Lawrence Chaney
Birth nameLawrence Maidment
Birth date16 October 1996 (age 29)
Birth placeHelensburgh, Scotland
CitizenshipBritish
OccupationDrag queen
Years active2014–present
TelevisionRuPaul's Drag Race UK (series 2)
Websitelawrencechaney.com

Lawrence Chaney (born Lawrence Maidment; 16 October 1996) is a Scottish drag queen based in Glasgow. They are best known for winning the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, becoming the first Scottish drag queen and the second Plus Size contestant to win across the franchise. Their role on the series later earned them the 2021 BAFTA Scotland Audience Award.[1][2] As part of their Drag Race victory, Chaney was awarded their own online television series, later titled Tartan Around, which premiered in 2022.[3]

Career

Chaney has professionally fulfilled their career as a drag performer since 2014 in Glasgow. In an interview with Metro, Chaney said their drag surname "Chaney" was inspired by 1920s prolific silent movie star Lon Chaney and explained that, "He was known as the man of a thousand faces and I'm known as the queen of a thousand faces, because I'm good at impersonation, stupid voices and general buffoonery."[4]

In December 2020, Chaney was announced as one of twelve contestants competing on the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.[1][5] On 18 March 2021, Chaney was announced as the winner of the series, becoming the first Scottish and first plus-size winner of a Drag Race season hosted by RuPaul (the first ever being Drag Race Thailand season 1 winner Natalia Pliacam).[6] As part of their Drag Race victory, Chaney was awarded their own online television series, later titled Tartan Around, which premiered in 2022.[3]

In March 2021, Chaney, alongside their fellow RuPaul's Drag Race UK finalists Tayce, Bimini Bon-Boulash, and Ellie Diamond, was photographed and interviewed for The Guardian[7] and later British Vogue.[8] Lawrence also embarked on a UK Tour alongside A'Whora, Bimini Bon-Boulash, and Tayce for the United Kingdolls Tour with promoter Klub Kids in July 2021,[9] and in February 2022, Chaney embarked on RuPaul's Drag Race UK: The Official Tour alongside the entire cast of the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, in association with World of Wonder and promoter Voss Events.[10]

In April 2021, Chaney was interviewed for and featured on the cover of Attitude's "Tea Time Digital Special", in association with Taimi.[11] Chaney was also a featured guest and panelist at the digital National Student Pride 2021 event.[12]

In May 2021, Transworld announced they had acquired the rights to Chaney's forthcoming memoir, Lawrence (Drag) Queen of Scots: The Dos and Don'ts of a Drag Superstar.[13]

Preceding RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Chaney has been a frequent collaborator with the BBC (especially BBC Sounds). On 21 August 2021, they presented the Saturday mid-morning slot on BBC Radio 1 from 10:30am, alongside Arielle Free and other drag queens, as part of "Drag Day".[14]

Personal life

Chaney grew up in both Helensburgh in Scotland and Newbury in England.[15] Chaney currently resides within the Gorbals area of Glasgow, Scotland.[16] They have expressed their support for Scottish independence.[17]

Regarding their gender identity, Chaney stated in an article for the i: "I still don't know if I am male, female, or somewhere in between. I think the best way to describe my gender is fluid, but this isn't finite. I see myself as ever evolving and always discovering more about myself."[18]

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
2019Mother TuckersThemselfTelevision documentary[19]
2021RuPaul's Drag Race UKContestantWinner; Series 2[1]
LorraineThemselfGuest[20]
Celebrity JuiceThemselfGuest[21]
The Hit ListThemselfGuest[22]
The Great British Sewing BeeThemselfGuest[23]
2022Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and ProudThemselfBBC Documentary[24]
Ant & Dec's Saturday Night TakeawayThemselfPerformed as part of the End of the Show Show[25]
Celebrity GoggleboxThemselfGuest[26]
Blankety BlankThemselfGuest[27]
Martin Compston's Scottish FlingThemselfBBC Scotland miniseries; Episode: "The West Coast"[28]
Celebrity LingoThemselfGuest[29]
The WheelThemselfGuest[30]
RuPaul's Drag Race UKThemselfGuest; Series 4
Lawrence Chaney's Homecoming QueensThemself
2024SlaycationThemself[31]
2025RuPaul's Drag RaceThemselfGuest; Season 17[32]

Radio

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
2021Radio 1 Drag Day with Lawrence Chaney & Arielle FreeThemselfBBC Radio 1[33]

