FULL INTERVIEW: JASMINE RICE LABEIJA MAKES HISTORY ON BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT
PRIDE & POWER: Voices of Liberation
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26m
In an exclusive interview with In the Wake TV producer SHAY, Jasmine Rice LaBeija opens up about her groundbreaking journey to the finals of Britain's Got Talent, becoming one of the first drag performers to achieve such international recognition on the mainstream talent competition.
"This isn't just my victory," LaBeija explains, her perfectly contoured features animated with passion. "This is a win for queer visibility, for Asian representation, and for the entire drag community that has been creating art and challenging norms for generations."
LaBeija, who traces her drag lineage to the iconic House of LaBeija, offers viewers a compelling history lesson on drag's evolution from underground ballroom culture to today's global phenomenon. "Drag has always been political," she asserts. "From Stonewall to today, we've used glamour and performance as resistance."
The conversation delves into the nuances of camp – that delicious blend of exaggeration, irony, and theatrical extravagance that defines much of drag aesthetics. "Camp is serious business," LaBeija laughs. "It's commentary disguised as entertainment, critique wrapped in sequins."
As Britain's Got Talent introduces LaBeija to millions of new viewers worldwide, she remains focused on using her platform to educate and inspire. "Breaking glass ceilings isn't about being the first and only," she reflects. "It's about making sure the door stays open for everyone coming after you."
This exclusive interview is part of In the Wake TV's ongoing coverage highlighting Black and LGBTQ+ excellence in entertainment and culture. Visit www.inthewake.tv for the full interview and programming schedule.
Links:
Jasmine Rice LaBeija - 💋 Juilliard-trained. Korean-American. Drag Icon. 💅
NYC’s Jasmine Rice Takes Opera and Drag to the Global Stage, Advancing to “Britain’s Got Talent” Finals (EXCLUSIVE) | GLAAD
She's serving VOCALS! Jasmine Rice is CARVING HER OWN PATH! | Auditions | BGT 2025
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