Eureka O'Hara explained

Eureka O'Hara
Birth Date:26 August 1990
Birth Place:Bristol, Tennessee, U.S.
Other Names:Eureka
Eureka!
Eureka D. Huggard
Education:East Tennessee State University

Eureka, also known as Eureka O'Hara and Eureka!,[1] is the stage name of Eureka D. Huggard (born August 26, 1990),[2] [3] an American drag queen and reality television personality.[4] Eureka rose to prominence competing on the ninth and tenth seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race.[5] She was removed from the ninth season due to a knee injury, becoming the first contestant in the history of the show to be sent home due to injury; she was then given an automatic berth to season 10, where she placed as runner-up.[6] In 2021, Eureka competed on the sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, where she once more placed as a runner-up.[7] In 2024, she competed on the second season of .[8]

From 2020 to 2022, Eureka co-hosted We're Here on HBO alongside fellow Drag Race contestants Bob the Drag Queen and Shangela.[9] The series received acclaim from critics.[10] [11]

Early life and education

Huggard was born August 26, 1990, in Bristol, Tennessee, and started performing in drag at the club New Beginnings.[12] She chose the drag name Eureka for its phonetic similarity to their mother's given name, Ulrike,[13] and the last name O'Hara from the Gone with the Wind character Scarlett O'Hara.[14]

Eureka's drag mother is Jacqueline St. James,[15] a former winner of the Miss Gay USofA at Large competition. Eureka won the National title for anti-bullying organization as Miss Don't H8 DIVA and awarded Hall of Fame.[16] Prior to her appearance on RuPaul's Drag Race, Eureka had participated in the drag pageantry system. She withdrew from East Tennessee State University to compete on the show.[17]

Career

RuPaul's Drag Race

Eureka has competed on the ninth and tenth seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race and on the sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. She also competed on the RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular.[18]

On February 2, 2017, it was announced that Eureka was selected alongside thirteen other contestants to compete on season nine of RuPaul's Drag Race.[19] She was removed from the competition in episode five due to a torn ACL from the episode two challenge, making her the first contestant in the history of RuPaul's Drag Race to leave due to an injury.[5] [20] She received physical therapy before returning to compete on the show's tenth season in 2018.[21] During this season, Eureka won two main challenges (in episodes five and six) and also had to lip sync for her life twice.[22] Eureka ultimately finished as a runner-up of season 10,[6] alongside Kameron Michaels and behind eventual winner Aquaria.[23]

After competing on season 10, Eureka continued to work prominently as a drag queen in the entertainment industry. She starred in the music video for country singer Brandon Stansell's song "For You", released in July 2018.[24] [25] In September 2018, she gave a drag makeover to Zachary Quinto for Them's makeover series Drag Me.[26] [27] In December 2018, Eureka competed in the television special RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular.[28] In 2019, she appeared as a guest for the first challenge in the premiere of season 11 of Drag Race.[29]

In June 2021, Eureka was revealed to be one of the thirteen cast members of the sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.[30] After failing to win any main challenges but remaining safe throughout the season, Eureka was voted out by her competitors at the top five,[31] but subsequently won re-entry into the competition after winning a lip sync battle against Silky Nutmeg Ganache.[32] Upon returning to the competition, Eureka won the next main challenge (episode 11) and a $25,000 cash prize.[32] [33] In the season finale, Eureka once again placed as a runner-up alongside Ginger Minj and Ra'Jah O'Hara, losing out to eventual winner, Kylie Sonique Love.[7]

We're Here

Since 2020, Eureka has co-hosted We're Here on HBO alongside fellow Drag Race contestants Bob the Drag Queen and Shangela.[4] In the series, the trio of drag queens travel across the United States to recruit small-town residents to participate in one-night-only drag shows.[34] After premiering on April 23, 2020, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on October 11, 2021.[35] [36] In December 2021, the series was renewed for a third season.[37] The series has received acclaim from critics.[10] [11]

Music

In April 2017, O'Hara and Adam Barta premiered a single and music video for "Body Positivity", which features Kandy Muse, a drag queen from the Haus of Aja who would later go on to compete on season 13 of Drag Race.[38] [39] The video features cameo appearances by RuPaul's Drag Race contestants Charlie Hides and Cynthia Lee Fontaine, as well as reality television personality Farrah Abraham.[40] "Body Positivity (part ii: Electropoint)" was released in March 2018.[21]

Eureka released her first solo single, "Stomp", on April 28, 2017. She released their second solo single, "The Big Girl", co-written by Bob the Drag Queen, on June 28, 2018.[41] [42] The accompanying music video has been viewed more than two million times on YouTube.

