Describing just how wonderful a person Miss Taylor Trash is actually quite the challenge. Blend together all the wonderfully delectable adjectives you can think of, and they barely do her justice. Someone who is genuine and with an outlook brighter than the sun- it feels refreshing to talk to someone in an industry that can feel intimidating.
Besides interviewing everyone at DragCon – which included some fun games that may sound easy peasy yet quickly turned into a pressure cooker when you’re put on the spot. Miss Taylor Trash is a concoction of a little bit of everything you could want in drag. Covering a wide range of media whether that be podcasts or television they have you covered.
While Drag Race UK is fabulous and seeing it reignite the ultra cool BBC3, Taylor has made it their mission to bring something even more inclusive to Froot TV: a competition that celebrates ALL drag. The 12 week competition features all categories representing Kings to things they have done a world of good in shining a light on the beauty that is UK drag. The latest winner you might just be familiar with- everyone’s favourite bin bag gal: Kyran Thrax!
An artist that many should take notes from, Miss Taylor Trash is someone who believes in lifting others up even in a competitive field. Their goal is simple: to just be creative and make things happen for herself. As she wisely puts it, “Having the realisation that nothing really matters, there’s no pressure, just do you and have fun.” They are someone who brings joy not just into their drag but into their interviews as well- something I think more people should learn to embrace! If you ever meet Taylor there is one thing that is guaranteed and that is you will leave with a smile on your face.
Kirsty Bright: Let’s start from the beginning: what first drew you to drag, and where did you first get introduced to the art form?
Miss Taylor Trash: Growing up in the ‘80s and ‘90s, it felt like drag was everywhere! It was on our TVs, in theatres, music, movies, even in cartoons like Bugs Bunny! Dressing up and playing make-believe were such huge parts of my childhood. I always loved popping a towel on my head, shoving some balloons up my top and parading around. I remember people like Kenny Everett, Dame Edna, Lily Savage, Hinge and Bracket, and of course RuPaul. Drag was everywhere and it was just so much fun, and I knew I always wanted to do it. Even though it was visible, it was still something of a taboo, and like Eve, I was always attracted to forbidden fruit!
KB: You’ve built such a unique identity as the bearded Barbie, which is instantly recognisable. There’s definitely a touch of Dolly Parton in your style. Would it be fair to say she has been an influence on your style or approach to drag?
MTT: That’s very kind of you to say! I love my uniqueness in the drag world, especially when it comes to my identity. But, yes, like many, Dolly has been a HUGE influence on my drag! I also LOVE Americana and all things trashy and tacky. I love how over-the-top Dolly’s image is, and her fabulousness just speaks to me!
I was recently diagnosed as autistic, and it made me question so many parts of my life – particularly my take on drag. I then concluded that the reason my drag persona is from the Southern states is because Southern people are super friendly and warm, and sometimes they can often be misunderstood. That resonates so much with me, as I’ve faced that a lot in my everyday life. People think I am trying to be funny, but I literally don’t get what they are saying, or I misinterpret it somehow, or I mishear them. I can’t help that people find me funny, and I just lean into it more as Taylor. When I am in drag, I realise I can be fully ‘unmasked’. Plus the accent itself is the product of my echolalia and my need to create sounds like that with words. I LOVE accents and listening to how people speak; it’s fascinating.
KB: Which leads nicely to you not only just being the UK’s only southern belle, but again, you always come across so authentically yourself. Growing up, who or what has continued to inspire you both growing up and in your everyday life now?
MTT: Oh, that is so kind. I am so grateful for these kind words, honestly. I have spent so much of my life trying to fit in and be someone I am not, and as soon as I try, I always fail. My personality is so strong that it just bursts out everywhere, even when I am trying to suppress it. It no doubt held me back when I had office jobs because no one ever took me seriously. But over time, my conclusion was those weren’t the right work environments for me. I have a strong need to be myself and I value authenticity in others, so for you to say I come across authentically as myself is such lovely feedback. Since my autism diagnosis, I’ve come to see that all the things that I used to feel ashamed of are actually my greatest strengths. So I am going to flex them, and you are all going to have to take it!
KB: Your drag portfolio/CV is brimming with multiple platforms, from podcasts to TV shows and even music. Out of all the media podiums you’ve been on, which brings you the joy to work in?
MTT: My greatest passion in life is writing songs and singing. I feel like it’s the closest thing to what I would call ‘soul expression.’ I know that must sound crazy, but it truly gives me life! I literally want to do it all. I have been so lucky to work on so many amazing projects over the years. And while it took me a lot of hard work and determination to achieve,I live by the mantra: If they say no, find someone who will say yes. And if everyone says no? Then fuck them, and go do it anyway on your own. Who cares as long as it gets done and the itch is scratched, that’s all that matters. Not everything has to be done for accolades or applause.
