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Vinegar Strokes
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Vinegar Strokes (born 21 August 1984)[1] is the stage name of Daniel Jacob, a drag queen from London.
Key Information
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She has released some songs: "Clamp!" (2019) and "Surrender" (2020).
Early life
[edit]Jacob is of Jamaican descent.[2] Before performing in drag, he studied at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts in order to become an actor. However, he did not get any acting jobs until adopting the Vinegar Strokes persona.[3]
Career
[edit]She is known for her appearance on the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, as well as performing with Drag Race judge Michelle Visage and US Drag Race winner Bianca Del Rio in the West End Musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie.[3]
After Drag Race, Strokes played Lady Von Fistenberg[4] in the "camp drag murder mystery" play Death Drop.[5][6]
She has also her music singles to YouTube, as well as an online cooking series.[7]
She voices the character Lucretious in Baldur's Gate 3 (2023).[8]
Most recently, Vinegar Strokes has filled the role of ‘The Diva’ on the Virgin Voyages ship, The Scarlet Lady. [9]
Discography
[edit]Filmography
[edit]Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | RuPaul's Drag Race UK | Herself | Contestant; Series 1 |
| 2021 | Celebrity Karaoke Club Drag Edition[13] | Herself | Contestant |
| Call Me Mother | Herself | Guest; 1 episode |
Video games
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Baldur's Gate 3 | Lucretious | [8] |
Web series
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Cosmo Queens | Herself | Guest appearance | [14] |
| God Shave the Queens | Herself | World of Wonder docu-series | [15] | |
| 2022 | Bring Back My Girls | Herself |
References
[edit]- ^ @TheOnlyVinegar (21 August 2022). "HELLO 38! #birthday" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Noyce, Eleanor (20 August 2021). "Vinegar Strokes talks Drag Race UK, camp women and the Big Smoke". Out News.
- ^ a b Ling, Thomas (12 December 2019). "Who is Vinegar Strokes? Meet the RuPaul's Drag Race UK queen and West End star". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 16 September 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
- ^ Dibdin, Thom (24 September 2021). "Killer drag". All Edinburgh Theatre. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
- ^ Maidment, Adam (3 October 2021). "Ra'Jah O'Hara and Vinegar Strokes on 'representing queer, black talent'". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
- ^ Anson, John (14 October 2021). "Ru Paul's Drag Race stars in murder mystery Death Drop at Lowry". The Bolton News. Archived from the original on 14 October 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
- ^ Robledo, Jordan (4 September 2020). "Drag Race UK star Vinegar Strokes drops empowering new single SurrenderDER". Gay Times. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
- ^ a b Hart, Aimee (1 August 2023). "Vinegar Strokes brings the drama in Baldur's Gate 3". Gaymingmag.com. Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- ^ Sammons, Rob (5 April 2025). "Meet your Eleventh Happenings Cast on Scarlet Lady". VV Insider. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ "Camp!". music.apple.com. Apple Inc. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
- ^ "Surrender". music.apple.com. Apple Inc. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
- ^ "Dance All Night". music.apple.com. Apple Inc. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
- ^ "Celebrity Karaoke Club returns to ITV2 this year along with drag spin-off series". ITV. 7 May 2021. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ Jowett, Victoria (21 February 2020). "Vinegar Strokes' makeup transformation is next-level mesmerising". Cosmopolitan.com. Archived from the original on 16 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
- ^ Barraclough, Leo. "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Producers Greenlight Two Docu-Series for SVOD (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.com. Archived from the original on 19 January 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vinegar Strokes.
