Can you even remember a time when drag superstar La Voix wasn’t dazzling us - flashing that glossy smile and tearing the roof off every venue with a show-stopping show tune?

While younger readers might only know the scarlet-wigged diva as the unforgettable runner-up on last year’s Drag Race UK, slightly older fans will remember her from the early-noughties cabaret scene, her appearance in the hysterical Absolutely Fabulous movie, and, of course, her triumphant turn in the live rounds of Britain’s Got Talent.

La Voix is, without question, drag royalty. No longer confined to intimate bars and clubs, she’s stepped confidently into the spotlight of grander venues like the The Lyric on Shaftesbury Avenue- and, just announced, the ultra-glamorous and iconic Theatre Royal Drury Lane. There, she’ll be treating her loyal army of fans to a powerhouse musical set packed with beloved classics by Bassey, Streisand, and Garland – plus some sensational original tracks. One of those, The Show Is Not Over, is available now.

Though best known for belting out big band bangers, La Voix’s latest musical incarnation is pure dance floor dynamite. Produced by Gareth Shortland - whose credits include none other than Steps - The Show Is Not Over is an unapologetic, high-camp anthem with an earth-shattering climax that practically guarantees an afterglow. It’s simply outrageous. There’s no other way to describe it. And La Voix is absolutely living for it.

In this interview with ReVamp magazine, the legendary warbler and comedy queen opens up about her inspirations, why she decided to enter Drag Race, and the pride she still carries for her father, who stopped the world with the heart-rending speech he served on the show in support of parents accepting their gay children.

We know you as an all rounder as a singer of old standards, comedian but this is quite the departure. Original songs. 

Actually being involved in the process, working with songwriters was fantastic. When they wrote the songs I sang them, made them my own, and listened back thinking, “That’s my song.” It means the world to me.

Music has always been part of your life, hasn’t it?

My dad was obsessed with great music - Donna Summer, Barbra Streisand. My house growing up was filled with the most amazing anthems by the most amazing women. I think, without realising, that’s where I got my passion for music and divas. I never put two and two together until my dad and I had all these chats after we were on Drag Race, and he said, “You should release your own song?” So when the opportunity came up, I thought: I’m doing this. For me, for my fans, but also for my dad. To say, “There we go. It’s my song.”

Maybe you should get him to do a little rap on one of your songs?

Could you imagine that? I’d love it. 

The song is super hiNRG. Why do you think this style music tantalises gay men?

We are who we are. And when I got them to write it, I said I wanted a big Shirley Bassey-style ending. I wanted a song that was euphoric, that took us on a journey, that lifts us all up. For a lot of the queer community, there is an internal struggle we don’t always show. We might be florists, hairdressers, creatives—but inside, there can be a struggle.This song is to raise people’s spirits. It isn’t really about sadness. It’s about never being alone. How the audience is your company and music the outlet.

Is that how you feel when you perform? 

When I’m standing in front of an audience, that’s when I feel most alive, most in my power. I’d like to believe that at my shows, the love in the room is immense. When I perform live, I feel people can forget the world and their troubles for two hours and just absolutely let loose. It’s entertainment. Fun. Laughter. That’s what I want the music to be - euphoric, a massive anthem. It’s the kind of song that when if I’m having a bad day, I’d put it on to remind me that the show isn’t over. That no matter how bad it gets, life isn’t over. There’s hope, and we move forward. That’s important—especially with how the world is now. We need as much fun and laughter as we can get.

You mentioned that Shirley Bassey ending – it’s breathtaking. Your voice at the end.. It was insane! But there’s also a dash of Steps in there too. 

The song was co-written by Gareth Shortland who produced some songs for Steps. And that’s the sound I wanted. I wanted to lean into his talent for creating those anthems. Everyone remembers learning the Steps routines - it’s nostalgic for a generation. It’s got just enough Steps vibes to feel camp and poppy, but also just enough modern dancey energy to still feel relevant.

When you were younger, who were your childhood pop idols?

I was in the Kylie Minogue fan club - I still might be, actually, I never cancelled! I had the posters, the Smash Hits albums. It was a great time for music. Sonia, Jason Donovan, Kylie, Yazz - all that Stock Aitken Waterman brilliance. Just great, upbeat music.

Oh those were the days. 

I remember loving the B-side to Jason and Kylie’s Especially for You - All I Wanna Do. During lockdown, I had a local BBC radio show and played all that music. You forget how good it is. I was digging through a goldmine of archive tracks. I had a blast - hopefully the listeners did too, but I was having a party!

Kylie and Jason’s music was able to captivate and bond a lot of young LGBTQ people and helped some of them discover their true selves. Music really can be life changing. 

