At times like these, a laugh goes a long way. So the presence of Lawrence Chaney in the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race has really kept us going. The wisecracking queen from Glasgow dominated the middle of the series by winning three RuPeter badges in a row, and kept us smiling all the way to this week's final, right up until the point she snagged the crown. Condragulations Lawrence.
In UK Hun, you sum up your own strengths and weaknesses by singing: 'Can't sing or dance, but I'm so witty.' Did you have a plan all along for tackling the musical challenges?
Actually, I think you'll find I'm an amazing singer-songwriter. Madonna has been on the phone: she's Madame X and I'm Madame XXL.
No, listen, when we first went in there – before the Covid plot twist – I didn't think much about the challenges I would be bad at. It wasn't until I experienced the Rats: The Rusical challenge that I realised, 'Hang on, this is a lot harder than I thought.' So what I did over the [Covid] break was work towards finding a way of making sure I was bringing me to the musical challenges, knowing that I can't sing and dance. And when I came back, I tried to think of myself as a blank canvas: 'If RuPaul wants you to sing this week, be a singer.' I love Madonna and she's always admitted she's not the best singer, but she made it happen anyway. So I really tried to keep that in mind.
At the start of the series, why were you so reluctant to take off your makeup in the Werk Room?
Because I think it's hard to come to terms with the fact you're not an attractive person. In the queer community we put a lot of stock in our appearance and I have always thought of myself as quite weird-looking. I thought people were going to say: 'Who is this person with weird hair and weird eyebrows, and why has he licked a plug socket?' I'm used to people seeing me in drag because I've performed so much in the clubs, but taking off my makeup in front of people was a real departure for me. It was a surreal moment and something I didn't think I'd struggle with until I got there.
Having done that in front of the camera now, do you feel more confident about the way you look?
Absolutely. The fan reaction has been so amazing and supportive, though there's always going to be a few haters on the internet. But really, I don't care what the haters say about my performance in the challenges, so why would I care what they say about my appearance? And I get more comfortable with seeing myself on TV every week. Now, I can think to myself 'I like that shirt on you' or 'OK, the hair doesn't look quite so mental today.'
Now, time for the big question: when your local H&M reopens, will you feel comfortable going in there?
I will go in there, but I will bring with me a large supply of craft glitter, because RuPaul told me to glitter the fuck out of it.
READ MORE: Tayce: 'I Was Fuming Watching Australians Dance To UK Hun!'
READ MORE: Ellie Diamond: '99.9% Of What Brought To Drag Race, I Made For Myself'