Naysha Lopez

Last updated
Naysha Lopez
Born
Fabian Rodriguez

(1984-06-20) June 20, 1984 (age 39)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation(s)Drag performer, beauty pageant participant
Television
Awards Miss Continental 2013

Naysha Lopez is the stage name of drag performer and beauty pageant winner Fabian Rodriguez (born June 20, 1984), who won the 2013 Miss Continental competition and appeared on the eighth seasons of both RuPaul's Drag Race and RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars . [1]

Contents

Career

After competing on the beauty pageant circuit, Naysha Lopez won the 2013 Miss Continental competition. [2] [3]

Naysha Lopez competed on the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race in 2016, [4] [5] after building a drag career in Puerto Rico and Chicago. [6] She was the first queen eliminated, losing the lip sync battle to "Applause" by Lady Gaga against Laila McQueen. [7] Naysha was quickly brought back to the show for ep. 3 after a lackluster performance on ep. 2 by McQueen and Dax ExclamationPoint resulted in their dual-elimination; [8] Naysha subsequently placed in the bottom two again and lost another lipsync, this time against Chi Chi DeVayne to Blondie’s "Call Me", and became the second queen on the show to be eliminated twice (after season 7’s Trixie Mattel). [9] [10] Queerty's Timothy Allen said she was "one of the most beautiful queens to ever compete on the show". [11] Similarly, Michael Cook of South Florida Gay News said she was "arguably one of the most stunningly gorgeous queens to ever stomp the runway" on the series, to date. [12]

At RuPaul's DragCon LA convention in 2018, Naysha Lopez and Tempest DuJour tied for "fan favorite" in the “RuPaul's DragCon Pageant”, an event where "queens who were eliminated first on their seasons battled it out for the crowd", according to Patrick Crowley of Billboard magazine. [13]

In 2021, Rodriguez was first runner-up in the Mr. Continental competition, [14] winning in the swimsuit category. [15]

In 2022, Naysha Lopez was among a group of drag queens who performed on-stage with Jennifer Lopez at the iHeartRadio Music Awards . [16] The performance was a "full-circle" moment for Naysha, as she has repeatedly expressed admiration for Lopez as an artist, performer and businesswoman on many occasions, posting on Instagram in 2019: "Jennifer Lopez will always be a huge inspiration for me and my drag. Her take on Fashion and work ethic is like no other." [17] In 2023, she returned and competed on the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, [18] ultimately being eliminated on episode 2 after she placed in the bottom two contestants, alongside Kahanna Montrese. The surprise lip-sync "assassin" of the episode, Thai drag performer Pangina Heals, won in a lip-sync against challenge winner Jimbo to Cyndi Lauper's "She Bop", and, as she received the majority of the votes to be eliminated from the safe queens, Naysha was sent home, placing eleventh out of twelve queens.

Personal life

Rodriguez has a working class background, [19] and is a licensed cosmetologist. [20] His familial roots are in Puerto Rico. Rodriguez spent most of his life in Chicago, attending Lane Tech College Prep High School (graduating class of 2002), and, in 2023, was living on the city's Northwest Side and working in Lake View, also known as Boystown. She also lived in Belmont Cragin, [21] in 2016, and Elmwood Park, Illinois. [22]

As Naysha Lopez, Rodriguez hosts a popular weekly viewing party for RuPaul’s Drag Race, live-streamed from Chicago gay bar Roscoe's Tavern on YouTube. Along with co-hosts Kara Mel and Batty Davis, the event features anywhere from 2-4 guests, usually other queens from the show, as well as occasional judges from the series or other media personalities. Other guests at Roscoe's have included contestants and winners from Canada's Drag Race and RuPaul'sDrag Race UK. The group gives intermittent commentary during and after the episode, with behind-the-scenes gossip and information often being revealed, hence there is a strict no-filming policy at the bar. [23] [24] [25] [26] [27]

Naysha Lopez is a member of the House of Hall, a drag family headed by pageantry icon Tajma Hall (1970-2014), [28] which includes fellow Drag Race contestants DiDa Ritz (season 4), Jaida Essence Hall (season 12 winner) and Kahmora Hall (season 13). [29]

