Popworld, the late-night party bar chain, is pleased to announce the winner of the Lip Sync War contest. Performance Design & Practice student Hazel Tyler from London, competing as her drag persona Lick Von Dyke, scooped the prestigious prize and now walks away with £2,000 cash, a music video recording experience.
This year, late night party bar chain, Popworld, launched its first ever national competition to find the UK’s top lip-syncing superstar. Over 250 hopefuls applied for the chance at stardom, and after the regional heat winner’s fierce clashes in the semi-finals, the six finalists battled it out in Birmingham on Friday.
Originally from Lancashire, London-based Hazel entered the competition through her local gay bar The Two Brewers in Clapham and walked away with the grand prize after an epic performance to Mark Ronson’s ‘Uptown Funk’. She says: “I saw it advertised and I just thought – I have to go for this! I’ve been to the Popworld in my home town of Blackpool a few times and I enjoy the free, fun, party vibe of it… I absolutely love performing. I ‘ve been dong drag for over a year now.”
Commenting on her win, Hazel said: “I would like to say thank you, I’m going to Bali! I’ll also be investing the prize money into my art including my costumes, wigs and some classes as well – I’d like to do some clowning classes!”
20 bars across the country took part in the hard-fought regional heats last month, with 40 winners progressing to the semi-finals held in London, Bristol, Southampton, Blackpool, Wolverhampton and Sheffield.
The all singing, all dancing X-Factor style finale in Birmingham’s own Popworld took place in front of an expert judging panel. National hero Chico, also performed his smash-hit single ‘It’s Chico Time’, and appeared alongside renowned Simon Cowell lookalike Andy Monk, and Captain Morgan himself, flying in from Miami just to take part.
Jamie Rosenfeld, Marketing Manager at Popworld, said: “Lip Sync War has been such a great success and so much fun, and the grand finale surpassed all expectation! We’re so happy for Hazel and hope all who took part had a night to remember!”