HEADER BY YOSEF PHELAN
SPECIAL THANKS TO JASMINE ALOMA AT THE BBC

From her unhinged “freaknik”-esque ensemble to her knee-slapping “see you in a bit dog shit!” exit phrase, both of which saw RuPaul unleash her signature cackle, Miss Naomi Carter has fast become one of the most championed contestants to ever sashay into the Drag Race UK werkroom.

“She’s gonna go so far after this, so f**king lovable,” one viewer tweeted after her elimination, while another correctly described her as an “angel” who must be “protected at all costs”. She didn’t usurp Danny Beard as the ‘UK’s Next Drag Superstar’, but who gives a damn when you’ve been inducted into the UK’s hall of fame of national treasures?

“I’m finally getting me flowers!” Naomi tells GAY TIMES. “Not like that, but I just feel like because I’m up North in a tiny little city, not a lot of people see me. Now, the world’s getting to see me and everybody seems to be so nice and kind. I’m just feeling the love, and I love the love.”

This week’s episode saw the contestants split into three teams to deliver a masterclass in three topics: love, werk and play. Naomi’s lack of jokes (and lashes) placed her in the bottom two alongside Cara Melle, where they proceeded to demolish the stage to Yazz’s classic ‘Only Way is Up!’

Following Naomi’s elimination, we caught up with our number-one “Donny gal” about her time on Drag Race UK, including the Untucked drama between Team Love, why the lip-sync wasn’t “fair” and her genius choice for Snatch Game.

Naomi, I was going to start this interview with an “AY UP!” but I would’ve failed spectacularly.

Go on. Do it. I’m not judging you, don’t worry.

“AY UP!”

That’s perfect babe. That were spot on, that.

You are too kind. How’s life been for you over these past few weeks as a RuGirl?

Honestly, it’s been the wildest ride ever. I’ve had such a great experience, like, with all the fans. It’s just been so nice. I’m finally getting me flowers! Not like that, but I just feel like because I’m up North in a tiny little city, not a lot of people see me. Now, the world’s getting to see me and everybody seems to be so nice and kind. I’m just feeling the love, and I love the love. So yeah, I’m having a lovely time.

Don’t forget, the world did see you with your iconic racing video…

I mean, that was iconic, weren’t it? Let’s be honest. She’s a runner, she’s a track star!