Latest news with #GingerMinj
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Ginger Minj: Beyond the eye gloss, pancake and glitter
'Life should be a party, not a prison sentence. Wear too much blush, cover yourself in glitter and put on that damn tutu if it makes you feel like your fabulous self.' Ginger Minj, drag star extraordinaire, is talking about grabbing hold of life and shaking things up a bit. She's talking about putting on the big red wig and letting herself go wild on stage. She's talking about stepping out, being part of the party, not hiding in shadows, afraid of living life. 'My show is all about the songs and moments from my life that shaped me into the LGBTQ+ person that I am today.' But just a minute here. An alumni of series seven of superstar 'RuPaul's Drag Race,' Minj admits she's shy in real life. Who Ginger Minj Where Theatre Aquarius, 190 King William St. When Thursday, June 5, 7.30 p.m. Tickets Regular $55, VIP meet the star $75 plus fees and taxes. Call 905-522-7529 or boxoffice@ 'Some people would probably call me a wallflower. If I'm not writing music or shows or books, I'm cuddled up with the husband and dogs, watching the Food Network. 'You know, as a little country boy from a small Christian conservative town in North Florida, I never thought I'd have a clear path to my dreams, but 'Drag Race' gave me that, and I'll be forever grateful. It opened so many doors for me. I've done movies, theatre, written a book and toured the world several times over this past 10 years.' When you ask Minj where her stage persona came from, she's not shy about answering. Ginger Minj is a contemporary and bold image in a world of drag that has moved on from just being female imitation, Gary Smith writes. 'Ginger gave me my voice and the permission to speak up. I based her on all the church ladies I grew up around, the ones who would give you the shirts off their backs, but read you to filth for not having your own in the first place. What I do is sassy, it's dry, but it all comes from a place of love.' The thing is, Ginger Minj is a contemporary and bold image in a world of drag that has moved on from just being female imitation. 'Unlike a lot of drag artists from the past, my persona is more of a heightened, emboldened version of myself than a wholly separate character. Audiences can spot a phoney from a mile away, so I just try to be as open, honest and grounded as possible when I'm on stage, even in the midst of the most ridiculous situations. 'I'm an old-fashioned Broadway belter for sure, but I'm probably best known for my quick wit and work with the crowd. The best part of this job is getting to know new people every single day, and my favourite thing to do is banter with someone I don't know. It keeps the show fresh, fun and funny.' Once an actor in Christian films and chosen as Miss Gay United States in 2012, Minj admits she's sometimes performed in front of folks who were hostile to the notion of drag. 'My philosophy has always been to use my platform to change minds and curate conversation. Unless someone poses a threat to me, or the audience, I encourage them to think why they're feeling that way, when everyone else is having so much fun. I noticed when hosting 'Drag Race Live in Las Vegas' that the most hostile people at the beginning were the ones singing and cheering the loudest by the end.' Asked about U.S. President Donald Trump's edict banning drag and woke shows at the Kennedy Center Theater in Washington, she's philosophical. 'People try to suppress what they don't understand and seeing people like us, living our best lives out loud, is frightening to folks who have spent their entire lives trying to blend in. I've grown up around these people and I've seen first-hand how earth-shaking it can be when they see someone, not just flaunting, but celebrating themselves, flaws and all.' But that's just one side of things. 'Let's make it clear, the world has loved RuPaul since the '90s. I think that's because she and other beloved queens have been unapologetically themselves for so long. What we do gives other people permission to put it all out there, laugh at themselves when needed, celebrate the flaws and live for the moment. 'Drag has been around for centuries and it's not going anywhere. Get on board and celebrate with us or stay miserable in your own little bubble.' Minj admires stars like Harvey Fierstein. 'He's so uniquely himself in and out of drag, demanding respect and attention at a time when that was truly taboo. I learned early on from him to be honest. If there's no space for you at the table, start your own banquet. I admire anyone who is willing to put on a wig and heels and hold their head high in public. It takes a lot of courage to stand out from the crowd and that's something that should always be celebrated and encouraged.' Offstage, Minj is Joshua Eads-Brown. 'I used to work hard to keep those two separate,' he says. 'However, since we appear out of drag for more than half of 'Drag Race' the audience gets to know both Joshua and Ginger beneath all the makeup. It was scary to blur those lines at first, but it's been a beautiful gift in the long run. 'The artistry is what gets people in the room, but the humanity, is what makes them stay.'
