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Cherry Valentine

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Cherry Valentine
Photograph of a drag queen wearing a red wig and black outfit
Cherry Valentine in 2022
Born
George Ward

(1993-11-30)30 November 1993
Darlington, England
Died18 September 2022(2022-09-18) (aged 28)
Hornsey, London, England
EducationUniversity of Cumbria (BSc)
Occupations
Television

George Ward (30 November 1993 – 18 September 2022), better known by the stage name Cherry Valentine, was an English drag queen and mental health nurse who competed in the second series of the television show RuPaul's Drag Race UK. Raised in a Romanichal community, Ward has been credited as the first contestant on the Drag Race franchise to acknowledge his Romani heritage. In 2022, he addressed his background in the BBC documentary film Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud, and in an episode of the documentary series God Shave the Queens. Following Ward's suicide in 2022, a memorial concert and fundraiser was held at London's Clapham Grand.

Early life and education

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George Ward was born on 30 November 1993 in Darlington, County Durham, in the north-east of England;[1][2] he grew up in an English Traveller community in Darlington.[3] As his father had done, he was expected to develop a career as a mechanic.[4]

Ward was raised in a strict environment in which drag was not considered normal.[5] He came out to his parents by writing a letter before leaving home for a week, after which his parents individually took him for a drive and talked but did not discuss his sexual orientation after that incident.[4] He said of his early life: "Growing up [being gay] did affect me. I don't think I was completely sane at all."[5]

Ward was the first member of his family to attend university, studying mental health nursing[6] at the University of Cumbria, during which time he was introduced to Manchester's drag scene.[7][8]

Career

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Ward qualified as a mental health nurse in 2015.[9] He began performing as Cherry Valentine in 2016, while still working in a children's psychiatric intensive-care unit and with adults with Huntington's disease.[4] Ward chose the stage name "Cherry Valentine" for his drag alter ego, after considering several options.[10] The name was inspired by cherry-scented bath wash and his grandmother's liking for sherry. According to The Economic Times, "Valentine" was added because of his fondness for Valentine's Day.[11]

In December 2020, Cherry Valentine was announced as one of twelve contestants in the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.[12] In an interview for the show, she said working as a nurse "has put me in that right position where I'm able to understand people a bit more, and if you're a drag queen, you're working with people. By understanding people, you're going the extra mile".[9] Cherry Valentine failed to impress judges with her performance in the second episode's Rusical.[13] By placing in the bottom two, she had to lip-sync to "Memory" by Elaine Paige from the musical Cats (1981) against Tayce. Cherry Valentine lost the lip-sync and was eliminated from the competition, placing twelfth.[4][14]

When filming for the show was halted during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ward returned to work in the National Health Service (NHS) to assist in relief efforts and the UK's deployment of vaccines.[15][16] In "Queens on Lockdown", a special episode of the series that explores the contestants' lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cherry Valentine discussed returning to work in the NHS.[17]

Alongside fellow eliminated contestants Joe Black and Asttina Mandella, she appeared in the fifth episode—the first to be filmed post-lockdown—"The RuRuvision Song Contest" for a chance to return to the competition and replace Veronica Green, who was forced to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19. The remaining contestants voted for Joe Black to return.[18] All contestants appeared in the final episode to perform to RuPaul's song "A Little Bit of Love" (1997).[19] Cherry Valentine's last appearance on the series was in the grand finale alongside the entire cast.[20] Sam Damshenas of Gay Times said her run on the show was "short-lived" but "the star won the hearts of viewers with her fierce aesthetic and charismatic confessionals, as well as her inspiring journey from traveller to drag superstar".[13]

Following Drag Race UK, Cherry Valentine released the dance-pop tracks "Aesthetic" and "Iconic" as singles in 2021.[21] She also appeared in music videos for "My House" by Jodie Harsh,[22] and "Good Ones" by Charli XCX in 2021.[23] In February 2022, she and the rest of the series's contestants embarked on RuPaul's Drag Race UK: The Official Tour.[24][25]

Cherry Valentine was the subject of the second series premiere of God Shave the Queens, a documentary about the tour. The episode saw Ward reflect on his 2022 documentary Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud about being raised as an English Traveller.[26] It was the first time he had returned to the Traveller community since he left home at 18.[3] He was "absolutely terrified" to make the film and was "unsure 'which route to go down' due to a significant lack of mainstream attention and education on LGBTQ+ Travellers", according to Damshenas, who also said the documentary "received widespread critical acclaim".[21] Ward has been credited as the first contestant on the Drag Race franchise to address his Romani heritage (series 1 winner The Vivienne has since also acknowledged her Romani background).[27][28][29]

Personal life

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Described as genderfluid[6] and queer,[21] Ward used he/they pronouns when not in drag.[30] As part of the LGBT community, Ward hid his Traveller heritage because he feared he might receive "hate or backlash".[5]

Death

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Photograph of the exterior of a building
Iconic: The Cherry Valentine Memorial Concert was held at the Clapham Grand in London.

