Kyran Thrax discusses recovery from grooming, crediting drag for their survival

“It sounds so cliché,” states performer Kyran Peet, “but drag has saved me.” Kyran, who uses they/them pronouns, experienced online grooming and abuse when they were 13 years old. In 2019, they proudly presented their inaugural performance as their drag persona, Kyran Thrax, at an open mic night in Vauxhall, London, surrounded by friends. However, the drag artist clarifies that the Kyran Thrax persona did not originate that evening: “This part of me, I feel, has been with me since everything happened when I was 13.” As a teenager, Kyran recalls with affection attending school adorned with platform shoes, black eyeliner, backcombed purple hair, and “the most orange foundation,” which they describe as an early manifestation of their drag persona. Kyran, now 26, expresses pride in their self-assurance and ability to uplift others through drag, yet acknowledges that “it did start as a defence mechanism, because it was a way for me to try and survive”. At the age of 13, Kyran had recently come out as gay and had initiated communication with a 23-year-old man, who falsely claimed to be a teenager, after connecting on social media. Grooming occurs when an individual cultivates a relationship with a vulnerable person for the purpose of abuse and manipulation. This abuse typically involves sexual or financial exploitation. “I convinced myself I was ready to have a romantic relationship, which is just ridiculous,” Kyran states. The two individuals met in person and continued to do so over a period of seven months. Kyran’s abuser ultimately confessed to sexual activity with a child and was incarcerated. “It was horrible,” Kyran adds, “I gave this man everything, all of my childhood.” Kyran — who has relinquished their legal right to anonymity to discuss their experience — eventually confided in their mother, and together they contacted the police. Kyran was still enrolled in secondary school when they pursued legal action against the groomer. “It’s a very strange experience in general, to be at school whilst that’s happening, because obviously everyone’s talking about everything,” Kyran remarks. Kyran’s experience is not isolated. A recent report from the NSPCC revealed that over 7,000 Sexual Communication with a Child offences were documented across the UK in the year leading up to March 2024. Richard Collard, associate head of policy and public affairs at the NSPCC, which operates Childline, states that grooming can have “long-lasting effects” on children. “It can often lead to self-harm, eating disorders and can be something that actually impacts the rest of their life.” Following their grooming experience, Kyran says “it was really hard, I hated myself, I really, really did.” “A way for me to try and survive was to convince myself that I did love myself,” Kyran further explains, detailing how daily affirmations and engaging with drag became methods to rebuild their confidence. During this challenging period in their life, Kyran comments: “I think [my drag persona, Kyran Thrax] was there, I think she’s always been an expression for me.” Kyran continued to refine their drag act at university, where they studied drama. With encouragement from friends, Kyran began performing on stage, and by graduation, they had become “a full-time drag queen”. Currently, Kyran is participating in the latest season of the BBC series RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. Kyran describes watching themselves on screen as feeling like a dream. In episode five, Kyran shares their grooming experience with fellow queen La Voix. “It’s a topic that I feel is still so taboo, so many people shy away from talking about it,” Kyran observes. Expressing enthusiasm for future prospects, Kyran hopes their drag can “provide fun, surreal experiences where people can come and they can forget about their problems and just have that escapism.” “I feel like that’s why I’m here, is to perform.” Update 8 November: This article has been amended to more appropriately describe Kyran’s account of their abuse. If you, or someone you know, have been affected by child sexual abuse, BBC Action Line provides details of organisations that may be able to help. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.