Introduction to Catrin Feelings
Catrin Feelings, known as Ellis Lloyd Jones, 27, from Treorchy in Rhondda Cynon Taf, is the second Welsh-speaking actor to appear on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. She wanted to "increase" the language and give it a platform. With 220,000 TikTok supporters, Catrin said it was "surreal" to be on the show that she brought to the drag.
Expectations from Catrin
She said we can expect "a lot of comedy, a lot of Welsh and maybe a little shade" from her. Catrin looked at the first episode at a watch party in Mary’s in Cardiff on September 25th and said the crowd cheered every time she spoke Welsh, adding that it felt good to "represent" Wales.
Judges’ Feedback
Catrin was popular with the judges and made it into the top groups for both episodes that have been broadcast so far. RuPaul said that Catrin "felt like an ambassador in Wales" and added that she had "this personality that could sell them something – she is charismatic". Catrin said she was satisfied with the positive comments by the judges.
Background and Inspiration
Catrin’s character came after Ellis started to "play with drag" after moving to the university and then got on in TikTok during the pandemic. "After the Lockdown, something caught in my brain – life is short, something like that could happen again. Let us do something with my life," she said. She then appeared in the Queer Emporium in Cardiff’s "Dragling Night", where new drag performers perform their first appearance.
The Name Catrin Feelings
The name comes from a small mix fan, she said, especially from a lyric in the song motif. "It works ‘Ooh la la, ooh la la, I start feelings.’ And I said, "Stay, it sounds like you’re saying Catrin feelings," she said. "When it comes to naming yourself, the more unique the better," she said.
Advice to Other Drag Queens
Her advice to other "baby queens" was "to find the fun in the drag because they just" got ". She also said that it was difficult to get to know competitors on the show because the competition "everyone has just come so close".
Experience on the Show
Catrin showed Wales with her outfit in the opening episode, which included a Welsh leek. Her entrance look was also a classic silhouette from the Cardiff Drag scene. "I wanted to go in and say: ‘This is the drag that I come from’." She described RuPaul as "absolutely beautiful". "You go to the show and know who is watching them in all of these seasons, and I will not lie, I went in and I was so afraid to meet them. But to be honest, she is so cold, so down-to-earth."
Where to Watch
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is on Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. BST on BBC Three and can be watched on BBC iPlayer. Catrin said she loves a Welsh crowd. "Whatever I will say will understand," she said. "But when I appear in England, you can’t understand a word." The Entertainer Max Boyce, who was also on the show, told her that he was watching and she was "well represented us".