KB: Your social media features a mix of interviews, book discussions, and performances. How do you decide on the content you create and share with your followers?
MTT: I grew up watching Dennis Pennis do his red carpet interviews, and my ambition is to be the drag equivalent of him or Nardwuar, terrorising people with questions, really getting to know them and making them laugh. I love interviewing people and having to think on my feet at the moment- it’s just so much fun. I hope my content shows off my personality, my sense of humour, my brand, and just how multi-skilled I am as a creative. I guess that’s how I decide what to put out into the world. Also, if you’ve got an envelope that needs opening, and you’d like to be interviewed while doing it- then have the content edited into a video- I am your woman! I really need to get into Cameo; I’m thinking about it(laughs)
KB: Having recently started your podcast Sweet Tea, which started with none other than the queen of queens, Michelle Visage. Who would be your dream guest to interview?
MTT: Getting to speak to Michelle was honestly SUCH a gag. When I began, I felt like I was on Drag Race doing one of the interview challenges I was really in my head. She said to me, “Don’t worry, relax and just edit it out.” And I thought to myself, ‘Oh my god! She is right! Get it together!’ that just snapped me right out of my funk, and then I honestly had such a fantastic time with her. I got off the call and felt elated. She is really cool. I am a ‘Michelle stan’ for sure. As for a dream guest of mine… I mean, it would be quite the gag to chat with RuPaul. I’d want to know if Starbooty 2 is ever going to come out; that would be the ‘exclusive’. I’d also like to ask why she never performs Strudelmodel anymore. JUSTICE FOR STRUDELMODEL! I would also LOVE to interview Kylie Minogue too, but I think I would probably pass out if I met her.
KB: The Gold Rush wrapped up its third season on OUTtv, showcasing 12 weeks of incredible UK talent. Firstly, how did the show come together? And how important is it to spotlight all forms of drag besides what people might see on Drag Race?
MTT: I started The Gold Rush because, at the time, the drag scene in London (at least) felt very impregnable if you didn’t adhere to certain ‘rules.’ If your looks and performances weren’t emulating the Pussycat Dolls. Everything felt very elitist and repetitive, which was not what I expected having grown up with Kenny Everett on TV as Cupid Stunt, for example. I wanted to create a space where anyone could belong, and do whatever they wanted and express themselves without fear. A competition felt right because, from my own experiences, being part of them helped me get seen by lots of different people, got me bookings, introduced me to so many different audiences and performers, and I created bonds from that. I wanted to put that at the heart of the show and not be in this cut-throat environment. It was like that already outside in ‘the real world’. I wrote the challenges for the show to inspire the acts to think outside the box and do things differently.
I was so sick of turning up to gigs and seeing the same old songs and acts. I wanted to see something that would surprise and delight audiences, so I really baked it into the competition format. It makes the show more authentic and more about the artists and how they interpret the brief they are given, instead of me telling them what to do. It’s not my place to tell another creative what they should be doing or how to do it. I just wanted to facilitate a space for creative freedom. My boyfriend, Sammy, saw the potential for a web series, and we had 2 seasons up on YouTube before OUTtv picked it up for Season 3. He directed and edited the whole thing. Any money I made I pumped into the production. It took him just under 4 years of editing past 3am putting it all together. If it weren’t for his vision, I would never have considered it as an option, and I am so glad he did because TV is such an exciting space to work in. It’s important to spotlight all forms of drag because we need variety. I’ve always felt like the outsider of the outsiders, so who am I to gatekeep creativity? Being different is what makes us who we are. Plus, what a gift it is to showcase and uplift others. WE LIVE!
KB: Popular drag artists such as Kyran Thrax and Bimini, both Gold Rush alumni, have, of course, gone on to dominate major spaces that perhaps many have in the past overlooked acts like them. How does it feel to see their rise, and do you think UK audiences are more open to the weird and wonderful?
MTT: I am so happy for Kyran! Such a success story there. Kyran competed on season 3 of The Gold Rush, and Bimini was actually a recurring guest judge on the show. Bimini was someone I came up with through the London scene, and I love them so much. I cannot celebrate my peers enough when they are succeeding. Both of them have their own point of view, and I think that’s super important for any performer to have and to showcase through their work – be it through their performances, their makeup, or their outfits.
I think the UK’s take on drag is so different from, say, the US. Our cultural points of reference and sense of humour are actually quite different. There is definitely some overlap, of course, but it’s like how we spell and say words differently from them – colour vs color, mum, vs mom. We are related but totally different. Watching people succeed is such a gift to be given, really. My ambition is for everyone to have a real shot at it, and if I can help facilitate that, I 100% will. If you want something badly enough, you have to be bloody-minded about it, and I respect that.
