“Please welcome to the stage all of my insecurities,” writes Timothie Grace, or Grace Shush, as their followers will fondly call them. It might come as a surprising sentiment from the trans, non-binary, bearded beauty, who is star of Channel 4’s Digital Drag Queens, Miss Sink The Pink 2018 and our JWC Pride Portraits series. We caught up with the drag star behind the show and asked what hair freedom means to them, discovered the connection between their natural hair colour and confidence, and why wigging it is sometimes the only way. Plus their favourite hair looks. ![Pride Portraits: Drag star Grace Shush reveals how hair equals confidence for them]()
Their Instagram feed shows a quilt of colourful and seemingly confident, glossy hair selfies, but one we can all relate to. With their hair colour ranging from pink to grey, it's inspo for the rainbow-coloured hairstyles we’re donning in tribute to Pride. And this year’s theme of Allyship, with a focus on how we support the LGBT+ community is also apt, as Timothie reveals how support has worked for them. "The way I look has always been such a negative and it's thanks to the people around me for pushing me out of my comfort zone THAT HAS TOTALLY CHANGED."
Their Instagram feed shows a quilt of colourful and seemingly confident, glossy hair selfies, but one we can all relate to. With their hair colour ranging from pink to grey, it's inspo for the rainbow-coloured hairstyles we’re donning in tribute to Pride. And this year’s theme of Allyship, with a focus on how we support the LGBT+ community is also apt, as Timothie reveals how support has worked for them. "The way I look has always been such a negative and it's thanks to the people around me for pushing me out of my comfort zone THAT HAS TOTALLY CHANGED."
FAdi Q: Name a time your hair has given you confidence? A: "I say a lot of my power lives in my hair. My hair IS my confidence. I couldn't possibly name just one time! I do love this image though."View this post on InstagramOn Wednesdays we wear pink. Serving some Regina George/@kimpetras vibes. . . . . . . . #meangirls #ReginaGeorge #onwednesdayswewearpink #drag #dragqueen #gay #lgbtq🌈 #plussizefemme #femme #blonde #nowig #naturalhair #mua #makeup #morphebabe A post shared by GRACE SHUSH (@graceshushh) on
Q: What does hair freedom mean to you? A: "I always used to have my hair shaved as a child, and was told I couldn’t grow it. All I wanted to be was Daryl Hannah in Splash. So now, as an adult, it means the world to have the freedom to let my locks flow!" "I love this picture because my hair is effortless and does most of the work! My hair extensions here are by Milk and Blush."View this post on InstagramObsessed with this photo from @vmagazine from @bushwig, I think alot of it is down to the hair. Pat Butcher glam Photo. @patrickdonovanstudios ________________________________________________________ #drag #dragqueen #gay #instagay #nonbinary #londondrag #pride #lgbt #lgbtplus #butchqueen #bearedqueen #instagood #rupaulsdragrace #dragqueenmakeup #dragqueensofinstagram #dragqueensoflondon #thicc #thiccness #thiccspiration #bodypositivity #plussize #thicclondon #qwerrrkout #mua #dragmakeup #sinkthepink #newyork #brooklyn #bushwig A post shared by GRACE SHUSH (@graceshushh) on
Q: If your hair had a personality what would it be? A: "Free-loving beach babe. Textured and wavy. Did I mention DARYL HANNAH IN SPLASH?! " Q: Does your hair colour change with your emotions? A: "I have coloured my hair EVERY COLOUR EVER! But that was while I was finding myself. One day I shaved my hair off entirely, and then let it grow. I rediscovered my natural colour underneath in the process. It had been so long since I had seen it, and I felt like I had finally found myself. Now, no matter how I feel, I would never change my colour. It's my natural beauty!" Q: What role has hair played in your identity? A: "When I was an art student, my hair