Ella Vaday: West End Roots, Drag Race Realness and Queer Joy at Every Age

https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts211/v4/84/41/10/8441100b-fa05-96d6-af38-a365096004f0/mza_13404299861117045210.jpg/600x600bb.jpg

Queer Talker

Ben Cicchetti

20 episodes

4 days ago

Queer Talker is a podcast celebrating the stories and journeys of LGBTQ+ individuals from all walks of life, from business leaders to celebrities and influencers. Through open and authentic conversations, we explore themes of identity, authenticity, and the power of living boldly.

Personal Journals

Society & Culture

RSS

All content for Queer Talker is the property of Ben Cicchetti and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Personal Journals

Society & Culture

https://d3t3ozftmdmh3i.cloudfront.net/staging/podcast_uploaded_episode/43003185/43003185-1754918504103-2ba2b7af93852.jpg

Ella Vaday: West End Roots, Drag Race Realness and Queer Joy at Every Age

Queer Talker

53 minutes 29 seconds

2 months ago

Ella Vaday: West End Roots, Drag Race Realness and Queer Joy at Every Age

In this episode of Queer Talker, host Ben Cicchetti sits down with Ella Vaday, the multi-talented drag queen and performer who went from West End shows to making it all the way to the final of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 3.

Ella, also known as Nick Collier, shares stories from a complicated childhood in rural Suffolk, a life shaped by performance and pressure, and the moment drag became an unexpected lifeline during lockdown. From surviving isolation on Drag Race to reclaiming confidence in her thirties, Ella talks candidly about coming out later in life, learning to stop hiding, and why you should never feel rushed to figure it all out.

They also dive into the highs and lows of fame, the backstage reality of reality TV, and the joy of finding your place, whether that’s in a glittery gown or a sweaty gym. Plus, Ella opens up about navigating queer identity in a social media age, why she still doesn’t feel like she fits in, and the advice she’d give to young queer people feeling lost or unseen.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s still figuring it out, still finding their voice, or still waiting for their spotlight.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ella and Queer Panic

04:24 Childhood Memories and Celebrity Crushes

07:34 Fashion and Drag Race Highlights

10:16 Influential Queer Media and Icons

13:20 Navigating Queerness and Family Dynamics

16:17 Advice for Young Queer Individuals

19:30 Social Media and Its Impact on Queerness

26:03 Embracing Authenticity and Self-Acceptance

28:35 Navigating the Performing Arts Journey

33:11 The Evolution of a Drag Queen