In a turbulent time for America, Jinkx Monsoon is experiencing an extraordinary phase in her career. The 38-year-old actress, singer and drag artist, who won “RuPaul's Drag Race” in 2013 and “Drag Race All Stars” in 2022, has become one of the most successful names to emerge from the format.
Monsoon has graced Broadway stages, performed at Carnegie Hall and gone viral with her appearances on “Drag Race.” However, she says fame hasn’t completely shielded her from insecurity. In some American cities, when she walks down the street, she doesn’t know whether someone will recognize her with enthusiasm or react with hostility to her identity.
Currently, Monsoon is in London, where she is preparing to star in "End of the Rainbow," Peter Quilter's musical drama about Judy Garland, set in 1969, in the final months of the Hollywood icon's life.
The role seems a natural fit for Monsoon, who previously portrayed Garland on “Drag Race” with a precision that continues to resonate on social media. This time, however, it’s not about humor or simple imitation. The show explores the tragic and human side of Garland, a figure Monsoon describes as a “pillar” and “institution.”
The artist says her interest in Garland began as a child, when she would watch “The Wizard of Oz” over and over again. She admits that her connection to the figure grew stronger later, in part because of her ex-partner, who was obsessed with Garland.
For Monsoon, Garland represents a whole world of great performers, where talent, pain, addictions, and ruthless honesty coexist. She sees this kind of emotional openness as one of the most defining traits of female artists of that era.
Monsoon grew up in Portland, Oregon, in a Catholic household dominated by women. She says that while there was a lot of addiction and trauma in the family, there was no shortage of love and acceptance. The women in the family understood her identity early on and asked the men to accept her unconditionally.
Her journey to identity has not been easy. She began performing drag as a teenager in Portland, and later identified as a non-binary and trans-feminine artist. Her legal name is Hera Hoffer, while Jinkx Monsoon is her stage name.
Her recent success in theater has also overturned an old prejudice: the idea that audiences wouldn't go to see trans or queer artists in major roles, especially in roles that don't necessarily align with their gender identity.
On Broadway, Monsoon enjoyed great success as Mama Morton in “Chicago,” driving box office sales up and returning for another run. She also replaced Cole Escola in the Tony Award-winning play, “Oh, Mary!”, one of Broadway’s most-watched productions since its opening in 2024.
According to Monsoon, these successes show that the public is ready for new perspectives and for artists from marginalized communities in major stage roles.
"I want people to remember this the next time someone asks if we should select a person from a marginalized group. Yes, do it," she says.
For him, the audience doesn't just want the same thing over and over again, but fresh perspectives. And, as Monsoon says, the audience has not only accepted these choices, but loved and embraced them. /GazetaExpress/
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