"I was born for this role. Literally. I've been practising it for the last 20 years!"
It’s been a whirlwind year for RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 5 runner-up, Michael Marouli. Fresh off the runway, Michael has leapt into the world of scripted television with a guest appearance in the new Paramount+ romantic comedy series, The Road Trip, which premiered on December 26, 2024. Our roving reporter Taylor Trash caught up with Michael to get the piping hot tea.
Transitioning from reality TV to a scripted series can be a daunting task but Michael took to it like a duck to water. “It’s completely different. It’s two different worlds, which I love, because it was a brand new experience for me, and I was just like looking around going, oh my God, this is incredible…you’re talking like a full-on Hollywood moment.” The opportunity to work alongside seasoned actors like Emma Appleton and Laurie Davidson was invaluable. “I was in awe watching them work, they’re just so dedicated to it. They know exactly what they’re doing.” When asked about the role Michael tells us, “I was born for this role. I’ve been practising it for the last 20 years!”
In The Road Trip, Michael portrays Britta Broad, the iconically named and charismatic host of a Eurovision karaoke night in Gran Canaria. “She’s the host…and the characters in the story stumble upon the bar and one of them gets a little bit drunk, decides to get up on the karaoke, and I kind of give her what for and things go awry from there. So it’s high camp.”
Above: (L-R) Addie played by (EMMA APPLETON), Rodney played by (ANGUS IMRIE), Marcus played by (DAVID JONSSON), Belinda played by (SAMANTHA SPIRO), Dylan played by (LAURIE DAVIDSON) and Britta Broad played by (MICHAEL MAROULI).
To add to the campery, the scene allowed Michael to showcase her natural flair for performance revealing exclusively to Loverboy that much of her dialogue was improvised, allowing her to rely on her creative instincts to add an authentic touch to the character. “Most of my lines in The Road Trip were improvised…and the director (China Moo-Young, dir. Everything I Know About Love) said I was the only choice for the role!”
Since her stint on Drag Race UK, Michael’s career has soared. “My life’s just blown up in the most amazing way,” she enthused. Embracing every opportunity, she’s set her sights on a multitude of projects for 2025, including the next “Angels of the North” tour, scheduled for April, alongside fellow series 5 queens Tomara Thomas and series winner, Ginger Johnson.
Michael’s journey from the drag scene to mainstream media serves as an inspiration to many and her advice to fellow performers is: “Work hard, keep at it, and don’t give up… If you’re passionate and you believe in it, just work hard, reach for the stars, and never give up.”
For fans eager to see Michael’s acting debut, The Road Trip is now streaming exclusively on Paramount+. The series, based on Beth O’Leary’s best-selling novel, promises a blend of humor, romance, and memorable performances, with Michael’s cameo being a standout moment.
Listen to the full interview here:
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Taylor: What is your favorite road trip snack?
Michael: Oh, God. I would have to say a double cheeseburger at McDonald’s.
Taylor: A dream travel destination?
Michael: Las Vegas.
Taylor: A Drag race memory you’ll never forget?
Michael: Being in the final three, after we’d filmed the music video, and just sat in the Werkroom going, ‘oh my God, we did it.’
Taylor: A role you’d love to play next?
Michael: Frank-n-furter in Rocky Horror.
Taylor: And lastly, what is your favorite Mariah Carey song?
Michael: Oh my God, how dare you do that to me! How can I pick? I would have to say ‘Fantasy’
THE ROAD TRIP Launched Exclusively on Paramount+ on Thursday, 26th December 2024 and is streaming now.
For more information about Paramount+, please visit www.paramountplus.com
For your chance to see Michael Marouli LIVE, tickets for the Angels of the North Tour can be snatched up here: https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/
