The latest series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK returns this August bank holiday, and the 2025 edition of the smash-hit series is set to feature a local and well-known queen from our very own Leeds.
Can’t wait for the cult favourite TV show to receive its first ‘Yorrrrrkshire’.
Already a classic among the queer community following many years on the air over in America, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is set to debut its seventh season this autumn, and part of the fun is always meeting the lineup.
While there’s often a Northern name or two, we understandably were over the moon to see that Leeds drag queen ‘Silllexa Diction’, announced in the 2025 cast.
SILLLEXA DICTION 🔥 @silllexa
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Who is Silllexa Diction?
Now, for those who are unfamiliar with Ms Silllexa Diction, she is a born-and-bred Yorkshire girl who has been on the circuit for roughly seven years, and an increasingly recognisable name for closer to half a decade at the very least.
At 26, she’s been doing drag pretty much all of her adult life, and when introducing herself to the broadcasters, she described two of her key traits as ‘silly and sexy’.
Going from learning how to design and make her own costumes at the age of 18 to now hosting her own regular ‘WERK’ drag nights at the Viaduct Showbar – Leeds’ leading LGBTQIA+ club and student for nine years running – she’s somewhat of a regional icon.
If you’re wondering what to expect from her, expect “everything as big and crazy as possible”, with an extremely exaggerated female silhouette and about “12 pairs of giant breast plates.”
With stilettos/her big camp boots on, she measures at a towering 7’3″ (you’d struggle to miss her on a night out) and with a touching self-taught backstory, she’s already our favourite – not that we’re biased or anything…
Why you should get behind her
Ahead of the latest season kicking off over the long weekend, TV debutant Diction discussed why she thinks she should be the next ‘Superstar’.
Honestly, it has been a crazy fever dream getting here”, she says. I am the first Leeds girl on Drag Race, and it just feels correct.
“There’s no girl like me in Leeds, let alone the world. You don’t really get many gorgeous, stunning, beautiful, conceptual queens that are also funny.
“I think that’s why Ru chose me to be here. I’ve graced the Earth with my presence. I’ve floated down from above, and I’m here to make you chuckle and laugh.
Once again, series seven of RuPaul Drag Race UK gets underway at 9pm this Sunday, 24 August, on BBC Three and iPlayer. We already know who we want to win.
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Featured Images — Press Shots (via BBC)