As part of the final challenge of season 10 of RuPaul's Drag Race, O'Hara and the other top four contestants wrote and recorded their own verses for RuPaul's song "American". The song reached number 12 on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Songs chart.[43] In November 2018, VELO released the single "Where My Man At", featuring O'Hara and Drag Race season three runner-up Manila Luzon.[44] The two also appear in the song's music video, together with Thorgy Thor, Ginger Minj, and Trinity the Tuck.[45]

Personal life

Eureka lived as a trans woman for about five years before deciding to detransition. She then identified as "genderfluid and gender-neutral" and used they/them pronouns out of drag. On the season 3 finale of We're Here, Eureka came out as a trans woman, using exclusively she/her pronouns and beginning to both socially and medically transition.[46] Eureka supports body positivity and has nicknamed herself "The Elephant Queen".[47] She cites Divine as an influence to her drag aesthetic.[48]

Discography

!Year!Title!Notes
2017"Body Positivity"ft. Adam Barta
"Stomp"
2018"The Big Girl"
"Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer"
2019"Pretty Hot and Tasty"
2021"Come Together"
2022"WERQ!"
"Big Mawma"ft. Katie Kadan & Sarah Potenza

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2017RuPaul's Drag Race (season 9)Contestant7 episodes (11th place; exited due to injury)
2017–2018HerselfSeason 8, 5 episodes
Season 9, 12 episodes
2018RuPaul's Drag Race (season 10)Contestant14 episodes (Runner-up)
2018RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-slay SpectacularContestant1 episode (Joint Winner)
2019RuPaul's Drag Race (season 11)HerselfGuest; Episode 1: "Whatcha Packin'?"
2020AJ and the QueenHerselfCameo; Episode: "New York City"
2020–2022We're HereHerselfMain cast; Season 1-3, 20 episodes
2021RuPaul's Drag Race All StarsContestantSeason 6, 12 episodes (Runner-up)
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars: UntuckedHerselfSeason 3, 12 episodes
Crystal DeCanterEpisode 4: "Blood Buffet"
2022Love, VictorHerselfCameo; Season 3, episode 5
RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag RaceGuest; Season 2, Episode 4: "Drag Duet" [49]
Cameo; Season 3, episode 6
2024 (season 2)Contestant5 Episodes (6th Place)

Web series

YearTitleRoleNotes
2017HerselfGuest
2018Fashion Photo RuView[50] [51] Guest host with Trinity the Tuck, Kameron Michaels and Yuhua Hamasaki
Bestie$ for Ca$h[52] with Kameron Michaels
Cosmo Queens[53] Guest by Cosmopolitan
Queen to Queen[54] Guest with Aquaria
Spillin' the Tea[55] Guest by Billboard Pride
Drag Me[56] Guest with Zachary Quinto
Allure Drag Transformation Tutorial[57] Guest
2019Iconic with Brad Goreski[58] Guest, WOW Presents original
Sibling Rivalry[59] Special guest
2020Fashion Photo RuViewGuest host with Raja, Raven and Manila Luzon
2021Whatcha Packin'[60] Guest
Ruvealing the Look[61]
Hey Qweenwith Jonny McGovern[62]
2022The Pit Stop[63]
2023Take It to the Runway[64] [65] Guest with Angeria Paris VanMicheals
Billboard Cover[66] Guest

Music videos

YearTitleNotes
2017"Body Positivity"with Adam Barta; featuring Kandy Muse
2018"The Big Girl"
"Where My Man At"[67] with VELO & Manila Luzon
2019"Pretty Hot and Tasty"[68] Featuring Lardi B & Jiggly Caliente
2021"Come Together"[69]
2022"WERQ"[70]
2023"True Colors"[71]

