This week on RuPaul's Drag Race UK, the girls were tasked with a never-before-seen runway challenge that made Bake Off look like a piece of cake.
Sadly, it was the effervescent Scarlett Harlett's time to sashay away. We caught up with her to find out how she's feeling, as well as what her time on the show was like!
BuzzFeed UK: Hey girl, how are you?
Scarlett: I am absolutely amazing, fantastic, and so happy to be here talking to you!
BuzzFeed UK: Thank you! How did you find watching the episode?
Scarlett: My favourite part was definitely my exit! I didn't know that RuPaul said "yes I am", cos I had walked off by that point. That was a total surprise to me! I was also dressed as Bianca from Eastenders, so it was perfect. My drag is all about those silly references – the way I ran off was a reference to Phoebe's running in Friends. I always planned to do that and it was so fun to watch.
BuzzFeed UK: The challenge in this episode was pretty intense, right? How did it feel at the time?
Scarlett: There were tannoys in the Werk Room! You can't escape the pressure of Ru's judgement on the main stage, and now he's spying on us backstage! It was so fun to watch, but it was bloody stressful at the time. I was running around like a blue-assed fly – I'm amazed that I got anything together at all.
Also, it was so early in the morning, and I remember being so cold that I had goosebumps all over me. I had to put a towel down on the floor so my bare feet weren't touching it!
BuzzFeed UK: So what do you think went wrong for you on the episode?
Scarlett: I don't think my looks fitted the categories too well. I personally enjoyed them cos they were very me, and Michelle was DYING over my Bianca outfit, but it wasn't really "fugly". I think the other girls were more fashion-fugly, and I was more character-fugly, which wasn't the challenge at the end of the day.
BuzzFeed UK: What inspired your Bianca look?
Scarlett: My drag is inspired by strong, powerful, camp women, so a lot of my references in drag are camp women. For instance, my first runway look was The Hunger Games inspired, and my Meet The Queens look was a whole Targaryen fantasy. To be able to do Bianca as the cockney princess – that was a match made in Heaven! If I was gonna get sent home in any outfit, I'm glad it was that one.
BuzzFeed UK: At the start of the episode, we saw you throw a little shade at Ella, what was that about?
Scarlett: To be honest, I fast-forwarded through that. I just cringed when I saw it coming – I don't even remember having that conversation! Whenever I see things like that, I can see I'm letting the competition get to me. That's not who I am though, and I hate to see it.
BuzzFeed UK: You started the series with a lot of energy and you were really happy and positive, but then you went to a bit more of a negative place. Do you know why that happened?
Scarlett: I was struggling a lot. In the outside world, as an artist, you have a support system. In Drag Race, your only support system is your competitors, and after the fallout in episode five I truly felt like I was completely alone. I've spoken about struggling to make friends, and that experience just triggered me and I lashed out.
I've only seen that Untucked scene once; moments like that remind me of a person that I try not to be. In the real world, when I feel like that, I just walk away – that's why it looks like I'm storming off. The truth is, on the show, you can't do that, you're almost forced into those interactions. All I can say is, to those who sent me comments, I get it and I agree, but I'm also only human.
BuzzFeed UK: You also won a challenge though! How did that feel?
Scarlett: I know! I can't put a needle to a thread as well. I mean, I have a sewing machine but it's covered in dust. The fact I won that challenge, of all challenges... there are no words! It was like I was in the upside down world from Stranger Things or something. I said to my mum before I left, if I'm in the bottom, I bet it will be for sewing a dress. My badge is framed on my wall though.
BuzzFeed UK: Do you have a funny or embarrassing behind-the-scenes moment you can share with us?
Scarlett: We were all having breakfast one day, and I remember Choriza saying something like "excuse me darling, a little more berries in my yoghurt wouldn't hurt me" We all burst out laughing cos it was like a line from a telenovela!
BuzzFeed UK: Who was your best friend in the competition?
Scarlett: I would say Kitty and Ella. I actually did a gig with Ella just before I went to film – we did the gig, and then I walked into the Werk Room and she was there! I couldn't escape her if I tried, she's like gonorrhea! She's sort of like my drag mum though, I always message her for advice. Kitty is just a sweet and lovely person, and I had the chat about my mum with her, so that bonded us. I love 'em all though!
BuzzFeed UK: So who do you want to win?
Scarlett: I gotta say my girl Kitty Scott Pores! She's the perfect example of someone who is funny and doesn't let anything affect her, unlike me. She just doesn't give a fuck!
BuzzFeed UK: Last question – one word to sum up the experience.
Scarlett: Rollercoaster. Bigtime!