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Latrice Royale

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Latrice Royale
Royale at the 2022 RuPaul's DragCon LA
Born
Timothy K. Wilcots

(1972-02-12) February 12, 1972 (age 52)
Torrance, California, U.S.
OccupationDrag performer
Known for
TitleMiss Congeniality
PredecessorYara Sofia
SuccessorIvy Winters
Spouse
Christopher Hamblin
​
(m. 2018)​
AwardsRuPaul's Drag Race: Miss Congeniality 2012
Websitelatriceroyale.com

Timothy K. Wilcots[1][2] (born February 12, 1972),[3][4] 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.

Life and career

Wilcots was born in California and raised in Compton, a city in Greater Los Angeles.[5] While growing up, he did not have a relationship with his father.[4]

Royale's first foray into drag was dressing up as Wanda, a character from American sketch comedy show In Living Color, to amuse his friends. While in his twenties, in the mid-1990s, he performed in his first drag show: it was at the Copa Night Club in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.[6] Her drag mother is Tiffany Arieagus.[7]

After coming into the public eye, Wilcots was ordained as a minister. The first wedding that he performed was for his friend Daniel in upstate New York in 2013. Royale is a supporter of marriage equality, though he believes that it should not be called "gay marriage", stating, "It's a man and a man, and a woman and a woman getting married, and I think it is special and unique. So why not identify and celebrate it as something special and unique, and not lump it in with the same thing that has been going on for years?"[8][9]

RuPaul's Drag Race Franchise

RuPaul's Drag Race season 4

In May 2011, RuPaul's Drag Race, a drag competition produced as reality television, opened auditions for the show's fourth season;[10] acting on a dare, Wilcots submitted an audition video. His audition was accepted, and he was cast for the show; production began later that year. The fourth season premiered on January 30, 2012. He ultimately placed fourth in the competition and was eliminated in the 11th episode, which aired on April 9, 2012. Viewers voted him Miss Congeniality, and he was crowned in the season finale.[11] Royale competed as a "plus-size" queen.[12] He competed against twelve other queens, including Sharon Needles, Phi Phi O'Hara, Willam Belli, and Cher impersonator Chad Michaels.[13]

Royale made it into the top four—along with Needles, Michaels, and O'Hara—and won two challenges along the way, including when she acted in a mock sitcom in "Queens Behind Bars". When Royale was cut from the competition, Entertainment Weekly called the elimination "shocking".[14] When he was eliminated, Royale said to show host RuPaul, "You have changed my life forever. You have changed the world of drag forever. I love you and respect you so much, and thank you for seeing something special in me. Thank you." Guest judges in attendance were Wynonna Judd and Rose McGowan; Royale's words brought tears to McGowan's eyes.[15][16]

Sharon Needles won the crown for season 4. In the season finale, it was announced that Royale would appear on RuPaul's Drag U, which aired later that year.[17] After winning a public fan vote, Royale was crowned as Miss Congeniality of season 4.[18]

RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 1

Royale performing in 2014

After RuPaul's Drag Race, Royale went on tour across the United States, performing at a number of different venues. When he had the opportunity to appear on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, Royale had to cancel tour dates to appear in the show.[12]

For All Stars, Royale competed against Chad Michaels, Raven, Jujubee, Shannel, Alexis Mateo, Yara Sofia, Manila Luzon, Nina Flowers, Tammie Brown, Pandora Boxx, and Mimi Imfurst.[19] For the competition, the queens were paired together, which was a departure from the rest of the RuPaul competitions where everyone competed alone. Royale and Luzon both chose to be together, and as a team they won the first challenge of the season.

