Bailey-Jaye Timothy Mills (born 13 July 1999), known professionally as Bailey J Mills, is an English drag performer, known for their outlandish comedy skits and videos on social media. In 2023, they joined The After Shave with Danny Beard as the shop assistant.

Bailey J Mills
Born
Bailey-Jaye Timothy Mills

(1999-07-13) 13 July 1999 (age 25)
Other namesMiss Francesca
Bailey Jaye Mills
OccupationDrag queen
Years active2020–present
TelevisionThe After Shave with Danny Beard
Children1

Life and career

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Mills was born on 13 July 1999 in Spalding, Lincolnshire.[1][2][3] Mills has autism and was expelled from two schools for disruptive behaviour. They have said they found solace by attending ballet classes and after-school musical theatre groups.[4] Mills took an interest in drag whilst attending college after they "started playing around [with make-up] and then fell in love with it, adding that it was a "really fun way to express [themself]".[5] They initially used the stage name Miss Francesca and said that whilst underage, they would be able get into nightclubs when dressed in drag clothing.[5] Mills also became subject to abuse and bullying on social media as a result of performing in drag.[6]

In 2020, Mills began uploading comedy skits to social media. One particular video in which Mills impersonated Velma Dinkley from Scooby-Doo, wearing a visible breastplate, went viral on social media.[7] Known for their "crunchy, cheap and affordable" aesthetic and "council estate" sense-of-humour, Mills was described by Dazed magazine as the "breakout star of the digital drag era".[8][9] Following on from their online popularity, they began appearing at various LGBT pride, drag brunches and drag bingo events.[10][11][12][13][14]

In May 2023, Mills' partner Logan Brown gave birth to their daughter.[15] Brown, who is a transgender man featured on the cover of Glamour magazine, in which the couple discussed the transphobia they had faced during the pregnancy.[16][17][18] In August 2023, Mills debuted their show Unfiltered + Scummy at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and subsequently announced a tour for November 2023 at the Clapham Grand.[19][20] In September 2023, Mills began appearing as the shop assistant on The After Shave with Danny Beard, the spin-off show of the BBC competition RuPaul's Drag Race UK.[21] Mills has previously applied for Drag Race and expressed interest in appearing on the show, however said they felt they would be "misunderstood".[8]

Filmography

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As self
Year Title Notes Ref
2023 The After Shave with Danny Beard Shop assistant [22]

Tours

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  • Unfiltered + Scummy (2023)[23]

References

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  1. ^ "Building Queertopia: Bailey J Mills". BBC. 5 October 2021. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  2. ^ Mills, Bailey J (13 July 2023). "It's my birthday b*tches I'm 24 today even though I look 45 x". Instagram. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  3. ^ "A non-conformist among non-conformists: Bailey J Mills". The Glasgow Guardian. 21 February 2023. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Bailey J Mills: clown of glory". Dazed. 15 June 2023. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Interview: Miss Francesca (Bailey Mills) "Telling me to stop just made me want to do it more"". 23 September 2020. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Drag queen left in tears after being subjected to vile taunts from bullies". Lincolnshire Live. 21 August 2020. Archived from the original on 7 July 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  7. ^ "How drag artists in the UK are surviving the cost of living crisis". Gay Times. 10 March 2023. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Bailey J Mills say they'd be "misunderstood" on RuPaul's Drag Race UK". Gay Times. 23 March 2022. Archived from the original on 14 April 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Meme queen Bailey J. Mills is the breakout star of the digital drag era". Dazed. 29 March 2021. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  10. ^ "Stars of RuPaul's Drag Race coming to Stevenage for Klub Kids' Boots Down Bingo party at Mecca Bingo". The Comet. 3 February 2022. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Watch our twisted Dazed Day Out with Bailey J Mills". Dazed. 15 June 2023. Archived from the original on 28 June 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  12. ^ "Manchester Pride: 5 of the campest moments from 2022's celebrations". Gay Times. 31 August 2022. Archived from the original on 1 September 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  13. ^ "A Drag Show Brunch featuring Bailey J Mills". Between the Bridges. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  14. ^ "Bailey J Mills - Mimosa's & Mayhem (Manchester Pride Special)". Out Savvy. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  15. ^ "'We will always protect you' GLAMOUR's Pride coverstar Logan Brown shares an exclusive letter to his daughter". Glamour. June 2023. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  16. ^ "NoHun 'transphobia' controversy explained: Influencer's remarks in full after targeting Bailey J Mills' pregnant boyfriend". Attitude. 18 April 2023. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  17. ^ "Logan Brown: 'I'm a pregnant trans man and I do exist. No matter what anyone says, I am literally living proof'". Glamour. June 2023. Archived from the original on 22 September 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  18. ^ "NoHun 'transphobia' explained after Bailey J Mills boyfriend targeted". The Tab. 19 April 2023. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  19. ^ "Bailey J Mills". Revamp. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  20. ^ "Exclusive: Bailey J Mills discusses "wild" live show Unfiltered and Scummy". Gay Times. 9 March 2023. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  21. ^ "'I had two non-negotiables': Danny Beard spills on Drag Race UK spin-off". Gay Times. 27 September 2023. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  22. ^ "The After Shave with Danny Beard". BBC. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  23. ^ "Bailey J Mills: Unfiltered + Scummy". Clapham Grand. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.