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RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner Krystal Versace, from Tunbridge Wells, shares her experience on the show and her plans for the future

At just 19-years-old, Krystal Versace (Luke Fenn), is now the youngest ever winner of RuPaul's Drag Race.

From backstage advice to growing up as part of the LGBTQ+ community in Kent, she has revealed all following an excellent run on the hit BBC Three show.

Krystal was 19 at the time of filming earlier this year. Picture: Krystal Versace
Krystal was 19 at the time of filming earlier this year. Picture: Krystal Versace

In last night's final, the queen battled it out against Ella Vaday and Kitty Scott-Claus in the final lip sync battle to "You Don't Own Me" by Dusty Springfield before taking the top spot.

She now joins former winners of the UK series The Vivienne and Lawrence Chaney in the Drag Race Hall of Fame.

Following her win she said: "Honestly, I feel incredible. It's such an amazing honour to be crowned the youngest queen ever and just the winner in general of the whole season, you know?

"It's insane. I'm going to take every day as it comes.

"I want to tell the world and show the world what I have and just keep reinventing myself and re-inspiring myself and others."

She is the youngest ever winner of the entire franchise. Picture: Krystal Versace
She is the youngest ever winner of the entire franchise. Picture: Krystal Versace

Krystal was a clear front runner from the very beginning of the competition - she won the first two episodes and earned two 'RuPeter' badges.

The praise for Krystal's work apparently didn't stop there, with head judge RuPaul supporting her from behind-the-scenes as well.

She said: "Ru was was amazing.

"He would just give me loads of advice. He would always call me laser eyes because he would just see me looking at everything and picking it apart.

"I felt like we were friends. He got me and it was just crazy how much he knew about me and how we think about stuff and see stuff."

RuPaul loved Krystal from the very beginning. Picture: Krystal Versace
RuPaul loved Krystal from the very beginning. Picture: Krystal Versace

Krystal grew up in Tunbridge Wells and so will now be bringing the sparkling crown back to Kent.

She hopes that it will inspire the county to become more accepting and welcoming of the LGBTQ+ community.

She added: "When I grew up there wasn't any queer culture, there were no gay clubs, nothing.

"So I think hopefully now that I've put Kent on the map, it can maybe start conversations.

"Where I lived. It was very conservative, very old school and they need to catch up."

Krystal grew up in "conservative" Tunbridge Wells
Krystal grew up in "conservative" Tunbridge Wells

However, she assured that Kent hasn't lost her to Hollywood just yet, and she hopes to come back and perform in the county again soon.

She continued: "So I really want to come back to Kent, I just think it needs more venues.

"It needs more queer culture, you know?

"They need to just change things up a bit and tweak a few things. But there are some amazing venues in Kent and I'll definitely come back - hopefully soon.

"I'm sure there'll be lots of performing, lots of big venues, lots of productions and lots of choreo - God help me."

Make-up celebrity James Charles messaged Krystal after her win. Picture: Krystal Versace
Make-up celebrity James Charles messaged Krystal after her win. Picture: Krystal Versace

Known for her gorgeous make-up, Krystal has had messages from make-up celebrities like James Charles since winning the show.

She shared her top tips for how to re-create the flawless face.

She said: "Do eye make-up with small brushes, make sure your skin is primed and mix your foundations and powders to use different tones."

As part of her prize package she won an all expenses paid trip to Hollywood to produce her own digital series which she hopes will be "quintessential Krystal" and focus on make-up or fashion.

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