Edinburgh teenager reveals he spends three hours transforming into a drag queen

One teenager found inspiration from a reality TV show and decided to follow his dream of becoming a drag queen.

Sam Carlin, from Edinburgh, Scotland, who is better known as Cherry West when he steps on stage in his glamorous hair, make up and shimmering outfit, first became interested in drag performance While on vacation aged 10.

When he subsequently watched Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Sam knew he wanted to follow in the well-heeled footsteps of other performers.

Sam Carlin is an aspiring drag artist from Edinburgh. Cherry West, his glamourous alter-ego, is also his 14.

Sam got inspired by Ru Paul’s Drag Race to make a career as a drag performer after watching the reality TV show.

Sam and his dad Sam (also called Sam), 46, and mom Karen (47) are fully supportive

Sam Carlin (46), and Karen (47) have been there for the determined teenager.

Sam stated, “After watching my first drag performance with my family on vacation, I found it hilarious, particularly the women wearing dresses.”

It was a moment that I didn’t really think about until Ru Paul’s Drag Race. That was the reason I fell in love with it and decided to make that my career.

“I had been watching the series for about one year before I decided to make a career out of being a drag queen. Then, at 13 years old I began looking into wigs and other styles. It all happened from there.

Sam is festive and brave in Cherry West’s Christmas-inspired look

Sam claims that it takes him around 3 hours to prepare his hair, make-up and body padding.

Sam likes a bit of sparkle. Cherry West’s stage look requires a lot of glitter and glamour.

“I’ve always loved performing. Since I was 8 years old, I have been singing and was previously in a boy’s band.

“I’ve been a performer at the Edinburgh International Festival and busked on Princess Street. If I was on vacation, I would never miss a chance to sing along on the karaoke machine. My favourite subjects in school are drama and music, so it all lead me to drag.

“When I told my family and friends, they were stunned and couldn’t believe it. They believed I was trying to wind them up.

“I was mainly concerned about the opinions of my parents, but they were so supportive right from the beginning. My dad is the taxi that takes me to every gig.

Sam said that Cherry West was his final stage name.

Sam shared that he didn’t know much about make-up at the time he started drag dancing, but that has changed over time as I watch other artists and have made significant improvements. 

“It takes me about three hours to put on my make up, before I can get the pants, body padding and tights done. Then, it’s time for the outfit, then glueing on the wig.

Wardrobe paradise: Sam as Cherry West with his selection of hairpieces, dresses, and accessories

Sam refers to his pink alter-ego, “very high camp and very elite” [with] over-the-top make-up’

“People are unaware of how much time it takes for drag artists to prepare themselves.

“So far, my performances have received very positive reviews and have attracted a lot of praise.

“I was afraid I’d be bullied at school for wearing drag, once my classmates found out. But I’ve never experienced it.” In fact, I’m performing in drag at the performing artists show.

“I would love to win Ru Paul’s Drag Race one day. But, before I apply for the show I’ll have to wait 18 years.

Cherry is bubbly and has high levels of energy, Sam states.

He stated that Cherry’s style was very camp. Massive wigs are my favorite thing about Cherry’s style. I also love excessive make-up.

Cherry says, “I like big hips too. So I created that look with lots of padding.

Let’s do it: Sam adds the final touches to his ensemble by sporting Cherry West’s red locks

According to the teenager, it took him time to get his makeup technique and look perfect.

Sam’s parents claimed that they didn’t realize at the beginning that Sam was seriously interested in becoming a drag performer.

Inspiring teenager Cherry West is a fan of a retro 1960s style.

‘It’s quite comfortable to wear too. It makes me feel like I’m on a couch, even though I have all of the padding.

She is a glitzy and glamorous woman. It’s amazing to see anything with sequins. That’s what I always see when I search for outfits to wear with sequins.

I shop at charity shops and small businesses through social media. It’s amazing what you might find.

“I am now performing and gigging more. My parents have been supporting me financially.”

“My father, who is passionate about fashion and art, recently purchased a sewing machine to help me create my own clothes. We will all be working together to make it a great family effort.

Sam’s dad (also called Sam) says that Sam liked drag. They laughed at it, until Sam realized how serious it was.

Because they did not want Sam bullied, they were concerned about Sam’s peers at school learning about the incident.

He said, “I knew he loved RuPaul’s. But I didn’t think anything about it until Sam left the band. Sam told me that he was interested in drag and that he would like to be a part of it.”

“It seems that we just laughed at each other first. But then, we realized he was serious.. However, we weren’t comfortable about others knowing, in case he became bullied.

Sam was born to sing. He loves karaoke, and has performed it all over Edinburgh.

“As the years went by, we realized that this was Sam or Cherry. And that was something he excelled at.

“It made him happy, so I said to him to just tell everybody and that we would all support him.

“He is quite new in the drag scene but I think that he has done well and gained quite a large fan base.”

“He seems to get better every gig. He is a perfectionist with his setlist and style.

There was mixed reaction when he first started to drag but people now just understand that it is what he loves and will accept his choices.

“He is a performer who puts all his heart into each performance. People can’t believe that he’s just 14 years old when he plays.”