Ward died at his residence in the north London district of Hornsey on 18 September 2022, at the age of 28.[31] A coroner's inquest on 9 February 2023 recorded Ward's death as suicide by hanging.[32][33] Following the announcement of his death, many Drag Race contestants paid tribute to him, including fellow series 2 contestants Asttina Mandella, A'Whora, Bimini Bon-Boulash,[34] Ellie Diamond, Ginny Lemon, Joe Black, Lawrence Chaney, Sister Sister, Tayce, and Tia Kofi, as well as Baga Chipz,[35] Cheryl Hole, Priyanka, Sum Ting Wong, and The Vivienne.[36] RuPaul described Ward as a "bright star and a lovely person" who would "always be in [their] hearts",[37] and Drag Race judge Michelle Visage said Ward was "one of a kind with a laugh as big as [his] heart".[38][39]

A series 4 episode of Drag Race UK featured an in memoriam segment following the regular credits, the Cherry's Legacy Fundraiser on GoFundMe exceeded its £10,000 goal, and the organisers of RuPaul's DragCon UK announced that a condolence book would be dedicated to Cherry Valentine. In October 2022, Cherry Valentine's production company Throne Events announced a memorial concert to be held at Clapham Grand in London in November. Tickets to Iconic: The Cherry Valentine Memorial Concert were made available at no cost, with donations benefitting his legacy fund and mental health charities.[40][41] The livestreamed concert featured performances by Drag Race UK contestants Elektra Fence and Joe Black, as well as the group Traveller Pride. Attendees had the chance to pay their respects by scattering rose petals around Cherry Valentine's entrance look on the show.[42] In 2024, Tia Kofi paid tribute to Cherry Valentine on series 2 of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World, by wearing an outfit inspired by the latter's red promo look for Drag Race UK.[43]

Filmography

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Film

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List of film credits
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2022 Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud Herself BBC documentary [44]

Television

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List of television credits
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2021 RuPaul's Drag Race UK (series 2) Herself/Contestant 12th place [12]
2022 God Shave the Queens Herself Series 2 [45]

Music videos

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Year Title Artist Ref.
2021 "My House" Jodie Harsh [46]
2021 "Aesthetic" Cherry Valentine [47]
2022 "Good Ones" Charli XCX [48]

Discography

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Singles

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Title Year Album Ref.
"Aesthetic" 2021 Non-album single [47]
"Iconic" [49]
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Title Year Album Ref.
"A Little Bit of Love"
(among The Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Series 2) 		2021 Non-album single [50]

