DiDa Ritz explained

DiDa Ritz
Birth Name:Xavier Hairston
Birth Date:December 20
Nationality:American
Occupation:Drag queen
Television:RuPaul's Drag Race (season 4)

DiDa Ritz is the stage name of Xavier Hairston,[1] an American drag performer who competed on season 4 of RuPaul's Drag Race. Dida Ritz is based in Chicago, where she performs regularly and hosts Drag Race viewing parties. Her performance of "This Will Be" by Natalie Cole during a lip-sync contest has been deemed among the show's best.

Early life

Xavier Hairston was raised by a pastor in Lansing, Michigan.[2] He moved to Chicago after graduating from high school.[3]

Career

Hairston performs in drag as DiDa Ritz. She competed on season 4 (2012) of RuPaul's Drag Race, and performed regularly at Chicago's Hydrate Nightclub at the time. In 2017, DiDa Ritz attended the "Fashion Does Drag" Ball, hosted by former Drag Race judge Marc Jacobs during New York Fashion Week.[4] She performed in the drag show "Black Girl Magic" with Drag Race contestants Asia O'Hara, Mayhem Miller, Shea Couleé, and The Vixen, in Detroit in 2018.[5]

In 2020, DiDa Ritz participated in RuPaul's Digital DragCon, which replaced RuPaul's DragCon LA because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] She also joined the thousands participating in the Drag March for Change, "[demanding] justice for the multiple black people who have died due to police brutality," emphasizing members of the LGBTQ+ community.[7] Additionally, she was in the line-up for an online benefit concert, organized by the Chicago Artists' Relief Fund and Rattleback Records, for artists (especially those of color) unemployed due to COVID-19.[8] DiDa Ritz also performed regularly at Chicago's gay bar and nightclub Berlin; according to The New York Times, in 2020, she helped lead a demonstration from the club along Halsted Avenue, demanding better pay and working conditions for drag performers.[9]

DiDa Ritz has continued to host LGBT events and tour throughout the United States. In 2021, Out included her in a list of the top 30 "movers and shakers" in queer nightlife.[10] As of 2021, she has hosted RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars viewing parties at Hydrate Nightclub.[11] In 2022, she performed at Pridefest in Bloomington, Indiana,[12] and at the Official Unofficially Official Club Renaissance Party, which was organized the same weekend as Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour in Chicago.[13]

RuPaul's Drag Race

On Drag Race, DiDa Ritz did not win any main challenges and placed sixth overall. On the third episode, she placed in the bottom two of an infomercial challenge[14] and defeated The Princess in a lip-sync to "This Will Be" (1975) by Natalie Cole, who was serving as a guest judge. DiDa Ritz impersonated Wendy Williams for the Snatch Game challenge.[15] She was eliminated on the ninth episode, which featured a comedy challenge in the form of a "Frock the Vote" debate. She placed in the bottom two and lost the lip-sync battle against Latrice Royale to "I've Got to Use My Imagination" (1973) by Gladys Knight & the Pips.[16]

DiDa Ritz was at times ostracized by judges and fellow contestants as "not perpetuating the hyper-glamorized look of professional drag", leading to her portrayal by editors as the antagonist within the context of the show.[17] Despite this, her high points within the season included the aforementioned rendition of "This Will Be", judged by Cole herself, who engaged in a call-and-response duet with DiDa Ritz. Her performance mimed Cole's wide-eyed expressions and rhythmic dancing as Cole ad-libbed along, gospel-style. According to author Jennifer O'Meara, Cole's response to the performance "can be read as a validation that such lip-synching, with its corresponding 'body talk', takes real skill".[18]

The "This Will Be" lip-sync has been described by PinkNews and Pride.com as the best of the season and among the best of all time.[19] [20] [21] Pride.com said DiDa Ritz "gave her all to every single lyric and beat in the song. The Princess didn't do poorly, but DiDa Ritz gave us a legitimate lip sync masterclass!" Latrice Royale described DiDa Ritz's performance as "high drag at its finest".[22] In 2018, Drag Race contestant Alyssa Edwards said the lip-sync was among her top five favorites from the show.[23] [24] In The Spinoff 2019 "definitive ranking" of Drag Race lip-syncs to date, Sam Brooks ranked DiDa Ritz's battles against Latrice Royale and The Princess numbers 35 and 20 out of 162, respectively. Brooks called the "This Will Be" lip-sync "one of the most joyous ... of all time" and wrote, "Not only does DiDa Ritz channel Natalie Cole in her prime, she confirms herself as a contender here. It's a perfect match of song, energy and performer, only marred by the queen she has to share the stage with".[25]

In Bustle 2021 list of 17 lip-syncs "that left RuPaul and viewers gagged", Mary Kate McGrath said DiDa Ritz delivered "pure joy" and was the season's "lip-sync assassin". In his 2021 list of the ten best "one-sided" lip-syncs, Screen Rant Ben Orosz wrote:

In 2022, the website's Cailyn Szelinski said the performance "cemented her place as one of the most entertaining Drag Race queens who deserved more recognition on their season",[26] and Out included the lip-sync in a list of the show's seven best performances, according to judge Michelle Visage.[27]

Personal life

Hairston is based in Chicago, and has also lived in Detroit.

