Michelle Visage is the toughest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race, so we’re predicting plenty of pushback against Craig Revel Horwood on Strictly Come Dancing.
But it turns out her partner Giovanni Pernice is already a target for her sass.
The Italian dancer called Michelle ‘very hard work’ as they prepared for their Strictly debut this weekend.
Giovanni, 29, supported Michelle, 50, at the premiere of the first episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK last night in London and was, of course, dragged up onto the runway by Ms Visage.
When she asked him to tell the audience how rehearsals are going, Gio replied: ‘It’s going’ – to much laughter.
He continued: ‘It’s going really well actually, you’re doing really, really well. You are very hard work. Very strong personality. But we’re having a good time, aren’t we?’
Michelle said: ‘But listen guys, speaking of “don’t f*** it up”, you have to vote. You can say “oh my god, Michelle and Giovanni, I love them so much” – if you don’t vote, it doesn’t f***ing matter. So you need to pick up your phones…’
And her partner interrupted: ‘People, this is my life, every single day. Just vote for the sympathy vote.’
Poor fella.
Michelle revealed at the launch that she and Giovanni will be dancing the cha cha this Saturday in an effort to win the public’s votes.
During their chat, Michelle’s fellow judge Graham Norton joked in the background that the impromptu natter was ‘cross promotion’.
Giovanni was just one of the Strictly stars who showed up for the Drag Race event in London’s Bloomsbury Ballrooms.
The dancer was accompanied by girlfriend Ashley Roberts, who he competed with in last year’s series, and fellow pros Janette Manrara and AJ Pritchard, and the gang all watched the first episode of Drag Race UK, which is set to air on BBC iPlayer on 3 October.
Other stars gagging over the premiere included Nicola Coughlan and Jamie-Lee O’Donnell from Derry Girls, Vick Hope, Scarlett Moffatt, Curtis Pritchard and Tamal Ray, while judges Graham Norton and Alan Carr hosted the queens’ arrival with Michelle.
Ten UK queens will be competing to be crowned the first ever UK’S next drag superstar by RuPaul – Cheryl Hole, Crystal, Baga Chipz, The Vivienne, Vinegar Strokes, Scaredy Kat, Gothy Kendoll, Sum Ting Wong, Blu Hydrangea and Divina De Campo.
We wonder if any of them will show up on Strictly to support Michelle?
Strictly Come Dancing is on at 7pm on BBC One on Saturday.
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK starts on 3 October on BBC iPlayer.
Got a showbiz story?
If you’ve got a story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk Entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE: Lorraine viewers left puzzled after actress in Princess Diana musical looks nothing like her
MORE: Marilyn Manson joins American Gods season 3 cast as Viking death metal singer