Web series

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
2021National Student Pride 2021ThemselfNational Student Pride[12]
2021Cosmo Queens UKThemselfCosmopolitan UK[34]
2021I Like to Watch UKThemselfNetflix UK[35]
2022Tartan AroundThemselfWOWPresents+ Original[36]
2022God Shave the QueensThemselfFeatured queen[37]
2022Bring Back My GirlsThemselfGuest[38]
2023Give It to Me StraightThemselfGuest[39]
2023Binge QueensThemselfGuest[40]
2024The Pit StopThemselfGuest[41]
RuPaul's Drag Race Live UntuckedThemselfWOWPresents Plus original[42]
House of LaughsThemselfWOWPresents Plus original
Touch-Ups with RavenThemself

Discography

As lead artist

TitleYearAlbum
"We Werk Together"
(with Ant & Dec, The Vivienne and Krystal Versace)		2022
List of singles as a featured artist
TitleYearPeaksAlbum
UK
[43]		UK
Big Top 40
[44]
"UK Hun?"[45]
(among The Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Season 2)		2021273rowspan="3"
"A Little Bit of Love"[46]
(among The Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Season 2)		——
"UK Hun?"[47]
(Frock Destroyers featuring Lawrence Chaney)		——

Stage

YearTitlePromoterLocationRef
2021Squirrel FriendsKlub KidsLondon, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Newcastle[48]
2021United Kingdolls The TourKlub KidsTorquay, Southampton, Newcastle, Glasgow, Sheffield, Leeds, Cardiff, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and London[9]
2021The Lawrence Chaney ShowKlub KidsReading, Southampton, Torquay, Bath, Exeter, Plymouth, Nottingham, Hull, London, Sheffield, Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Brighton[49]
2022RuPaul's Drag Race UK: The Official TourVoss Events / World of WonderIpswich, Oxford, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Nottingham, Bournemouth, Southend, Manchester, Sheffield, Blackpool, Llandudno, Birmingham, Cardiff, Liverpool, Basingstoke, Portsmouth, Plymouth and London[10]
2022United Kingdolls TourITD Events / Klub KidsSydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Auckland and Wellington[50]

Awards and nominations

YearAward ceremonyCategoryWorkResultsRef.
202131st British Academy Scotland AwardsAudience AwardThemself[51]
2022The WOWIE AwardsBest Book Award (The Reading is Fundamental Award) (Drag) Queen of Scots: The Dos and Don’ts of a Drag Superstar[52]

