Aja (entertainer) explained

Aja
Birth Place:Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York, US
Birth Date:4 January 1994[1]
Nationality:American
Module:
Embed:yes
Instrument:Vocals
Genre:Hip hop

Venus Nadya Oshun[2] (born January 4, 1994), known professionally as Aja Miyake-Mugler[3] or better mononymously as Aja, is an American rapper, reality television personality and drag queen[4] best known for competing on the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race and on the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.

Aja released her debut EP, In My Feelings, in 2018, followed by her debut studio album, BOX Office, in February 2019. Her second EP, ALL CAPS, was released in June 2019.[5] She released Nail in the Coffin, a Halloween-themed EP, in collaboration with Shilow later that year. She was a contestant on the third season of Legendary on HBO Max, where she finished in 6th place with the House of LaBeija.

Early life

Aja was born on January 4, 1994, in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.[6] She was raised by adoptive parents. She used to suffer from PTSD and anxiety, which she attributed to her single-parent home, but stopped having panic attacks after starting drag. She lived as a trans woman for a year at age 18, later coming to identify as genderqueer after learning about non-binary gender identities. Aja identifies as a person of color.[7] She is of African American and Puerto Rican descent.[8] [9] [10]

Career

Aja began doing drag in Manhattan at age 16, participating in contests at Posh Bar, the Stonewall Inn, Metropolitan Bar and Sugarland.[11] She was announced as one of 14 contestants for the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race on February 2, 2017.[12] Aja placed ninth that season and subsequently returned to participate in the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.[13] Aja was eliminated during the fifth episode of All Stars 3, but she returned in the following episode to compete for a chance to win re-entry to the competition.[14] [15] Another contestant, Morgan McMichaels, rejoined instead, which placed Aja seventh overall.

The drag house Haus of Aja, based in Bedford–Stuyvesant, includes members Aja, Kandy Muse, Momo Shade, Dahlia Sin, and Janelle No5.[16] [17] They performed at Hardware Bar until the house dissolved in June 2018.[18] [19]

Aja appeared in a commercial for H&M's Pride OUT Loud campaign in May 2018.[20] Since June 2018, Aja has hosted a talk show called Ayo Sis on WOW Presents Plus.[21] In May 2019, Aja was sponsored by Starbucks to promote the company's S'Mores Life contest.[22]

In July 2018, Aja announced that she no longer wish to be known as a drag queen but rather as a queer artist, stating to them. magazine:

For the next three years, Aja focused primarily on her musical career. In September 2021, she stated that she would again begin performing in drag. After seeing Kylie Sonique Love win the sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, Aja said: "It really hit me at that moment that trans is who I am and drag is what I do,... that me doing drag has never taken away from who I am as a person.... As of today I can feel comfortable to say that I am a drag artist again."[23]

In 2023, Aja appeared on the first episode of the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars as a “lip-sync assassin”, where she faced off against the week's winner, Kahanna Montrese, to Beyoncé’s “Freakum Dress”. Aja won the lipsync and revealed which of the bottom queens had received the majority of the queens’ votes to go home, that being Monica Beverly Hillz.[24]

In July 2023, after having altered her Instagram display name months before, Aja formally announced that she was no longer part of the House of LaBeija, and that she is to be referred to as "Aja 007".

Music

Aja released the single "Level Ya Pussy Up" with producers WNNR and DJ Accident Report in February 2017.[25] Aja's single with fellow season 9 queens Sasha Velour, Peppermint and Alexis Michelle, titled "C.L.A.T.", was released on April 21, 2017.[26] [27] The track was produced by DJ Mitch Ferrino, who was featured on "Purse First" by Bob the Drag Queen.[28] Producer Adam Joseph remixed Aja's rant about fellow season 9 queen Valentina in a track called "Linda Evangelista".[29] [30] [31] In September 2017, Aja appeared in the music video for Velo's song "Big D*ck Daddy" alongside Phi Phi O'Hara.[32]

On March 1, 2018, Aja released a solo music video, "Finish Her!", which was produced in collaboration with WNNR and DJ Accident Report. It features some of Aja's runway looks from All Stars 3. Her debut EP, In My Feelings, was released on May 11, 2018.[33] Videos for two other songs from In My Feelings, "Brujería" and "I Don't Wanna Brag", were released on May 7, 2018, and July 13, 2018, respectively. Aja's second EP, All Caps, was released on June 28, 2019.

