Sasha Velour American drag artist Date of Birth: . Country: USA

1. Sasha Velour: Drag Artist, Visual Artist, and Advocate
2. Early Life and Education
3. Drag Career
4. Visual Artistry
5. Velour Magazine
6. "RuPaul's Drag Race"
7. Post-Show Success
8. Personal Life

Sasha Velour: Drag Artist, Visual Artist, and Advocate

Sasha Velour, born Sasha Steinberg, is an American drag artist, visual artist, and advocate. Her drag persona, known for its avant-garde artistry, has garnered critical acclaim and brought drag into the mainstream.

Early Life and Education

Velour was born in Berkeley, California, into an academic family and raised in Connecticut and Illinois. They attended the Old Lab School in Chicago and later pursued their education in the arts. They hold a BA in Modern Literature from Vassar College and an MFA in Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Drag Career

Velour began their drag career in Vermont while still in school. Their unique vision, characterized by experimental costumes, avant-garde performance, and social commentary, quickly set them apart. They have graced the covers of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Vanity Fair, and Billboard, showcasing the transformative power of drag.

Visual Artistry

Beyond drag, Velour is also an accomplished visual artist. Their comics and illustrations have appeared in publications such as The Nib, InkBRICK, and Cicada Magazine. They created the comic series "Stonewall," which explores the iconic riots from multiple perspectives. Their solo exhibition of illustrations, "Nightrooms," was held in Brooklyn's Black Box Gallery in 2016.

Velour Magazine

In 2014, Velour co-founded the drag magazine Velour (originally named Vym) as a platform to showcase the artistry and perspectives of the drag community. The magazine features interviews, photography, poetry, and illustrations that defy conventional notions of beauty and empower marginalized voices.

"RuPaul's Drag Race"

Velour auditioned unsuccessfully for the eighth season of "RuPaul's Drag Race." In 2017, they were selected as one of 14 contestants for the show's ninth season. Velour's unique charisma, creativity, and nerve won them the competition, earning them the title of America's Next Drag Superstar.

Post-Show Success

Since winning "Drag Race," Velour has continued to thrive as a drag artist and advocate. They have collaborated with Opening Ceremony to cast LGBTQ+ models for New York Fashion Week and attended events like Rihanna's Diamond Ball. Notably, Velour's drawing of Marlene Dietrich was featured as a Google Doodle on the actress's 116th birthday in 2017.

Personal Life

Velour identifies as genderqueer and uses they/them pronouns outside of drag. They reside in Brooklyn, New York, with their partner, John Jacob Lee (aka Johnny Velour), and their pet greyhound, Vanya. Their shaved head, which they often showcase in drag, is a tribute to their mother, Jane Hedges, who died of cancer in 2015. Velour's drag persona, Sasha Velour, is referred to using feminine pronouns.