- Vinegar Strokes on the IMDb
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Vinegar Strokes
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Family background and upbringing
Daniel Jacob, the individual behind the drag persona Vinegar Strokes, was born on 21 August 1984 in Enfield, North London, England.[10] He was raised in a working-class household by Jamaican immigrant parents, amid a cultural environment influenced by Caribbean traditions where homophobia was prevalent in popular media such as Jamaican music.[11] Jacob has described growing up facing societal barriers as a black, gay individual from a marginalized background, including challenges like self-doubt and a possible single-parent family dynamic.[1] From an early age, Jacob aspired to a career in performance, expressing a childhood desire to become a pop star.[12] He began engaging with the performing arts at around age 13, participating in community theatre, local productions, improv groups, and musical theatre, which laid the foundation for his later professional pursuits.[12] Jacob came out as gay at age 25, initially fearing disownment due to cultural attitudes toward homosexuality in his family's Jamaican heritage, but his mother and brother ultimately provided strong support—his mother later expressing regret that he had not disclosed it sooner, and his brother becoming his primary advocate.[11] This family acceptance contrasted with his early apprehensions shaped by exposure to anti-gay sentiments during upbringing.[11]Initial forays into performing arts
Daniel Jacob, who performs in drag as Vinegar Strokes, first engaged with the performing arts during his childhood through school-based activities. His singing ability was identified by a music teacher, leading to participation in school shows and youth theatre productions.[13] These early experiences, supported by encouraging mentors, prompted Jacob to take singing lessons and envision a professional path in musical theatre—such as roles in The Lion King—or television acting, including aspirations for EastEnders.[13] Jacob formalized his training by attending the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), graduating with a degree in the field.[3][14] Post-graduation, he pursued acting opportunities, including initial efforts in theatre, cabaret, stand-up comedy, and improvisation, though he encountered difficulties obtaining auditions.[3][15] Throughout his youth, Jacob also nurtured ambitions of becoming a pop star, reflecting a broader fascination with musical performance.[12]Drag career
Development of the Vinegar Strokes persona
Daniel Jacob, a trained actor who graduated from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, initially pursued a career in musical theater and acting but faced challenges securing auditions.[3] Around 2015, Jacob experimented with drag as a creative outlet, marking the inception of the Vinegar Strokes persona during an initial makeup application session.[1] A friend responded to a photo of the look with the remark "alright Vinegar Tits," which Jacob adapted into "Vinegar Strokes" after an online search confirmed the slang term's association with the climactic phase of sexual activity, aligning with the persona's bold, irreverent humor.[1][3] The persona debuted publicly at a Halloween gig in a friend's bar, where Jacob performed as a witch for a fee of £75, blending rudimentary drag with comedy elements.[1] This one-off led to subsequent bookings, evolving the character into a working-class comedy queen characterized by high-energy stand-up, lip-syncs, and original songs drawing from influences like Tina Turner, Lizzo, and EastEnders' Kat Slater.[3][1] Jacob integrated his acting background, creating 15-minute sets of jokes and improvised performances to captivate audiences quickly, emphasizing resilience and authenticity over polished aesthetics.[12] By 2017–2018, as drag gained traction in UK theater productions, Vinegar Strokes secured West End roles, such as in Everybody's Talking About Jamie, where the persona fused with professional stage work, incorporating pantomime and musical elements inspired by figures like Lily Savage.[12][3] This period solidified the character's reputation for unfiltered, Zone 5 London grit, prioritizing audience engagement through rapid-fire humor and vocal versatility rather than conventional drag glamour.[1] The development reflected a pragmatic pivot from acting's barriers, with drag providing consistent performance opportunities and a platform for Jacob's comedic timing.[1]Appearance on RuPaul's Drag Race UK
Vinegar Strokes competed on the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, which premiered on BBC Three on 10 October 2019.[16] Representing North London at age 35, she entered the competition as an established drag performer known for her bold, comedic style.[16] The season featured 10 contestants competing in challenges testing drag performance, comedy, design, and runway presentations, with eliminations determined by judges RuPaul, Graham Norton, Michelle Visage, and Alan Carr.[17] In the premiere episode's "Race to the Altar" wedding-themed challenge, Strokes landed in the bottom two alongside Gothy Kendoll for underwhelming performances.[18] She survived elimination by winning the lip-sync for her life to Dua Lipa's "New Rules," marking the first such victory in the UK franchise's history.[19] Strokes performed adequately in episode 2's "Morning Person" girl group challenge, landing safe and avoiding critique.[20] Her elimination occurred in episode 3 during the "Car Boot Sale" design challenge, where contestants created outfits from thrift items.[21] Judges criticized her runway look as mismatched, with mismatched skin tones on the body suit and disproportionate elements described as a "hodge-podge."[16] In the bottom two against Sum Ting Wong, Strokes lip-synced to Eurythmics' "Would I Lie to You?" but was eliminated, placing 8th overall with no maxi challenge wins across her three episodes.[16][18]Live performances and tours post-Drag Race