References

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  1. ^ Lash, Jolie (23 September 2022). "Cherry Valentine, Star of Drag Race UK Season 2, Dies at 28". TheWrap. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  2. ^ Vlessing, Etan (23 September 2022). "RuPaul's Drag Race U.K. Contestant George Ward, Known as Cherry Valentine, Dies at 28". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  3. ^ a b Ravindran, Manori (23 September 2022). "RuPaul's Drag Race U.K. Contestant George Ward, Known as Cherry Valentine, Dies at 28". Variety. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d "George Ward, mental health nurse who as Cherry Valentine lit up RuPaul's Drag Race UK – obituary". The Daily Telegraph. 23 September 2022. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  5. ^ a b c Day, Harvey (22 January 2021). "Drag Race UK's Cherry Valentine on the 'fabulous' Traveller women in their family who inspire their drag". BBC Three. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  6. ^ a b Gallier, Thea de (25 January 2022). "Cherry Valentine: 'My family know my sexuality, but we don't talk about it'". BBC Three. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  7. ^ Macpherson, Jonathan; Molloy, Thomas (10 February 2023). "RuPaul's Drag Race star took their own life after 'struggling with rise to fame'". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  8. ^ Ovens, Eleanor (24 September 2022). "University of Cumbria graduate and Drag Race star dies aged 28". The Mail. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  9. ^ a b Meet Cherry Valentine | RuPaul's Drag Race UK Series 2 (Television production). BBC Three. 16 December 2020. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2023 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ "21 questions with Drag Race UK's Cherry Valentine". Attitude. 23 July 2021. Archived from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  11. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race UK star George Ward, known as Cherry Valentine passes away at 28". The Economic Times. 23 September 2022. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Meet The Queens of RPDR UK S2!". BBC Online. 16 December 2020. Archived from the original on 16 December 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  13. ^ a b "Exclusive: Cherry Valentine spills the T on that Drag Race UK lip-sync and her emotional exit". Gay Times. 22 January 2021. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  14. ^ "Another queen sashays away on RuPaul's Drag Race UK". The Irish News. 21 January 2021. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  15. ^ Barr, Sabrina (23 January 2021). "Drag Race UK's Cherry Valentine starts job helping to administer Covid vaccine". Metro. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  16. ^ "Drag Race UK: Cherry Valentine tells of 'rollercoaster' year". BBC News. 14 January 2021. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  17. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race UK: Queens on Lockdown". BBC iPlayer. 16 February 2021. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  18. ^ Moylan, Brian (11 February 2021). "RuPaul's Drag Race U.K. Recap, Season 2 Episode 5". Vulture. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  19. ^ Lockwood, Tasmin (19 March 2021). "Darlington drag queen returns to screens as RuPaul's Drag Race UK crowns winner". The Northern Echo. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  20. ^ Moylan, Brian (18 March 2021). "RuPaul's Drag Race UK Season 2 Grand Finale Recap Episode 10". Vulture. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  21. ^ a b c "Exclusive: Drag Race UK star Cherry Valentine talks "overwhelming" response to BBC doc". Gay Times. 1 February 2022. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  22. ^ Tabberer, Jamie (5 March 2021). "Jodie Harsh enlists 61 iconic UK queens for epic My House music video". Attitude. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  23. ^ Fisher, Justine (26 September 2022). "Cherry Valentine Dies at 28". Paper. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  24. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race UK Tour". Voss Events. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  25. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race UK: The Official Tour". Data Thistle. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  26. ^ Richardson, Hollie (30 November 2022). "TV tonight: backstage revelations with RuPaul's UK drag queens on tour". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  27. ^ Hansford, Amelia (25 September 2022). "Cherry Valentine shut down arguments over child-friendly drag in most perfect way". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  28. ^ Factora, James (23 September 2022). "Cherry Valentine, Drag Race UK Star, Nurse, and Advocate, Dies at 28". Them. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  29. ^ "The Vivienne On Her Early Days Of Drag: 'They Offered Me A Blue WKD And 30 Quid'". Grazia. 19 November 2019. Archived from the original on 10 March 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  30. ^ Frank, Jason P. (23 September 2022). "Cherry Valentine, RuPaul's Drag Race U.K. Season-Two Competitor, Dead at 28". Vulture. Archived from the original on 17 November 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  31. ^ "Cherry Valentine: Drag Race UK star George Ward dies". BBC News. 23 September 2022. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  32. ^ "Cherry Valentine: Drag Race star George Ward 'struggled with fame' – inquest". BBC News. 10 February 2023. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  33. ^ Billson, Chantelle (10 February 2023). "Cherry Valentine struggled with Drag Race fame before death, inquest told". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  34. ^ Bon-Boulash, Bimini (12 December 2022). "Cherry Valentine remembered by Bimini". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 8 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  35. ^ Robledo, Jordan (31 December 2022). "Drag Race UK's Blu Hydrangea and Baga Chipz share new details about DragCon UK appearance". Gay Times. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  36. ^ Duncan, Charlie (23 September 2022). "Drag Race UK queens pay heartfelt tribute to 'friend, artist and dear sister' Cherry Valentine". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  37. ^ Duncan, Charlie (23 September 2022). "RuPaul and Michelle Visage pay tribute to Drag Race UK's Cherry Valentine, dead at 28". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  38. ^ Woodcock, Zara (23 September 2022). "Michelle Visage pays tribute to Cherry Valentine following their death". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  39. ^ Earp, Catherine (23 September 2022). "RuPaul's Drag Race queens pay tribute to Cherry Valentine following tragic death". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  40. ^ Maskell, Emily (26 October 2022). "Cherry Valentine Memorial Concert to honour late Drag Race UK star". Attitude. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  41. ^ Duncan, Charlie (24 October 2022). "Memorial concert announced for late Drag Race UK star Cherry Valentine, dead at 28". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  42. ^ "Drag Race UK stars honour Cherry Valentine in heartfelt memorial concert". Gay Times. 29 November 2022. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  43. ^ Damshenas, Sam (16 February 2024). "Drag Race UK vs the World teases the end of Best Friend's Race". Gay Times. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  44. ^ Brocklehurst, Harrison (25 January 2022). "We spoke to Drag Race UK's Cherry Valentine about her 'emotional' new documentary". The Tab. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  45. ^ "Cherry Valentine – Season 2". WOW Presents Plus. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  46. ^ Jodie Harsh – My House (Official Video) (Videotape). 5 March 2021. Archived from the original on 12 March 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2023 – via YouTube.
  47. ^ a b Aesthetic – Official Lyric Video | Cherry Valentine (Videotape). 14 April 2021. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2023 – via YouTube.
  48. ^ Lavin, Will (1 November 2021). "RuPaul's Drag Race UK stars share Halloween performance of Charli XCX's 'Good Ones'". NME. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  49. ^ "Iconic". Amazon Music. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  50. ^ "A Little Bit of Love (Cast Version) [feat. The Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Season 2] by RuPaul". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 5 May 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
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