Celtic sisters make history on RuPaul's Drag Race UK as Ireland claims firsts
Bonnie Ann Clyde becomes the Republic of Ireland’s first Drag Race contestant, joined by Belfast’s Elle Vosque as the series marks a two-contestant Irish presence for the first time.
Two contestants from the island of Ireland are set to make history on RuPaul's Drag Race UK as the new season debuts. Dublin-born Bonnie Ann Clyde, the drag persona of James Keogh, will become the Republic of Ireland's first contestant to walk the runway on the series.
Joining Clyde is Elle Vosque, the drag persona of Evan Keating from West Belfast, marking the first series to feature more than one contestant from Ireland. The pair quickly formed what they described as an “Irish sisterhood” and aligned with Welsh contestant Catrin Feelings, a bond they described as giving them a distinct edge. “The Celts are coming to take over,” Clyde joked about the alliance and the shift in representation.
Bonnie Ann Clyde has performed for about 11 years across Ireland, Gran Canaria, and Manchester. He is a textiles and fashion student at Ulster University and has taken a gap year from his degree, a background that could prove useful in design-focused challenges on the show. His drag name nods to Broadway singer Jessica Vosk, underscoring a musical theatre passion that drew him to drag.
Elle Vosque has performed in Northern Ireland for almost five years. Evan Keating is likewise studying textiles and fashion at Ulster University and has recently taken a gap year from his degree. He said the two performers’ Irish experiences give them a unique voice in the competition, suggesting that their different backgrounds help them stand out among peers from across the UK.
The two say their “Irish alliance” extends beyond themselves, with Welsh contestant Catrin Feelings joining the group early on. The dynamic is framed by a broader reality—RuPaul’s Drag Race UK features 10 other finalists from across the UK, and this season will be the first to feature more than one contestant from Ireland.
Drag Race UK premieres at 21:00 BST on Thursday, 25 September on BBC Three and streams on BBC iPlayer, with Clyde and Vosque among the new faces set to introduce Ireland to a wider UK audience. The show’s producers have signaled that the season will explore diverse drag traditions across the two islands, aligning with a trend toward greater cross-border visibility in UK entertainment.
Beyond the competition, Clyde and Vosque plan to bring their Irish collaboration to a run of live shows across the island of Ireland to celebrate the series’ airing. They say Ireland’s drag scenes share common ground—centered on community, performance, and a celebration of humor—and they hope to highlight a growing array of opportunities for Irish performers on major platforms like Drag Race.
Their entry into RuPaul’s Drag Race UK reflects broader cross-border collaboration in the country’s drag scene and signals a new level of Irish representation on a mainstream UK stage. As the Celtic Sisters, Clyde and Vosque have positioned themselves not only as competitors but as cultural ambassadors who illustrate how Irish drag culture is evolving in concert with UK trends.