We’re certain Michelle Visage was born with bouffant hair and a full set of eyelashes.
And, even though when we meet her she’s low-key in black leggings, a jumper and a fresh face, she still has the lashes and a little diamond stuck to her tooth.
And reapplies lashings of lip gloss before anyone takes any pictures.
She’s even drinking water from a pink rhinestone goblet.
Fitting, then, that a woman who adores all things adorned is part of the glitziest show in history, Strictly Come Dancing .
We meet her at the dance studios where she’s about to be put through her paces by pro partner Giovanni Pernice (who wheels into the chat on a scooter, must save that leg power, eh?), and after wowing the judges week after week, the pair are determined to take that glitter ball.
She’s known for her feisty attitude, and we’re worried she’ll eat us alive.
But she’s sweet, funny, calls everyone ‘honey’ or ‘girl’, and is an official mother of the LGBTQ community, hosting Drag Race for eight years alongside best pal Ru Paul.
The show is in its first series in the UK and has become an instant hit, with Ms Visage’s infectious laugh and booming personality bigger than some of the wigs.
Living in LA with husband of 22 years David and daughters Lola and Lillie, she’s an Anglophile desperate to ship them over and start a new life in London.
She talks dancing, drag and acting tough…
You look like you’re loving every second of Strictly…
I so am, but it’s the hardest thing I have ever done.
And I gave birth twice.
But I’m not 20 any more and I’ve never done this before ever.
I’m no dancer.
I was a club girl Vogue-ing in my 20s, and anyone who challenges that as proper dancing can go and have a look at me on YouTube.
Do you get nervous?
I’m not bricking it, but I’m not cool as a cucumber either.
Gio works so hard to make me look the best I can look.
He could look 20 times better, but he dumbs himself down to be on my level.
I know I have a family, but I calm any nerves to make sure I make him proud.
The glamorous side must be a plus for you…
That’s the only part that’s familiar to me.
Sitting down and having a sh*t-tonne of glitter and sequins thrown at my face.
An everyday occurrence in my life.
What’s it like hanging out with the rest of the gang?
Oh, there’s zero socialising, honey.
I spend every day rehearsing, and then I’m so exhausted I just lie in the bath and catch up with Supermarket Sweep.
My husband said I don’t speak to him any more, so I spoke to him on FaceTime for the first time in weeks yesterday.
I’ve just been too tired.
And I had a rare day off recently, so I went to Westfield in London to buy some new outfits.
I need clothes for all these TV appearances, must look my best.
You don’t have anyone to help you with that?
No, I do it all myself.
And I do my own make-up, as I’m brilliant at it.
Hair, no, I’m useless.
You’ll know I’ve done my own hair if it’s in a top knot.
And you have Drag Race UK to glam up for now too…
I know, how brilliant!
I’m so pleased that all the folk who thought a UK version would ruin it have been shut down and have shut up.
The girls are superstars.
Ru and I were sat there in awe.
Do you both get the British humour and references on the show?
I fully get it, and he’s been my best friend for 30 years so it’s rubbed off.
But he loves Australia, which has a very British sense of humour, and I’m an Anglophile.
I know all the references more or less.
I know Kim Woodburn, that lady who cleans on the telly, I’m pretty clued up.
I just didn’t know who Tracy Beaker was, sue me.
Is it nice having best pal Ru in the UK with you?
It’s a joy, because he’s falling in love with the place too.
I took him for his first Nando’s the other day.
He was in heaven.
I laid out all the sauces so he had a xylophone of Peri sauces and he sampled every spice level.
He tried halloumi for the first time.
It was a real moment.
What’s your favourite thing about the UK?
Everything.
Mainly the people and the dry, sarcastic wit.
Benidorm is my favourite ever show, it is hysterical.
Get me to that salon.
I love a northern accent and do a good Huddersfield accent myself.
I’ve never had a day here where I felt I didn’t belong.
I never belonged in LA, I’m too edgy for that place.