Awards and nominations

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YearAward-giving bodyCategoryWorkResultsRef.
2023Queerty AwardsDrag RoyaltyHerself[72]
Peabody AwardEntertainmentWe're Here[73]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Eureka! on Instagram: "She's an All Star! #AllStars6! ✨ the all-new season premieres THURSDAY JUNE 24 on @ParamountPlus! ⭐️ . Hair: @wigsandgrace Jewelry: @roxbycox Nails: @nailsbyglamazon Costume: @marcosquared Makeup: @callher6 Photo by: @vijatm" .
  2. Web site: Having a great Birthday!! I love you all so much!! I hope everyone has a beautiful day! #beyourselftofreeyourself #season9 #phatfashionicon #rupaulsdragrace . Eureka O'Hara [@eurekaohara] . . Instagram post . 2017-08-26 . 2018-08-11 . live . 2018-08-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180811230453/https://www.instagram.com/p/BYQ4yr8BJwZ/.
  3. News: 'RuPaul's Drag Race': Which queen will win Season 10? Who should? . 2018-06-27 . Deerwester . Jayme . 2018-08-12 . . 2018-07-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180705231129/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2018/06/27/rupauls-drag-race-which-queen-win-season-10-who-should/731625002/ . live.
  4. Web site: 2020-08-20. We're Here star Eureka O'Hara is welcoming the "queer change" in mainstream media. 2021-12-31. . en-GB.
  5. Web site: Cuby. Michael. Eureka On Getting Cut From 'RuPaul's Drag Race'. 2021-12-31. Nylon. 17 August 2021 . en.
  6. Web site: June 29, 2018. Joey. Nolfi. 'RuPaul's Drag Race' runner-up Eureka charges through controversy: 'It's still helping to spark the conversation'. 2021-12-31. EW.com. en.
  7. Web site: Spencer. Samuel. 2021-09-02. Who Won Rupaul's Drag Race All Stars 6?. 2021-12-31. Newsweek. en.
  8. Web site: Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World season 2 cast of queens revealed: Bam! Alexis Mateo is back, baby . Nolfi . Joey . ew.com . . June 26, 2024.
  9. Web site: Rudolph. Christopher. November 5, 2019. Drag Race Legends Invade Small Town USA in New HBO Reality Series. April 23, 2020. NewNowNext.
  10. Web site: 2020-04-23. Stream It or Skip It: 'We're Here' on HBO, a Fierce Docuseries about the Power of Drag. 2021-12-31. Decider. en-US.
  11. Web site: Williams. Mary Elizabeth. 2020-04-22. HBO's heartfelt "We're Here" is the drag show America needs now. 2021-12-31. Salon. en.
  12. News: East Tennessean to compete on 'RuPaul's Drag Race'. Knoxville News Sentinel. 2018-05-08. en.
  13. News: Friedman. Megan. 2018-06-26. "Drag Race" Finalist Eureka O'Hara Says It's Time for Big Girls to Rule the World. Seventeen. live. 2018-08-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20180626032943/https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/a21775397/eureka-ohara-rupauls-drag-race-it-gets-better-interview/. 2018-06-26.
  14. News: Cooper . Michael . A Behind-the-Scenes Sneak Peek at RuPaul's Drag Race Season 10 Finale . September 20, 2018 . L.A. Weekly . June 28, 2018.
  15. Web site: Rudolph . Christopher . Eureka Serves Up Sexy Librarian In New "Drag Race" Makeup Tutorial . LOGO News . September 20, 2018 . April 24, 2017.
  16. Web site: Special: Catching up on the pageant scene. 15 September 2012. 26 January 2016.
  17. Web site:
    1. ElephantQueen: Eureka O'Hara represents East Tennessee on "RuPaul's Drag Race" East Tennessean
    . easttennessean.com. 23 March 2017. en-US. 2018-05-08.
  18. Web site: November 9, 2018. Joey. Nolfi. Eureka O'Hara previews 'RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-Slay Spectacular' episode: 'You know Kim Chi fell'. 2021-12-31. EW.com. en.
  19. Web site: February 2, 2017. Dave. Quinn. RuPaul's Drag Race Season 9 Contestants Revealed. 2021-12-31. people.com. en.
  20. News: What Happened To Eureka On 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 9? Her Knee Injury Is Still A Roadblock. Bustle. 2018-05-20. en.
  21. 'Drag Race' Star Eureka O'Hara Twerks Through Times Square in New Music Video: Watch. . 2018-05-08.
  22. Web site: Hints That Eureka O'Hara Wins 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Are Stacking Up. 2021-12-31. Bustle. 27 April 2018 . en.
