La Voix has opened up about following in the footsteps of fellow drag queen Tayce on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing ahead of the new series.
La Voix, real name Christopher Dennis, has become the first drag queen to sign up to the flagship series of the dance competition, but they’re not the first to grace the ballroom.
Last Christmas, RuPaul’s Drag Race star Tayce became the first drag queen to take part in the BBC franchise, winning the festive edition alongside pro partner Kai Widdrington.
Rumours had been circulating for a while that bosses would be lining up a drag queen to compete in the 2025 series, and fans’ wishes were fulfilled when 45-year-old La Voix was unveiled.
BBC Strictly: La Voix has been unveiled as the first drag queen to compete on Strictly
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BBC
La Voix’s career in the spotlight has been a long one, starring in ITV’s Queens For The Night and Paramount’s Queen Of The Universe as well as Drag Race.
The performer even made it to the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent in front of Simon Cowell and his fellow judges, and landed a role in the Absolutely Fabulous movie.
Strictly promises to be an entirely different ballgame, however, and it’s something La Voix admitted they were aware of heading into rehearsals.
“I was talking about this, we’re in for a crash course of fitness,” they told GB News at this year’s press day. “It’s exhausting.
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BBC Strictly: La Voix is hoping to replicate the success of Tayce from last year’s Xmas special
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BBC
“It’s using your feet and muscles in a way you’ve never done before; it’s not like any other workout.
“Your hips go this way, your legs go that way, it’s impossible.”
Despite the rigours of the rehearsal room, La Voix insisted: “I’m enjoying it and it’s more fun than I was expecting, even early doors.
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s petrifying – but there’s a point where you go, ‘This is really good fun’.
“I think it’s when they play the music, they pick really good music on this show.”
But has La Voix had a chance to pick Tayce’s brain about what it takes to lift the Glitterball Trophy?
“I haven’t!” La Voix conceded. “And do you know what, I’ve never met Tayce.
“But I’m hoping some of that winning glitter sprinkles down on me this season because she did amazing. I mean, to win the show was incredible! No pressure!”
If La Voix is to replicate the success of Tayce, they’ll have to win over the likes of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas, and Anton Du Beke.
Despite their high bars, La Voix isn’t going to let any negative feedback put a dampener on the experience.
“You want to be able to use the critique to help you without breaking any little bit of confidence you’ve got, so you don’t cry on the way home every week,” they admitted.
La Voix will undoubtedly have the Drag Race fandom picking up their phones to vote, but there are also plenty of famous faces excited to see the drag performer take to the floor.
Tayce was the first drag queen to take part in a Strictly competition
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BBCAfter La Voix was unveiled as a contestant, the Instagram announcement confirming the news was soon inundated with excitable messages.
Among them was former pro Oti Mabuse who typed: “ABOUT TIME!!! You’ve been dreaming about this for years – I hope it’s everything and more you’ve been waiting for.”
“OMG! Yessss @lavoixtheshow xxx,” Layton Williams added while former competitor Michelle Visage wrote: “SO EXCITED FOR HER.”
Elsewhere, fellow drag queen Courtney Act weighed in: “Congrats Diva!!! So excited to watch you slay xxx.”
“Thrilled for you!!!!! Xxx,” Ruthie Henshall commented while Big Brother’s Will Best echoed: “YES!!! This is EXCELLENT news. You’re going to be AMAZING!! Xx.” (sic)