Yara Sofia

Yara Sofia
Sofia in February 2016
Born Gabriel Burgos Ortiz
(1984-05-08) May 8, 1984[1]
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Occupation Drag queen, make-up artist, reality television personality
Website Official website

Yara Sofia is the stage name of Gabriel Burgos Ortiz (born May 8, 1984), a Puerto Rican drag queen, professional make-up artist, and reality television personality.

Biography

Although born in San Juan, Yara was raised in the small town of Manati, Puerto Rico.[2] Yara's drag career began at local San Juan gay nightclub Krash (also known as Eros), where in 2005, she won her first gay pageant title "Miss Road to Diva." Later, in 2006, Ortiz earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theater from the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan.[3]

Television

Yara in June 2015

Yara joined as a cast member on the third season of Logo's popular reality series, RuPaul's Drag Race, which premiered on the network on January 29, 2011. With a heavy, yet comical accent and a popular catchphrase (Echa Pa'lante which translates to Move Forward) she became a fan favorite due to her unique use of makeup, wigs, contact lenses and fashion.[4] She also won the challenge in episode 11 where the contestants had to create three different looks for a hair themed fashion show. She was eliminated in a very emotional lip sync against fellow contestant Alexis Mateo in the thirteenth episode of the season, which first aired on April 22, 2011.[5] During the reunion special, which aired on May 2, 2011, Yara won the annual Miss Congeniality award.[6]

On 6 August 2012, it was announced that Yara was one of twelve past Drag Race contestants selected to join the cast of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars that premiered on the Logo network on 22 October 2012.[7] Teamed with contestant Alexis Mateo to form Team Yarlexis, the duo was eliminated in the fourth episode of the series which aired on 12 November 2012, coming in the 3rd-place position amongst the teams.

Music

In 2012, along with other RuPaul's Drag Race contestants, Yara appeared in the music video "Queen" for New York City-based girl group Xelle.[8] She also appeared in the music video "Werqin' Gurl" by former Drag Race alum Shangela Laquifa Wadley.

Personal life

Yara resides in Las Vegas and performs at gay venues and events both locally and throughout the United States and Canada. When not in drag, Ortiz works as a professional make-up artist. In April 2011, Yara along with fellow contestant and close friend Alexis Mateo launched a boycott of a Tampa beauty supply shop after they both claimed they were told to leave the store because of their sexual orientation.[9] In February 2014, Ortiz announced via Facebook his engagement to longtime boyfriend Rubin Hancock, though later announced in January 2017 that they ended their relationship.

References

  1. ↑ Yara Sofia Official Website: Biography
  2. ↑ Meet The Queens Of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ – Yara Sofia from socialitelife.com January 2011
  3. ↑ Yara Sofia Official Website: Biography
  4. ↑ RuPaul's Drag Race: Yara Sofia from the Huffington Post 18 April 2011
  5. ↑ Goodbye, Yara Sofia, we hardly understood you from ahora12.blogspot.com April 2011
  6. ↑ The Puerto Rican Spitfire known as Yara Sofia is headed to “LeFaux” this weekend! from www.seattlegayscene.com September 2011
  7. ↑ RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars cast includes Jujubee, Latrice Royale, Manila Luzon from chicago.gopride.com; 06 August 2012
  8. ↑ Spargo, Chris (25 October 2012). "XELLE's 'Queen' Music Video Features Every 'Drag Race' Queen: Watch October 25, 2012 ● by Chris Spargo". New Now Next. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  9. ↑ This just in: RDR contestants thrown out of Discount Beauty Supply Store for being gay! from worldofwonder.net 20 April 2011
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