Aja's debut studio album, BOX Office, was released on February 7, 2019.[34]

Notes and References

  1. ajaqueen . Aja . 948954378454515712 . January 4, 2018 . God its my birthday yall. 24 years old never seemed more anti climatic lol. But i guess ill combine my farewell 2017 post with my birthday post.
    This past year has definitely been one for the books. . February 24, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180224112015/https:/twitter.com/ajaqueen/status/948954378454515712 . February 24, 2018 . live.
  2. ajaoxum . 1596067009351090177 . For reference my legal name is: ✨VENUS NADYA OSHUN ✨.
  3. ajathekween . CyaUWVqubPH . I NOW INTRODUCE TO YOU… AJA MIYAKE MUGLER!!! . October 15, 2023.
  4. News: 'Drag Race' Star Aja Is Ready to Be Your New Trap Queen . February 7, 2019 . Spanos . Brittany . Brittany Spanos . . . October 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191029032829/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/aja-rpdr-queer-artist-rap-star-box-office-album-790747/ . October 29, 2019 . live.
  5. News: Aja Delivers Viciousness & Vulnerability On 'ALL CAPS' EP . June 28, 2019 . Malone . Chris . . https://web.archive.org/web/20190629125818/https://www.forbes.com/sites/cmalone/2019/06/28/aja-delivers-viciousness--vulnerability-on-all-caps-ep/ . June 29, 2019 . live.
  6. News: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 9 episode 1: Lady Gaga, the Queens and spoilers. Edana. Patricio. March 9, 2017. . . February 21, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125658/http://www.ibtimes.com.au/rupauls-drag-race-season-9-episode-1-lady-gaga-queens-spoilers-1546235 . October 27, 2017 . live.
  7. Cuby. Michael. Aja Told Us the Backstory Behind Her Epic Death Drop on RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars Season 3. February 21, 2018. them. . Condé Nast . February 1, 2018 . February 22, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180222044257/https://www.them.us/story/aja-spills-the-tea-on-rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-3 . live.
  8. https://twitter.com/ajaoxum/status/1110406491025088512 Tweet by ajaoxum
  9. https://twitter.com/ajaoxum/status/1315605209352200192 Tweet by ajaoxum
  10. https://twitter.com/ajaoxum/status/1302404376431128582?lang=en Tweet by ajaoxum
  11. News: Bushwick's 'Drag Race' contestant Aja explains the therapeutic power of drag . Giannotta . Meghan . February 13, 2018 . February 24, 2018 . . Rich Tomko . February 24, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180224112445/https://www.amny.com/entertainment/drag-race-aja-1.16722323 . live.
  12. Web site: RuPaul's Drag Race Cast logotv.com. Logo TV. February 19, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171114103309/http://www.logotv.com/shows/rupauls-drag-race/cast . November 14, 2017.
  13. Web site: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' reveals first 'All Stars 3' cast member . Nolfi . Joey . October 20, 2017 . February 24, 2018 . Entertainment Weekly . Meredith Corporation . February 21, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180221005747/http://ew.com/tv/2017/10/20/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-season-3-cast-aja/ . live.
  14. Web site: RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Recap: Survival Art . February 22, 2018 . Yang . Bowen . Rogers . Matt . . New York Media, LLC . February 24, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180223175726/http://www.vulture.com/2018/02/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-recap-season-3-episode-5.html . February 23, 2018 . live.
  15. Web site: RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Recap: Messy Girls . March 1, 2018 . Yang . Bowen . Rogers . Matt . Vulture . New York Media, LLC . March 7, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180302191115/http://www.vulture.com/2018/03/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-recap-season-3-episode-6.html . March 2, 2018 . live.
  16. Web site: The Haus of Aja . November 18, 2016 . Grizzly Kiki . February 22, 2018.
