Naya Thorn is a drag performer from Dudley who reached the final of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series 8, which premiered on BBC Three on September 3, 2026, with its finale airing on November 5, 2026. Naya Thorn was 24 years old at the time of filming in January 2026, and stood out as the season’s fiercely competitive theatre-style queen, winning two challenges on the way to the final.
Quick Facts
| Drag Name | Naya Thorn |
| Age | 24 (at time of filming) |
| Hometown | Dudley, England |
| Pronouns in Drag | She/Her |
| Known For | RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series 8 finalist |
| Series 8 Result | Finalist |
Who Is Naya Thorn?
Naya Thorn is a Dudley drag queen who describes herself as “fully thorned and prickly” and brings a theatre performance style to everything she does. An Aquarius who says she is in touch with her chakras, Naya Thorn arrived on Drag Race UK series 8 openly admitting she is very competitive – and that her competitive streak might get in the way of werkroom friendships. That honesty set the tone for a season in which she was a constant presence at the top of the leaderboard.
Early Life & Background
Naya Thorn’s birth name and exact date of birth have not been made public, and the age given here – 24 – is the age stated by the BBC and Wikipedia at the time the series was filmed. Naya Thorn hails from Dudley in the West Midlands, and her drag is rooted in theatre: dramatic, polished, and built for a stage. Her pre-series BBC interview painted a picture of a performer who takes the competition seriously and is unafraid to say so.
Career & Journey
Before Drag Race, Naya Thorn established herself as a theatre-style drag performer, and that stagecraft served her well from the very first episode. In the series 8 premiere, she was a top-two queen in the talent show, losing the lip sync to KY Kelly to Raye’s “Where Is My Husband!” She then stayed safe through episodes 2 to 5 before landing in the bottom in episode 6, where she beat Anita Piss in a lip sync to Jade’s “Kiss My (Uh-Oh).” Episode 7 brought her first challenge win in the “Ghost Hunties” paranormal parody, topping the episode after beating Coral-Hole Mandi in a lip sync to Jade’s “It Girl.” After a safe episode 8, she won the episode 9 roast, sending KY Kelly home in fifth place and securing her spot in the finale alongside Alik, Flesh, and Mocha.
Facts About Naya Thorn
- Naya Thorn was 24 years old and from Dudley when RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series 8 was filmed.
- Naya Thorn describes herself as “fully thorned and prickly” and performs in a theatre style.
- Naya Thorn is an Aquarius who says she is in touch with her chakras.
- Naya Thorn admits she is very competitive and that it could get in the way of werkroom friendships.
- Naya Thorn won two challenges on series 8: Ghost Hunties in episode 7 and the roast in episode 9.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Naya Thorn?
Naya Thorn was 24 years old at the time RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series 8 was filmed in January 2026. Naya Thorn’s exact date of birth has not been made public.
Where is Naya Thorn from?
Naya Thorn is from Dudley in the West Midlands, England.
What is Naya Thorn known for?
Naya Thorn is known as a finalist on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series 8, a fiercely competitive theatre-style drag performer.
How far did Naya Thorn get on Drag Race UK?
Naya Thorn reached the series 8 finale after winning the Ghost Hunties challenge in episode 7 and the roast in episode 9, and surviving a lip sync against Anita Piss in episode 6.
What are Naya Thorn’s pronouns in drag?
Naya Thorn uses she/her pronouns in drag, as stated in the BBC’s official meet-the-queens guide.