More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A drag queen from Kent competing in the latest series of RuPaul's Drag Race has been labelled 'iconic' after taking to the stage dressed as a statue of Thomas Waghorn, famous in Chatham for regularly having a cone plonked on its head.
River Medway, 23, who grew up in the Towns is competing in the third season of the UK's version of the show alongside Tunbridge Wells's Krystal Versace.
In last night's premier episode each queen was asked to present two looks for the famous Runway Challenge, one inspired by their hometowns, and another paying homage to the things they love.
River chose to represent Medway with her take on the Thomas Waghorn statue in Railway Street – and her attention to detail saw her drag including the bright orange traffic cone.
She said: "I am really over the moon about the reaction!! It always shocks me that there are so many people from Medway who love drag and watch Drag Race. It has been really nice to see.
"I have had people contact me who maybe do not live here anymore, but they grew up here or used to live here, who have been enjoying it. And then there is all the people who have no clue what that statue is, but they are still enjoying it because it was just me being stupid on stage.
"I think a lot of people can relate. Lots of people have a statue in their town with a traffic cone on its head! And people can relate to stupid Drag Queens doing silly, silly things!
"The response has been amazing and I am just a bit overwhelmed to be honest. It has been great."
Postal pioneer Waghorn created a new route to India before the Suez Canal was opened. He is immortalised in Railway Street and also has a Wetherspoon named after him.
While the judges critiqued her choice, fans of the show and Medway residents took to social media to praise her creativity and share their support.
Leader of the Labour and Co-operative Group at Medway Council Vince Maple said: "There have been many Medway iconic images throughout the years.
"Tonight is arguably the greatest of them all."
Another resident said: "In Medway we love dressing up so much, we even dress up our statue of Thomas Waghorn.
"Amazing work River Medway!"
While River's look got people talking, judges were so impressed by Krystal Versace's take on The Garden of England, she was crowned the winner of the challenge
In the show RuPaul will put 12 queens to the test in different challenges over 10 weeks before crowning the UK's Next Drag Race Superstar.
Hopeful River Medway spoke to KentOnline about her experiences growing up in the Towns and her stint on the show.
