A Brighton performer known for her gothic glamour, punk-inspired looks and street interviews with unsuspecting members of the public is hoping to make Drag Race UK history after being unveiled as one of the contestants for the show's eighth series.
Alik, 29, is among the queens competing for the crown when RuPaul's Drag Race UK returns, becoming the latest Brighton-based performer to enter the workroom.
The drag artist, who describes herself as being "from outer space" before clarifying that she actually hails from Brighton, has been performing for eight years and says viewers can expect a unique blend of old-school drag, goth aesthetics and punk influences.
"I’m bringing to Drag Race an aesthetic of old meets new with goth glamour and a punk melting pot," she said.
Alik's drag journey began by dressing extravagantly for club nights before discovering the art form that would become her career.
She has since become a familiar face on Brighton's LGBTQ+ scene, regularly performing at some of the city's biggest gay venues.
The queen is also hoping to end what some fans have jokingly dubbed the "Brighton curse", with previous contestants from the city failing to make a major impact on the competition. "Judging from the statistics, Brighton girlies have not had the best track record on Drag Race UK, but I'm here to smash that curse," she said.
"I am infamous in Brighton, regularly performing in Brighton's biggest gay club, and you know what, I am an icon."
Away from the stage, Alik has built a following online through comedy interviews filmed on the streets of Brighton. Alongside her partner, Scaredy Kat, who competed in the first series of Drag Race UK, she stops members of the public to ask unusual questions for social media content.
"You could say I'm a drag journalist," she joked.
The couple have become a well-known fixture within the drag community, and Alik admitted her appearance on the show carries added significance because of their relationship.
"Yes, I'm in a relationship with season one icon Scaredy Kat, and we're very deeply in love," she said.
"They didn't do great on their season, but they were young and they have learned a lot since and I'm just excited to do better than them!"
Alik believes her versatility could prove a major advantage in the competition. Having previously trained in gymnastics and trampolining, she says she is capable of delivering the high-energy stunts and acrobatics often required on the Drag Race stage.
"I am a very well-rounded drag queen. I do a bit of everything," she said.
"I can do flips, tricks, cartwheels, dips, anything, you name it."
And while the competition has yet to begin, the Brighton queen is already setting her sights on the ultimate prize.
"I don't think anyone like me has been on the show before," she said.
"Not only am I doing this for myself, but I'm also doing it for my partner Scaredy Kat as they deserve to see the crown at least once in their life, right?
"This is their redemption living vicariously through me. So, Ru, come on, just put the crown on me now!"
Alik joins a new cast of queens hoping to impress RuPaul and the judging panel when the latest series of the BBC and World of Wonder competition gets underway.
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