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]
