Latrice Royale

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.

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

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?"

Career

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

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.

RuPaul's Drag Race Season 4

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

When Royale was cut from the competition, Entertainment Weekly called the elimination "shocking". 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 Winona Judd and Rose McGowan, the latter of whom teared up from Royale's speech.

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.

RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars

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.

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. 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. 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."

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.

Other

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

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."

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!"