Tayris Mangardi for RuPaul's Drag Race UK S7 / BBC
Age: 27
Hometown: Brighton
Introduce yourself!
“Hello my honeys! My name is Tayris Mongardi, I am 27, and I am the Titan of Brighton! I’ve got all the glamour of an uptown girl, and all the charm of a downtown girl. Take it or leave it (but preferably take it, cos I want the gig).”
How did you get into drag?
“I really came from nothing. There were times when I’d walk home from school and wonder if I’d have any food that day, or any electric, but that experience has taught me to live my life exactly how I want it. I really feel like I’ve taken all the coal of my life and turned it into diamonds – and there will be diamonds on the crown of which I’ll be the proud recipient of!”
How would you describe your drag?
“My drag in its truest form is a celebration of Black female pop culture. I love Janet Jackson, Beyonce, Megan Thee Stallion, Doechii, Nicki Minaj, Janelle Monáe, Grace Jones. They are powerful female icons who celebrate their Blackness, their identity, and their heritage. And all their influence funnels its way down to me in a little corset, a gorgeous wig, and a big old smile. For me, drag is all about Black queer joy. “
How do you feel heading into the competition?
“Girl, being sat here on Drag Race UK feels so correct. In the eight years I’ve been doing drag I’ve conquered every part of the industry: I’ve done adverts, television, radio, podcasts, pageants, ballroom, but this is the place I’m meant to be. My whole life has been leading up to this moment. So, put a crown on it girl, you know what I mean?!”
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK returns next month on BBC Three and iPlayer.