  17. Aja . ajaqueen . 985979107333853185 . April 16, 2018 . The #Hausofaja would like to present to you our newest member @janelle.no.5 !!! We love this hoe and can't wait to see what this woman adds to our collective ✨ @dahlia_sin @thekandymuse @momoshade photo by @orograph . April 17, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180417173933/https:/twitter.com/ajaqueen/status/985979107333853185 . April 17, 2018 . live.
  18. Web site: 5 Brooklyn drag supergroups ripe for your adoration . Shorey . Eric . June 13, 2017 . Brokelyn . February 22, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180222044227/https://brokelyn.com/brooklyn-drag-crews/ . February 22, 2018 . live.
  19. Web site: What happened between the Haus of Aja and Drag Race's Kandy Muse? . Urquhart . Bean . thetab.com . 5 January 2021 . The Tab . May 29, 2023.
  20. News: Aja Is The Face Of H&M's New Pride OUT Loud Campaign . May 24, 2018 . . June 5, 2018 . Igneri . Jenna . May 24, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180524232852/https://nylon.com/articles/hm-pride-2018-aja-interview . live.
  21. News: Vaaanjie! Find out which RuPaul's Drag Race alums are getting their own TV shows . Nolfi . Joey . June 25, 2018 . Entertainment Weekly . Meredith Corporation . July 3, 2018 . June 25, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180625222444/http://ew.com/tv/2018/06/25/miss-vanjie-tv-show-follow-me/ . live.
  22. Web site: Here's How to Get Starbucks' Unreleased Lip Gloss—Yes, Starbucks . April 30, 2019 . StyleCaster . . Denton . Elizabeth . May 2, 2019 . live . May 1, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190501021055/https://stylecaster.com/beauty/starbucks-lip-gloss/ . mdy-all .
  23. News: Drag Race icon Aja announces return to drag and opens up about ongoing 'gender journey' . September 6, 2021 . Baska . Maggie . . September 7, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210906193823/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/06/drag-race-aja-gender-journey/ . September 6, 2021 . live.
  24. Web site: 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Untucked' season 5 episode 1 recap: 'The Fame Games' . Benutty . John . goldderby.com . 12 May 2023 . Penske Media Corporation . May 29, 2023.
  25. Web site: Level Ya Pussy Up (feat. WNNR & DJ Accident Report) - Single . February 2, 2017. February 21, 2018. iTunes Store.
  26. 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 9 Queens From NYC Team Up for 'C.L.A.T.' Video: Exclusive . April 21, 2017 . Joe . Lynch . . February 21, 2018. 0006-2510 . Lynne Segall . https://web.archive.org/web/20170820184316/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7767972/rupauls-drag-race-new-york-city-queens-clat . August 20, 2017 . live.
  27. 17 Best Songs From 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queens. September 19, 2017. Joe. Lynch. Billboard. February 21, 2018 . Lynne Segall . November 2, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171102021524/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/7966091/rupauls-drag-race-best-songs-queens . live.
  28. Web site: C.L.A.T. (feat. DJ Mitch Ferrino) - Single. April 21, 2017. iTunes Store. February 21, 2018.
  29. Web site: Aja's 'Untucked' Valentina Read Has Been Turned Into A Killer Club Track . Rudolph . Christopher . April 17, 2017 . February 24, 2018 . . Logo TV . https://web.archive.org/web/20180222044452/http://www.newnownext.com/aja-valentina-untucked-dance-song/04/2017/ . February 22, 2018 . live.
  30. Web site: Model Linda Evangelista shows love to 'RPDR' by posting iconic Aja/Valentina meme on IG . Katz. Evan. April 20, 2017 . . Mic Network Inc. . February 24, 2018.
  31. Web site: Linda Evangelista - Single. May 3, 2017. February 21, 2018. iTunes Store.
  32. Web site: Aja And Phi Phi O'Hara Want a "Big D*ck Daddy" in New Velo Music Video . NewNowNext . Logo TV . Rudolph . Christopher . September 4, 2017 . February 24, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180222043848/http://www.newnownext.com/velo-big-dick-daddy-music-video-aja-phi-phi-o-hara/09/2017/ . February 22, 2018 . live.
  33. Web site: 'Drag Race' All Star Aja on Her Debut EP, 'Classism' In the New York Drag Scene & Rejecting the Gender Binary . Lynch . Joe . May 11, 2018 . Billboard . Lynne Segall. May 11, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180512001258/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8455498/aja-music-rupauls-drag-race-ep-interview . May 12, 2018 . live.
