Sasha Velour

Sasha Velour, born Alexander Hedges Steinberg on June 25, 1987, is an American drag queen, artist, and activist based in Brooklyn, New York. She gained international fame as the winner of Season 9 of RuPaul's Drag Race, celebrated for her avant-garde aesthetic and emotionally resonant performances. Velour is also the founder of the acclaimed drag revue NightGowns, which has been adapted into a docuseries, and her solo theatrical show Smoke & Mirrors toured globally from 2019 to 2022 .

Beyond her performances, Velour is an advocate for queer and trans rights, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity within the drag community. She has highlighted the historical contributions of trans women, trans men, and non-binary performers to drag, stating, “From the second there was drag, trans people were doing it” . Velour's work often challenges traditional gender norms, aiming to create spaces where all forms of expression are celebrated.

In her book The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag, Velour explores the transformative power of drag, asserting, “Drag has never been about deception; it's about expressing ourselves without shame, and thinking expansively about others” . Through her multifaceted career, Velour continues to push the boundaries of performance art while advocating for a more inclusive and expressive world.