It’d be easy for even the most seasoned of pros to be swallowed up by the hype and pressure of competing in a show like RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. The reality show, fronted by drag icon RuPaul, aims to find the world’s best drag superstars and has run for 14 seasons in the States, spawning numerous international versions.
But when Krystal Versace - at just 19 years old - strutted onto our screens last year in season three of Drag Race UK, she oozed confidence and beauty as she declared the “sex on legs” had arrived. If she felt any pressure being there, she certainly didn't show it.
Born in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, the drag performer made history by becoming the youngest ever winner of the franchise. Having started drag some seven years earlier at the age of 13, it was a glow-up like no other before. “I started drag because of Drag Race,” Krystal, now 20 and otherwise known as Luke Fenn, tells the Manchester Evening News. “I remember seeing Sasha Velour on season nine and just falling in love. I was obsessed with her face, her angles, her everything.”
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She adds: “I had always wanted to be a make-up artist. I’ve always been very artistic and creative from a young age so it was pretty obvious that I’d head down that kind of route really. I remember in school, my notebook would be full of drawings of women’s faces.
“But I also wanted to be on the stage performing, so as soon as I found out about drag then it just made total sense. Drag seemed to me like the perfect combination of being able to share my interest in make-up with my love for being on the stage. So that’s how Krystal Versace was born, really.”
During her time on Drag Race UK, Krystal became quickly known for her high-fashion looks and refined makeup skills. She won the first two challenges back-to-back before earning the crown after a lip sync battle between her fellow competitors. “Drag Race was just everything I wished it would be,” she says.
Through Drag Race, Krystal has become a household name and has done everything from a Charli XCX music video to performing in drag on Saturday Night Takeaway alongside Ant and Dec.
"Ant and Dec were just fab,” she says of the ‘We Werk Together’ performance, which saw the television presenters take on the drag personas of Lady Antoinette and Miss Donna Lee, alongside Drag Race UK winners Krystal, Lawrence Chaney and The Vivienne.
“Just getting the chance to work with them was so weird because I watched them all the time on TV as a kid. They were so determined to possess every spirit of drag, they wanted to make sure they were doing it properly.
“I don’t think they’ve ever been that excited for something ever in their lives. It was so funny seeing them in rehearsals because they were out of makeup but still wearing nails because they wanted to get it right and be comfortable. They were so committed and had such a respect for the art form and the work behind it.
“They did the whole thing - they were ready to do it. They had the tits on, the pads on. If they ever wanted to join me on tour, there would be no saying no to them!"
While incredibly proud of herself and honoured by the title of the UK’s Next Drag Superstar, Krystal admits her journey since winning has been far from the glitz and glamour many would imagine. Earlier this year, Krystal, who usually stays off social media, shared a candid moment online, admitting she was struggling to figure things out for herself.
“It just feels like, sometimes, I’m a little bit lost, but you know, it’s the name of the game,” she told her 224,000 followers. “I signed up for this thing and it’s happened and it’s been given to me, thankfully.”
Krystal says she is still trying to figure things out but knows that’s okay. And she is glad she opened up online about how she was feeling. “I don’t really use social media a lot - I’m not the girl to walk around with my phone and to share every moment, so letting people in like that was a big deal,” she says.
“But I did feel I wanted to explain what I was going through. A lot of my friends have told me that if it was as easy as it looks then everybody would be doing what I’m doing. Since I took to social media, those feelings haven’t gone away - it hasn’t got easier but it hasn’t got harder, either.
“As soon as you’re on Drag Race, people expect your life to be full of riches. It isn’t like that, it’s very different. I don’t live in a palace, I’m not swimming in riches, I’m not happy all the time, and I think people need to see that sometimes.
“Being the youngest ever winner comes with its own set of challenges. The main reason why I have been going through it in a way is just because I care so much about what I do. I’m not just someone who wants to make money and do gigs. Money doesn’t drive me. Money will never drive me and I couldn’t give a s*** about money.
"I’m an overthinker, I’m overstressed, and I worry when things don’t go perfectly, but that’s purely because I care so much. As long as I’m putting something out there that I’m inspired by, that’s what matters to me and can sometimes get in the way. I’ll always be that way.
“It’s nice to be open and honest and show that it’s not a free ride. I am so honoured to have won but there has been a lot for me to take in. As a whole, figuring out what I want has not been the easiest for me and I'm still trying to figure out who I am. It’s a learning curve, for sure, but we’re getting there and I’m really excited about all of the things I have in store.”
One of those things is a solo show where fans will get to see the new Krystal emerge from the highs of winning Drag Race. The Next World will tour Brighton, London and Manchester's Albert Hall in June.
“The Next World to me is the next stage of Krystal,” she confidently says. “We’re putting Drag Race Krystal to bed - she’s done the thing, she’s got the crown so let’s see what she can do next. It’s going to be a full-on production, full of outfits, music and visual gorgeous-ness.
“I’m really excited about it. It means so much to me, and when I say I’m doing everything, I’m literally doing everything - I’m sorting out the visuals, the music, the lighting cues. This is so personal to me. I’m such a control freak so I won’t put anything out unless it’s perfect.
“People keep asking why there’s only three days but it’s honestly because I don’t want to be everywhere at once. You get three days, you either travel or you don’t.”
And, speaking of travelling, Krystal is currently on a mission to conquer America. Having just been a guest of honour at RuPaul’s DragCon in Los Angeles, she’ll soon be heading out on tour across the USA.
“It only hit me the other day when I realised that I’m fulfilling my dream of touring the world,” she explains. “A lot of the UK girls haven’t even been to the USA yet, and the first tour I’ve ever been on in my life is in the USA. How major is that?
“It’s great to be out on the road and see how drag is always changing and expanding. Drag in general used to be something very performance-based but there’s now a focus on the visual too. It’s moving in time and it's just cool to see.”
This month will also see more historic moves in the world of Drag Race. For the first time in Drag Race history, previous winners will return to compete in a new series of All Stars. The Vivienne, who won the first season of Drag Race UK, will compete against the likes of Monét X Change, Jinkx Monsoon, Shea Couleé and Yvie Oddly.
So does this mean we could expect to see Krystal compete on Drag Race again in the future? “I honestly don’t know,” she says. “I’d be a fool to say no but I'm so early in my career that it doesn’t feel right right now.
“As of right now, it’s definitely not something I’m thinking about. In all honesty, I won. I did the best I could and I conquered it. I don’t want to go back for a runner-up placement. There is a huge risk - I don't know if I need to put myself up for that level of scrutiny - but I honestly get why people would go back. It’s such a huge platform and such an amazing opportunity.
“But right now, my eyes are on conquering the world and showing everyone who I am.”
Krystal Versace will bring The Next World tour to the Albert Hall on June 22. Tickets here.
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