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| Photo: Viceland |
Now Viceland's My House puts another spotlight on the influential subculture. While things have certaintly evolved from the days of legends such as Pepper LeBeija, Dorian Corey, Willi Ninja and Octavia St. Laurent, the scene's purpose is the same: to give black and latino LGBT people, who often feel rejected and marginalized, a place where we can recreate and redefine ourselves.
The docu-series provides a good entry point for those unfamiliar with ballroom culture, where members of a house, a surrogate family whose members take on the house's surname--compete in elaborate competitions for the promise of trophies and to eventually be enshrined as an Icon or Legend.
The series premiere follows several performers--or the kids, as your favorite diva's favorite diva once referred to them--including Alex Miyake Mugler, a charismatic ballroom star who has choreographed for Rihanna and danced for FKA Twigs, and Tati 007, Alex's protege who has won a series of balls but currently calls no house home. There's also Precious Ebony, a hilarious ballroom commentator who breaks down aspects of the scene like the five elements of vogueing (hands, catwalk, duckwalk, swing dance and floor performance) and explains the intense, competitive nature of the scene.
That cutthroat intensity is on full display at The Coldest Winter Ever Ball, one of the community's premiere events. Jelani, a member of the House of Mizhari and masterful server of realness with a twist, and Relish Milan, both lose out in their categories, while Tati emerges victorious despite her free agent status. It's at the competition where the full gender-bending vibrancy and creativity of the scene comes to life. Tati, Jelani and Relish's performances in particular are shot beautifully, slowing down in certain moments to capture the mesmerizing art of vogueing.
"My House," promises and and delivers a visual and aural smorgasboard of fabulousness.
Watch the entire first episode below.
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