References

  1. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race UK series two | Meet The Queens". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  2. ^ "BAFTA Scotland Awards 2021: Winners Announced". BAFTA. 20 November 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Tartan Around with Lawrence Chaney". WOW Presents Plus. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  4. ^ "Who is Lawrence Chaney, the Glasgow queen on RuPaul's Drag Race UK series 2?". Metro. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  5. ^ McStay, Kirsten (18 March 2021). "Drag Race crowns Lawrence Chaney UK winner as she becomes first Scot to take prize". Daily Record. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  6. ^ Nolfi, Joey (18 March 2021). "The winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK season 2 is...". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  7. ^ Nicholson, Rebecca (13 March 2021). "'Drag was always a protest, a political statement': RuPaul's Drag Race UK finalists open up". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  8. ^ ""I Just Love Making RuPaul Laugh": 'Drag Race' Star Lawrence Chaney Is Queen Of The One-Liner". British Vogue. 17 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  9. ^ "United Kingdolls The Tour". Klub Kids. Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  10. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race UK Tour". Voss Events. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  11. ^ Stichbury, Thomas (April 1, 2021). "HOW LAWRENCE CHANEY BEAT THE BULLIES TO BECOME A SUPERSTAR". Attitude. Archived from the original on 1 April 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  12. ^ "Lawrence Chaney, Dan Howell and more to talk mental health with Attitude and Student Pride". Attitude.co.uk. 2021-04-19. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  13. ^ "Transworld snaps up debut by Drag Race winner Lawrence Chaney | The Bookseller". www.thebookseller.com. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  14. ^ "Drag queens Jodie Harsh and Bimini to host Radio 1 shows". BBC News. 2021-08-11. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  15. ^ Chaney, Lawrence (2021). "Becoming Lawrence Chaney". Lawrence (Drag) Queen of Scots: The Dos and Don'ts of a Drag Superstar.. Random House. ISBN 978-1-4735-9811-9.
  16. ^ "Crowning RuPaul's Drag Race UK Series 2 Winner - Live Queen Reaction!". YouTube. 19 March 2021.
  17. ^ Webster, Laura (16 March 2021). "Drag Race UK star Lawrence Chaney reveals support for Scottish independence". The National. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  18. ^ Chaney, Lawrence (September 25, 2021). "Drag Race UK winner Lawrence Chaney: 'I've been confused about my gender identity, I thought I might be trans'". iNews. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  19. ^ Burnside, Anna (April 15, 2019). "Secret life of Glasgow's fabulous drag queens uncovered in new BBC Scotland documentary". Daily Record. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  20. ^ Ahluwalia, Navi (18 March 2021). "Lawrence Chaney and Ellie Diamond Share Their Final Words Before Tonight's Drag Race UK Final". PopSugar. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  21. ^ Bev Lyons (May 2, 2021). "Scots Drag Race winner Lawrence Chaney to appear on Celebrity Juice after fans get impatient". Daily Record. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  22. ^ Joe Julians (August 24, 2021). "The Hit List's new celebrity line-up revealed – including Strictly Come Dancing specials". Radio Times. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  23. ^ Annie Roberts (November 23, 2021). "BBC's Great British Sewing Bee returns with two star-studded festive specials and brand new host". Wales Online. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  24. ^ Brocklehurst, Harrison (January 25, 2022). "We spoke to Drag Race UK's Cherry Valentine about her 'emotional' new documentary". The Tab. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  25. ^ Chilton, Louis (February 20, 2022). "Ant and Dec stun Saturday Night Takeaway viewers with 'phenomenal' transformation into drag queens". The Independent. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  26. ^ "Who are Celebrity Gogglebox's Tia Kofi and Lawrence Chaney?". Heart.co. July 8, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  27. ^ "Blankety Blank Series 19, Episode 5". www.comedy.co.uk. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  28. ^ "Martin Compston's Scottish Fling". www.bbc.com. September 9, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  29. ^ "Celebrity Lingo Episode 7". itv.com. November 7, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  30. ^ "Michael McIntyre's The Wheel, Series 3, Episode 6". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  31. ^ Joey Nolfi, "See the 6 returning Drag Race queens set to be dropped into the wilderness on new Slaycation series". Entertainment Weekly, June 6, 2024.
  32. ^ Kevin O'Keeffe, "‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 17, Episode 2 recap: Whatcha gonna do with all that dunk". Xtra Magazine, January 13, 2025.
  33. ^ "BBC Radio 1 - Radio 1 Anthems, with Lawrence Chaney". BBC. Retrieved 2021-08-21.
  34. ^ "Lawrence Chaney's makeup transformation is the definition of glamour | Cosmo Queens UK", 5 May 2021, retrieved 2021-05-05
  35. ^ Damshenas, Sam. "I Like to Watch UK returns with Drag Race winners The Vivienne and Lawrence Chaney". Gay Times. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  36. ^ Jones, Monique (March 17, 2022). "World Of Wonder's Spring Slate For WOW Presents Plus Includes Heidi N Closet Co-Hosted Series, Vanjie-Fronted Shows And More". Shadow and Act. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  37. ^ "'God Shave the Queens' Season 2 Trailer: Watch Your Favorite 'Drag Race UK' Stars Go on Tour! (Exclusive)". ET Online. 26 July 2022. Archived 30 July 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  38. ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (May 5, 2022). "'Bring Back My Girls': WOW Presents Plus Sets Original Series, Will Film Live At DragCon LA". Deadline. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  39. ^ "LAWRENCE CHANEY - "Give It To Me Straight" Ep11 - Hosted by Maddy Morphosis". YouTube. June 16, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  40. ^ "SPOILER ALERT: Binge Queens - RuPaul's Drag Race UK Series 5, Episode 1 Preview". YouTube. October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  41. ^ "The Pit Stop S16 E12 - Trixie Mattel and Lawrence Chaney Get Flushed!". YouTubeaccess-date=April 19, 2024. March 23, 2024.
  42. ^ Nolfi, Joey (October 5, 2023). "Drag Race queens unite for new RuPaul's Drag Race Live Untucked TV series". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  43. ^ "United Kingdolls | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  44. ^ "The Official Big Top 40 | Chart for 21 February 2021". The Official Big Top 40
  45. ^ "UK Hun? (United Kingdolls Version) - Single by The Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Season 2", retrieved 15 February 2021
  46. ^ "A Little Bit of Love (Cast Version) [feat. The Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Season 2] - Single by RuPaul", retrieved 19 March 2021
  47. ^ ""UK Hun?" by the Frock Destroyers Feat. Lawrence Chaney Is Here". World of Wonder. 2021-04-05. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
  48. ^ "Klub Kids London presents SQUIRREL FRIENDS (ages 14+)". Eventbrite. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  49. ^ "The Lawrence Chaney Show". The Foundry Torquay. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  50. ^ "United Kingdolls Tour » ITDEVENTS". ITDEVENTS. Archived from the original on 5 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  51. ^ "'BAFTA Scotland Awards 2021: Full list of nominations". Glasgow Live. October 13, 2021.
  52. ^ "Here Are World of Wonder's 2022 WOWIE Awards Winners". World of Wonder. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2024.