Elsewhere on Ulster
Our very own Evan Keating is competing on series 7 of RuPaul's Drag Race UK as Elle Vosque! We sat down with Evan to talk about his Drag Race journey and how his studies as a Textile Art, Design and Fashion student have helped him along the way.
Ulster University’s own Evan Keating has just finished the second year of his Textile Art, Design and Fashion degree and is already making a huge impact beyond the Belfast School of Art fashion studio. Better known on stage as Elle Vosque, a name inspired by his love of Legally Blonde and Broadway star Jessica Vosk, Evan is a standout talent on the Belfast drag scene. He’s a regular performer on Union Street, often wearing looks shaped by his fashion studies and lip syncing to his favourite anthem Heaven Is a Place on Earth.
In Episode one of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Elle wowed the judges with her show-stopping “My Hometown” look that paid tribute to Belfast’s iconic Titanic Visitor Centre, earning him first place!
Walking into the Drag Race Werk Room for the first time, Evan described the experience as “nerve central” and “wild,” especially when he saw RuPaul in person. Having tried to get on the show for years, stepping onto the iconic set “felt correct,” as if he had finally arrived where he was meant to be. His standout moment of filming came when he turned the corner on the runway and saw RuPaul in full drag for the very first time, looking incredible. “It’s not a filter – it’s all real!” he said.
Evan also described how his drag has evolved since being on the show. “Being on Drag Race has definitely helped shape my drag. I’ve met queens from so many different walks of life from all over the UK, who have taught me a lot of new tricks - but I taught them a few tricks as well!”
Evan’s time on Drag Race isn’t the only thing that has shaped his drag; his studies at Ulster University have also played a huge role. “Drag has influenced my fashion and textiles studies. To get into my creative process at uni, I like to bring my drag persona into my work. In the same way, I feel my studies have definitely shaped my drag. I’ve learned a lot here. I’ve been taught how to fine tune my drag looks and think about why I’m doing something.” He added that one of the biggest advantages his course gave him for Drag Race was the technical skill and confidence to take on the design/sewing challenge!
Evan acknowledged that balancing his creative work at university with preparing looks for drag has sometimes been a challenge, but the overlap between fashion in drag and fashion in his course has helped him navigate it. “When doing a project at university, I always try to match it with the vibe of my drag at that moment. Many of my uni projects have made their way into my drag wardrobe,” he said, holding up a red sequined ribbed bodice – one of his drag looks that he transformed into a course project.
Having the support of his Ulster University lecturers and peers for his Drag Race journey has also helped him manage this balancing act. “It was definitely a shock when everyone found out I was on drag race”, he said. “But I definitely felt all the support from my university community, which was amazing.”
As a fashion student, Evan gets creative inspiration everywhere. When asked who influences his fashion and drag style, he cited disco music and musical theatre characters such as Roxy Hart from Chicago and Glinda from Wicked as major inspirations, shaping the early days of Elle Vosque.
His style inspirations feed directly into his creative process, helping him explore new ways to express himself both on stage and in fashion. “With drag, expression and identity is a constantly changing thing. That’s what’s really cool about drag; you’re constantly evolving and updating who your character is. Elle this year is different to who Elle was last year. At the minute, I love singing more than I did last year. I’ve always been a singer, but recently expressing myself through my voice rather than lip syncing is definitely something I’m enjoying.”
When asked what’s next after Drag Race, he replied, “More drag! My first goal is to go on a couple of tours, and my bucket-list goal for the near future is to be in a West End show.” When asked whether he would use his fashion degree for his future plans, he added, “In a few years’ time, I’d definitely like to get back into drag costuming and maybe one day make other queens’ costumes.”
Evan also offered some advice to LGBTQIA+ students looking to explore their identity at university. “Try to put you into your work. With me, I associated my drag aesthetics and ideas with my uni work, just like uni influenced my drag. So, whatever you feel, put it on the page!”
The very best luck on Drag Race, Evan. Ulster University will be rooting for Elle Vosque all the way!
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK airs 9PM Thursdays on BBC Three.