  34. News: Aja Teams Up with CupcakKe, Shea Couleé & More on 'Box Office' Album: Listen . Daw . Stephen . February 7, 2019 . Billboard . Lynne Segall . April 20, 2019 . February 24, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190224042321/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8497083/aja-box-office-album . live . mdy-all .
  35. News: Aja Wrestles With Inner-Demons in 'Jekyll & Hyde' Video, Feat. Shilow: Watch . Billboard . April 20, 2019 . Daw . Stephen . February 1, 2019 . Lynne Segall . https://web.archive.org/web/20190203132405/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8496106/aja-jekyll-and-hyde-video . February 3, 2019 . live . mdy-all .
  36. News: What Aja of 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Can't Live Without . Aja . February 15, 2018 . February 24, 2018 . . New York Media, LLC . https://web.archive.org/web/20180219090448/http://nymag.com/strategist/article/rupauls-drag-race-aja-favorite-things.html . February 19, 2018 . live.
  37. Dresden . Hilton . Aja Spills on That Death Drop, Milk, & Why All Stars 3 is the Most 'Shocking' Season Yet . February 21, 2018 . . Joe Landry . February 8, 2018 . 1062-7928 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180222104831/https://www.out.com/interviews/2018/2/08/aja-spills-death-drop-milk-why-all-stars-3-most-shocking-season-yet . February 22, 2018 . live.
  38. News: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' alum Aja kicked out of Lyft for kissing boyfriend . Cooper . Mariah . December 14, 2017 . . Lynne Brown . February 21, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180222043853/http://www.washingtonblade.com/2017/12/14/rupauls-drag-race-alum-aja-kicked-lyft-kissing-boyfriend/ . February 22, 2018 . live.
  39. News: Drag Race star Aja got banned from Twitter for calling out a transphobe . August 2, 2018 . Damshenas . Sam . August 28, 2018 . . James Frost . https://web.archive.org/web/20180802211232/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/111701/drag-race-star-aja-got-banned-from-twitter-for-calling-out-a-transphobe/ . August 2, 2018 . live.
  40. News: RuPaul's Drag Race star Aja banned from Twitter after transphobes attacked them . August 4, 2018 . Pearce . Tilly . . . August 25, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180826043930/https://metro.co.uk/2018/08/04/rupauls-drag-race-star-aja-banned-twitter-transphobes-attacked-7799226/ . August 26, 2018 . live.
  41. Goodman . Elyssa . Exclusive: Nonbinary Rapper Aja Discusses Their Name Change . July 14, 2019 . them. . Condé Nast . July 12, 2019 . July 14, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190714183349/https://www.them.us/story/aja-rapper-name-change-interview . live.
  42. Labeija . Aja . Aja Labeija . ajaoxum . 1473437504481251332 . December 21, 2021 . 35 donations and I'm at 2k! I just want to say thank you to everyone who's helping me share this and get this news out there and helping me get through this journey! I'm truly appreciative. Keep sharing if you can and remember it really helps me! https://t.co/KIVXSe5YNi . en . December 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211228092031/https://twitter.com/ajaoxum/status/1473437504481251332 . December 28, 2021 . live.
  43. Pasulka . Nicole . Aja Finally Captures the Crown . August 20, 2022 . . May 21, 2021 .
  44. Web site: Nail in the Coffin . September 27, 2019 . September 28, 2019 . iTunes Store . https://web.archive.org/web/20190928183937/https://music.apple.com/us/album/nail-in-the-coffin/1478899834 . September 28, 2019 . live.
  45. Web site: Femme Queen Rage:, Vol. 1 . September 16, 2023 . September 16, 2023 . iTunes Store.
  46. Web site: Finish Her! (feat. WNNR & DJ Accident Report) - Single . March 1, 2018. March 1, 2018. iTunes Store.
  47. Web site: Brujería (feat. Mitch Ferrino) - Single . May 7, 2018. May 7, 2018. iTunes Store.
  48. News: Aja Links With The Vixen For Spooky, Nicki Minaj-Inspired Track: Listen . October 17, 2018. October 17, 2018 . Bote . Joshua . Billboard . Lynne Segall . live . October 17, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181017212022/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8480436/aja-demons-bitches-monsters.