reflected whatever I was feeling at the time. My thoughts were, it will grow out! But now as I identify as trans, non-binary, I feel my hair is a nod to non- conformity. It helps me to break down gender norms, whether that’s a 70's fringe or a 50's set. Q: What are the positives and negatives of wigs? A: "No negatives here! Wigs can save time and allow you to express yourself. I’m really into trashy wigs that cost no more than £15. They give me the chance to get creative and see what I can do with them. I don't believe that wigs should be used to hide something. We should all work on our own self-discovery as all hair is beautiful." "This wig was a gift and I get them the most compliments from it. I just pop it in a bag, throw it on, and BOOM. GLAMOUR!"View this post on InstagramSo beautiful I couldn't not post the amazing @eivindhansen made me feel the most beautiful I have ever felt on a shoot. ________________________________________________________ #drag #dragqueen #gay #instagay #nonbinary #londondrag #pride #lgbt #lgbtplus #butchqueen #bearedqueen #instagood #rupaulsdragraceuk #dragqueenmakeup #dragqueensofinstagram #dragqueensoflondon #thicc #thiccness #thiccspiration #bodypositivity #plussize #thicclondon #qwerrrkout #mua #dragmakeup #mtvema2019 #mtv #tlotl #trueloveortruelies #instadrag A post shared by GRACE SHUSH (@graceshushh) on
Q: Is 'natural' hair sometimes enough? A: "YES! Plus, if you don't style it very often, when you do it becomes more of an event. Hair is so transformative! Just the way it moves once styled makes you feel gorgeous and special. As I’ve grown older, my natural hair has started to wave and become curly. Here is an image that shows the start of that. Kat from Josh Wood Colour has been my go-to for wave advice. FADIView this post on InstagramSame day different face. ________________________________________________________ #drag #dragqueen #gay #instagay #nonbinary #londondrag #pride #lgbt #lgbtplus #butchqueen #bearedqueen #wig #silverhair #rupaulsdragraceuk #dragqueenmakeup #dragqueensofinstagram #dragqueensoflondon#bodybeautiful #bodypositivity #plussize #thicclondon #qwerrrkout #instadrag A post shared by GRACE SHUSH (@graceshushh) on
FADIView this post on InstagramOn Wednesdays we wear pink. Serving some Regina George/@kimpetras vibes. . . . . . . . #meangirls #ReginaGeorge #onwednesdayswewearpink #drag #dragqueen #gay #lgbtq🌈 #plussizefemme #femme #blonde #nowig #naturalhair #mua #makeup #morphebabe A post shared by GRACE SHUSH (@graceshushh) on
Q: What's your go-to hairstyle? A: "I have a heated brush from Revlon that gives me the easiest and nicest blow out. It’s a game changer. 15 minutes and I'm out! Here's a picture of my hair looking sleek and gorgeous, thanks to my round brush." https://www.instagram.com/p/CAauSKAl-gr/ Q: Who do you look to for hair inspiration? A: Daryl Hannah, obviously. Not really now, just from Splash. Kat from Josh Wood Colour is my go-to for advice, and (she will kill me for saying this) I have this friend, Haf who had the most naturally glorious hair. It just kills me! I love a fringe so much!View this post on InstagramOn Wednesdays we wear pink. Serving some Regina George/@kimpetras vibes. . . . . . . . #meangirls #ReginaGeorge #onwednesdayswewearpink #drag #dragqueen #gay #lgbtq🌈 #plussizefemme #femme #blonde #nowig #naturalhair #mua #makeup #morphebabe A post shared by GRACE SHUSH (@graceshushh) on
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg8zcWIlh6w/ Keep scrolling for more of our Pride Portraits series, showcasing the individuality and passion of people who do things their own way.
Featuring: Cazaleon, Margo Marshall, Tommy Titbits, Tegan, Vittorio Franco, Daniel McBride, Sorcha, Grace Shush, Joseph and Benjamin Butch. Creative direction by expert stylist Kat De Rozario, photos by Giovannny Estrella Talentti, makeup by Gemma Tyler – and colour and styling by the entire Josh Wood Colour team.