Latrice Royale

Latrice Royale

Royale in February 2015
Born Timothy K. Wilcots
(1972-02-12) February 12, 1972
California[1]
Nationality American
Occupation Drag performer
Known for RuPaul's Drag Race season 4
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars
Awards RuPaul's Drag Race Miss Congeniality 2012
Website latriceroyale.com

Timothy Wilcots, better known by his stage name of Latrice Royale, is an American drag performer and reality television personality. He is best known for appearing in RuPaul's Drag Race season 4 and RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.

Biography

Royale was born on February 12, 1972, and raised in a "broken home" in Compton, California. While growing up, he did not have a relationship with his father.[2]

In the 1990s, Royale started performing in drag. In 2012, he began appearing in reality television shows starting with RuPaul's Drag Race.[3]

After coming into the public eye, Royale became an ordained 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?"[4][5]

Career

Royale entered the world of drag when he dressed up as Wanda from In Living Color to amuse both himself and his friends. In the mid-1990s, Royale did his first drag show at the Copa Night Club in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.[3]

Royale had been a drag performer for over two decades by the time he tried out for RuPaul's Drag Race season 4. He tried out for the series as a dare.[6]

RuPaul's Drag Race Season 4

Royale first entered the RuPaul franchise as a "plus sized" queen in Season 4 of the competition.[7] He competed against twelve other queens, including Sharon Needles, Willam Belli and well known Cher impersonator Chad Michaels.[8] Royale made it into the top four, along with Needles, Michaels, and Phi Phi O'Hara winning two challenges along the way.

When Royale was cut from the competition, Entertainment Weekly called the elimination "shocking".[9] When he was told to "sashay away" by RuPaul, Royale responded, "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." Special judges in attendance were Wynonna Judd and Rose McGowan, the latter of whom teared up from Royale's speech.[10][11]

Needles ended up taking the crown for season 4 ahead of O'Hara and Michaels. At the season 4 finale, it was announced that Royale would appear on RuPaul's Drag U, which was released in 2012. Also during the finale, Royale was crowned Miss Congeniality by voters.[12]

RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars

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.[7]

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.[13] 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.[14] 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."[15]

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.[16]

Other

Latrice Royale performing on the cruise in November 2014

In January 2014, Royale released his single "Weight", which was endorsed by Logo TV.[17]

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."[18][19]

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!"[20][21]

Filmography

Year Title Notes
2016 RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8: "Keeping It 100!" (100th episode)
2015 TupiniQueens Documentary about the drag queen scene in Brazil
2015 RuPaul's Drag Race Season 7: "Conjoined Queens", "Countdown to the Crown" and "Reunited!"
2014 South Beach On Heels Documentary about the drag queen scene in Miami's South Beach
2014 Fashion Rocks TV special
2014 RuPaul's Drag Race Season 6: "Countdown to the Crown" and "The Finale"
2013 RuPaul's Drag Race Season 5: "Countdown to the Crown" and "Reunited!"
2012 RuPaul's All Stars Drag Race: Untucked!
2012 RuPaul's All Stars Drag Race Season 1 – 7th/8th place
2012 RuPaul's Drag U Epidodes: "Time to Grow Up", "Cupcake Queens" and "Real Divorces of LA County"
2012 NewNowNext Awards
2012 RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked!
2012 RuPaul's Drag Race Season 4 – 4th place (Miss Congeniality)
2009 My Baby's Daddies Special effects make-up artist

External links

References

  1. Latrice Royale Official Website: About
  2. Moffo, Michael (20 Aug 2013). "Latrice Royale & her Columbus Court". Quorum Columbus. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  3. 1 2 Givens, Orie (25 Apr 2012). "RPDR Season 4's Latrice Royale Whirls and Twirls On CBUS Stages". Outlook Columbus. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  4. "EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: LATRICE ROYALE TALKS 'MARRIAGE' AND PERFORMING HER FIRST WEDDING". Drag Official. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  5. Robinson, Nicholas (12 July 2013). "Celebrity drag queen Latrice Royale gets ordained, marries gay couple". Rolling Out. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  6. Barry, Sarah (30 May 2013). "Ooo La-La-Latrice!". AV Artvoice. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  7. 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.
  8. Johnson, Lisa (15 Nov 2011). "RuPaul's Drag Race Season Four Cast Revealed". BET. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  9. 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.
  10. "'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.
  11. Stransky, Tanner (9 Apr 2012). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' shocker! A beloved queen is eliminated...". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  12. "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.
  13. Armbrister, Dey (6 Aug 2012). "'RuPaul's All Stars Drag Race': Meet the Queens". New Now Next. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  14. Garvey, Georgia (6 Nov 2012). "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars: Streetwalkers". Red Eye Chicago. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  15. Stransky, Tanner (5 Nov 2012). "'RuPaul's All Stars Drag Race' episode 3: Did [spoiler] really deserve to go home?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  16. Robertson, Lindsay (14 May 2012). "And The 'RuPaul's Drag U' Season 3 Professors Are…". LOGO TV. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  17. Avery, Dan (15 Jan 2014). "Latrice Royale Releases New Chunky-Yet-Funky Single, "Weight": LISTEN". New Now Next. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  18. Avery, Dan (25 Sep 2014). "Jennifer Hudson: Performing With Latrice Royale "Gave Me Life"". New Now Next. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  19. Avery, Dan (11 Sep 2014). "Latrice Royale Tears Up CBS' Fashion Rocks With Jennifer Hudson". New Now Next. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  20. Keyes, Jeffrey James. "A Drag Race Christmas: Latrice Royale". Queerty. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  21. "LATRICE ROYALE". Retrieved 13 December 2014.
Preceded by
Yara Sofia
RuPaul's Drag Race miss congeniality
Season 4 (2012)
Succeeded by
Ivy Winters
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