More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
After an impressive run on BBC Three's RuPaul's Drag Race UK, River Medway has left the stage for the final time as she failed to impress the judges in the sixth week.
The 23-year-old performer from Medway made it past the halfway point of the competition after entering as the 'underdog'. However, her time has now come to an unfortunate end as American judge RuPaul felt her performance in the 'snatch game' wasn't enough to stay in the running for the crown.
Kent queens River Medway and Krystal Versace entered the Werk Room last month for the third series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.
In the first episode River was labelled as '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.
While the judges were critical of some of River's looks, fans of the show and Medway residents took to social media to praise her creativity and share their support.
Following the first episode, 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 are 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."
River Medway speaking to KentOnline before the series aired
Last week, despite there being no overall maxi challenge winner, River received high praise from the judges for her work in the acting challenge.
She was also commended for her runway gown, a red and gold piece constructed to represent her Asian culture.
The week prior she also collected a coveted RuPeter badge after winning the girl group challenge. Her verse in the ballad 'B.D.E - Big Drag Energy' spoke about recently losing her mother to coronavirus and inspiring young femme boys.
Since appearing on the show River has attended various Pride events across the county, performing at both Medway Pride and Canterbury Pride. She was also spotted out of drag yesterday at an LGBTQ+ trans youth event at MidKent College.
Before the show, the performer said growing up she did not see anyone like her, so it is really important she can act as that person, especially for the young queer community.
The queen also spoke on Kent's drag scene suggesting there is not a lot of drag in the area despite it being a popular culture form.
Starting out at just 15, she only started doing drag properly the past two years with her first proper, paid gig being at local venue Poco Loco, Chatham.
She said: "It is probably one of the best decisions of my life.
"I am so grateful for it. It has pushed me so far. It has literally pushed my drag at light speed and I do not know where my drag would be right now if I was not on the show."
She concluded: "I was what so many people are. I would always look for somebody who was like me when I was younger and I could not find, there was no one around Medway that I could look up to really and I just hope that I have now become the person that I was looking for.
"I hope that I have become the person that so many young people can look up to and realize no matter where you are from, no matter what your background, no matter what you have, you can become anything you want and even aside from drag.
"Everything will happen at the time it is supposed to happen and just never lose sight of what you want and just go for it and work hard for it because it will pay off."
Krystal Versace from Tunbridge Wells will continue in the show to compete for the title of the UK's next drag superstar.
