Meet Kam Hugh. The French drag princess has just been announced as a contestant in RuPaul’s Drag Race France, the most recent addition to the Drag Race franchise brought to you by World of Wonder (WOW). Kam has been selected to bring her charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent to France Télévisions network for a chance to compete for a crown as drag’s next French superstar.
World of Wonder announced that the first season of Drag Race France will premiere June 30 on WOW Presents Plus in the U.S. The inaugural season will be hosted by the fierce French fashionista from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12, Nicky Doll, along with resident judges actress and TV host Daphné Bürki, and French DJ Kiddy Smile.
We have an exclusive interview with one of the queens. Kam Hugh graciously granted WEHO TIMES the honor of an exclusive first interview following the announcement that she would be joining RuPaul’s Drag Race sisterhood in the much anticipated first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race France.
Drag Race France CR: World of Wonder===
Hello from The Creative City of West Hollywood California. Thank you so much for the honor of chatting with WEHO TIMES and giving us the exclusive first interview since the announcement that you will be a contestant RuPaul’s Drag Race France. We’re excited for our readers to get to know you. We wish you very best and hope to meet you in person soon.
WT: How would you introduce/describe yourself to the American audience?
Well, I would say Hello America! I am Kam Hugh and would like to be your favorite French drag princess! I have been perfecting my drag as a performer and artist for 4 years now and have created a name for myself in the Paris drag scene and to a global audience.
As the first Drag Queen to be featured in French ELLE magazine and will soon debut as one of the first drag queens to be in Drag Race France. I can’t wait to showcase my individual personality as I fully express myself as a professional French Drag performer and artist.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in a small town in the south of France, study marketing in the beauty industry in the town of Lyon, France. I then moved to Paris to expand and perfect my drag performance and career.
What can you tell us about the first time you did drag?
I would say that I started drag at a really young age. My mother is a very loving and supporting mother who allowed and supported me in dressing as a princess or a fairy for multiple occasion in my childhood, however, I truly begin Drag when I was 18 years old. first through my social media accounts, YouTube videos and Instagram photos. It was a big surprise to me that people seemed to love it!
After a few months I started performing in club and discovered how much I truly loved performing, expressing my art in person, on stage and not just on social media.
What is the Genesis of the Kam we see today?
I was raised by loving parents, and my mother, always supported me in expressing myself authentically and to do what pleased me if I was happy, even when I was playing with dolls and dressing as a princess. This wasn’t the easiest thing in a rural French community.
My parents always instilled in me that integrity, love and respect were the most important characteristics a person could have. Those are the fundamental characteristics that I try and bring to my drag and hopefully be an example to youngsters and whatever audience I am reaching.
Photo by @ranobrac – Hair: christophe_mecca – Costume: @ladymissbouHow has Kam evolved since she first stepped into the scene?
I think I feel, well, more confident on stage and I definitely have a lot more fun, even though I take drag very seriously, I also love to have fun with the public and other drag queens. The feeling of sisterhood I get being surrounded by and performing with other drag queen is exquisite!
Who is Team Kam behind the scenes?
I have some dedicated costume designers, @missbouu, @maxime.blotin.paris and @aymerick.zana who I always work with to create all my most eccentric ideas!!!
My partner @christophe_mecca is the most incredible wig maker/hair designer in Europe. He is also considered a French influencer. Christophe has made wigs for many Drag Race Girls, including, Gottmik, Miss Fame, Aquaria, Kim chi, Detox, Sasha Velour etc.., he designs and makes most of my hair and believe me this season of Drag Race France I am going to SERVE those runways from Hair to toes!
My photographer @ranobrac has helped me incredibly to create some iconic photos that advance and showcase my art.
What do you enjoy the most about Kam?
I love the feeling of confidence and empowerment she gives me! I see Kam as a creation from deep withing. Drag is an art and Kam is my creation, I love designing new looks, new hair and new performance techniques exactly as a painter would pre sketch his painting!
What is the hardest part about being Kam?
Corset, heels, lenses… I could list a thousand thing that makes drag uncomfortable, but I don’t see any hard part of being Kam. When you love what you do not much seems hard.
How do your fans respond to your performances?
I am trying to serve comedy and sexy at the same time to contrast with most of my looks, my fans mean the world to me. I feel obligated to entertain and give them my best. I think of my fans with everything I do. I will never forget to bring my best as to please them. We feed off each other. I want to give them an exquisite performance and a cute photo!
What do French European drag queens serve in comparison to the drag we’ve already seen in the RuPaul franchise?
Even though there aren’t any strict definitions of Drag I would say that European and especially French Drag has a true commitment to create iconic and unique looks. Every drag queen here creates her own visual identity and we have some of the best wig makers, designers here with eccentric and unique style and I cannot wait for the whole world to learn a bit more about those talents. All of Europe is awaiting to see the French version of this iconic Television property Ru Paul has created. Thank you Ru!!
What queens do you admire from the previous Drag Race seasons?
I think I truly love Miz cracker energy, Kim chi, Naomi smalls, Aquaria, Sasha velour etc…
What made you decide to audition for Drag Race France?
I discover Drag through Rupaul’s Drag Race, and I have been waiting for years to have a chance to audition, as soon as I heard Drag Race France was casting, I rushed to the casting.
I remembered being in Los Angeles while shooting a soon to be released music video I am starring in, when it was announced. Every day I passed by the World of wounder building on Hollywood boulevard, by where my hotel happened to be, praying for a French version, and boom it happened! I took this all as a sign of fate and the audition started as soon as I landed in France.
Are you able to tell us anything about your audition submission?
CHUTE (French for shhhhh).
What was your reaction when you learned you were selected to be on RuPaul’s Drag Race France?
I was at my day job, and I remember being so stressed for weeks, because I knew so many talented drag queens were doing the casting too, and as a huge supporter of the show and the French drag scene, I truly want to make it on to season 1. When I learned that I was casted, I literally cried with joy and so many emotions. It was like years of effort had led to this moment and I felt that I was finally being rewarded for my hard work.
What does it mean for you to be part of the Drag Race sisterhood?
It means a lot for the huge supporter of drag race that I am, but also for the little French drag queen that I am, having the opportunity to showcase my art to the world gives me such immense satisfaction. Also knowing I will get to represent France with 9 other talented French sisters is a true blessing
Where do you go after Drag Race?
Let’s make the most of this historic time here in France and then I would love to perform all around the world.
You were just in America Last November, tell us what were you here for?
I was mainly there to shoot a music video for “I love men” by Arielle, which you can already stream.
When will it be released?
We will be launching the music video on June 6th at the famous Abbey in West Hollywood, and all are welcome! Come to see me live! I will be coming to Los Angeles I a few days form June 6 to the 12th and hope to perform at many venues.
What future projects can we look forward to?
I I have plenty of secret projects to announce in the near future, but I hope to get to meet most of you all soon. Before I’m able to announce any new projects, I hope that you will follow and enjoy my Drag Race journey with me on all my social media. Also, you can see RuPaul’s Drag Race France on www.wowpresentplus.com it is sure to delight all Drag Race fans and serve you lots of chic French fashion, drag and drama!
How can people follow and learn more about you?
Instagram: @kam_hugh
YouTube: Kam Hugh
Tiktok: @kam_hugh
Twitter: @thekamhugh
For inquiries or bookings in the United States-
Michael Holdaway- indie artists group
Michael.iag@michaelholdaway.com
For inquiries or bookings in France or the U.K.-
kamhughpro@gmail.com