On the third episode of the season, after not performing well with the street-punking challenge, Luzon and Jujubee faced off in the lip syncing challenge to represent each of their teams. Jujubee was paired with Raven. In the end, Royale and Luzon were sent home.[20] During their elimination, RuPaul told them, "Manila and Latrice, my brainy and courageous queens. I think I’m going to miss you the most. Now, sashay away."[21]

RuPaul's Drag U

In 2012, Royale joined the cast of RuPaul's Drag U for its third and final season. Other "professors" included JuJubee, Manila Luzon, Raja, Raven, Shannel, Alexis Mateo, Mariah, Chad Michaels, Willam, Morgan McMichaels, Pandora Boxx, Delta Work, and Sharon Needles.[22]

RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 4

In November 2018, Royale was announced as a cast member for All Stars 4, joining fellow All Stars season 1 cast member Manila Luzon for their second All Stars competition; the pair are the first Drag Race alumni to compete on two All Stars seasons. They are also the second and third contestants to compete on three separate seasons of the show (excluding specials) following Shangela Laquifa Wadley. Royale was originally eliminated fourth, sent home by Mo Heart, but was brought back into the competition during the LalapaRuza episode.[23] After her elimination she won episode seven and eliminated Valentina from the competition. In the subsequent episode, she was saved from elimination by Naomi Smalls. Royale was eliminated again in episode nine by Trinity the Tuck, ultimately placing fifth overall.[24]

RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular and RuPaul's Drag Race Live Untucked

In December 2018, Royale competed in the Drag Race television special RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular.[25] She appears in RuPaul's Drag Race Live Untucked (2024).

Other performances

In January 2014, Royale released her debut single "Weight", which was endorsed by Logo TV.[26] A remix EP was released in March that year.[27] Later that year in September 2014, Royale introduced and then performed with Jennifer Hudson at the CBS Fashion Rocks charity fundraiser event. Hudson stated that working with Royale "Gave me life."[28][29]

As of 2014, Royale works at the Palace Bar in South Beach, Florida. Of working there, Royale stated, "I love this place NOT because I work there, but because it is the Ultimate Experience.. It’s outside right on the Beach. Beautiful People, Great Food/Drinks and the Drag Shows are amazing!"[30][31]

In 2016, Royale appeared alongside Peaches Christ and RuPaul's Drag Race alum Willam in Mister Act, an off-Broadway gender-flipped parody of the film Sister Act.[32]

In March 2016, Royale released her EP, Here's to Life: Latrice Royale Live in the Studio.[33] In 2018 and 2019, Royale took Here's to Life on tour and performed her Shirley Horn-inspired act in cities across Canada and the United States.[34]

In April 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic, Royale was announced as a featured cast member for the very first Digital Drag Fest, an online drag festival for all ages, with attendees given opportunities to interact with the artists, tip them, and win prizes during the broadcast.[35] In June 2019, a panel of judges from New York magazine placed Royale tenth on their list of "the most powerful drag queens in America", a ranking of 100 former RuPaul's Drag Race contestants.[36]

In September 2022, Latrice Royale will headline the Life Is Beautiful Music & Art Festival comedy lineup.[37]

Personal life

In 2001, Wilcots was arrested in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on felony charges for carrying marijuana and Klonopin without a prescription. In 2006, he missed a mandatory probation meeting, violating the terms of his probation, and was sentenced to eighteen months in prison. After the passage of 2018 Florida Amendment 4, Wilcots regained his right to vote.[38]

Wilcots proposed to Christopher Hamblin in June 2016.[39] The couple were married in Atlanta, Georgia on September 29, 2018. Attendees included Drag Race alumni and other drag performers.[40]

Wilcots expresses interest in spirituality.[41]

Discography

EPs

Title Details
The Chop Remixes
  • Released: December 26, 2012
  • Label: N/A
  • Formats: Digital download
Weight Remixes
  • Released: March 20, 2014
  • Label: LOMLPLEX
  • Formats: Digital download
Here's to Life: Latrice Royale Live in the Studio
  • Released: March 10, 2016
  • Label: LRI Talent & Management
  • Formats: CD, Digital download

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Comedy
Digital
[42]
"The Chop"
(with Manila Luzon)[43] 		2012 — Non-album single
"Weight
(featuring Epiphany Mattel)" 		2014 13
"Excuse the Beauty"
(featuring Epiphany Mattel)[44] 		2018 —

Other appearances

Title Year Other Artist(s) Album
"Thick Thighs" 2015 Willam Belli Shartistry in Motion
"Oral" 2018 Willam Belli Now That's What I Call Drag Music, Vol. 1
"Don't Funk It Up" RuPaul, Gia Gunn, Manila Luzon, Valentina, Trinity the Tuck Non-album Single
"Robbed" 2019 Manila Luzon Rules!

