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| name = Cherry Valentine
| name = Cherry Valentine
| image = Cherry Valentine 2020.jpg
| image = Cherry Valentine 2020.jpg
| alt =
| alt = Photograph of a drag queen wearing a red outfit
| caption = Cherry Valentine in 2020
| caption = Cherry Valentine in 2020
| birth_name = George Ward
| birth_name = George Ward

Revision as of 19:01, 4 April 2023

Cherry Valentine
Photograph of a drag queen wearing a red outfit
Cherry Valentine in 2020
Born
George Ward

(1993-11-30)30 November 1993
Darlington, England
Died18 September 2022(2022-09-18) (aged 28)
Hornsey, England
Cause of deathSuicide
Alma materUniversity of Cumbria
Occupations
Years active2018–2022
Television

George Ward (30 November 1993 – 18 September 2022),[1][2] 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 and was the subject of the BBC documentary Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud. Ward was raised in an English Traveller community and has been credited as the first drag queen of Romani heritage to appear on the Drag Race franchise.

Career

George Ward, as his father had done, was expected to develop a career as a mechanic.[3] He was the first member of his family to attend university, studying mental health nursing[4] at the University of Cumbria where he was introduced to Manchester's drag scene.[5] After considering several names, he chose the moniker "Cherry Valentine" for his drag alter ego.[6] The name was inspired by cherry-scented bath wash and his grandmother's fondess of Sherry. According to The Economic Times, "Valentine was added to the name because of their love for Valentine's Day."[7] Ward qualified as a mental health nurse in 2015[8] and began performing as Cherry Valentine in 2016 while still working as a nurse, working in children's psychiatric intensive care and with adults with Huntington's disease.[3]

In December 2020, Cherry Valentine was announced as one of twelve contestants in the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.[9] 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".[8] When filming for the show was halted during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ward returned to work in National Health Service (NHS) to assist in COVID-19 relief efforts and the UK's deployment of COVID-19 vaccines.[10]

Cherry Valentine was eliminated in the second episode in a challenge to lip-sync to the song "Memory" by Elaine Paige from the musical Cats (1981) against fellow contestant Tayce.[3] 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.[11] 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, however, voted for Joe Black to return.[12] Cherry Valentine made her final appearance on the series in the grand finale alongside the other eliminated contestants.[13] In February 2022, Cherry Valentine, alongside the rest of the series's contestants, embarked on "RuPaul's Drag Race UK: The Official Tour".[14][15]

Personal life

Ward grew up in an English Traveller community in Darlington, County Durham, in the north-east of England,[16] and has been credited as the first drag queen of Romani heritage to appear on the Drag Race franchise.[17][18] Discussing his background on Drag Race UK, Ward said he grew up in a strict environment in which drag was not accepted and as part of the LGBTQIA+ community; he hid his Traveller heritage because he feared he might receive "hate or backlash".[19] Speaking to fellow Drag Race contestant Sister Sister, he said; "Growing up [being gay] did affect me. I don't think I was completely sane at all."[19]

Ward 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.[3] Ward left home when he was 18, and he returned to the Traveller community for the 2022 documentary Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud.[16] Ward was genderfluid and used he/they pronouns when not in drag.[20]

Death

Ward died on 18 September 2022 at age 28.[21] A coroner's inquest on 9 February 2023 recorded Ward's death as suicide by hanging.[2] Following the announcement of his death, numerous Drag Race contestants paid tribute to him; these include fellow series 2 contestants Asttina Mandella, A'Whora, Bimini Bon-Boulash, Ellie Diamond, Ginny Lemon, Joe Black, Lawrence Chaney, Sister Sister, Tayce, and Tia Kofi, as well as Baga Chipz, Cheryl Hole, Priyanka, Sum Ting Wong and The Vivienne. RuPaul described Ward as a "bright star and a lovely person" who would "always be in [their] hearts", and Michelle Visage said Ward was "one of a kind with a laugh as big as [his] heart".[22][23]

Additionally, 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 RuPaul's DragCon announced 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 "Cherry's legacy fund and mental health charities close to George's heart".[24][25] 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.[26]

Filmography

Television

Television filmography
Year Title Role Notes Ref
2021 RuPaul's Drag Race UK Contestant Series 2 (12th place) [9]
2022 Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud Herself BBC documentary [27]
God Shave the Queens Series 2 [28][29]

Music videos

Music video filmography
Year Title Artist Ref
2021 "My House" Jodie Harsh [30]
"Aesthetic" Cherry Valentine [31]
"Good Ones" (Drag Performance Video) Charli XCX [32]

Discography

Discography
Year Title Artist Album Notes
2021 "Aesthetic" Cherry Valentine Non-album single [31]
2021 "Iconic" Cherry Valentine Non-album single [33]
2022 "Stay Here Forever" Cherry Valentine Non-album single [34]

As featured artist

Discography as featured artist
Title Year Album
"A Little Bit of Love"[35]
(among The Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Series 2) 		2021 Non-album single

Stage

Stage credits
Year Title Promoter Locations Ref
2021 Squirrel Friends Klub Kids London, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Newcastle [36]
Tales of the Condemned Throne Events Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester, Nottingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Watford and Brighton [37]
2022 RuPaul's Drag Race UK: The Official Tour Voss Events / World of Wonder Ipswich, Oxford, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Nottingham, Bournemouth, Southend, Manchester, Sheffield, Blackpool, Llandudno, Birmingham, Cardiff, Liverpool, Basingstoke, Portsmouth, Plymouth, London, Derby, Bristol, Bradford, Aberdeen, Southampton, Stockton, Brighton and Newport [14]

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2022 The WOWIE Awards Best Instagram (The Curated Feed Award) Self Nominated [38][39]

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b "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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ Moylan, Brian (11 February 2021). "RuPaul's Drag Race U.K. Recap, Season 2 Episode 5". Vulture. New York. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  13. ^ Moylan, Brian (18 March 2021). "RuPaul's Drag Race UK Season 2 Grand Finale Recap Episode 10". Vulture. New York. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  14. ^ a b "RuPaul's Drag Race UK Tour". Voss Events. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  15. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race UK: The Official Tour". Data Thistle. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ a b 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.
  20. ^ Frank, Jason P. (23 September 2022). "Cherry Valentine, RuPaul's Drag Race U.K. Season-Two Competitor, Dead at 28". Vulture. New York. Archived from the original on 17 November 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  21. ^ "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.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ 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.
  25. ^ 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.
  26. ^ "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.
  27. ^ 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.
  28. ^ "Cherry Valentine – Season 2". WOW Presents Plus. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  29. ^ 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 28 September 2022.
  30. ^ Jodie Harsh – My House (Official Video) (Videotape). 5 March 2021. Archived from the original on 12 March 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2023 – via YouTube.
  31. ^ 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.
  32. ^ 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.
  33. ^ "Iconic". Amazon Music. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  34. ^ "Stay Here Forever". Amazon Music. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  35. ^ "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.
  36. ^ "Klub Kids London presents SQUIRREL FRIENDS (ages 14+)". Eventbrite. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  37. ^ Cherry Valentine [@thecherryvalentine] (15 November 2021). "The Tales of The Condemned - Tour coming October 2021! 🦇" – via Instagram.
  38. ^ Nguyen, Nikki (2 May 2022). "World of Wonder's 2022 WOWIE Awards at DragCon: Cast Your Votes Now!". World of Wonder. Archived from the original on 2 May 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  39. ^ Nguyen, Nikki (16 May 2022). "Here Are World of Wonder's 2022 WOWIE Awards Winners". World of Wonder. Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
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