So I’ll start by saying I knew of Drag Race as my friend had forced me to watch it on many many occasions. However I never properly understood any of it so it wasn’t my cup of tea. Then my 18 year old self decided to get a job at a local gay bar down in Devon not because I needed the job but mainly because I fancied the manager. Every Sunday at this bar they’d do Sunday cabaret shows. This is where I discovered proper old school UK drag. I simply fell in love with how unapologetic it was.

A couple of months later another local venue was starting these open mic drag nights & my friend suggested it would be funny if I signed up for a laugh. Low & behold Mandy Anne Ket was born. The performance went down a treat & the audience loved it. Right after the gig the landlady offered me actual MONEY to host more gigs in her venue I couldn’t believe it. 6 years later & now I’m doing drag full time.

My first drag performance in the Manchester village was only just over a year ago now. I had only just moved to Manchester & was attending Misty Chances Karaoke Nights at The Goose regularly as they’re so fun I love them. I’d attend in drag as I wanted to mingle with more queens from the scene & get to know people. Misty approached me asking if I do shows & if I would like to take part in her Misty Chance Takeover at BarPop, I agreed immediately.

On the night I remember being so bloody nervous. The regular BarPop show team were all in attendance as they’d been running the Marathon that day so that’s the reason why we were taking over. It was my first chance to impress a Northern Crowd with my southern charm in what was now my new hometown. I will say it wasn’t my greatest gig (thanks nerves) but I still had an absolute blast.

Chaotic, unapologetic & Standout

I have to say my current residency at G-A-Y as it’s the first place I’ve found that feels just like the venue where I first started my career. The feedback I get from my shows is massively appreciated. The freedom they give me to platform my ideas is amazing & all of the staff are the loveliest people you could meet.

The moment that comes to mind for me is from back in october 2020 myself & a few performers were doing a Halloween show. We slapped some Halloween themed numbers amongst some of our previous “Best Bits” that people hadn’t seen for a while. Two of the performers did a number where they had to be dressed as vampires & I did one dressed as a giant Inflatable Pumpkin. At the end of the show we had this group

number where at the end of the song I go to slap one of the other performers but instead the other performer comes up behind me grabs my arm pre slap, I fall backward & she drags me kicking & screaming off stage through a fire exit. We had usually done this in our regular drag costumes & it works perfectly

. That was not the case for this show as when the moment arrived the performer who was supposed to be behind me forgot her placement on stage & was instead stood to the right of me forgetting where she was meant to be. She DID grab my arm, I did fall back. However I didn’t land in her arms. I instead fell backwards into a big inflatable mess on the floor & she dragged me back wards by one arm towards the fire door. All the audience could see was this big orange ball with little legs kicking out the bottom of it struggling to fit through a fire exit. Absolutely hilarious to the point it made the remaining performer absolutely burst into a laughing fit on stage.

For me I get inspired by OLD SCHOOL drag legends. Lily Savage, Baga Chipz, SonOfATutu, the list goes on. Any one who grabs a microphone & can effortlessly hold an audience in the moment. No drops of energy just a constant flow of laughter & sincerity.

I wear it as a badge of Pride. Being one of the current consistent queens on this scene is massive. Moving from a smaller city to a massive place like Manchester I was scared of fading into the background. But everyone has been so welcoming to what I’m bringing to the table it’s honestly refreshing & makes me feel immensely proud of what we are all achieving.

I’ll give you two. One which I can only do at 18+ shows & another I can do at family friendly events.

My 18+ one has to be Fuck You by Lily Allen. I usually save it as my final number as it needs no choreography, just a simple hand gesture that everyone knows. The crowd will jump up & let out their angst at the world. This song will usually be dedicated to whoever I see in the news & give the award of “C*nt of the week” to.

My other one is A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton. As soon as the song starts & you hear the piano play, the audience just erupts each & every single time. I also love the highs & lows of the song. It has a range to it which I love to perform.

Giddy. Absolutely ecstatic. I want the moment I come off stage to be swarmed with audience members wanting to talk to me with such excitement & happiness. It’s the best feeling the moment I come off stage we all talk as if we’ve been mates for years in

our excited high pitched voices full of giddiness. Like mice just discovering a block of cheese.

I honestly think there’s a queen who’s come up with one of the BEST drag names ever. That’s Emma Bothered. I adore a Catherine Tate reference & honestly think Mandy is based a bit on Lauren Cooper anyway so when I heard that drag name I was OBSESSED & mad jealous that I didn’t think of it.

Honestly the time that goes into making it all happen. We don’t start our shift the moment we go on stage. We have been working for HOURS before that point. Getting outfits ready, making sure our wigs are good to go. Let alone the amount of time we spend getting our face on.

Loveee to put on a playlist of all my favourite sing along songs whilst I’m doing my makeup, cheeky sugar free energy drink by my side. Potentially on TikTok live at the same time to promote where I’m gonna be. Just good vibes to get me ready.

EastEnders & Troye Sivan. The moment I wake up, I’ll slap EastEnders on. From that moment onwards if Im talking to someone it’s usually about EastEnders. If there’s nobody there to talk to, I’m listening to Troye Sivan whilst THINKING about EastEnders. If you come up to me whilst I’m at work at the gig & you mention EastEnders. Hun you better get the kettle on because we NEEED to discuss.

Honestly just go from venue to venue seeing what drag is on offer. There’s so much variety out there it’s crazy. Don’t just go with the first place you’ve gone to as your end all be all of drag. Every venue, every night is something different. Go out there & find what YOUR kind of drag style is. Mingle with the performers but most importantly. Go enjoy yourself & never take life too seriously.