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

“I just want to swim around in cash,” laughs Black Peppa. The Brummy is speaking with GAY TIMES over Zoom alongside her season four sister Cheddar Gorgeous about the impending RuPaul’s Drag Race UK final, where they both face stiff competition from beard advocate Danny Beard and “sex worker pigeon” Jonbers Blonde for the title of the ‘UK’s Next Drag Superstar’.

While adding more zeros to their bank account is, of course, desired, the lip-sync assassin of season four stresses how significant it would be for a Black and non-binary queen to stomp down the runway with a crown and sceptre in hand. “The world is against me,” Peppa continues. “All odds are against me. It is very important for me to be able to use my voice, more than ever to represent and be able to make that change.” 

After demolishing the competition with four RuPeter Badges, three of which were consecutive, Cheddar wants to continue “expanding people’s ideas of what drag can do and what the limitations of drag are.” Highlighting the stark contrast in personalities and drag aesthetic of the top four, however, the self-described “punk rock witch” admits that she “won’t be sad” if one of her sisters conquers over her: “There’s always that consolation that somebody who you love and adore and really respect as an artist is going to be wearing that crown at the end of the day. That’s really lovely.”

Read ahead for our interview with Black Peppa and Cheddar Gorgeous about the upcoming Drag Race UK finale, why social media platforms need to take more action re online hate and – because, why not? – fisting! In the words of the latter, “Let us fist the social media companies into greater regulation!” Just give it a read.

GAY TIMES: You both look so amazing today.

Cheddar: Thank you Sam, that’s the right way to start an interview, isn’t it? You know how to butter us up right! Good lad.

GAY TIMES: Congratulations on making the finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. How are you both?!

Cheddar: I just wanna know now! I’m like, ‘C’MON! LET’S GET IT DONE!’ Honestly, it’s very exciting and wonderful to be here, and amazing to be top four with three amazing, wonderful artists. But, c’mon. I just wanna get on with it, get to it and whatever the outcome, let’s aim for the stars [points arm to sky]. That was aiming for the stars, that wasn’t a fisting thing.

GAY TIMES: I’m disappointed, I wish it was a fisting thing.

Cheddar: There’s always time, darling, it’s a very early day.

GAY TIMES: This is that kind of interview.

Cheddar: I’ve had my coffee, anything’s possible.