Following her elimination from RuPaul's Drag Race UK season 1 in November 2019, Vinegar Strokes joined the cast for the show's promotional tour, performing lip-sync and comedy numbers including "Camp!" at London's Troxy venue on November 29, 2019.[22] In April 2021, she participated in a drive-in drag extravaganza tour organized for Drag Race UK alumni amid COVID-19 restrictions, headlining the April 12 event at Cheltenham Racecourse alongside Baga Chipz and Tayce, with ticket prices ranging from £47.80 to £58 per vehicle.[23] Strokes appeared as Lady Von Fistenburg in the drag-themed murder-mystery production Death Drop during its initial West End run at the Garrick Theatre, which began previews on December 5, 2020.[24] She reprised the role for the show's UK tour later that year, performing at venues including the Palace Theatre in Southend from October 6 to 10, The Lowry in Manchester from October 12 to 16, New Theatre in Cardiff from October 20 to 23, and King's Theatre in Edinburgh from November 17 to 20.[25] [26] [27] On June 17, 2021, she headlined a live band-backed drag cabaret titled The Love Project with her group The Morning Afters at the Clapham Grand in London.[28] In November 2024, Strokes made a one-night guest appearance in the adults-only pantomime Cinderella at an unspecified venue, performing a solo number alongside drag performer Ella Vaday as one of the Ugly Stepsisters.[29] She has continued touring with multi-queen Drag Race lineups, including the Drag Race Domination shows in January 2025 at venues such as The Glee Club in Cardiff on January 27 and Metronome in Nottingham on January 30, alongside Baga Chipz and Blu Hydrangea.[30] Strokes is also scheduled for the Death Drop UK tour revival in October 2025, with performances at The Lowry in Salford from October 13 to 16 and New Theatre in Cardiff from October 20 to 23.[31]Broader professional work
Theater and stage acting
Daniel Jacob, who performs in drag as Vinegar Strokes, graduated from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts with training focused on acting.[3] Despite initial efforts to secure roles as a non-drag performer, Jacob faced challenges in obtaining auditions, leading him to blend drag elements into his stage work.[3] Following her appearance on RuPaul's Drag Race UK in 2021, Vinegar Strokes originated the role of Lady Von Fistenberg in the West End production of Death Drop, a camp murder-mystery play by Kit Buchan that premiered at the Garrick Theatre on January 21, 2020, with further runs in 2021 after pandemic-related postponements.[13] The production later toured the UK and was filmed for release.[10] In this role, she portrayed a glamorous socialite entangled in a whodunit plot inspired by Agatha Christie tropes.[13] In 2022, Jacob starred as Lady Bracknell in English Touring Theatre's reimagined production of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, featuring an all-Black cast and directed by Ryan Calais Cameron; the tour ran from September to November across UK venues including York Theatre Royal and Northern Stage in Newcastle.[32] [18] This adaptation emphasized cultural resonance with Black British experiences while preserving Wilde's satirical wit on Victorian society.[32] Vinegar Strokes has also taken on seasonal stage roles in British pantomime, a traditional holiday theater form blending comedy, music, and audience interaction. She performed in a Christmas pantomime production in Sevenoaks in late 2021, donning elaborate mermaid attire for early-morning shows attended by school groups.[18] In November and December 2024, she made guest appearances in an adults-only version of Cinderella at a regional UK venue.[29] Additional credits include roles in the opera thriller Begæret Mysterier and hosting duties in musical theater events like Eurobeat: Pride of Europe at MT Fest UK.[18] [13] In her debut solo cabaret Actress, premiered on September 6 at London's Phoenix Arts Club, Vinegar Strokes chronicles 15 years of professional acting experience through comedic sketches and songs drawn from her theater resume.[33]Voice acting and video game roles
Vinegar Strokes voiced the character Lucretious in the role-playing video game Baldur's Gate 3, released on August 3, 2023, by Larian Studios.[5] Lucretious is depicted as the proud leader of an arcane guild of traveling performers known as the Guild of Baldur's Gate, characterized by flamboyant mannerisms and dramatic flair that align with Strokes' drag persona.[5][34] This role marked Strokes' entry into professional voice acting for interactive media, leveraging her performance background from stage and television.[34] No additional voice acting or video game credits have been publicly documented as of October 2025.[5]Other media and solo projects