As of 2024, Rodriguez is currently residing in Los Angeles, explaining in a podcast interview with fellow DragRace alum Delta Work that he values the position hosting the viewing parties at Roscoe's Tavern (in Chicago) so much that he travels weekly between California and Illinois, stating: "I do my thing every week, and I have one of the best jobs, ever…Roscoe's has really stepped-up and shown appreciation for their talent." [30] Rodriguez is currently dating Jason Hughes. [31]

Discography

Singles

TitleYearAlbum
"Money, Success, Fame, Glamour" (Glam Rock version)
(with the cast of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, season 8)		2023Non-album single

[32]

Filmography

Television

List of television credits
YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2016 RuPaul's Drag Race (season 8)Herself/Contestant9th place [33]
RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked
2018 The Jam HerselfGuest [34]
2023 RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars (season 8)Herself/Contestant11th Place [35]
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars: Untucked

Web series

List of web series credits
YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2016Meet the QueensHerselfStand-alone special
RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 8		 [36]
2017Backhanded ComplimentsHerselfGuest [37]
2017VideoOutHerselfGuest [38]
2017 Hey Qween! HerselfGuest [39]
2019 Kiki with Kimora Blac HerselfGuest [40]
2019Out Of The ClosetHerselfGuest [41]
2022Naysha Lopez: White Sox Pride NightHerselfStand-alone special [42]
2022The Pit StopHerselfGuest [43]
2023Meet the QueensHerselfStand-alone special
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 8		 [44]
2023 EW News FlashHerselfGuest [45]
2023 BuzzFeed Celeb HerselfGuest [46]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jessica Wild</span> Puerto Rican drag queen, professional make-up artist, and reality television personality

José David Sierra, better known as Jessica Wild, is a Puerto Rican drag queen, professional make-up artist, and reality television personality. She was a contestant on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race and the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manila Luzon</span> Filipino-American drag performer (born 1981)

Karl Philip Michael Westerberg, known professionally as Manila Luzon, is a Filipino-American drag queen, reality television personality, recording artist, and comedian. Luzon came to international attention as a contestant on the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race and on the first and fourth seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexis Mateo</span> Puerto Rican drag queen

Alexis Mateo Pacheco, best known as Alexis Mateo, is a Puerto Rican drag queen, performer, reality television personality, fashion designer, and the winner of All American Goddess 2016, Miss Gay Days 2016 and National Showgirl 2017. She became internationally known as a contestant on season 3 of RuPaul's Drag Race, and seasons one and five of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. Alexis Mateo is also drag mother of viral sensation and "RuGirl" Vanessa Vanjie Mateo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alyssa Edwards</span> American drag performer and choreographer

Justin Dwayne Lee Johnson, best known by the stage name Alyssa Edwards, is an American drag performer, choreographer, and businessperson. Edwards was known for competing in drag pageantry before rising to international attention as a contestant on the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, becoming a fan favorite during and after her time on the show. Edwards subsequently appeared on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars and starred in her own web series, Alyssa's Secret.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Latrice Royale</span> American drag queen

Timothy K. Wilcots, better known by the stage name Latrice Royale, is an American drag performer, recording artist, and reality television personality. She is best known for her appearances on the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race in 2012 and on the first and fourth seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. She finished fourth on her original season; in its final episode, she was crowned Miss Congeniality. She placed fifth on the fourth season of All Stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shannel</span> American drag queen (born 1979)

Bryan Watkins, known by his stage name Shannel, is an American drag queen and television personality, best known for competing on the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race and later the first season and ninth seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mariah Paris Balenciaga</span> American drag performer and television personality

Mariah Paris Balenciaga, or simply known as Mariah, is the stage name of Elijah A. Kelly, an American drag queen and television personality, best known for competing on the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race (2011) and the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (2020). Since appearing on the show, she has been featured in a number of web series produced by World of Wonder, such as Wait, What?, Transformations, and Fashion Photo RuView. Balenciaga released her first single, "Mug 4 Dayz", on November 19, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ginger Minj</span> American drag performer