DiDa Ritz's name is inspired by Dita Von Teese.[28] She is a member of the House of Hall, a drag "family" which also includes fellow Drag Race contestants Jaida Essence Hall, Kahmora Hall, and Naysha Lopez.[29]

Filmography

Television

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dida Ritz Booking Agent Talent Roster . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221206093738/https://mn2s.com/booking-agency/talent-roster/dida-ritz/ . 2022-12-06 . 2023-12-14 . MN2S.
  2. News: Nunn . Jerry . January 18, 2012 . DiDa Ritz: DiDa Ritz interview with ChicagoPride.com . GoPride Chicago . live . December 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210302074755/https://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/I328144 . March 2, 2021.
  3. Web site: Erbentraut . Joseph . 2012-04-05 . Local 'Drag Race' Diva Dishes On Reality TV Success . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200809035645/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/my-chicago-dida-ritz-rupa_n_1403814 . 2020-08-09 . 2023-12-14 . . en.
  4. Web site: Munzenrieder . Kyle . 2017-09-08 . All the Pictures From Marc Jacobs and RuPaul's Drag Ball at New York Fashion Week . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231223153708/https://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/marc-jacobs-rupaul-drag-ball-new-york-fashion-week-in-pictures . 2023-12-23 . 2023-12-14 . . en . 0162-9115 . 1781845.
  5. Web site: Baetens . Melody . 2018-07-11 . Entertainment calendar: Things to do this week in town . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231223153705/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/2018/07/11/entertainment-calendar-things-week-metro-detroit-festivals-concerts/36797685/ . 2023-12-23 . 2023-12-14 . . . en-US . 1055-2715.
  6. Web site: Greenfield . Beth . 2020-05-15 . How out-of-work drag performers are lifting fans up through online pandemic shows: 'A time to be creative' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230330055836/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/drag-performers-lifting-fans-up-through-online-pandemic-shows-204412195.html . 2023-03-30 . 2023-12-14 . . en-US.
  7. Web site: Barnes . Paige . 2020-06-17 . Drag March for Change addresses intersectionality of race, sexuality, gender . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230603183307/https://columbiachronicle.com/drag-march-for-change-addresses-intersectionality-of-race-sexuality-gender . 2023-06-03 . 2023-12-14 . . Columbia College Chicago.
  8. Web site: Polk . Milan . 2020-07-02 . Dida Ritz, Glitter Moneyyy and more performing in a benefit concert . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220221134738/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ent-covid-artists-benefit-0701-20200702-m4psigxt55aqdotb4df6tiwrya-story.html . 2022-02-21 . 2023-12-14 . . . 7960243.
  9. News: Schmall . Emily . 2023-12-01 . Labor Dispute Closes Berlin, the Beloved Chicago Gay Bar . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231223094603/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/01/us/berlin-night-club-chicago-closed.html . 2023-12-23 . 2023-12-23 . . en-US . 0362-4331.
  10. Web site: Huley . Rachel . 2021-06-16 . Out at Night: Top 30 Names in Queer Nightlife . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230609054208/https://www.out.com/nightlife/2021/6/11/out-night-top-30-names-queer-nightlife . 2023-06-09 . 2023-12-14 . . en . 1062-7928.
  11. Web site: 2021-08-05 . RuPaul's Drag Race Viewing Party with DiDa Ritz on 8/5/2021 : Hydrate Nightclub events in Chicago . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210920181156/https://chicago.gopride.com/calendar/event.cfm/id/255834 . 2021-09-20 . 2023-12-14 . GoPride Chicago . EN.
  12. Web site: Stafford . Erin . 2022-08-22 . Bloomington PRIDE to present drag performers DiDa Ritz, Saint at annual Pridefest Aug. 27 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230731153523/https://www.idsnews.com/article/2022/08/bloomington-pride-to-present-drag-performers-dida-ritz-and-saint-at-annual-pridefest-aug-27 . 2023-07-31 . 2023-12-14 . . . en-US.
  13. Web site: Waxman . Naomi . 2023-07-19 . Where to Drink and Dance Through Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour Weekend in Chicago . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230727221616/https://chicago.eater.com/2023/7/19/23799327/beyonce-renaissance-tour-chicago-bars-specials-pop-ups-events-soldier-field . 2023-07-27 . 2023-12-14 . . . en.
  14. Web site: Peikert . Mark . 2012-02-14 . Recap: RuPaul's Drag Race Episode 3 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120501130122/http://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2012/02/14/recap-rupauls-drag-race-episode-3 . 2012-05-01 . 2023-12-14 . Out . en.
