Award winning Drag Superstar Velma Cellia and her alter-ego Ian Stroughair sat down with fairypowered to answer 20 questions. Velma is currently on tour in Show Queen and can be seen at York Theatre Royal on May 23rd, tickets can be found here
Let’s start with a few favourites
Favourite show (whether you have been in it or not)?
RENT
Favourite book?
Any of the Harry Potter’s but The Deathly Hallows one and two are the best
Favourite theatre?
The Theatre Royal, York! OBVS
Favourite song?
I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Whitney Houston AKA the greatest singer of all time
Favourite music?
Ooooooooo SOOO many genres. Nina Simone, Amy Winehouse, Whitney, Aretha
Favourite food?
Sunday roast and (at the moment) Sushi. I just got back from Australia and their Sushi and any food to be honest is INCREDIBLE!
Favourite drink?
Morning, Yorkshire tea (obvs). Evening, Gin and Tonic and / or Champagne but I am not drinking alcohol until my show at York Theatre Royal! You’ll understand when you see the gown! It’s EPIC
What is your favourite role?
Angel in Rent. I LOVED every moment of that tour
What was your first role?
Kes the Musical at The Theatre Royal, York!
And what role would you really like to play?
A few. Mrs Trunchbull in Matilda, The Witch in Into The Woods and obviously HEDWIG
If you weren’t a performer what would you be?
A Chef. In fact that’s all I ever wanted to be. Might still happen
What made you decide to be a performer?
A mistake. Just randomly auditioned for a performing arts school and got in. I was sort of forced to audition and went for a bit of a laugh and a day out. The rest is history
Do you enjoy touring?
I love it. I love meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds.
What advice would you give 16 year old you?
Never compare yourself to anyone else, be yourself no matter what and find your own way through the industry we call show I did it too! HA
Do you fancy branching out in Producing or Directing?
I have done both! I really enjoy it! I will never rule it out but for a few more years the stage is my home
What was the last stage show you saw and really enjoyed?
Moulin Rouge in The West End. ZOE BIRKETT gave me EVERYTHING. She stole the show!
Favourite line from any show?
Today for you, tomorrow for ME!
If you could be anyone else for the day, who would it be?
I would be Louise Dearman and I would put on my own concert as her. She has (unequivocally) the best voice in the business. She can sing ANYTHING and is such a wonderful actress and an all round mega talent. She is the absolute top level of what it means to be a leading lady! Oh, and she’s the nicest person in any room!
What are the nicest/weirdest things you have ever received from fans?
This year I received a hand made cookie with my face on it when on tour in Australia
Can you tell us what you will be up to next?
My show “SHOW QUEEN” opens at York Theatre Royal on May 23rd. It is going to be EPIC and my band and guests are sensational. The BEST BURLESQUE Star in the business.. Miss Betsy Rose is coming up to blow everyone’s minds and York’s own voice of DREAMS.. Jessica Steel will blow the roof off too!
God Save The Queens at Skipton Town Hall on June 15th and also July 13th at FieryBird in Woking. We just Won Best Cabaret award in Australia for this show! Catch Christina Bianco and I in the 10 year anniversary of our show DIVALLUSION at Crazy Coqs on August 30th