  49. Web site: Aja Continues a Hot Streak with Rap Single 'Art Jesus' . Rodriguez . Mathew . November 14, 2018 . INTO . Grindr LLC . November 15, 2018 . November 15, 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181115113629/https://www.intomore.com/culture/aja-continues-hot-streak-with-rap-single-art-jesus .
  50. News: Aja Battles Their Demons on 'Jekyll and Hyde' . Goldfine . Jael . February 1, 2019 . . Paper Communications . February 1, 2019 . February 1, 2019 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190201215507/http://www.papermag.com/aja-jekyll-hyde-video-2627461694.html?rebelltitem=11#rebelltitem11 . mdy-all .
  51. News: Aja Discusses Feeling Pigeonholed, Artistic Integrity, & Their New Single 'Commercial' . Blynn . Alex . June 14, 2019 . Billboard . Lynne Segall . June 15, 2019 . June 14, 2019 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190614163558/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8515902/aja-discusses-feeling-pigeonholed-artistic-integrity-their-new-single . mdy-all .
  52. News: RuPaul's Drag Race alum Aja sizzles in fierce 'Mama Chola' music video . Nolfi . Joey . August 30, 2019 . . . September 28, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190913230252/https://ew.com/music/2019/08/30/rupauls-drag-race-alum-aja-mama-chola-music-video/ . September 13, 2019 . live.
  53. AJA . August 30, 2019 . AJA & Shilow Feat. Amira Wang - Mama Chola (Official Video) . YouTube video . September 28, 2019 . live . September 28, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190928180247/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9VikrUm2DQ.
  54. AJA . September 23, 2019 . AJA & Shilow - The PURGE (Official Video) . YouTube video . September 28, 2019 . live . September 28, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190928180536/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOnkBosW7N0.
  55. News: Exclusive Premiere: Honey Davenport Is Joined By Her "Drag Race" Sister Aja On The Powerful Single "Draw The Blood" . Cook . Michael . February 21, 2020 . . J.R. Pratts . February 21, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200221234715/https://instinctmagazine.com/exclusive-premiere-honey-davenport-is-joined-by-her-drag-race-sister-aja-on-the-powerful-single-draw-the-blood/ . February 21, 2020 . live.
  56. Web site: AJA Creates Inclusivity Through Diversity . McCafferty . Maddie . March 9, 2021 . NYS Music . June 6, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210309192307/https://nysmusic.com/2021/03/09/aja-creates-inclusivity-through-diversity/ . March 9, 2021.
  57. Web site: Aja releases new tune 'Tough Love' with album to follow . . April 10, 2021 . June 6, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210412020058/https://www.outinperth.com/aja-releases-new-tune-tough-love-with-album-to-follow/ . April 12, 2021 . live.
  58. Web site: Crossbow - Single by Aja . . 2021 . Aja . June 6, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210606224404/https://open.spotify.com/album/2SXcaIqMTrsZab3TCvMqh9?si=b3d86c2ae81341c9&nd=1 . June 6, 2021 . live.
  59. Web site: Vulture Queen . .
  60. Web site: Which B!tch Want Smoke? . .
  61. News: RPDR Season 9 Queen Aja Joins Femme Cast, Talks Film's Themes . Garner . Glenn . March 20, 2017 . August 3, 2018 . Out . Joe Landry . https://web.archive.org/web/20170420124624/https://www.out.com/out-exclusives/2017/3/20/rpdr-season-9-queen-aja-joins-femme-cast-talks-films-themes . April 20, 2017 . live.
  62. April 28, 2018 . FASHION PHOTO RUVIEW: Hats Incredible with Raja and Aja . WOWPresents . . December 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220927041024/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl0UEUsyPf4 . September 27, 2022 . live.
  63. May 5, 2018 . FASHION PHOTO RUVIEW: Mermaid Fantasy with Raja and Aja . WOWPresents . . December 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221010155851/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KuqjW0WtZg . October 10, 2022 . live.