  23. News: Eureka Wants to Hit It & Quit It in New Video. 2018-07-03. Instinct. 2018-07-26. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20180726170109/http://instinctmagazine.com/post/after-last-weeks-finale-eureka-just-wants-hit-it-quit-it. 2018-07-26. dead.
  24. News: Tennessee 'Drag Race' star Eureka, country singer Brandon Stansell team up for music video. Jones. Maggie. 2018-07-10 . Knoxville News Sentinel. 2018-07-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180714120759/https://www.knoxnews.com/story/entertainment/2018/07/10/tennessee-drag-race-star-eureka-singer-brandon-stansell-team-up-country-music-video-rupaul-drag-race/762669002/?from=new-cookie. 2018-07-14. live.
  25. Country Crooner Brandon Stansell Enlists Eureka O'Hara For Charming 'For You' Video: Premiere. Billboard. 2018-08-11.
  26. News: Zachary Quinto Just Made His Drag Debut — and You'll Never Guess Who His Drag Mother Is!. 2018-09-06. Hornet Stories. 2018-09-17. en-US.
  27. News: Zachary Quinto Got an Amazing Full Drag Makeover from 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queen Eureka O'Hara: WATCH - Towleroad Gay News. 2018-09-06. Towleroad Gay News. 2018-09-17. en-US.
  28. Kim Chi, Shangela, Trixie Mattel & More to Compete in 'RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-Slay Spectacular'. Billboard. 2018-11-02.
  29. Web site: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' 11 episode 1 recap: Which queen was sent packing on 'Whatcha Packin'? [UPDATING LIVE BLOG]]. 2019-02-28. Goldderby. en. 2019-03-01.
  30. Web site: 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Moves from VH1 to Paramount+; Lineup of Returning Queens Unveiled. 26 May 2021.
  31. Web site: August 14, 2021. Joey. Nolfi. Eureka took a lover (and a hard look at themself) on 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 6'. 2021-12-31. EW.com. en.
  32. Web site: 2021-08-26. RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 6 Episode 11 Recap: The Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent Monologues. 2021-12-31. IN Magazine. en-CA.
  33. Web site: 2021-08-26. Here's who made the final four of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 6. 2021-12-31. Gay Times . en-GB.
  34. Web site: Petski. Denise. November 5, 2019. HBO Orders Unscripted Drag Show Series We're Here. April 23, 2020. Deadline Hollywood.
  35. Web site: June 5, 2020. HBO Renews "We're Here" for a Second Season. The Futon Critic.
  36. Web site: September 9, 2021. HBO's Emmy-Nominated Unscripted Series "We're Here" Returns October 11. The Futon Critic.
  37. Web site: Cordero. Rosy. December 16, 2021. 'We're Here' Renewed For Season 3 At HBO. December 16, 2021. Deadline Hollywood.
  38. News: "Drag Race" Queen Eureka O'Hara Channels "Body Positivity" In Empowering New Single. LOGO News. 2018-05-08.
  39. 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queen Eureka O'Hara Promotes 'Body Positivity' on New Song: Premiere. Billboard. 2018-05-08.
  40. News: EXCLUSIVE: Eureka O'Hara Drops Epic Music Video Featuring Farrah Abraham After Shocking 'Drag Race' Episode. Entertainment Tonight. 2018-05-08. en.
  41. Web site: Rudolph. July 2, 2018. Christopher. Eureka O'Hara Wants You to Come Through for "The Big Girl". 2021-12-31. Logo News.
  42. Eureka's Tests Come Back Body-Positive in 'The Big Girl' Music Video. Billboard. 2018-07-26.
  43. News: 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queens Who Landed Entries on the Billboard Charts . Youtt . Henry . 2018-07-11 . 2018-07-23 . Billboard . 2018-07-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180718110708/https://www.billboard.com/photos/8463635/drag-race-queens-charts-record . live.
  44. News: If You're Wondering 'Where My Man At?' Manila Luzon and Eureka O'Hara May Know . 2018-11-16 . Lopez . David . . 2018-11-16 . dead . 2018-11-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181116224755/http://instinctmagazine.com/post/if-youre-wondering-where-my-man-manila-luzon-and-eureka-ohara-may-know .