We were lucky. Music was more focused then. You went to Woolworths, bought the single, maybe the 12-inch. It was an experience – you’d hold it, read the liner notes, learn thelyrics. It’s all diluted now. You stream a song once, move on, forget the name or artist.I hope, by having a big personality and bringing out the music after everything else, it gives people a hook. They know me first - then discover the music. That’s been such a nice journey. My fans have wanted an album. And now it’s original? They’re so excited—but don’t know what to expect. But they do know - it won’t be subtle. It won’t be a ballad!

You’ve been around a long time. It feels like you’ve always been around. When did you start out? 

I started in 2004. That’s over 20 years ago now. I’ve always been an entertainer, a showgirl. I wanted to do musical theatre- Les Misérables, Phantom, all that. But with my red hair, I was never going to play Christine, was I? So I hit the cabaretscene, I saw some shows where – and no disrespect to anyone - but no one was really singing. They were miming or doing parody songs. I wanted to sing Shirley Bassey, Donna Summer, Barbra Streisand. I thought, “I could do better than this.” So I created a show and hit the scene in 2004 and had residencies at Madame Jojo’s and Royal Vauxhall Tavern. 

Then you did Britain’s Got Talent. 

Oh yes, I threw myself into it, made the live finals with the public vote. That led to cruises, international gigs. Performing for American and European audiences showed me music - especially artists like Tina Turner - transcends borders. And that was before social media. Her music crossed oceans. People everywhere just love great entertainment. Americans especially - they love British humour and are with you from the start. British crowds? They tend to be more reserved. You earn it. Americans give you a standing ovation for wearing a nice dress!

With all that success, it was a surprise to many that you did Drag Race. Why did you?

I still ask myself that! But honestly, I saw how queens had gone on the show and were getting amazing opportunities. Like The Vivienne - she did Dancing on Ice. I’m ambitious. I thought, “If I need to do Drag Race to get the other stuff, I’ll do it.” Suddenly I was in this whirlwind of prep and thought, “Wow, this is happening.” I walked in thinking, “I’ve got nothing to lose.” If it didn’t work, I’d go back to theatre and cruises. But it pushed me. It challenged me. And let’s be honest—the show needed me! Ratings were dropping. Poor RuPaul, bless him, not getting any younger. Couldn’t remember our names - just sat there in tracksuit bottoms under the desk. I thought, “I’ll give Ru a break!” And it led to this song and bigger venues than I’ve ever done before.

And now you’re doing Theatre Royal Drury Lane, aren’t you?

I’m so excited. I did the Lyric Theatre after my appearance on Drag Race, which sold out so added a second night which sold out in 48 hours. So now we’re going big at Drury Lane and then shows in Glasgow, Brighton, Portsmouth, Manchester, and my hometown Stockton-on-Tees at The Globe—where the Beatles once played.

In recent times, drag queens have come under attack. Have you had any negative experiences?

I’ve had nothing but positive experiences. I’m lucky. I’m very much an entertainer. People don’t expect me to be a typical “drag act.” It’s stand-up comedy, live vocals, a full band. Not Drag Race tours with ten queens doing lip-sync, daath drops and splits -I’m far too old for that! What I do is closer to the classic entertainment of the ’80s and ’90s - not dated, just classic. Big Shirley Bassey numbers, Tina Turner with sparkles and fire, disco, parodies - two full hours of variety. I’ve stuck to that route and avoided the negativity. You see my audience is diverse – people in their 50s, 60s, straight couples. Funnily enough It’s always the husbands who love it the most. They buy the merch, queue for pictures and tell me that their wives are waiting in the car! So if anyone reading this is unsure about coming, ask yourself: “Why not?” You’re probably imagining something it’s not. Once you come, you’ll get the buzz.

Will we see your superstar dad join you on stage.  

Oh, don’t - he’s unstoppable now! He barely answers the phone these days. I think he’s got his own agent! But yes, I will bring him on stage. He’s nearly 80, so it depends on the venue, but there will definitely be some surprise appearances.

His heart felt speech on Drag Race really made quit e the impact! 

He’s not on social media, so he doesn’t get to see the responses. But I read him messages that have been so kind. I’m always asked about him. When he came out on stage at the Lyric Theatre, he got a standing ovation. That meant the world to me. I don’t think he realised how much that speech meant to people. I think it saved lives. It gave people confidence to come out, helped families talk. And sometimes just talking is enough. So yes—he’ll be there. Not sure about the heels, though!

The Show Isn’t Over is available now on all major streaming platforms and her second tour runs from September to November.