  64. Web site: Need a Double Dose of Aja? Watch Her 'Follow Me' Episode and an All New Episode of 'Ayo Sis' . Frye . Javay . July 3, 2018 . The WOW Report . . July 4, 2018 . July 4, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180704000910/https://worldofwonder.net/need-a-double-dose-of-aja-watch-her-follow-me-episode-and-an-all-new-episode-of-ayo-sis/ . live.
  65. Couleé . Shea . Shea Couleé . August 1, 2018 . Shea Couleé - Call Me Couleé: Episode 3 . YouTube video . June 16, 2019 . live . June 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190616224753/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4NMReAP5CM.
  66. News: Aja Has Thoughts on This Week's 'Drag Race' . Voss . Brandon . April 12, 2020. NewNowNext . Logo TV . April 12, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200413055609/http://www.newnownext.com/aja-has-thoughts-on-this-weeks-drag-race/04/2020/ . April 13, 2020 . live.
  67. News: Lynch . Joe . Peppermint Leads 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queens In Recreation of George Michael's 'Too Funky' Video: Exclusive . February 21, 2018 . Billboard . Lynne Segall . April 4, 2017 . August 19, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170819113534/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7760314/peppermint-rupauls-drag-race-too-funky-george-michael-video . live.
  68. News: Jackson. Gita. Drag Race Contestant's Music Video Is Like A Rad New Fighting Game. March 5, 2018. Kotaku. March 5, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180306082759/https://kotaku.com/drag-race-contestants-music-video-is-like-a-rad-new-fig-1823518114 . March 6, 2018 . live.
  69. May 7, 2018 . Aja - Brujería (feat. Mitch Ferrino) [Official] ]. AJA . . December 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220626200339/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9m_Ffxxxlc . June 26, 2022 . live.
  70. News: Aja Channels Her Witchy Spirit In 'Brujería' . Moran . Justin . May 7, 2018 . May 7, 2018 . Paper . Paper Communications . May 7, 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180507194705/http://www.papermag.com/aja-brujeria-premiere-2566770596.html.
  71. News: Watch 'Drag Race' Star Aja Show Off Cocky Side in New 'I Don't Wanna Brag' Video . Daw . Stephen . July 14, 2018 . Billboard . Lynne Segall . July 14, 2018 . July 14, 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180714184131/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8465425/rupals-drag-race-star-aja-shows-off-cocky-side-music-video-i-dont-wanna-brag.
  72. News: Aja Shows Off All Aspects of Gender in New Dual Video for 'Ayo Sis/Bitch I'm Kawaii': Watch . Daw . Stephen . September 24, 2018 . Billboard . Lynne Segall . September 24, 2018 . September 24, 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180924221443/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8476395/aja-ayo-sis-bitch-im-kawaii-video.
  73. September 24, 2018 . AJA - I'm Kawaii / Ayo Sis (Official Music Video) . AJA . . December 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221123145921/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O0LEtNK6Rw . November 23, 2022 . live.
  74. News: A fabulous collection of the RuPaul's Drag Race queens' best music videos . Nolfi . Joey . January 31, 2019 . February 21, 2020 . Entertainment Weekly . Meredith Corporation . February 21, 2020 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200221235740/https://ew.com/tv/2019/01/31/rupauls-drag-race-queen-music-videos/.
  75. News: RuPaul's Drag Races Aja on Being Genderqueer in Hip-Hop: 'I Feel Like I'm Doing an Experiment'|magazine=People] |publisher=Meredith Corporation |last=Breit |first=Carly |date=December 11, 2018 |access-date=January 24, 2019 |archive-date=December 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211212551/https://people.com/tv/drag-race-aja-being-genderqueer-new-single/ |url-status=live}} The album consists of fifteen tracks and includes features from Shea Couleé and CupcakKe.[34] A music video for the album's single "Jekyll & Hyde" (featuring Shilow) was released ahead of the album on February 1, 2019.[35] On September 27, 2019, Aja released a Halloween-themed collaborative EP with Shilow titled Nail in the Coffin. It was preceded by the music videos for its singles "Mama Chola" (featuring Amira Wang) on August 30, 2019, and "The Purge" on September 23, 2019.

