Skip to main content

Home Culture Culture Film & TV

Drag Race UK’s Veronica Green had ‘a bit of a breakdown’ after coronavirus exit

The series two star tells admits she "cried for days" after coronavirus forced her off the show.

By Will Stroude

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Veronica Green has admitted she had “a bit of a breakdown” after a positive coronavirus test saw her participation in series two come to an untimely end.

Speaking to Attitude and Jodie Harsh on Tea Time in association with TAIMI,  the LGBTQ Dating, Chat and Social Network App, week three challenge winner Veronica recalled her initial reaction to being told she would not be able to return to the workroom following the pandemic-induced break in filming.

“At the time, when I found out I wasn’t going to be allowed back on set I did have a bit of a breakdown”, says Veronica, 35. “I cried for a few days.

“But, you know, I’m a positive person and I picked myself up and carried on eventually.”

Despite an open invitation from RuPaul to take part in Drag Race UK series three, which is due to premiere later this year, Veronica says she’s yet to make a final decision on whether to enter the competition for a second time.

“I’ve got a few more days to make my decision and I’m going to leave them waiting to the last second”, she says.

Veronica’s shock exit from the series led to RuPaul giving three previously-eliminated queens the chance to be voted back into the competition, with first queen out Joe Black being chosen by his fellow queens to return to the workroom.

Though Joe’s second shot at the crown proved to be short-lived (you can read more about all that drama here), Veronica says she would also have voted for the Brighton cabaret star to take her place in the competition.

“Ultimately you could have picked any of the three, and I think people were going to be upset and happy either way”, admits Veronica. “Every single one of those competitors could go back in and compete.

“I would have voted for Joe as well, that would have been my choice.”

Asked if she thinks Ginny Lemon may regret quitting the series in light of the returning queen twist, Veronica replies: “I don’t think she regrets it at all – unless she’s said so herself. 

“I think she knew what she wanted to do and what she wanted to achieve. She had different motivations for entering the competition than someone like me, so when she did what she did I had a different reaction because my head was in a different place.

“But I think it was a great moment – a fantastic moment!”

Prior to Veronica’s exit, viewers saw tensions beginning to mount between her and some of the other queens, with Tayce going so far as to brand her “cocky”.

Reflecting on what she learned about herself during her time on series two, Veronica says: “I know that I struggle with seeking approval from my peers – that’s something I’ve battled with since childhood.

“You know, going through rejection in my career, and as a kid being bullied and all of that stuff that comes with being queer, you just want to be loved by people, and sometimes that side of me came out.

“I don’t regret it, because it’s a human nature thing. But it’s something I don’t need – I don’t need approval from people. So I think moving forwards it’s something I really need to keep in check.”

Subscribe to Attitude on YouTube now to ensure you don’t miss your weekly dose of Tea Time in association with TAIMI.

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK lands on BBC Three from 7pm every Thursday, available exclusively on BBC iPlayer.