Joshua Allen Eads, better known by the stage name Ginger Minj, is an American drag queen, actor, singer-songwriter, and reality television personality. After achieving recognition for placing as the runner-up on the seventh season of the reality television competition series RuPaul's Drag Race, Minj returned to compete on the second and sixth seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. Minj has acted in three Netflix productions—the comedy feature film Dumplin' (2018), the animated series Super Drags, and RuPaul's fictional series AJ and the Queen, and has acted in numerous theatrical productions. Minj appeared in the 2022 film Hocus Pocus 2, the sequel to Hocus Pocus. Minj has released three studio albums—Sweet T (2016), Gummy Bear (2021), and Double Wide Diva (2021).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaymes Mansfield</span> Drag queen and TV personality

James Jeffrey Wirth, better known as Jaymes Mansfield, is an American drag queen, TV personality, and YouTuber. She is best known for competing on the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, and playing the part of Delia Von Whitewoman in the film The Bitch Who Stole Christmas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mayhem Miller (drag queen)</span> American drag queen and performer

Mayhem Miller is the stage name of Dequan Armand Johnson, an American drag performer and actor, best known for competing on the tenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race (2018), the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (2020), and the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World (2024).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monét X Change</span> American drag queen

Monét X Change is the stage name of Kevin Akeem Bertin, a Saint Lucian-American drag queen, singer, podcaster, and reality television personality. She is known for competing on the tenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race (2018), on which she placed sixth and was crowned the season's Miss Congeniality, and for winning the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (2018–2019) alongside Trinity the Tuck. She returned to compete in the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, an all-winners season, where she placed runner-up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brooke Lynn Hytes</span> Canadian drag performer and dancer

Brooke Lynn Hytes is the stage name of Brock Edward Hayhoe, a Canadian-American drag queen, ballet dancer, and television personality. After working as a dancer with Cape Town City Ballet and Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Brooke Lynn Hytes achieved international recognition for competing on the eleventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race; Brooke Lynn Hytes placed second, only to winner Yvie Oddly. Brooke Lynn Hytes is the first Canadian to compete in the series. Since 2020, Brooke Lynn Hytes has been a main judge on the spin-off series Canada's Drag Race, and is the first Drag Race contestant to become a full-time judge in the franchise.

Kahanna Montrese is the stage name of Tyrone Hardiman, an American drag performer most known for competing on season 11 of RuPaul's Drag Race and RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silky Nutmeg Ganache</span> American drag queen

Silky Nutmeg Ganache is an American drag performer from Chicago, Illinois, who came to international attention in 2019 when she competed on the eleventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race finishing in third place, and later competed on the sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars in 2021. She has also been involved in numerous Drag Race spin-offs, including RuPaul's Drag Race: Vegas Revue (2020) and RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race (2022). She also competed in the first Canadian-based international All Stars spin-off series, Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World in 2022, finishing as a runner-up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soju (drag queen)</span> South Korean-American drag queen

Soju is the former stage name of Tony Hyunsoo Ha, a South Korean-American retired drag queen, singer and television/YouTube personality. Soju is best known for her online reviews of the reality show RuPaul's Drag Race, until being cast on the show's eleventh season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaida Essence Hall</span> American drag queen

Jared Johnson, best known by the stage name Jaida Essence Hall, is an American drag queen and reality television personality best known for winning the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, and later returning to compete on the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, an all-winners season. Since her season aired in 2020, Hall has been a staple of several domestic and international tours that feature Drag Race contestants, including Werq the World, A Drag Queen Christmas, and Drive 'N Drag. In October 2020, Johnson was a featured performer in Rihanna's Savage X Fenty Fashion Show Vol. 2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kahmora Hall</span> American drag performer

Kahmora Hall is the stage name of Paul Tran, a drag performer most known for competing on season 13 of RuPaul's Drag Race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamisha Iman</span> American drag performer

Tamisha Iman is the stage name of Will Crawford, an American drag queen most known for competing on the thirteenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race and winning several drag pageants. She is a drag matriarch and the founder of the Iman Dynasty, a drag house.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maddy Morphosis</span> American drag performer

Maddy Morphosis is the stage name of Daniel Truitt, a drag performer most known for competing on season 14 of RuPaul's Drag Race. He is the show's first openly heterosexual male contestant. Since 2023, he has hosted his own talk show webseries Give It to Me Straight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sasha Colby</span> American drag performer

Sasha Kekauoha, best known by the stage name Sasha Colby, is an American drag performer and beauty pageant competitor. In 2012, she won the Miss Continental competition. In 2023, she was crowned the winner of season 15 of RuPaul's Drag Race.

