RuPaul’s Drag Race UK: Ginny Lemon discusses their path to acceptance as part of risqué photo shoot

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK's Ginny Lemon got real in Attitude magazine’s Real Bodies series, opening up about what it actually takes to love yourself when life’s been throwing curveballs for years. The Worcestershire queen, known for their bright yellow hair, louder personality, and total disregard for matching shoes, talked about growing up with chronic pain, being bullied, and figuring out how to feel at home in their own skin.

Behind the chaos and Crocs is Lewis Mandall, who created Ginny back in 2016 as a way to cope with losing his sister. What started as a character slowly became a bridge between grief and joy, between drag and real life. Now, that journey’s spilling over into their new album, Fruit Loop, a love letter to both Ginny the performer and Lewis the person underneath the glitter.

Ginny also made history back in 2021 as one of the first openly non-binary contestants on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, alongside Bimini. With a yellow mullet and Crocs combo that could only be described as “iconically unbothered,” they proudly called themselves the “prototype” for non-binary visibility, proof that being yourself never goes out of style.

The interview reveals struggles with fibromyalgia, post-show identity crisis, and finding unexpected peace through gardening. Ginny also addressed the "Tradey Lemon" phenomenon that emerged after fans responded to their masculine presentation at DragCon, sparking conversations about gender fluidity and attraction.

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK: Ginny Lemon’s journey with grief and finding who they are

Lewis Mandall developed their drag persona following a devastating family loss. After their sister died in 2016, they needed an outlet for overwhelming emotions.

"I created a character as a way of coping with my grief," Ginny explained.

The RuPaul’s Drag Race UK performer chose yellow deliberately after discovering it represented protection and healing. They also appreciated its non-binary associations, making it their signature shade. Ginny described their aesthetic as "alternative and campy," joking that they probably resemble "Su Pollard on a super hard acid trip" to most observers. Behind the surreal exterior lies a deeper spiritual meaning tied to processing trauma.

Ginny's relationship with labels evolved significantly over time. They never felt comfortable identifying simply as "gay," preferring "queer" for its inclusivity. When "non-binary" entered mainstream conversation in 2019, something clicked.

"I thought, 'Oh yeah, I could have a bit of that too,'" they recalled.

Appearing on Drag Race UK in 2021 brought visibility but also pressure. Their yellow mullet and Crocs became recognizable symbols of non-binary identity.

"At the time, it was a relief to have a category to fit into," they said.

However, post-RuPaul’s Drag Race UK life proved difficult. Despite receiving public affection, Ginny faced unemployment and financial struggles. They experienced a jarring disconnect between their TV image and reality. One pivotal moment arrived when Ginny confronted their mirror reflection. They ripped off the yellow mullet everyone recognized and dyed their remaining hair blue days later. This transformation inspired a track on Fruit Loop about accepting Lewis alongside Ginny.

Ginny Lemon discusses living with chronic pain

Ginny found out they had fibromyalgia just weeks before filming RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, a condition that makes their body feel like it’s throwing tiny lightning bolts through their hips, knees, and feet. On stage, the rush of performing hides the pain, but offstage, it’s a different story. Sleep becomes optional, and even twisting open a bottle feels like a boss-level challenge. They don’t talk about it much; they just quietly deal with it.

But something unexpected helped. After moving into a new home with their husband, Ginny started gardening. What began as a messy yard makeover turned into a weirdly perfect kind of therapy. One day, while planting daisies, they zoned out completely and felt calm. Somewhere between the dirt and the sunlight, they realized that yellow and blue make green, and somehow, life did too.

Now, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK's Ginny sees that color everywhere. The pain’s still there, sure, but so is growth, and joy, and a sense that everything’s slowly blooming again. They say they’re still a work in progress, but their garden’s thriving, their life’s greener than ever, and they’re finally living it on their own terms, stretch marks and all.

Trending

Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race UK on BBC Three in the UK and on WOW Presents Plus internationally.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback