meet tina tuna

Person dressed in glamorous black sequined dress with large curly wig, oversized glasses, bold makeup, and jewelry, standing in front of a wall of pink roses.
A performer with blonde, curly hair, wearing a red and silver sequin dress and glasses, is holding a microphone and engaging with an older man with a beard and glasses, who is seated and looking up at her during a lively indoor event with colorful balloons in the background.
Two drag queens in sparkly black dresses with makeup and colorful wigs, standing in front of a brick wall with a winged sign and posing for a photo.

  • I was a non-drag singer for many years but always found that I was very camp (of course!) and used to get told quite a lot that I’d be a great drag queen. Viva La Diva (John Hamilton, owner of Bar Pop) and I were working together at a gig and she mentioned Dragtastic, their drag competition was starting again in January 2024 and she thought I should apply. So I did!

    It was a rough start to the journey, I struggled with makeup, as everybody does and couldn’t quite figure out how to style myself (can I even do that now?!) but it was great fun!

  • January 28th 2024, Heat 5 of Dragtastic 2024 at Bar Pop. I was SO nervous to step out as Tina, not so nervous about the singing part… and was VERY nervous about the judges critiques. I ended up winning that heat AND the whole competition!

  • Vocals, ADHD-Fueled, Musicals

  • I’d have to say REM Bar. Dave and the team are so welcoming to performers and guests alike. I’ve done quite a few Sunday gigs there now and I tend to be known as the REM understudy because I cover last minute as I only live 10 minutes away. Every time I go in there, I feel like my drag grows because I get to see such a varied range of performers and also because the audience are there to support you every stop of the way!

  • Picture the scene. April 2024 - Viaduct Showbar, Leeds. I’m entering Mamma’s Drag Battle and we’re down to the final 3 queens, myself and 2 others. We’re just about to find out who’s gone through to the final lipsync. Unfortunately, it wasn’t me… as I walk down the stairs of the stage, I lose my footing in the highest heels I’ve ever worn (and never will again!), fall straight into the judges table and have to be carried to the back of the venue. 9 hours later in Leeds Infirmary’s A&E, I’ve broken my foot. And that was only 3 MONTHS into my drag career.

    This year’s Drag Battle had a few mentions of me apparently! There’s also a video floating around somewhere!

  • Originally, my drag was going to be Scouse because of the late, great Lily Savage/Paul O’Grady. However, that quickly changed as I didn’t want to offend the whole of Merseyside! I love watching the “off-camera” videos of Lily filming her BBC show where she just rips into everyone and everything but does it with such humour that you can’t help but laugh. That’s what I want to aim for.

    Another inspiration to me is probably, THE best UK performer (in my opinion), Myra Dubois. I love the character created, I love the commitment to every part of the story and I love the ability to cut someone with her icy tongue in seconds without a second of thinking about it.

  • Having the one of, if not the biggest Gay scene in Europe makes me feel proud of our city. We’ve got bars and spaces for every single part of the community, not many other places can say that!

  • I’m gonna cheat here and give 2 songs…

    1. The Tina Turner Medley - DeToppers - always my closing number!

    2. I’m Every Woman - Whitney Houston - for the true Whitney fans… Chaka Khan!!

  • I want them to feel included, welcomed and elated, quite simply!

  • You will look like a b*stard the first time you go out… don’t worry, just do it!! Things take time to grow, some longer than others. Don’t compare yourself to ANYONE else as we’re all on a different journey.

    Oh and don’t burn your bridges… you may need them later in your career!