References

  1. ↑ Lopez, David (September 29, 2021). "Move Over Naysha Lopez, Fabian is Hottie of the Week". Instinct . ISSN   1096-0058. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  2. ↑ Alonzo, Michelle Konopka (2023-01-04). "Why Sasha Colby Is The One To Beat On RuPaul's Drag Race Season 15". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 2023-01-14. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  3. ↑ "Naysha Lopez wins Miss Continental 2013 title". ChicagoPride.com. Archived from the original on 2021-10-20. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  4. ↑ "'Drag Race' Alum Naysha Lopez Won Mr. Continental 2022's Swim Category". Out . 2021-09-08. ISSN   1062-7928. Archived from the original on 2022-12-13. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  5. ↑ Patterson, Denny (September 9, 2021). "Naysha Lopez Wins First Place in Swimsuit Category". Instinct. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  6. ↑ Tenreyro, Tatiana (2017-11-02). "Puerto Rican 'Drag Race' Alumni Talk Show's Impact on the Island Ahead of Benefit Concert". Billboard . ISSN   0006-2510. Archived from the original on 2021-12-29. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  7. ↑ Sim, Bernardo (2022-01-15). "RuPaul's Drag Race: Every First Eliminated Queen In History". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 2022-02-04. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  8. ↑ Sim, Bernardo (2019-10-07). "RuPaul's Drag Race: 5 Best Returning Queens Ever (& 5 Worst)". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 2019-10-07. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  9. ↑ Drushel, Bruce E.; Peters, Brian M. (2017-02-15). Sontag and the Camp Aesthetic: Advancing New Perspectives. Lexington Books. ISBN   978-1-4985-3777-3. Archived from the original on 2023-01-16. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  10. ↑ "Every First-Eliminated Queen From 'RuPaul's Drag Race'". Out. 2023-01-06. Archived from the original on 2023-01-12. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  11. ↑ Allen, Timothy (13 March 2016). "Don't F*ck With A Pageant Queen Or She Might Put Glass In Your Face Powder". Queerty . Archived from the original on 2022-01-19. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  12. ↑ Cook, Michael. "Interview with Naysha Lopez After her Drag Race Elimination". South Florida Gay News . Archived from the original on 2017-07-01. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  13. ↑ Crowley, Patrick (2018-05-15). "5 Highlights From RuPaul's DragCon LA 2018, Day 3: Porkchop's Ru-Demption, Miss Vangie & More". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2023-01-16. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  14. ↑ Ermac, Raffy (8 September 2021). "'Drag Race' Alum Naysha Lopez Won Mr. Continental 2021's Swimsuit Category". www.Out.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ↑ Dee, Jake (2021-10-14). "RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8 Queens: Where Are They Now?". Screen Rant . Archived from the original on 2022-04-27. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  16. ↑ "Here Are the Drag Queens Who Performed on Stage With Jennifer Lopez". Pride.com. Here Media. Archived from the original on 2022-12-13. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  17. ↑ Lopez, Naysha (23 October 2019). "Here is another one.... Jennifer lopez will always be a huge inspiration for me and my drag. ..." Instagram . …Jennifer lopez will always be a huge inspiration for me and my drag. Her take on Fashion and work ethic is like no other.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ↑ Nolfi, Joey (April 20, 2023). "'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 8' cast of returning queens revealed". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  19. ↑ Delgadillo, Theresa; Rivera-Servera, Ramon H.; Cadava, Geraldo L.; Fox, Claire F. (2022-07-12). Building Sustainable Worlds: Latinx Placemaking in the Midwest. University of Illinois Press. ISBN   978-0-252-05354-2. Archived from the original on 2023-01-16. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  20. ↑ Dee, Jake (2021-10-14). "RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8 Queens: Where Are They Now?". Screen Rant . Archived from the original on 2022-04-27. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  21. ↑ "Will One of These Boystown Queens be the First Chicago Winner of 'RuPaul'?". 6 January 2016.
