Makayla Couture

Last updated

Makayla Couture
Born
Makayla Walker

(2002-07-03) July 3, 2002 (age 23)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Other namesMakayla Walker Louboutin
Occupation Drag queen
Years active2021–present
Television

Makayla Walker (born July 3, 2002), known professionally as Makayla Couture, is a Canadian drag performer, activist, and television personality. She rose to prominence as a finalist competitor on the fifth season of reality competition television series Canada's Drag Race .

Contents

Before competing, she appeared as a makeover guest from the same series in 2021, which made her the first special guest to later compete as a contestant from the Drag Race franchise. The next year, Makayla Couture soon competed and placed as a runner-up in another television series, Call Me Mother (2022).

Early life and education

Makayla Walker was born on July 3, 2002, [1] and was raised in neighbourhood Jane and Finch, located in the northwest end of Toronto, Ontario. She experienced discrimination during the sixth grade, where her locker had set aflame in middle school by a student. [2] Walker attended public high school Earl Haig Secondary School, participating its musical theatre major in the Claude Watson program. [3]

Career and public image

2021–2023: Drag beginnings and Call Me Mother

Walker initially began performing under the drag persona Makayla Walker Louboutin at some local drag shows in Toronto. [4] She made her first television appearance as a special guest for competition series Canada's Drag Race (2021), where she partook in a makeover challenge alongside contestant (and now winner) Icesis Couture. [5] She presented herself as Ruby Couture and wore a red Cher–inspired outfit symbolizing fire. [6] Walker now performs as Makayla Couture. [7]

The next year, Makayla Couture competed in the second season of Call Me Mother (2022). [8] Over the course of the season, she was selected into the House of Dulcet formed by American drag queen Peppermint, won one challenge, and finished as a top four finalist. [9]

As the drag panic rose throughout Canada in 2023, the drag performer protested with Violet Parks by hosting a Drag Queen Story Hour event at the McLaughlin Branch of the Oshawa Public Library on June 3. [10] Makayla Couture later appeared in a Pride campaign for British cosmetics the Body Shop to involve customers to support the Equality Act for the United States. [11] This promotional campaign featured two more drag performers, Angel Au and Lana Ja'Rae. [12] Her activism soon continued by performing at various festivals and events highlighting the Ballroom scene, HIV awareness, [13] and supporting the LGBTQ+ community. [14]

2024–present: Canada's Drag Race and breakthrough

For three consecutive years, [15] Makayla Couture performed at the Wilfrid Laurier University since 2022. [16] She was also included in the Lavender Wild lineup, located in music venue History. [17] The concert occurred on August 24, 2024, that featured American singers Slayyyter and Rebecca Black. [18] Later on, the drag performer sooner made her first film appearance for documentary Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story (2024), alongside American actress Sandra Caldwell. [19] She depicted as the younger self of prominent soul singer Jackie Shane in rotoscoped footage. [20]

Makayla Couture was announced to be competing in the fifth season of Canada's Drag Race, [21] becoming the first makeover special guest to later appear as a contestant from the Drag Race franchise on October 23, 2024. [22] In the premiere episode, her and alongside the ten contestants performed "Go Off Queen" which impressed the judges but was ultimately placed in the top two. [23] Makayla Couture soon won the 1990s–inspired girl group challenge on episode five; the song "Not" features singer Simone Denny. [24] Afterwards, she portrayed American media proprietor Oprah Winfrey for the Snatch Game challenge and struggled for being "too simple and secretive." [25] The drag performer again fell out short in an improv challenge where she attend a talk show hosted by Brad Goreski. [26]

Both tasks caused Makayla Couture to be nearly eliminated twice but remained safe in two lip-sync contests against Perla and Uma Gahd. Eventually, she finished the season as a runner-up behind winner The Virgo Queen, after lip-syncing to "From This Moment On" (1998) by singer and songwriter Shania Twain. [27] Kevin O'Keeffe of Xtra Magazine commented she had been "rollercoaster of a time" and could soon have a "great deal of potential for a future [Drag Race spin-off] run as she continues to mature and develop". [28]

Personal life

Walker is a transgender woman and uses she/her pronouns; her drag persona is based in Toronto. [29] After appearing on Canada's Drag Race, Walker joined the House of Couture led by her drag mother Icesis Couture along with her drag sister Kimmy Couture, whom also competed in the same series. [30]

Filmography

Films

List of film credits, with selected details
YearTitleGenreRoleNotesRef.
2024 Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story Documentary Jackie Shane No notes [31]

Television

List of television credits, with selected details
YearTitleGenreRoleNotesRef.
2021; 2024 Canada's Drag Race CompetitionGuestSeason 2, Episode 8: "Prom" [32]
Runner-upNo notes [33]
2022 Call Me Mother [34]
2025 Battle of the Generations ContestantSeason 2, Episode 2: "Battle 22" [35]