I’m a ball-busting New York broad and it feels like home here.
I’ll 100% move my family over when my kids are ready.
I was definitely a gay British man in a past life.
What confuses you about us?
You’re all so conservative in front of each other!
Why is it so British to not say how you really feel?
Because that isn’t who you are – when I get you behind closed doors I hear it.
So why not say it at the time? Say it!
And the saying bye 20 times on the phone thing?
It’s weird but adorable.
I say bye once and the phone is hung up, trust me, honey, much more effective.
You’re known to be quite feisty, how do the public take to you?
Oh, they’re terrified of me.
I get the odd person who is rude if they’re drunk, but mostly people are scared to death.
But you’re not scary…
I’m sweet, right?
It’s just my character on Drag Race who isn’t as much.
People say I’m harsh, but I wish when I was younger I’d had someone to critique me to have helped me.
It’s a gift to be critiqued and I give the advice I do to make their careers last longer.
In this industry, you win a show, you’re good for a year and then you’re done.
I’m trying to stretch their 15 minutes to 15 hours.
People approach me and ask me to tell them how horrible they look.
Ew, as if I’d do that!
Are you a softie deep down?
I’m stoic.
The only thing that makes me cry is talking about certain things to do with my kids.
I’m a mother figure to lots of kids who have issues, who have not been loved the way they should have been because of their sexual orientation.
Those stories touch me, but it touches me even more when I have a parent come up to me who thanks me for what I’ve publicly spoken about – helping them to understand their gay, trans, or bi child.
Nobody asks to be born and nobody asks to be different, so all you have to do is love unconditionally.
Even if you don’t approve, you have to accept.
What kind of mother are you?
Very open.
I have a great relationship with my daughters, to the point they tell me everything and my friends are like, ‘Oh my God, I’d never tell my mother that!’
And I wouldn’t either.
But I’m a mum before a friend, and I’m tough.
I don’t let them get away with things.
I don’t care about being their friend.
Mum first and if they want to be friends after that, sure.
How do you deal with negativity, being in the public eye?
I don’t even block, I mute people.
Then they carry on and have no idea I can’t see it.
I’ve had people telling me to kill myself online, and sometimes it’s 13- or 14-year-old kids saying it.
So if you’re vile you get muted.
I don’t care what you say about me personally because, trust me guys, I’ve heard it all.
But if it’s about my kids or my community – no.
They’re innocent, leave them out of it.
What might surprise us about you?
I don’t drink.
And people think I’m a party girl.
I’ve been drunk three times in my life, the last time I was 21.
I have never taken drugs either.
It’s a control thing.
I’m pretty quiet and I like to be at home and relax.
I just pretend to be a tough girl.
Are you dressed up 24/7?
Well, there’s always a lip gloss or something to keep the fabulousness, I can’t totally just let it go!
I think people on Strictly expected me to be out of control, though, but I’m low-maintenance.
It’s just water in my dressing room.
Most glitzy moment of your life?
I worshipped [American actress] Patti LuPone when I was little.
I got to go to a rehearsal and she sang for me and I was crying like an idiot.
When I was a child she made me realise when I was on stage nobody could call me fat or ugly.
And nobody could tell me I couldn’t sing, because I could.
She inspired my life.
Madonna is my idol too, but I don’t want to meet her.
She’s total high risk.
People who have met her have said don’t do it.
So no way am I doing it.
If it all went away tomorrow, what would change?
I’d still be asked for selfies in gynaecological visits with my legs in stirrups, I’m sure.
And I’d still say yes to them, when my legs are closed.
But I’d hope I could still live this ‘pinch me’ lifestyle.
Still have people want to come and hug me.
Still use my voice to try to stop bullying.
I am absolutely living my dream and I hope it never ends.
- Michelle Visage won the Specs Star Style award at Specsavers’ 2019 Spectacle Wearer Of The Year Awards in support of Kidscape. For more information visit Specsavers