Vinegar Strokes launched her debut solo cabaret show Actress at the Phoenix Arts Club in London, presenting an hour-long performance that chronicles her 15-year career as a professional actress through storytelling, songs, and personal anecdotes.[33] The production premiered in September 2024, with the initial performance on September 19 followed by additional dates, including November 6 at The 2 Brewers in Clapham.[35] Beyond stage work, Strokes operates a YouTube channel under the handle VinegarStrokesPresentsTheatreQueen, featuring content such as musical theatre tag videos, drag parodies like "H&M (A Drag Race UK Parody)" released in March 2021, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into her performances.[36] This platform allows her to engage fans directly with informal discussions on theatre favorites and creative experiments outside competitive drag formats.[37] In podcast appearances, Strokes has discussed her career trajectory and drag insights, including a 2020 episode of American Slags where she shared perspectives on British versus American drag styles, and a 2021 installment of Crunchy Drag focusing on performance challenges.[38][39] She also judged the inaugural digital Drag Queen of the Year Pageant in 2021, a competition offering a $10,000 prize to performers worldwide.[15]Artistic releases
Discography
Vinegar Strokes has primarily released music as a solo artist through digital singles, with no full-length albums to date.[40] Her debut single, "Camp!", was issued in October 2019, featuring an official music video directed toward a campy, performative aesthetic aligned with her drag persona.[41] This was followed by "Surrender" in September 2020, a pop track available as a digital single release.[42] As frontwoman of the synth-pop cabaret band Vinegar Strokes & The Morning Afters, formed around 2021, she has contributed to several cover singles adapting classic hits into electronic arrangements.[43] Notable releases include "Lady Marmalade" (June 2021), "Respect" (May 2021), and "Crazy in Love" (May 2021), among others such as "Bullet Proof," "Can't Get You out of My Head," and "Filthy Gorgeous."[44] These tracks emphasize live performance potential, with accompanying videos promoting cabaret-style interpretations.[45]| Year | Title | Artist | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Camp! | Vinegar Strokes | Single | Debut solo release; official video released October 17.[41] |
| 2020 | Surrender | Vinegar Strokes | Single | Digital release September 3.[42] |
| 2021 | Lady Marmalade | Vinegar Strokes & The Morning Afters | Single | Cover of Labelle original.[43] |
| 2021 | Respect | Vinegar Strokes & The Morning Afters | Single | Cover of Aretha Franklin track.[43] |
| 2021 | Crazy in Love | Vinegar Strokes & The Morning Afters | Single | Cover of Beyoncé single.[43] |
Filmography and appearances
Vinegar Strokes, portrayed by Daniel Jacob, has made notable appearances in television drag competitions and related programming, alongside voice acting in video games. Her debut on screen came as a contestant in the inaugural season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, which aired in 2019 on BBC Three, where she competed through multiple challenges before elimination in the sixth episode. She later returned as a special guest on the series in 2021.[46] Additional television credits include guest spots on God Shave the Queens in 2020, a British drag history series hosted by Jonbers Blonde and The Vivienne, and Celebrity Karaoke Club the same year, where performers sang karaoke to raise funds for charity.[47] Strokes also appeared on Call Me Mother in 2021, a Canadian drag mentorship competition, and participated in the celebrity edition of Eating with My Ex, which premiered in 2021 and featured ex-partners dining together.[48] These roles highlight her post-Drag Race visibility in drag-centric media.[13] In voice acting, Jacob provided the voice for Lucretious, a high elf wizard and leader of a thieves' guild in the video game Baldur's Gate 3, released in 2023 by Larian Studios. The character appears in Act 3 of the game, offering quests related to smuggling and intrigue in Baldur's Gate.[46][5] This marks her entry into interactive media, drawing on her dramatic persona for the role.[49]| Year | Title | Role/Appearance | Medium | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | RuPaul's Drag Race UK (Season 1) | Contestant (as Self/Vinegar Strokes) | TV Series | Competed in challenges; eliminated episode 6. |
| 2019 | Save My Skin | Guest | TV Series | Appearance discussing personal experiences.[46] |
| 2020 | God Shave the Queens | Self | TV Series | Guest on drag history episodes.[47] |
| 2020 | Celebrity Karaoke Club | Self (as Vinegar Strokes) | TV Series | Performed karaoke for charity.[47] |
| 2021 | RuPaul's Drag Race UK | Special Guest (as Vinegar Strokes) | TV Series | Returned for guest segment.[46] |
| 2021 | Call Me Mother | Guest | TV Series | Mentorship competition appearance.[46] |
| 2021 | Eating with My Ex (Celebrity) | Contestant | TV Series | Filmed with ex-partner; aired on E4.[13] |
| 2023 | Baldur's Gate 3 | Lucretious (voice) | Video Game | Act 3 NPC; thieves' guild leader.[46][5] |