LGBTQ+ Drag Queens | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

6 LGBTQ+ Entertainers That Are Changing the Art of Drag

The queer community has produced some of the most creative minds in the world - and they are changing the face of art forever.

203
6 LGBTQ+ Entertainers That Are Changing the Art of Drag
YouTube

The contributions of members of the LGBTQ+ community to the arts have spanned decades, ranging from fashion, to performances, to music, and even to breaking the mold on what "art" even is (as encompassed by the oft-repeated quote from renown drag queen Vivacious, "To me, the word 'gay' means 'Generations Ahead of Yesterday.'"). Each of the queer entertainers in this list have contributed towards the evolution of drag in their own unique way - and have looked absolutely stunning while doing it.

1. Ada Vox

Ada Vox is the stage name and alter-ego of Adam Sanders, a 24-year-old waiter from San Antonio, Texas. She is most known for being the first competitor to perform in drag on American Idol in 2018, where she made it to the top ten. Ada Vox's delivered riveting performances on the show, where viewers raved about her renditions of Radiohead's Creep and Nina Simone's Feeling Good. Despite being eliminated from the competition, her ability as a vocalist has earned her international recognition, including from RuPaul herself.

2. Sasha Velour

Sasha Velour, also known as Sasha Steinberg, is a drag performer, artist, and film director from Brooklyn, New York. Sasha Velour is most known for being the winner of Season 9 of RuPaul's Drag Race, a reality show competition, in 2017. Since then, Sasha has produced a monthly drag show in the heart of Brooklyn called Nightgowns, which showcases a variety of talented drag acts from all over the world. She is also directing and producing an anthology of short films on the art of drag titled One Dollar Drags and has recently released her first short film of the series, Pirate Jenny.

3. Hungry

Hungry is a drag performer from Berlin, Germany who specializes in distorted drag. They have gained global acclaim for their surreal makeup work and unusual perspective of drag, which emphasizes illusion more than traditional notions of femininity. Their artistic vision was showcased in Bjork's new album, Utopia, and they have been featured in Paper Magazine and numerous other publications.

4. Vander Von Odd

Vander Von Odd, also known as Antonio Yee, is a drag queen native to Imperial Valley, California. She was the first winner of the Boulet Brothers' Dragula, a web show reality competition that focuses on drag queens who embody the qualities of filth, horror, and glamour in their drag personas. With the title of the world's first Supermonster, Vander has become well known not only for her interpretations of alternative drag but also for her captivating performances with Sasha Velour's Nightgowns.

5. Trixie Mattel

Trixie Mattel, also known as Brian Firkus, is a drag queen from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She first became well-known for her exaggerated malibu-barbie inspired makeup in 2015 as a cast member in RuPaul's Drag Race season 7. Her career took off even further in 2016 with the launch of the web show UNHhhh, a talk show with co-host and fellow drag queen Katya Zamolodchikova, that would eventually be picked up on Vice as The Trixie and Katya Show. Trixie's signature sarcasm and dry humor have caused her to become a fan favorite among Drag Race fans, which allowed her to return in All Stars season 3 and win the televised competition. Trixie is also a recording artist and has released two country and folk albums, including Two Birds in 2016 and her most recent release, One Stone, in 2018.

6. Peppermint

Peppermint, also known as Agnes Moore, is a drag queen from New York City and the runner-up on season 9 of RuPaul's Drag Race. While previous competitors had come out before filming the show, Peppermint is the first contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race to compete on the show as an openly trans woman. Her openness about her identity comes in the wake of controversy about the participation of trans and queer women in drag, as represented by remarks RuPaul made on trans contestants in an interview with The Guardian. Peppermint will be the first trans woman to act as the principal role in a Broadway musical in Head Over Heels, which is set to begin performances on June 23rd of 2018.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190623
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

15128
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

458025
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26715
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments