Supporting Chappell Roan on tour 'was surreal'

A drag queen who supported singer Chappell Roan on her sold-out UK tour has described the experience as "surreal".

Shanika Sunrise, from Sandbach, Cheshire, said they applied to work with the artist after spotting a post advertising the opportunity on her social media.

Immediately applying, Shanika said it was the "chance of a lifetime" to perform at the US singer's gig at the Manchester Academy.

"It was the most outrageous night of my whole life. Genuinely beyond my wildest dreams," Shanika commented on Instagram.

Shanika described Chappell as "such a real" artist who spoke to all the drag queens.

The artist created the alter ego Shanika Sunrise to cope while being treated for cancer in 2017, aged 19.

“It literally got me through my whole experience”, Shanika said.

Arriving backstage in Manchester, Shanika felt like they were going to "explode with energy, anticipation and excitement".

Hearing the roars of the crowds and chanting getting louder and louder, the drag star said the excitement was "incredible" as they waddled backstage in a mermaid tail.

"I just knew that this was going to be huge and I don't think I had fully got my head around it until I left the stage," the artist said.

"I heard my name 'Shanika Sunrise' and I've never heard a crowd make that much noise for me before."

After the show, Shanika encouraged their followers to never give up on your dreams.

They said: "People may try to minimise you or make you feel unwelcome at the table when you’re trying to make your art. Just do it for yourself."

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