Forbes
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 10' Returns With 18 Queens
To commemorate its milestone tenth season, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars is set to air on May 9th, 2025, with the franchise's largest cast to date, coming in at a record-breaking 18 queens returning from seasons past for another shot at the crown, and an all-new tournament-style format for the queens to compete in. While fans have clamored to the internet to place their bets on which queen they think will be inducted into the All Stars Hall of Fame, others have pointed out that, while 18 queens – the most ever – have returned, many of them are repeat All Stars competitors. With its first season airing in October 2012, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars has never had a cast that exceeded 13 returning queens. Now, with 18 contestants, showrunners can use the new tournament-style format to balance screen time, contestant confessionals, and story arcs uniquely to allow fans to stay engaged in what might be an oversaturated cast for any other franchise. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 15: RuPaul and Ginger Minj at the 1000th performance of the "RuPaul's ... More Drag Race Live!" production at Flamingo Las Vegas on March 15, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo byfor Live Nation Las Vegas) Even with several queens returning for their second, third, or even fourth time in the case of fan favorite Ginger Minj, the landmarked tenth season of All Stars marks a turning point in how the franchise utilizes its returning talent. For example, Lydia B Kollins, who only recently finished filming the seventeenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, where she placed 7th place, has already returned for All Stars. With her addition, the show can redefine how quickly a queen can be considered ready or eligible for legacy status, and redefine the previous use of All Stars seasons for contestants to achieve 'redemption' in the eyes of fans and shift it instead to relevance, with her being top of mind with fans who watched her latest season – a move that shows that showrunners are growing and adapting in the ever changing streaming era. LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 13: Dida Ritz attends the 4th Annual RuPaul's DragCon at Los Angeles ... More Convention Center on May 13, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Santiago Felipe/FilmMagic) While Drag Race's latest announcement has fans buzzing, several fans have taken to social media to express their fatigue at seeing certain queens have additional chances after having already competed in previous All Stars seasons. At the same time, fans also discussed their interest in the return of other queens that have yet to appear on the All Stars franchise, with queens like Dida Ritz of RuPaul's Drag Race season 4 still not appearing on the show despite clear interest from fans. Ten seasons for any show is a huge achievement and shows that the franchise didn't just survive, but it clearly resonated with its audience and thrived. Now, with a new format, a new roster, and new stakes, Drag Race All Stars has a chance to reenergize the narrative and reengage fans by presenting them with a cast of both new and familiar faces. All Stars 10 is more than just a celebration of the show's legacy; it's also a smart reset. Whether fans think the show is focused on honoring icons from a franchise that has lasted nearly 15 years or is too involved with reusing talent, it sparks conversation, and that is exactly what a show like this needs to stay top of mind in an industry that's constantly changing.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
RuPaul's Drag Race Live! to celebrate its 1000th show with a global live stream from Las Vegas.
'RuPaul's Drag Race Live!' will celebrate its 1000th show with a global live stream. The Las Vegas production is based on the original format of the hit reality show and its current stars including, Asia O'Hara, Ginger Minj, Jaida Essence Hall, Kylie Sonique Love, Morphine Love Dion, and Plane Jane joined on stage by a host of surprise special guests to mark the milestone in March. World of Wonder co-founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato said: "Our 1,000th performance confirms that 'RuPaul's Drag Race Live!' is a must-see experience worthy of Vegas's iconic strip. It is a testament to the charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent of the many queens who have both appeared on the tv show and dazzled audiences from the stage of the legendary Flamingo. "We're thrilled to celebrate this milestone on WOW Presents Plus, with a live broadcast of the one thousandth show, and a brand-new season of 'RuPaul's Drag Race Live! Untucked,' taking viewers behind the scenes." Following the one-off special, season two of 'RuPaul's Drag Race Live! Untucked' will then air from April 4th, with reigning winner of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 16, Nymphia Wind, joining the cast of returning queens: Derrick Barry, Bosco, Lawrence Chaney, Kennedy Davenport, and Latrice Royale. Providing backstage coverage will be Cheryl Hole, who found fame on the first series of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' in 2019. The six-part series transports viewers backstage of 'RuPaul's Drag Race Live!,' showcasing a heartwarming cast of fan-favorite queens as they reveal the drama, battles and secrets of their daily lives on the Vegas strip. The first season premiered in 2024 as WOW Presents Plus's highest-rated original series since the platform's launch in 2017, with the new show praised as an authentic and entertaining look behind the curtain of working drag queens. The milestone event will be broadcast live on WOW Presents Plus for fans on March 15 at 4.30am GMT and will then be made permanently available on the platform.
