Jan Sport, the RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Star and vocal powerhouse unpacks her crowning role as Oscar Wilde in London’s new dystopian dance musical, OSCAR At The Crown. Jan caught up with Taylor Trash to talk about the show, her dream girl group lineup and what she really thinks of Simon Cowell.

Tottenham Court Road is doing what it always does: sweating commuters, sad meal deals, and a Pret on every corner. But underground? The queers are rioting. Step into OSCAR At The Crown and you’re no longer in London — you’re in a glitter-soaked apocalypse where the only survivors are reality TV, disco balls, and the ghost of Oscar Wilde himself. Think Orwell, but with better cheekbones.

And who’s leading this fever dream? None other than Jan Sport, the Drag Race favourite who never met a high note she couldn’t swallow whole. For Jan, this isn’t just another gig. This is her big West End debut, and in her own words, ‘This has been a LONG time coming, babe.’

Jan’s connection to the show runs deep. Andrew Barret Cox, the creative behind Jan’s All Stars 6 anthem ‘Jantasy,’ is also the composer here. ‘Andrew’s been my best friend for half my life. He’s written new songs for the show that are absolute bangers.’

So WHO is Jan’s Wilde?

Jan’s not exactly going ‘Method’ with her portrayal. ‘I actively avoided research,’ she admits. ‘I want to pay homage, but it’s definitely a different version.’ Instead, she’s channeling one of drag’s greatest skills: creating character out of essence, not accuracy. ‘It’s giving nurturing aunty energy… but also darkness, and a lot of pomposity,’ she teases. 

From the moment our call connected, it’s clear this is going to be a fun one. After a few technical hiccups and a shared laugh about the struggles of drag/life admin (even a diva has to update Zoom), Jan’s face lights up the screen. ‘I am just tickled,’ she declares, flashing a grin as infectious as her energy. Jan is no stranger to the stage – she was a child actor (when she was six years old she toured in Lady Windermere’s Fan with Bernadette Peters and Betty Buckley as co-stars) and cut her teeth in theatre long before reality TV came calling. ‘It’s a lot different,’ she says, ‘but I’m definitely getting back into my acting roots. ‘The blend of immersive club vibe and storytelling in OSCAR suits her perfectly: ‘It’s live, it’s in your face, it’s camp, and it’s storytelling,’ she says, ‘like a drag show at the club, but with a real story at its heart.’

Taylor Trash: First things first, mama — congratulations on your West End debut! You’re starring as Oscar Wilde in OSCAR at The Crown. How does it feel stepping into such an iconic role?
Jan Sport: Thank you! It feels incredible. Honestly, it’s a version of me that people haven’t really seen before, and that’s exciting. I’ve been part of this show since its early days back in 2015, but it’s evolved so much since then.

Would you call yourself a Wilde child, then, in honor of Mr. Wilde?
(laughs) Yes! I definitely march to the beat of my own drum. As I’ve gotten older, I care less about rules. I’ll go wild — in moderation, of course.

We know Oscar was Irish – are you giving us your best brogue in this show or putting your own spin on him?
I’m not trotting out a full-on Irish accent or anything. My Oscar is somewhere in between, I’d say. I’m definitely paying homage to the historical figure, but I’m also making the role my own. I actually avoided doing a deep research dive – I wanted to bring my interpretation to it instead of a by-the-book impersonation. My Oscar has a kind of nurturing aunty vibe – very loving, big gay aunt energy – but there’s a lot of darkness there too, and plenty of pomposity. She’s a grand dame with a shadowy side. I think people are going to see a different side of me for sure, and I’m excited for that.

And you’re reuniting with your bestie Andrew Barrett Cox on this – the music man! You two have a history. How is it working with Andrew again after all this time?
Oh my god, it’s the best. Andrew and I have been best friends for over half my life. We met as teeny tiny musical theatre nerds and now we’re here doing this epic show together. It feels full-circle and surreal. And let me tell you, the music he’s written for OSCAR? Ugh, amazing. This might be one of my favorite bodies of work he’s ever done. He’s written some new songs for the London production and they are so good – bops, bangers, ballads, you name it. I’m just so proud of him and stoked that we get to share this moment. We basically share a brain at this point, so when I’m belting his songs as Oscar Wilde, it’s like living our shared teenage dream.

You’re fresh from your run in Drag: The Musical and you’ve worked on big reality TV productions. Do you have any memorable mishaps or crazy backstage shenanigans from those experiences that prepared you for the chaos of OSCAR?
Ha! Well, during Drag: The Musical, one of my castmates went on stage with a hairnet stuck to her tights – and she did like four whole scenes that way. Four scenes with a big ol’ hairnet just flapping on her thigh and not a soul told her! We all saw it, we clocked it, and we just let it happen. (laughs) We were like, ‘Should we say something? Nahhh.’ By the time she noticed – probably a good half-hour in – she was mortified. We were dying. We’re terrible! Theatre people are horrible like that. We live for a little chaos and a laugh. So yeah, theatre keeps you humble… and always check your costume for random accessories, I guess!

Speaking of bangers and chaos, I hear OSCAR at The Crown is basically a dystopian queer dance party. For the uninitiated, how would you describe the show’s vibe?
I’d say it’s like if Blade Runner had a voguing night at Studio 54, and Oscar Wilde was the MC. It’s wild, it’s immersive, it’s sweaty, it’s fabulous. You’re literally in this secret bunker with us, surrounded by disco balls and broken TV screens, dancing and singing along. There’s drag, there’s drama, there’s a pop anthem every other minute. And at its core, it’s telling Oscar’s story in a way that’s totally now. Honestly, it’s the most fun you can have in a theatre without getting arrested. And yes, I may be biased, but the audience reactions say it all.

Now, let’s shift to some drag geekery. Word on the street is that World of Wonder just launched a new drag girl group on their record label. If you had to form your own ultimate drag girl group trio, who are you picking?
I need Laganja Estranja there, not only as a rapper, but also because she’s the ultimate hype woman and will bring the house down. Adore Delano – I would love to be with Adore [in a girl group], and Sapphira Cristál – she’d bring that operatic tease to pop music, and girl, I am here for it! I’d call us Jan and the Holograms or something. (laughs)

Consider me ready to pre-order that album! Now, Jan, we have to ask: as a noted Lamb (we see you stanning Mariah Carey on the regular), what is your all-time favorite Mariah track?
Honestly? Her recording of ‘O Holy Night.’ I know it’s not one of her original songs, but it’s the craziest vocal I ever heard. It’s literally the best vocal recording of all time – those whistle tones, come on! And if we’re talking non-Christmas, then ‘Fantasy’ is that girl for me.

A woman of taste! Okay, last burning question before I let you go get ready to slay the stage: If Simon Cowell were here right now – you know, the man infamously skeptical of drag queens belting it out on national TV – what would you say to him?
(grins deviously) Oh, Mr. Cowell? I’d say: “Piss off, ugly.” In my sweetest tone possible. Like, piss off, ugly. And then I’d blow him a little kiss. Honestly, bye girl, go away. We’re tired. Stop coming for beautiful, talented people just because you’re bored. That’s my message. Muah!

OSCAR at The Crown is now booking at The Crown (Tottenham Court Road, London) through 30 October 2025.
Jan appears for a strictly limited run from 12 September 2025 for a strictly limited run – seven weeks only.