RuPaul’s Drag Race UK moves at the speed of light nowadays, with the U.K. series starting in 2019, we’re already approaching season 6, but season 3 will be remembered for many reasons (Draglexa, anyone?) It had the perfect mix of personalities, had Victoria Scone as the first woman to compete in the UK franchise, and had a strong top three for the final.
One of those queens who reached the end was Ella Vaday, who hooked us in from the start with her entrance line “Oh, my gosh. It looks like you’re about to have one Ella Vaday.” Starting as a dark horse, she went above and beyond, winning four maxi challenges and gaining attention with her comedic performance as Nigella Lawson in the Snatch Game, and after that, her streak never slowed down. Her ability to not look just drop-dead gorgeous, but with a great sense of humour to match, led her to win another fan favourite challenge the comedy roast (The Pearly Gates Roast)
Since then, just like her winning stretch, life hasn’t slowed. After her season ended in 2021, she toured the world with her castmates and put on her solo shows. 2023 saw her back on screens to participate in ITV’s The Real Full Monty, a show that emphasised the importance of regular cancer checks and screenings for all genders. The event, which raised money for cancer research, navigated rehearsals for the final performance before a live audience, in which they would remove clothing piece by piece until fully nude.
Not stopping there, she’s recently launched FITI, a fitness platform that sets out to bring fun and sass back into your workout routine, one squat at a time. The website is packed full of nutrition information, exercise videos, and so much more! During Dragcon, I got to talk about her whirlwind of a journey since season 3, thriving under pressure, and reflecting on aspirations gone by!
So, starting with our main question of the weekend, what did you want to be when you were younger? And what do you think, younger, you would think of what you do today?
Ella Vaday: Ooh, interesting. What did I want to be when I was growing up? I wanted to be, at one stage, a surgeon.
Oh, complete contrast (laughs)
Ella Vaday: (laughs) Right? I never thought I would go down the performing arts route. So obviously, I went to college at 16, so I started very early. But I ended up performing in panto when I was about 14 or 15 and was like, wow, I can get paid to perform. And it was only very small; you know, I didn’t earn very much money. But I realised, wow, I can actually perform and get paid. So I went off to college at 16 and cracked on.
And what would my younger self think of me today? Hmm, I think they’d be surprised. I didn’t come out until I was 20 or 21. So I think they’d be very surprised.
And you’ve done so much.
Ella Vaday: Oh gosh, I’ve done so much.
You’ve also done a lot of varied programming too, especially recently with The Real Full Monty TV show.
Ella Vaday: Omg, yes! That was so good. I’m really proud of that show because it showcased so many different, diverse celebrities, and I got to sing a camp song about remembering to check yourself for cancer in and out of drag. It’s just a really nice, wholesome show.
It’s something like this show that’s shown people so many different platforms; who would have thought you’d be doing something on stage naked? Was it freeing to do something like that? Were you scared?
Ella Vaday: Yeah, I do get scared, and I still do now, and I don’t think you’ll ever lose it. So getting naked is actually the scariest bit. And funnily enough, with that show, although it’s the full monty, that was the very end of the show. The whole show was about us rehearsing and talking about cancer. So, no, it was fine. In the end, it’s just like, Fuck it, get your kit off. (laughs)
How’s it been since you left Drag Race, just in general?
Ella Vaday: Since I left the show, it’s been amazing. Just the response, everything. You know, the last couple of years have just been crazy; I never expected it. Going on tours in places such as Australia, and my solo tours. I’ve also recently launched FITI, my fitness platform which I do both in and out of Drag, which is great. Then The Full Monty which was an amazing show, and starring in the film Sumotherhood; so like this and the last year alone. It’s crazy, isn’t it?
I think that now we’re coming to Drag Race Season 6, and it must feel so long since Drag Race Season 3. What advice would you give to the next cast of UK Drag Race?
Ella Vaday: I think you just shouldn’t overthink it. When you’re there, it’s stressful, and it’s such a hard experience to go through without your phone.
And you had a really good attitude, I think, which is why people gravitate towards you.
Ella Vaday: Thank you, well, I guess from all the theatre work I’ve done, working with different people, and working under pressure, I just work best under pressure. So, like, I leave everything to the last minute.
Do you thrive on it?
Ella Vaday: Oh yes, I thrive on stress, which is not healthy. (laughing)
(laughs) No, I understand. Trust me.
Ella Vaday: But I do my best work when I have to do it, and I like working like that.
Follow Ella Vaday on Instagram and get fit with her new platform FITTI