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes References
2012–2016 RuPaul's Drag Race Herself (Contestant) Season 4: 4th Place; Guest Appearances in Seasons 5–8 [13]
2012 RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked Herself Season 4
RuPaul's Drag U Herself (Professor) 3 episodes [17]
2012, 2018–2019 RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Herself (Contestant) Season 1: 7/8th Place; Season 4: 5th Place [19]
2014 Fashion Rocks Herself Television concert special [28][29]
2018 RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-Slay Spectacular Herself (Contestant) Holiday Special [25]
2018–2021 Drag Tots Lady Liber-T [45]
2020 AJ and the Queen Fabergé Legs Guest appearance; also creative consultant [46]
Celebrity Family Feud Herself Guest contestant [47]
2021 RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars Lady Liber-T from Drag Tots Season 6, Episode: "Drag Tots"
2023 Drag Me to Dinner Herself Hulu original [48]
2024 We're Here Herself HBO Original

Music videos

Year Title Artist Ref.
2012 "Responsitrannity" RuPaul [49]
2020 "Always" Waze & Odyssey [50]
2021 "Friends in Low Places" Ginger Minj [51]

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref
2009 My Baby's Daddies Shay Short
2014 South Beach on Heels Herself Documentary [52]
2015 TupiniQueens Herself Documentary about Drag scene in Brazil
2015 Gays in Prison Herself (Host) Documentary
2017 Cherry Pop Terry [53]
Marabou Marabou Short
2018 A Queen for the People Herself Documentary about Bob the Drag Queen
2019 Trixie Mattel: Moving Parts Documentary about Trixie Mattel [54]
2019 Wig Documentary [52]
2021 The Bitch Who Stole Christmas The Spirit of Christmas [55]
2023 Remember It's Christmas Gregory/Marjorie Short

Theatre

Year Title Role Theatre Ref(s)
2020 Death Drop Summer Raines Garrick Theatre [56]
2024 Little Shop of Horrors Audrey II Ogunquit Playhouse

Web series

Year Title Role Notes Ref
2009 My Baby's Daddies Shay Online short, Makeup effects artist
2013 Ring My Bell Herself Guest, Episode: "Latrice Royale" [57]
2015, 2018 Hey Qween! Guest (2 episodes: "Latrice Royale" "DragCon L.A. 2018", )
2015 Raja Drawja Guest [58]
2016 Transformations (Episode: Latrice Royale) [59]
2018 Drag Tots Lady Liber-T (voice) 8 episodes [60]
Pardon My French Food Herself Recurring [61]
2019 Werq The World Featured Queen [62]
2019-2020 Hey Qween! Pride Guest; 2 episodes
2021 The Pit Stop Guest, Episode: "Trixie Mattel & Latrice Royale Kiki" [63]
2022 Out of the Closet Guest, Episode: "Latrice Royale: Bold and Beautiful Drag" [64]
2023 Give It To Me Straight Guest [65]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Giving Body Category Work Results Ref.
2020 The Queerties Drag Royalty Herself Nominated [66]
2023 Peabody Awards Entertainment We're Here Won [67]

