-
Miz Cracker
Image Credit: Courtesy of Subject In celebration of Billboard‘s third annual Pride Issue, several of the most influential drag queens in the industry share selfies of original looks from self-isolation, loosely inspired by Andy Warhol portraits from the 1970s and ’80s. With their photos, the queens not only show how they’ve adapted to creating powerful looks from home, but also offer messages of hope and calls to action amid nationwide protests over police brutality and racial inequality.
“These are horrifying times,” says Miz Cracker, a contestant in season five of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, which premiered June 5. For her Marilyn Monroe silkscreen-inspired look, photographed in New York on June 2, she says, “I wanted to create a look full of the brightness and intimacy that we are all missing right now.”
-
Monét X Change
Image Credit: Courtesy of Subject Inspired by “the joy and passion of black people,” All Stars season four winner Monét X Change shares a vibrant look from self-isolation in Harlem on May 31. “I always have, and I always will be ‘unapologetically black,’ ” she says. “Full stop. Period.”
-
BenDeLaCreme
Image Credit: Courtesy of Subject All Stars alumna BenDeLaCreme chose a loose- tting robe by drag fashion designer Dallas Coulter because “when our trans black siblings were tearing shit up at Stonewall, they had to dress for comfort and mobility,” she says in L.A. on June 2, adding that she’s focused “on listening, advocating and helping amplify the voices of black people.”
-
Pabllo Vittar
Image Credit: Courtesy of Subject Pictured in Brazil on June 4, Brazilian singer-songwriter and drag icon Pabllo Vittar says the main inspiration for her look “was that you can play with how you look and have fun with it,” she says. “If you want to have whichever eyebrow, eyes, hair or anything, just do it! Be yourself!”
-
Shangela
Image Credit: Courtesy of Subject Self-isolating in Paris, Texas, Shangela refers to her look on June 4 as “Pandemic Pro.” “As a drag entertainer, you learn to function as a one-stop production shop,” says the star of HBO’s We’re Here. “I’m the makeup artist, the hair stylist, the lighting team and the photographer.”
-
Gigi Goode
Image Credit: Courtesy of Subject RuPaul’s Drag Race season 12 runner-up Gigi Goode shows off her look from the season’s virtual finale in Los Angeles on June 1. “[Moschino creative director] Jeremy Scott was kind enough to allow me to be the first to wear this look straight off the runway,” she says.
-
Latrice Royale
Image Credit: Courtesy of Subject “I was having a pretty rough day emotionally,” admits All Stars veteran Latrice Royale from L.A. on June 4. “I poured my heart out and pleaded that we start trying to come from a place of love and empathy! Let the healing begin.”
-
Sherry Vine
Image Credit: Courtesy of Subject She’s Living for This comedy series host Sherry Vine, pictured in L.A. on May 30, says that in self-isolation, “I’ve learned how to be a light technician, sound operator and get in touch with my inner grandma. Hence the all- natural, age-appropriate hair!”
This article originally appeared in the June 13, 2020 issue of Billboard.