Laganja Estranja

Early life

Jay Jackson was born on December 28, 1988 to parents David and Nancy Jackson. Jay was an eccentric child and performed professionally at an early age, appearing in The Will Rogers Follies at the Dallas Summer Musicals, and local shows across Texas. He attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, focusing in dance and choreography. In 2007, Jay attended YoungArts and was awarded status as a Presidential Scholar in the Arts by the Presidential Scholars Program. After graduating high school, Jay moved to California and received his BFA from California Institute of the Arts (2007-2011) in Dance and Choreography.

Drag career

Laganja Estranja's drag debut was at Micky's West Hollywood on November 7, 2011. After winning the Amateur Competition, Laganja became an official "Showgirl" with a monthly guaranteed gig at Micky's West Hollywood. Laganja went on to win "Queen of Queens" at 340 nightclub in Pomona, California and "Best Newcomer" from Rhea Litré.

In April 2013, one year since walking on the stage as Laganja Estranja for the first time, Jay and his team decided to audition Laganja Estranja for RuPaul's Drag Race. He was accepted onto the show, and filmed in the summer of 2013.

RuPaul's Drag Race

In 2014, the sixth season of drag-oriented reality competition RuPaul's Drag Race aired on LogoTV. Laganja performed moderately well on the show, winning a challenge while partnered with eventual runner-up Adore Delano. Laganja was eliminated in the eighth episode of the season, placing her in a small category of contestants in the show's history who were eliminated the week after winning a challenge. During the show, Laganja became infamous for her over-the-top dramatics, catchphrases, and emotional breakdowns. Laganja's entrance is one of the most remembered in HERstory. Eventual winner Bianca Del Rio credited Laganja as the root of every memorable quote from the following season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Laganja's mannerisms have since been parodied by fellow drag queens, including Alaska Thunderfuck.

Drag family

Laganja Estranja is the drag daughter of Alyssa Edwards, and the drag sister of Shangela Laquifa Wadley and Gia Gunn—all three of whom competed on RuPaul's Drag Race, Edwards appearing on season five, Wadley appearing on season two and season three, and Gunn on season six. Under the moniker of the Haus of Edwards, the trio have internationally toured and performed together on multiple occasions, most notably at the pre-show warm-up for the finale episode of the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Activism

In September 2015, Laganja Estranja appeared as the first openly LGBTQA individual to appear on the cover of a cannabis publication. In Fall 2016, he hosted a conversation on cannabis legalization at Trinity College in Dublin. In 2017 he appeared on Viceland's Bong Appétit hosted by Abdullah Saeed.

Laganja spoke out against Donald Trump while he was running for President of the United States, and she is committed to continuing to use her platform for social change.

Dance

In 2015 Laganja co-choreographed and performed in the iconic VMA performance "Dooo It" with Miley Cyrus. The Haus of Edwards then toured shortly with Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz. In 2016 Laganja choreographed for Brooke Candy and performed with her and Alyssa Edwards in Los Angeles, California.

Laganja has also appeared as a contortionist alongside Christina Aguilera for the American Music Awards, and in Gareth Pugh's fashion film "PITTI."

Jay is a choreographer at Beyond Belief Dance Studio in Mesquite, Texas, a studio owned by his drag mother, Alyssa Edwards. In 2016, Jay and friends developed Laganja's Dance School, a Hip Hop-oriented jazz-funk choreography class and confidence workshop. The workshop is held in North Hollywood, California, and also tours abroad.

Music

In 2014, Laganja contributed vocals to a cover of RuPaul's "Jealous of My Boogie", for the album RuPaul Presents: The CoverGurlz. Throughout 2014, Laganja was featured on three singles, contributing a rap verse to each song. In 2015, she released her debut single as a lead artist, titled "Legs", which featured American female rapper Rye Rye. In June 2015, "Legs" was rated as the third best song by a RuPaul's Drag Race contestant by Pitchfork Media. In June 2015, Laganja was featured on fellow RuPaul's Drag Race star, Alaska Thunderfuck's debut album, Anus, on the track "Gimme All Your Money". In 2015, Laganja released her sophomore single, titled "Hotbox". In 2016, she released both her third single "Tease 4U" and a Christmas Album with the Haus of Edwards. Her single on the album is entitled "Green XXXmas," and the video featured exotic dancer Candace Cane.

Merchandise

In 2014, Laganja launched a collection of marijuana-themed merchandise. Her jewelry line is called "Laganja Estranja is My Enemy". In May 2016 Laganja released a collaboration ice water hash cannabis joint "LAhepburns" with San Francisco company The Hepburns (www.thehepburns.com). "LAhepburns" joints are sold at Buds and Roses and Med Men in Los Angeles. Laganja's puppy cannabis clothing line "Puffin' Pups" was featured in the New York Times. Current available merchandise can be found at www.laganjaestranja.com.