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Katya ZamolodchikovaAn American comedian, actor, writer and singer
Date of Birth: 01.05.1982
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Brian McCook: Early Life and Education
- Drag Persona: Yekaterina Petrovna Zamolodchikova
- "RuPaul's Drag Race"
- Other Projects
- Personal Life
Brian McCook: Early Life and Education
Brian McCook, known by his drag persona Katya, was born in 1982 in Marlborough, Massachusetts. He has an older brother and younger sister. In 2000, he enrolled at Boston University but transferred to Massachusetts College of Art and Design the following year, where he studied contemporary art and psychology. It was during his time at MassArt that he developed an interest in drag.
Drag Persona: Yekaterina Petrovna Zamolodchikova
In 2006, Katya's drag persona, Yekaterina Petrovna Zamolodchikova, was born. The name was inspired by Russian gymnast Yelena Zamolodchikova. McCook drew inspiration from comedic and captivating female actresses such as Tracey Ullman, Maria Bamford, and Amy Sedaris. A professor at MassArt who "never left the house without a full face of makeup and six-inch heels in snowy weather" also became a significant influence. To complete the character, McCook took Russian language classes and listened to a "Pronounce It Perfectly" audio course to achieve an authentic Russian accent.
As Katya, McCook performed at Boston's Jacques Cabaret in his own drag show, "Perestroika." In addition to stand-up comedy, he sang songs by popular Russian celebrities such as Irina Allegrova, t.A.T.u., and Gluk'oza.
"RuPaul's Drag Race"
Before gaining a spot on "RuPaul's Drag Race," Katya attempted to audition four times without success. However, in 2014, she was invited to compete in the show's seventh season. Katya won two main challenges during the competition but was eliminated in the eleventh episode, placing fifth. Her elimination sparked controversy online due to her being a fan favorite. During the season finale, Katya was awarded the "Miss Congeniality" fan favorite award.
In 2016, Katya made an appearance on the finale of "RuPaul's Drag Race" season 8 to pass on her "Miss Congeniality" title to Cynthia Lee Fontaine. That same year, Katya Zamolodchikova became a contestant on the second season of "RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars," where she placed second, losing to Alaska.
Other Projects
On her YouTube channel, Katya has hosted several web series including "RuGRETs," "RuFLECTIONS," "Drag 101," "Total RuCall," and "Irregardlessly Trish." All of these shows featured improvised content.
In November 2015, Katya appeared on RuPaul's Christmas album, "Christmas Queens," singing "The Twelve Days of Christmas." In 2017, she was featured on Trixie Mattel's Christmas album, "Homemade Christmas," singing "The Night Before Contact."
In collaboration with Trixie Mattel, "UNHhhh" was created in 2016 and continues to air on WOWPresents Plus's official YouTube channel. In 2017, the two launched a talk show called "The Trixie & Katya Show," which aired on Viceland.
In 2018, Katya starred in the film "Hurricane Bianca: From Russia with Hate."
In the spring of 2019, Katya embarked on a world tour called "Help Me I'm Dying," which has included over 80 dates. In November, she began co-hosting a new YouTube show with Trixie Mattel called "I Like to Watch," in which they review new Netflix shows.
On July 14, 2020, Katya and Trixie Mattel released a book together, "Trixie and Katya's Guide to Modern Womanhood." The book became a New York Times bestseller.
Katya's debut album, "Vampire Fitness," is set to be released on November 13, 2020.
Personal Life
In January 2018, McCook announced a hiatus from drag due to mental health reasons, and his upcoming tour was postponed until 2019. He explained on his podcast that his mental health struggles stemmed from a methamphetamine overdose, and he spent time living with family in Massachusetts before entering an inpatient rehab facility in Arizona.
