dommett and McMenamy also mentioned how fun it was to be a guest judge, with Dommett saying, “I’m beyond excited to be a part of this series of RPDRUK! It’s a dream come true to be so close to Ru and the runway! Got some great outfit ideas for when I enter next year…”
McMenamy added: “I’m thrilled to be appearing as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK! It’s a show that celebrates acceptance of differences and individuality which is so important to me.”
Ellis-Bextor and Jones also said they were happy to be a part of the show and what it represents. “I had a fabulous time joining RuPaul’s Drag Race UK as a guest judge!,” said Ellis-Bextor. “I love the show and everything it celebrates, so it was an honour to be a part of the magic.”
“Joining the panel of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK as a guest judge was as fabulous as all the Queens were,” Jones said. “I’m a huge fan so it was a total dream!”
Yasmin Finney also added, “I’m a guest judge and it feels out of this world! I felt like I was on another planet during filming… Planet Joy!”
Enninful talked about how he has been a huge fan of Drag Race and is excited to be a part of the series.
“I’ve been an avid fan of Drag Race for many years, so much so that even my beloved Boston Terrier Ru, is named after the legend that is RuPaul,” said Enninful. “I am honoured to join as a guest on this year’s show and look forward to seeing what incredible visions the queens have in store for us all.”
Vorderman also said, “I’ve been excited about this from the moment I was asked, and it didn’t disappoint. Ha! Such fun to be a part of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and the iconic Snatch Game. All of the impressions were hilarious, clever and brilliant – it was a joy to play!”
Hauer also talked about her love for RuPaul, saying, “For years I have admired the brilliant creativity in RuPaul’s Drag Race, and never would I have thought I would be given the chance to work with such talented Queens. The raw talent and humour inspired me deeply. I had the best time getting to know them and see their transformation from rehearsal to show day in such a very short period. It was just magnificent.”
Neto also said, “It’s such a pleasure to be invited back for the new season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK! I’m a huge fan of the show and the fabulous Queens never fail to amaze me. This season’s talent is outstanding! In the light of current events, I’m extremely proud to stand with our community and fight for love! In the words of the great RuPaul, ‘everybody say love’!”