KB: You have such a warm presence and great sense of humour, so it was only natural that you were hosting the show. Where does your confidence come from, and do you think that helps the contestants feel more relaxed in your presence?
MTT: Oh my god, babe, you honour me so much! I would hope that the contestants feel relaxed around me because I am totally 100% accessible to anyone! I love meeting new people, and understanding what makes them tick, and also I want to save people from having to go through the same experiences I did. That, to me, is how you create real, positive change. I don’t see myself as above or below anyone. We are all the same. We are all just fabulous specks of dust, floating on another speck of dust, swirling round in a cloud of dust in nothingness, at the end of it all.
It reminds me of Madonna’s “Nothing Really Matters” song, because nothing really does matter! And that’s where I think that’s where my confidence comes from – just having the realisation that nothing really matters, there is no pressure, just do you and have fun. Chase the freedom and feel the freedom! It made more sense to me, especially now, as I understand more about myself and accept who I am. I don’t want to go on banging on about my autism, but getting the diagnosis at this stage in my life has truly been life-changing. Suddenly, everything makes so much sense now and I’m so glad the clarity came.
KB: If time and budget weren’t a factor, what would be your dream TV project that you would want to bring to life?
MTT: I want The Gold Rush on international TV! We have such HUGE ideas for it – so if you know anyone who works in television and wants to create the true definition of game-changing entertainment, hit me up! I can’t say what all our gags would be, but trust me, if we had the budget, we would absolutely SLAY.
KB: We first met during the wonderful chaos that is DragCon UK (we shall skip over my terrible game moment). How did you get started with interviewing, and what tips and tricks would you give to others who have started interviewing artists?
MTT: My top tip? Remember your questions! And if you can’t, write them down on branded cards (so you look professional.) Or better yet, wear a diner waitress outfit and carry a notepad with the questions on it so it’s part of the overall look! But seriously, I would say the key is to forget who they are for a second and just talk to them like they are a regular human being. No one wants to have a boring interview; people want to have fun and feel at ease. That’s when you get the very best out of people when they are in that state
Imagine standing in drag the whole day, against a step and repeatedly having to answer the same questions and same topic over and over again for hours. I’d die! So have some empathy for your subject and have fun with them. Do your research as well, because that’s when you can REALLY get the juice. We want the tea scalding hot; we don’t want it cold or tepid – and a lot of the time it’s always the same stuff. I honestly think everyone needs to think outside the box in every aspect of their lives to gain the most from their experiences.
KB: For me, one of my favourite things about DragCon is getting to meet new people within the community besides the queens. What do you love most about the weekend, especially when you get to work alongside the guys at Loverboy Magazine?
MTT: I LOVE DragCon! It is a bit of a busman’s holiday for everyone, BUT I see it exactly the same way as you do. I get to hang out with all the performers I follow on Instagram and who I support and talk to. It’s so much fun, and I look forward to seeing them every year. Then you get to see the Ru girls doing their thing – people you would probably never get to see or meet, from all over the world. And then so many of the UK queens are people I know, so I get to excitedly jump around them and congratulate them on their success too! I just wish there was more seating available inside (laughing.)
KB: Being involved in so many creative projects, what do you like to do when you finally have some much-needed downtime?
MTT: I watch a lot of reality TV. We LOVE reality TV in my house. I love anime too, so I watch a lot of them. I also play video games as well, and recently I’ve just started collecting card games for Pokemon and One Piece. Honestly, my house is literally like an episode of ‘Hoarders’. I also spend time looking for inspiration be it for costumes, hair, or makeup. Drag is my job, but it never feels like ‘work’ because creating Taylor is so much fun. We have a dog too, and I enjoy walking him when he isn’t being a stubborn little shit.
KB: Looking to the rest of the year, what does 2025 have in store for you? I saw a teaser of some new music. Can we look forward to that?
MTT: Oh yes! I have picked up again on my need to create music! I want to write an album that is literally full of comedy bangers, spanning a range of genres, and shoot the videos for each of them. Lately, I’ve actually really gotten into writing Christian soft rock…such a scream.
As for my multitude of plans, I’m working on my YouTube channel, TrashTVOfficial, and pushing season 4 of The Gold Rush into post-production. I’m also selling the next instalment of the series to a sexy, smart, innovative, risk-taking television commissioning team! (If this sounds like you or someone you know, again, hit me up!)
KB: Finally, where can fans catch you next?
MTT: You can find me on all social platforms @misstaylortrash. If you are after my phone number, you can find it on the underside of every toilet bowl in London. So next time you drink too much and have to throw up, take a look and call me!
Be sure to follow Miss Taylor Trash on all their social media: here.