References

  1. ^ Dawson, Lamar (November 9, 2018). "Latrice Royale Reflects On Restoration of Voting Rights". Logo. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  2. ^ "Timothy K Wilcots". Ancestry Institute. Ancestry. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  3. ^ Hagwood, Rod Stafford (28 Jan 2012). "Two local female impersonators compete on 'RuPaul's Drag Race'". Sun Sentinel. Archived from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  4. ^ a b Moffo, Michael (August 20, 2013). "Latrice Royale & her Columbus Court". Quorum Columbus. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  5. ^ Latrice Royale Official Website: About
  6. ^ Givens, Orie (April 25, 2012). "RPDR Season 4's Latrice Royale Whirls and Twirls On CBUS Stages". Outlook Columbus. Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  7. ^ https://theabbynormal.wordpress.com/2014/08/06/latrice-royale-is-a-queen-of-grace/ added 2/23/2019
  8. ^ "Exclusive Interview: Latrice Royale Talks 'Marriage' and Performing Her First Wedding". Drag Official. July 10, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  9. ^ Robinson, Nicholas (July 12, 2013). "Celebrity drag queen Latrice Royale gets ordained, marries gay couple". Rolling Out. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  10. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race now casting for season 4". TheGAVoice.com. Georgia Voice. May 11, 2011. Retrieved 2018-06-30.
  11. ^ "Logo's RuPaul's Drag Race Season Four Reunion Wins the Crown as Highest-Rated Episode This Season". The Futon Critic. May 2, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  12. ^ a b Hines, Emily Bartlett (December 27, 2012). "In anticipation of her New Year's Eve gig at Play, Latrice Royale talks girdles, gospel and goddesses". Nashville Scene Magazine. Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  13. ^ a b Johnson, Lisa (15 Nov 2011). "RuPaul's Drag Race Season Four Cast Revealed". BET. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  14. ^ Stransky, Tanner (April 18, 2012). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' contestant Latrice Royale talks elimination, Sharon Needles, and what's next". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
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  23. ^ Blanton, Kayla (18 January 2019). "Latrice Royale's Return On 'All Stars' 4 Could've Been Ru's Plan All Along". Bustle. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  24. ^ Swift, Andy (2019-02-09). "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Recap: Was the Right Queen Carried Away?". TVLine. Retrieved 2019-02-09.
  25. ^ a b "Kim Chi, Shangela, Trixie Mattel & More to Compete in 'RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-Slay Spectacular'". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-11-02.
  26. ^ Avery, Dan (January 15, 2014). "Latrice Royale Releases New Chunky-Yet-Funky Single, "Weight": LISTEN". New Now Next. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  27. ^ Weight Remixes by Latrice Royale on iTunes, 2014-03-20, retrieved 2018-11-10
  28. ^ a b Avery, Dan (September 25, 2014). "Jennifer Hudson: Performing With Latrice Royale "Gave Me Life"". New Now Next. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  29. ^ a b Avery, Dan (September 11, 2014). "Latrice Royale Tears Up CBS' Fashion Rocks With Jennifer Hudson". Logo. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  30. ^ Keyes, Jeffrey James. "A Drag Race Christmas: Latrice Royale". Queerty. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  31. ^ "Latrice Royale". Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  32. ^ Durham, Trevor. "BWW Reviews: MISTER ACT A Hilarious Spoof Done Right". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2018-10-07.
  33. ^ Dalton, Paisley (15 March 2016). "Latrice Royale Gets Jazzy With It on Debut Album "Here's To Life"". World of Wonder. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  34. ^ "The gospel of truth according to Latrice Royale". Xtra. 2019-07-05. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  35. ^ Dzurillay, Julia (March 28, 2020). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queens Take Performances Online During Their Coronavirus Self-Quarantine". CheatSheet.com. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  36. ^ "The Most Powerful Drag Queens in America: Ranking the new establishment". New York. June 10, 2019. Archived from the original on June 10, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  37. ^ Rowley, Glenn (July 17, 2022). "Latrice Royale & Joel Kim Booster Lead Life Is Beautiful 2022 Comedy Slate: See the Lineup". Billboard. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  38. ^ Dawson, Lamar (9 November 2018). "Latrice Royale Reflects On Restoration of Voting Rights". NewNowNext. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  39. ^ "Latrice Royale Proposes To Boyfriend On Stage In Seattle". LOGO News. Retrieved 2018-10-07.