  15. Web site: Yang . Bowen . Rogers . Matt . 2018-05-03 . Every Snatch Game Impersonation on RuPaul's Drag Race, Ranked . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200806061508/https://www.vulture.com/article/rupauls-drag-race-snatch-game-impressions-ranked.html . 2020-08-06 . 2023-12-14 . . Vox Media . en.
  16. Web site: Peikert . Mark . 2012-03-27 . Recap: RuPaul's Drag Race Episode 9 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230609180650/https://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2012/03/27/recap-rupauls-drag-race-episode-9 . 2023-06-09 . 2023-12-14 . Out . en.
  17. Hodes . Caroline . Sandoval . Jorge . RuPaul's Drag Race: A Study in the Commodification of White Ruling-class Femininity and the Etiolation of Drag . Studies in Costume & Performance . 1 December 2018 . 3 . 2 . 158 . 10.1386/scp.3.2.149_1. 158822215.
  18. O'Meara . Jennifer . 2021 . Body Talk and the Remediation of Women's Voices in RuPaul's Drag Race . . 61 . 1 . 80 . 10.1353/cj.2021.0073 . 243856267.
  19. Web site: Sim . Bernardo . 2023-09-06 . Ranking The Best Lip Sync of Each RuPaul's Drag Race Season . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230801205224/https://www.pride.com/drag-queens/drag-race-best-lip-syncs . 2023-08-01 . 2023-12-13 . . . en.
  20. Web site: Wratten . Marcus . 2023-12-09 . All 15 seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race US ranked from worst to best . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231210002141/https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/12/09/all-fifteen-seasons-of-rupauls-drag-race-us-ranked-worst-best/ . 2023-12-10 . 2023-12-14 . . en-US.
  21. Web site: Sim . Bernardo . 2023-03-13 . Fan-Casting An All-Robbed Queens Season of 'Drag Race All Stars' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231004025711/https://www.pride.com/drag-queens/drag-race-robbed-queens . 2023-10-04 . 2023-12-13 . Pride.com . en.
  22. Web site: McGrath . Mary Kate . 2021-08-19 . 17 Sickening 'Drag Race' Lip-Syncs That Left RuPaul & Viewers Gagged . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231204222936/https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/rupauls-drag-race-lip-sync-all-stars-winners-best-performances/amp . 2023-12-04 . 2023-12-14 . . en.
  23. Web site: Damshenas . Sam . 2018-10-04 . Alyssa Edwards on her Netflix series Dancing Queen and 'living a Hannah Montana life' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220808155746/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/alyssa-edwards-on-her-netflix-series-dancing-queen-and-living-a-hannah-montana-life/ . 2022-08-08 . 2023-12-14 . . en-GB . 0950-6101.
  24. Web site: Damshenas . Sam . 2018-10-31 . Alyssa Edwards spills the T on her five favourite Drag Race lip syncs . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220808155218/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/alyssa-edwards-spills-the-t-on-her-five-favourite-drag-race-lip-syncs/ . 2022-08-08 . 2023-12-14 . Gay Times . en-GB.
  25. Web site: Brooks . Sam . 2019-10-03 . A definitive ranking of all 162 Lip Syncs on RuPaul's Drag Race . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230525074940/https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/03-10-2019/a-definitive-ranking-of-all-162-lip-syncs-on-rupauls-drag-race . 2023-05-25 . 2023-12-14 . . en.
  26. Web site: Szelinski . Cailyn . 2022-12-08 . RuPaul's Drag Race: 10 Best Lip Syncs In Any Series, According To Reddit . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230623192258/https://screenrant.com/drag-race-best-lip-syncs-according-to-reddit/ . 2023-06-23 . 2023-12-14 . Screen Rant . en.
  27. Web site: Ermac . Raffy . 2022-03-01 . The 7 Best 'Drag Race' Performances Ever, According to Michelle Visage . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230601191539/https://www.out.com/television/2022/3/01/7-best-rupauls-drag-race-lip-syncs-performances-ever-all-time-according-to-michelle-visage . 2023-06-01 . 2023-12-14 . Out . en.
  28. Web site: 2020-08-27 . On Point With: DiDa Ritz . 2023-12-14 . Thotyssey . en . 2023-06-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230602185343/https://thotyssey.com/2020/08/27/on-point-with-dida-ritz/ . live .
  29. Web site: Street . Mikelle . 2021-01-07 . A Complete Guide to Drag Families in 'Drag Race' Season 13 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210127052859/https://www.out.com/drag/2021/1/07/complete-guide-drag-families-drag-race-season-13 . 2021-01-27 . 2023-12-14 . Out . en.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "DiDa Ritz".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.