  45. Web site: WOW PREMIERE: VELO's New Album 'Outcast' & Vid Feat. MANILA LUZON, VANESSA VANJIE MATEO, EUREKA O'HARA, DERRICK BARRY, Nebraska Thunderfuck & more!!! . 2018-11-16 . Dalton . Paisley . The WOW Report . . 2018-11-16 . live . 2018-11-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181116225459/https://worldofwonder.net/wow-premiere-velos-new-album-outcast-vid-feat-manila-luzon-vanessa-vanjie-mateo-eureka-ohara-derrick-barry-nebraska-thunderfuck-more/.
  46. Web site: "It's Time For Me to Be in the Spotlight:" After Coming Out as Trans, Eureka O'Hara is Ready to Fight. Them.us. Isabelle . Kliger. 2022-12-26. 2023-03-05.
  47. News: Eureka O'Hara excited to represent Johnson City on 'RuPaul's Drag Race'. Johnson City Press. 2018-05-08. en.
  48. Watch Eureka O'Hara Give a Pride Month Herstory Lesson on Divine. Billboard. 2018-08-11.
  49. RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race teases Masked Singer format for season 2 premiere. July 18, 2022. Joey. Nolfi. Entertainment Weekly. July 18, 2022. July 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220718185752/https://ew.com/tv/rupauls-secret-celebrity-drag-race-season-2-premiere-date-announced/. live.
  50. Trinity and Eureka: Fashion Photo RuView 537 . 2018-09-22 . Fashion Photo RuView . WOW Presents Plus . 2018-08-24 . 5 . 37 . 2018-09-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180922173703/https://worldofwonder.vhx.tv/fashion-photo-ruview/season:5/videos/trinity-eureka-vmas . dead .
  51. Eureka and Kameron: Fashion Photo RuView 541 . 2018-09-22 . Fashion Photo RuView . WOW Presents Plus . 2018-09-22 . 5 . 41 . 2018-09-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180922173624/https://worldofwonder.vhx.tv/fashion-photo-ruview/season:5/videos/fashion-photo-ruview-dolly-parton . dead .
  52. Bestie$ for Ca$h: Eureka and Kameron Michaels! . 2018-09-11 . Bestie$ for Ca$h . WOW Presents Plus . 2018-09-11 . 5 . 6.
  53. Eureka O'Hara COSMO Queens Cosmopolitan. YouTube. July 15, 2018. May 26, 2022.
  54. Eureka O'Hara & Aquaria Queen to Queen RuPaul's Drag Race. YouTube. July 1, 2018. May 26, 2022.
  55. Spillin' The Tea: 'Drag Race' Queens Expand on The Vixen's Dialogue on Racial Bias Billboard Pride. YouTube. June 20, 2018. May 26, 2022.
  56. Eureka O'Hara Gives a Drag Makeover Drag Me them.. YouTube. September 5, 2018. May 26, 2022.
  57. RuPaul's Drag Race Star Eureka O'Hara's Drag Transformation Tutorial Allure. YouTube. December 6, 2018. May 26, 2022.
  58. ICONIC with Brad Goreski: Eureka O'Hara. YouTube. July 2, 2019. May 26, 2022.
  59. Sibling Rivalry S2 EP11: The one with Eureka O'hara. YouTube. April 26, 2019. May 26, 2022.
  60. Web site: Whatcha Packin': Eureka! S6 Top 4 RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars . 2021-03-09. Youtube.com . 2021-03-09.
  61. Web site: Eureka's Divine Look Ruvealing the Look RuPaul's Drag Race AS6 . 2021-07-09. Youtube.com . 2021-07-09.
  62. DRAG RACE ALL STAR EUREKA O'HARA TELLS ALL! on Hey Qween! with Jonny McGovern Pt 1. YouTube. June 7, 2021. May 26, 2022.
  63. The Pit Stop AS7 E02 Bob The Drag Queen & Eureka O'Hara Are Here! RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. YouTube. May 24, 2022. May 26, 2022.
  64. göt2b's Take It To The Runway – That's So Metal Challenge Episode 1. YouTube. March 31, 2023. April 19, 2023.
  65. göt2b's Take It To The Runway – That's So Metal Challenge Episode 2. YouTube. April 2, 2023. April 19, 2023.
  66. Maren Morris Discusses Drag Bans & Trans Bills With Drag Queens & Kings Billboard Cover. YouTube. June 7, 2023 . 2023-06-07.
  67. VELO - Where My Man At ft Manila Luzon & Eureka O'Hara (Official Video). YouTube. November 16, 2018. September 19, 2022. August 19, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130819141428/http://https/. dead.
  68. Eureka O'Hara - Pretty Hot And Tasty (Official Music Video). YouTube. August 7, 2019. June 28, 2021.
  69. Eureka O'Hara - Come Together (Official Music Video). YouTube. February 18, 2022. June 28, 2021.
  70. Eureka O'Hara - WERQ! (Official Music Video). YouTube. February 18, 2022. May 26, 2022.
  71. Web site: Kylie Sonique Love - True Colors (Official Video). . May 18, 2023.
  72. Web site: Drag Royalty Nominees . The Queerties . 25 January 2023.
  73. Web site: Voyles . Blake . September 12, 2023 . 83rd Peabody Award Winners . September 12, 2023.

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