Podcasts

List of podcast credits, with selected details
YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2022Happy to See Me with Erika CasupananGuestSeason 1, Episode 10 [36]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Makayla Couture". Cameo. April 17, 2025. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Queer prom – Crowning two generations of Canadian drag prom royalty". It Gets Better Canada . November 28, 2021. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Makayla Couture". The Sonar Network. Archived from the original on December 29, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Queer, Far, Wherever You Are fall 2021". Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Archived from the original on June 17, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  5. ↑ Lautens, Annika (January 18, 2022). "Icesis Couture on her best looks from Canada's Drag Race". Fashion . St. Joseph Communications. Archived from the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  6. ↑ Elauria, Jom (December 3, 2021). "Canada's Drag Race season 2 episode 8 recap: Pythia's magical makeover". Screen Rant . Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  7. ↑ Newport, Ashley (October 22, 2022). "Halloween drag show set to take place at The Food District in Square One in Mississauga". InSauga. Archived from the original on December 14, 2024. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  8. ↑ Sim, Bernardo (October 13, 2022). "Watch the exclusive new trailer for Call Me Mother season 2". Out . Archived from the original on December 2, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  9. ↑ Smith, Charlie (August 1, 2024). "Trantasia celebrates trans women and femme star power during Vancouver Pride Week". Pancouver. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  10. ↑ Szekely, Reka (June 9, 2023). "Drag queen storytime proves popular at Durham libraries despite protests". Durham Region. Metroland Media Group . Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  11. ↑ Mazzoni, Mary (June 21, 2023). "The Body Shop's Pride Month campaign engages drag performers in support of the Equality Act". TriplePundit. Archived from the original on December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  12. ↑ Crann, Justin (June 16, 2023). "The Body Shop maintains its Pride". Strategy . Brunico Communications. Archived from the original on June 18, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  13. ↑ Szekely, Reka (June 9, 2023). "World AIDS Day Ball 2023". Now . Archived from the original on December 29, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Everything you need to know about the 2023 Green Space Festival!". In Magazine. June 20, 2023. Archived from the original on August 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Winter's a Drag takes the stage for third year in Brantford". Wilfrid Laurier University. January 5, 2024. Archived from the original on June 20, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Winter's a drag so let's celebrate spring with a drag show and fun swag". Wilfrid Laurier University. February 24, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  17. ↑ Gregory, Allie (June 18, 2025). "Toronto's Lavender Wild gets Slayyyter, Rebecca Black, Aliyah's Interlude for 2024". Exclaim! . Archived from the original on July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  18. ↑ Long Decter, Rosie (June 18, 2024). "Toronto queer music festival Lavender Wild gets Slayyyter, Rebecca Black for summer dance party". Billboard Canada. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on December 29, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  19. ↑ Lane, Eden (July 19, 2024). "New documentary celebrates a pioneering transgender soul singer of the 1960s". Colorado Public Radio . Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  20. ↑ Lattanzio, Ryan (June 19, 2024). "A Black trans '60s soul singer gets a tribute in Any Other Way, executive-produced by Elliot Page". IndieWire . Penske Media Corporation . Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  21. ↑ Mangum, Trey (October 24, 2024). "Canada's Drag Race season 5 reveals cast in Queen Bee-themed promo: Here's when it premieres". Blavity . Retrieved August 16, 2025.
  22. ↑ Sim, Bernardo (October 23, 2024). "Meet the buzzy queens competing on Canada's Drag Race season 5". Out . Archived from the original on October 24, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  23. ↑ O'Keeffe, Kevin (November 22, 2024). "Canada's Drag Race season 5 premiere recap: Return to the North". Xtra Magazine . Pink Triangle Press. Archived from the original on November 22, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  24. ↑ Guzzo, Bianca (December 19, 2024). "Canada's Drag Race season 5 episode 5 recap: "The One They Went 90s"". In Magazine. Archived from the original on December 20, 2024. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
  25. ↑ Guzzo, Bianca (December 26, 2024). "Canada's Drag Race season 5 episode 6 recap: Surviving Snatch Game". In Magazine. Archived from the original on December 29, 2024. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  26. ↑ O'Keeffe, Kevin (January 10, 2025). "Canada's Drag Race season 5, episode 8 power ranking: Who will win?". Xtra Magazine . Pink Triangle Press . Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  27. ↑ James, Michael (January 19, 2025). "Canada's Drag Race crowns a winner". Star Observer . Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  28. ↑ O'Keeffe, Kevin (January 18, 2025). "Canada's Drag Race season 5 finale recap: And the winner is..." Xtra Magazine . Pink Triangle Press. Archived from the original on July 9, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Meet the teens of Canada's Drag Race prom makeover challenge". It Gets Better Canada . December 2, 2021. Archived from the original on June 20, 2024. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  30. ↑ Scriver, Amanda (December 21, 2022). "What goes into designing a runway look for Canada's Drag Race". CBC Arts . Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  31. ↑ Talbot-Haynes, Michael (March 10, 2024). "Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story". Film Threat . Archived from the original on April 7, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  32. ↑ Martin, Russ (December 17, 2021). "Shantay she slayed! Icesis Couture is the winner of Canada's Drag Race season 2". Xtra Magazine . Pink Triangle Press. Archived from the original on December 17, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  33. ↑ Shatto, Rachel (October 23, 2024). "O Canada! The queens of Canada's Drag Race season 5 have been revealed!". Pride. Here Media . Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  34. ↑ Nolfi, Joey (September 22, 2023). "Call Me Mother season 2 cast of drag queens, kings, and nonbinary artists is here to serve". Entertainment Weekly . Dotdash Meredith. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  35. ↑ Smith, Mike (May 20, 2025). "How to watch Battle of the Generations season 2 in the U.S." UpNext. Reelgood. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  36. ↑ "Makayla Couture on her trans journey, drag families and self love". Happy to See Me with Erika Casupanan. April 3, 2023. Apple Podcasts (Canada). Archived from the original on December 29, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
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