Latrice Royale

Latrice Royale
Royale in February 2015
Born Timothy K. Wilcots
(1972-02-12) February 12, 1972[1]
Compton, California, U.S.
Residence Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
Nationality American
Occupation Drag performer
Known for
Spouse(s)
Christopher Hamblin (m. 2018)
Awards RuPaul's Drag Race: Miss Congeniality 2012
Website latriceroyale.com

Timothy Wilcots (born February 12, 1972),[1][2] better known by his stage name Latrice Royale, is an American drag performer and reality television personality. He is best known for his appearances in season 4 of RuPaul's Drag Race in 2012, and season 1 of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars later that year. He finished fourth place in the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race; in the final episode of the season, he was crowned Miss Congeniality.

Life and career

Wilcots was born in California, and raised in Compton, a city in Greater Los Angeles.[3] While growing up, he did not have a relationship with his father.[2]

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.[4]

In May 2011, RuPaul's Drag Race, a drag competition produced as reality television, opened auditions for the show's fourth season;[5] 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. Wilcots was eliminated from the competition in the 11th episode, which aired on April 9, 2012. Viewers voted him Miss Congeniality, and he was crowned in the season finale.[6]

After coming into the public eye, Wilcot 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?"[7][8]

RuPaul's Drag Race season 4

Latrice Royale competed as a "plus-size" queen.[9] He competed against twelve other queens, including Sharon Needles, Phi Phi O'Hara, Willam Belli, and Cher impersonator Chad Michaels.[10]

Royale made it into the top four—along with Needles, Michaels, and O'Hara—and won two challenges along the way. When Royale was cut from the competition, Entertainment Weekly called the elimination "shocking".[11] 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.[12][13]

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.[14]

RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 1

Royale performing in June 2013

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.[9]

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.[15] 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.[16] About the two leaving, RuPaul told them, "Manila and Latrice, my brainy and courageous queens. I think I’m going to miss you the most. Now, sashay away."[17]

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.[18]

Other performances

Latrice Royale performing on the cruise in November 2014

In January 2014, Royale released his single "Weight", which was endorsed by Logo TV.[19]

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."[20][21]

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!"[22][23]

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.[24]

In March 2016, Royale released her EP, Here's to Life: Latrice Royale Live in the Studio, produced by Electropoint.[25]

Personal Life

Wilcots married to Christopher Hamblin in June 2016.[26]

Filmography

YearTitleNotes
2016RuPaul's Drag RaceSeason 8: "Keeping It 100!" (100th episode)
2015TupiniQueensDocumentary about the drag queen scene in Brazil
2015RuPaul's Drag RaceSeason 7: "Conjoined Queens", "Countdown to the Crown" and "Reunited!"
2014South Beach On HeelsDocumentary about the drag queen scene in Miami's South Beach
2014Fashion RocksTV special
2014RuPaul's Drag RaceSeason 6: "Countdown to the Crown" and "The Finale"
2013RuPaul's Drag RaceSeason 5: "Countdown to the Crown" and "Reunited!"
2012RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars: Untucked!
2012RuPaul's Drag Race: All StarsSeason 1 – 7th/8th place
2012RuPaul's Drag UEpisodes: "Time to Grow Up", "Cupcake Queens" and "Real Divorces of LA County"
2012NewNowNext Awards
2012RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked!
2012RuPaul's Drag RaceSeason 4 – 4th place (Miss Congeniality)
2009My Baby's DaddiesSpecial effects make-up artist

References

  1. 1 2 Hagwood, Rod Stafford (28 Jan 2012). "Two local female impersonators compete on 'RuPaul's Drag Race'". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  2. 1 2 Moffo, Michael (20 Aug 2013). "Latrice Royale & her Columbus Court". Quorum Columbus. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  3. ↑ Latrice Royale Official Website: About
  4. ↑ Givens, Orie (25 Apr 2012). "RPDR Season 4's Latrice Royale Whirls and Twirls On CBUS Stages". Outlook Columbus. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  5. ↑ "RuPaul's Drag Race now casting for season 4". TheGAVoice.com. Georgia Voice. May 11, 2011. Retrieved 2018-06-30.
  6. ↑ "Logo's RuPaul's Drag Race Season Four Reunion Wins the Crown as Highest-Rated Episode This Season". The Futon Critic. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  7. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: LATRICE ROYALE TALKS 'MARRIAGE' AND PERFORMING HER FIRST WEDDING". Drag Official. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  8. ↑ Robinson, Nicholas (12 July 2013). "Celebrity drag queen Latrice Royale gets ordained, marries gay couple". Rolling Out. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  9. 1 2 Hines, Emily Bartlett (27 Dec 2012). "In anticipation of her New Year's Eve gig at Play, Latrice Royale talks girdles, gospel and goddesses". Nashville Scene Magazine. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  10. ↑ Johnson, Lisa (15 Nov 2011). "RuPaul's Drag Race Season Four Cast Revealed". BET. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  11. ↑ Stransky, Tanner (18 Apr 2012). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' contestant Latrice Royale talks elimination, Sharon Needles, and what's next". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  12. ↑ "'RuPaul's Drag Race': Rose McGowan And Wynonna Judd Sit In On An Emotional Goodbye (VIDEO)". Huffington Post. 10 Dec 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  13. ↑ Stransky, Tanner (9 Apr 2012). "RuPaul's Drag Race shocker! A beloved queen is eliminated..." EW.com. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  14. ↑ "'RuPaul's Drag U': Latrice Royale Beauty Tips". LOGO News. Retrieved 2018-10-07.
  15. ↑ Armbrister, Dey (6 Aug 2012). "'RuPaul's All Stars Drag Race': Meet the Queens". New Now Next. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  16. ↑ Garvey, Georgia (6 Nov 2012). "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars: Streetwalkers". Red Eye Chicago. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  17. ↑ Stransky, Tanner (5 Nov 2012). "'RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars' episode 3: Did [spoiler] really deserve to go home?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  18. ↑ Robertson, Lindsay (14 May 2012). "And The 'RuPaul's Drag U' Season 3 Professors Are…". LOGO TV. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  19. ↑ Avery, Dan (15 Jan 2014). "Latrice Royale Releases New Chunky-Yet-Funky Single, "Weight": LISTEN". New Now Next. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  20. ↑ Avery, Dan (25 Sep 2014). "Jennifer Hudson: Performing With Latrice Royale "Gave Me Life"". New Now Next. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  21. ↑ Avery, Dan (11 Sep 2014). "Latrice Royale Tears Up CBS' Fashion Rocks With Jennifer Hudson". New Now Next. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  22. ↑ Keyes, Jeffrey James. "A Drag Race Christmas: Latrice Royale". Queerty. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  23. ↑ "LATRICE ROYALE". Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  24. ↑ Durham, Trevor. "BWW Reviews: MISTER ACT A Hilarious Spoof Done Right". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2018-10-07.
  25. ↑ Dalton, Paisley. "Latrice Royale Gets Jazzy With It on Debut Album "Here's To Life"". Wow Report. Wow Report. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  26. ↑ "Latrice Royale Proposes To Boyfriend On Stage In Seattle". LOGO News. Retrieved 2018-10-07.
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