  40. ^ Vu, Lily (October 3, 2018). "Drag Star Latrice Royale Got Hitched This Weekend!". DragStarUSA.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2018. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  41. ^ "Latrice Royale Talks Religion at DragCon". YouTube. 22 May 2017. Archived from the original on 2021-12-05.
  42. ^ "Latrice Royale - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  43. ^ The Chop - Single by Manila Luzon & Latrice Royale, 2012-11-06, retrieved 2018-11-10
  44. ^ Excuse the Beauty (feat. Epiphany Mattel) - Single by Latrice Royale, 2018-05-11, retrieved 2018-11-10
  45. ^ Nolfi, Joey. "RuPaul gives tiny Drag Tots a shady reading lesson in adorable clip". ew.com. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  46. ^ Nolfi, Joey (2019-12-03). "RuPaul brings 22 Drag Race queens to costar on AJ and the Queen". EW.com. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  47. ^ Rudolph, Christopher (May 28, 2020). "Team "RuPaul's Drag Race" Keeps It Fierce on "Celebrity Family Feud"". NewNowNext.com. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  48. ^ Rice, Lynette (May 1, 2023). "'Drag Me To Dinner': Hulu Announces Premiere Date For Unscripted Series From Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka". Deadline.com. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  49. ^ RuTube (October 25, 2012), RuPaul Responsitrannity music video, retrieved May 29, 2020
  50. ^ George Michael (May 21, 2020), Always (Drag Stars Official Video), retrieved May 21, 2020
  51. ^ Stefano, Angela (December 11, 2020). "Ginger Minj's Own 'Friends in Low Places' Star in New Music Video (Exclusive Premiere)". The Boot. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  52. ^ a b Sim, Bernardo (May 9, 2020). "RuPaul's Drag Race: 10 Great Documentaries Featuring The Queens". Screen Rant. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  53. ^ Nolfi, Joey (June 30, 2017). "RuPaul's Drag Race queens trade zany insults in new Cherry Pop movie trailer". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  54. ^ Evan Ross Katz (May 1, 2019). "Trixie Mattel's 'Moving Parts' Documentary Proves She's Not Just A Skinny Legend". Garage. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  55. ^ Joey Nolfi (October 29, 2021). "RuPaul's new Christmas movie unites the largest Drag Race cast in history". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  56. ^ Selman, Chris. "Drag Race stars absolutely slay in raucous murder mystery Death Drop – review". Gay Times. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  57. ^ Latrice Royale - Ring My Bell. YouTube. May 30, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  58. ^ Raja Drawja with Latrice Royale - RuPaul's DragCon 2015. YouTube. June 5, 2015. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  59. ^ TRANSFORMATIONS: Latrice Royale & James St. James. YouTube. August 16, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  60. ^ Henderson, Taylor (June 25, 2018). "RuPaul, Bianca Del Rio, Latrice Royale & More Star in Animated Series Drag Tots". Pride. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  61. ^ Drag Queens try french "Andouillette" (w/ Latrice Royale, Kim Chi) | Pardon my french food #2 | VF. YouTube. July 15, 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  62. ^ Miller, Shannon (June 26, 2019). "Latrice Royale's opening act hits a speed bump in this exclusive Werq The World clip". AV Club. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  63. ^ The Pit Stop S13 E2 | Trixie Mattel & Latrice Royale Kiki | RuPaul's Drag Race. YouTube. January 9, 2021.
  64. ^ Latrice Royale: Bold and Beautiful Drag | RuPaul's Drag Race | Out of the Closet. YouTube. June 9, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  65. ^ LATRICE ROYALE - "Give It To Me Straight" Ep21 - Hosted by Maddy Morphosis. YouTube. September 25, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  66. ^ "'The 2020 Queerties". Cheat Sheet. February 28, 2020.
  67. ^ Voyles, Blake (September 12, 2023). "83rd Peabody Award Winners". Retrieved September 12, 2023.
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