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Jujubee on returning to Drag Race after losing out in three finals: ‘I like torture’

The fan favourite queen will attempt to snatch her first crown on Drag Race UK vs The World.

By Will Stroude

Words: Will Stroude; Images: BBC Pictures

Jujubee remains one of the most beloved queens in Drag Race herstory, but after three memorable appearances on the franchise over the course of 12 years, the American entertainer is yet to take home a crown, despite making the final of every season she’s appeared on.

The 37-year-old will be hoping all that’s set to change with her latest attempt at workroom glory in RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World, which premieres on BBC Three on Tuesday 1 February in the UK and sees nine queens from around the globe go head-to-head in the ultimate crossover event.

Jujubee made her first Drag Race appearance on season two of the US edition in 2010, where she placed third behind Tyra Sanchez and Raven.

She next entered the workroom for 2012’s All Stars 1, where she was paired with Raven for the duration of the competition and finished in third/fourth place.

Jujubee (Image: BBC Pictures)

Juju’s third and most recent attempt at Drag Race glory came on 2020’s All Stars 5, where after a strong run she finished joint runner-up with Miz Cracker, behind first-placed Shea Couleé.

Speaking to the BBC ahead of her fourth appearance in the workroom on Drag Race UK vs The World, Jujubee admits that she’s a glutton for punishment, saying of her return: “People might think I’m crazy for doing this again… But I like torture! I’ve been everywhere and that’s because of Drag Race.

The ‘Don’t Wanna Love’ singer adds: “If Ru calls you, you answer and you do exactly what she wants you to do! So I’m here to take on the world!”

The cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World (Image: BBC Pictures)

After sailing into three Drag Race finals, it’s no surprise that Jujubee has picked up a few tricks on how to slay the competition.

Of her tactics for attempt four, she declares: “The way I’m going to play this game is by manipulating those other bitches to keep me there!! I’ll befriend them, I’ll get to know everything about them, digging through their trash, peeping into their windows while they are sleeping… and then I’ll use their truth against them. Because I’m a sneaky ******* bitch!”

Indicating that she may finally retire from Drag Race should she claim the Drag Race UK vs The World crown, Jujubee concludes: “There’s no way that I’m NOT getting to the top every single time. I am a pro at this competition. These girls can learn something from me! Ru might as well just give me the crown now!

“I’ll buy a farm, have a whole bunch of chickens and cats – I won’t bother her anymore!”

RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs the World will air exclusively on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer from Tuesday 1 February at 9pm, with new episodes released weekly.