    Personal life

    Aja resides in New York City.[36]

    Just before filming season 9 of Drag Race, Aja was in a situation of domestic violence with a previous boyfriend.[37] In December 2017, Aja and her current boyfriend were kicked out of a Lyft after kissing.[38] The driver was later fired, and the company issued a statement of support for Aja.

    In August 2018, Aja was banned from Twitter for referring to a user who discounted her gender identity as a "senseless cow".[39] Her account was reinstated after a few hours.[40] In a July 2019 interview with them. Magazine, Aja shared that she was going through the process of changing her legal name from her birth name to Aja in order to reflect her gender identity.[41] She said, She further stated,

    In December 2021, Aja came out as a transgender woman, and announced the beginning of her transition, explaining in an Instagram post and GoFundMe campaign, "I have lived my life as Non Binary since 2018 and have recently began to identify more with the feminine aspect of my identity. Now living my life as a trans woman has brought out worries about different things such as my appearance."[42] Aja uses she/her pronouns.

    Aja practices Santeria, and she started doing what she called "sex work" on OnlyFans during the 2020 lockdown.[43]

    Discography

    Studio albums

    TitleDetails
    Box Office
    Crown
    • Released: May 21, 2021
    • Label: self-released
    • Formats: digital download

    EPs

    TitleDetails
    In My Feelings
    ALL CAPS
    • Released: June 28, 2019
    • Label: self-released
    • Formats: digital download
    Nail in the Coffin
    • Released: September 27, 2019 (with Shilow)
    • Label: self-released
    • Formats: CD, digital download
    [44]
    Femme Queen Rage:, Vol. 1
    • Released: September 16, 2023
    • Label: self-released
    • Formats: digital download
    [45]

    Singles

    TitleYearAlbumNotes
    "Level Ya Pussy Up"2017
    "C.L.A.T."
    (feat. DJ Mitch Ferrino; with Alexis Michelle, Peppermint, & Sasha Velour)
    "Finish Her"
    (feat. WNNR & DJ Accident Report)
    2018In My Feelings[46]
    "Brujería"
    (feat. DJ Mitch Ferrino)
    [47]
    "Demons, Witches & Bitches"
    (feat. Shilow & Vixen)
    [48]
    "Art Jesus"[49]
    "Jekyll and Hyde"
    (feat. Shilow)
    2019BOX Office[50]
    "Commercial"All Caps[51]
    "Mama Chola"
    (feat. Amira Wang)
    Nail in the CoffinCredited to Aja & Shilow[52] [53]
    "The Purge"Credited to Aja & Shilow[54]
    "Draw the Blood"
    (feat. Electropoint)
    2020Credited to Honey Davenport & Aja[55]
    "21 Roads"
    (feat. Katie Jobes)
    2021Crown[56]
    "Tough Love"
    (feat. GESS)
    [57]
    "Crossbow"[58]
    "Vulture Queen"2023Femme Queen Rage; Vol.1[59]
    "Which Btch Want Smoke?"[60]

    Filmography

    Television

    YearTitleRole
    2017RuPaul's Drag Race (season 9)Contestant (9th place)
    (season 9)
    2018RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 3)Contestant (7th place)
    2019Tattoo TalesHerself
    2022Legendary (season 3)Contestant (House of LaBeija)
    2023RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 8)Lip Sync Assassin

    Internet series

    Role! rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;" class="unsortable"
    2018Hey Qween!Guest; accompanied by the Haus of Aja">News: Watch Aja Sashay Her Way Onto the Season Premiere of Hey Qween . February 21, 2018 . Out . Joe Landry . January 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180222044728/https://www.out.com/out-exclusives/2018/1/29/watch-aja-sashay-her-way-season-premiere-hey-qween . February 22, 2018 . live.
    Fashion Photo RuViewGuest host (two episodes)[62] [63]
    Ayo SisHost
    Follow MeSubject of one episode[64]
    Call Me CouleéGuest[65]
    2020The Pit StopGuest[66]

    Music videos

    Notes! rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;" class="unsortable"
    2017"Too Funky" (short)[67]
    "C.L.A.T." (short)
    2018"Finish Her!"[68]
    "Brujería"[69] [70]
    "I Don't Wanna Brag"[71]
    "I'm Kawaii / Ayo Sis"[72] [73]
    2019"Jekyll & Hyde feat. Shilow"
    "Mama Chola"
    "The Purge"
    2020"Draw the Blood"
    (feat. Electropoint)
    Credited to Honey Davenport & Aja[74]

    See also

    External links

    .