  22. ↑ "Naysha Lopez, A Fierce Queen Representing Chicago's All-Star Drag Scene".
  23. ↑ "Chicagoan cut from 'RuPaul's Drag Race' for not knowing Lady Gaga song". Chicago Tribune . 8 March 2016. Archived from the original on 2021-07-18. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  24. ↑ "Chicago performer gets second chance on 'RuPaul's Drag Race'". Chicago Tribune. 22 March 2016. Archived from the original on 2023-01-14. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  25. ↑ Forman, Ross. "Naysha Lopez, A Fierce Queen Representing Chicago's All-Star Drag Scene". ChicagoPride.com. Archived from the original on 2022-12-13. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  26. ↑ "Last Words With RuPaul's Drag Race's Naysha Lopez". The Advocate . 2016-03-09. ISSN   0001-8996. Archived from the original on 2022-12-13. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  27. ↑ Forman, Ross. "Naysha Lopez, A Fierce Queen Representing Chicago's All-Star Drag Scene". ChicagoPride.com. Archived from the original on 2022-12-13. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  28. ↑ Forman, Ross (19 April 2014). "Lady Tajma Hall dies". Windy City Times. Tajma Hall, a Chicago-based entertainer who shined worldwide, died Saturday morning, April 19, of cardiac arrest at Evanston Hospital. She was 44.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  29. ↑ "A Complete Guide to Drag Families in 'Drag Race' Season 13". Out. 2021-01-07. Archived from the original on 2021-01-27. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  30. ↑ "Very Delta #89 "Are You Very Mami & Papi Like Me?" (w/ Naysha Lopez)". YouTube . Moguls of Media (YouTube channel). 29 April 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ↑ @nayshalopez (May 28, 2023). "In love ❤️ that's all ' that's the post !!" – via Instagram.
  32. ↑ "Money, Success, Fame, Glamour (Glam Rock Mix)". Spotify . Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  33. ↑ "The Cast Of "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 8 Will Be Announced At New Now Next Honors". LOGO News. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
  34. ↑ The Queens. YouTube. September 24, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  35. ↑ Nolfi, Joey (April 20, 2023). "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 8 cast of returning queens revealed". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  36. ↑ RuPaul's Drag Race (February 15, 2016), Meet The Queens: My First Time... | RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8 , retrieved April 22, 2023
  37. ↑ BACKHANDED COMPLIMENTS with Bianca, Latrice, Bob, Gia, Jiggly, Jaidynn, and Naysha. YouTube. March 23, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  38. ↑ VideoOut: Fabian Rodriguez (Naysha Lopez), Your Greatest Gift to the World. YouTube. June 30, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  39. ↑ NAYSHA LOPEZ on HEY QWEEN! with Jonny McGovern | Hey Qween. YouTube. June 12, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  40. ↑ Rupaul's Drag Race Season 11; Ep. 1 with NAYSHA LOPEZ - The Entrance Looks | Kiki with Kimora Blac. YouTube. March 7, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  41. ↑ Naysha Lopez's Miss Continental Looks | S2 E4 | RuPaul's Drag Race Out Of The Closet. YouTube. May 14, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  42. ↑ Naysha Lopez: White Sox Pride Night (2022). YouTube. June 29, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  43. ↑ The Pit Stop AS7 E04 | Bob The Drag Queen & Naysha Lopez Are Serving! | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. YouTube. June 4, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  44. ↑ RuPaul's Drag Race (April 20, 2023), Meet the Queens of All Stars 8! 🌟 | QUEEN RUVEAL | RuPaul's Drag Race AS8 👠✨ , retrieved April 20, 2023
  45. ↑ Naysha Lopez Jokes About Ugly Looks on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 8 Runway | Entertainment Weekly. Entertainment Weekly. April 26, 2023. Retrieved 2023-05-03.
  46. ↑ The Queens Of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 8" Play Who's Who. BuzzFeed Celeb. May 15, 2023. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.