Naysha Lopez Explained

Naysha Lopez
Birth Name:Fabian Rodriguez
Birth Date:20 June 1984
Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation:Drag performer, beauty pageant participant
Television:
Awards:Miss Continental 2013

Naysha Lopez is the stage name of drag performer and beauty pageant winner Fabian Rodriguez (born June 20, 1984), who won the 2013 Miss Continental competition and appeared on the eighth seasons of both RuPaul's Drag Race and RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.[1]

Career

After competing on the beauty pageant circuit, Naysha Lopez won the 2013 Miss Continental competition.[2] [3]

Naysha Lopez competed on the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race in 2016,[4] [5] after building a drag career in Puerto Rico and Chicago.[6] She was the first queen eliminated, losing the lip sync battle to "Applause" by Lady Gaga against Laila McQueen.[7] Naysha was quickly brought back to the show for ep. 3 after a lackluster performance on ep. 2 by McQueen and Dax ExclamationPoint resulted in their dual-elimination;[8] Naysha subsequently placed in the bottom two again and lost another lipsync, this time against Chi Chi DeVayne to Blondie's "Call Me", and became the second queen on the show to be eliminated twice (after season 7’s Trixie Mattel).[9] [10] Queerty's Timothy Allen said she was "one of the most beautiful queens to ever compete on the show".[11] Similarly, Michael Cook of South Florida Gay News said she was "arguably one of the most stunningly gorgeous queens to ever stomp the runway" on the series, to date.[12]

At RuPaul's DragCon LA convention in 2018, Naysha Lopez and Tempest DuJour tied for "fan favorite" in the “RuPaul's DragCon Pageant”, an event where "queens who were eliminated first on their seasons battled it out for the crowd", according to Patrick Crowley of Billboard magazine.[13]

In 2021, Rodriguez was first runner-up in the Mr. Continental competition,[14] winning in the swimsuit category.[15]

In 2022, Naysha Lopez was among a group of drag queens who performed on-stage with Jennifer Lopez at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.[16] The performance was a "full-circle" moment for Naysha, as she has repeatedly expressed admiration for Lopez as an artist, performer and businesswoman on many occasions, posting on Instagram in 2019: "Jennifer Lopez will always be a huge inspiration for me and my drag. Her take on Fashion and work ethic is like no other."[17] In 2023, she returned and competed on the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars,[18] ultimately being eliminated on episode 2 after she placed in the bottom two contestants, alongside Kahanna Montrese. The surprise lip-sync "assassin" of the episode, Thai drag performer Pangina Heals, won in a lip-sync against challenge winner Jimbo to Cyndi Lauper's "She Bop", and, as she received the majority of the votes to be eliminated from the safe queens, Naysha was sent home, placing eleventh out of twelve queens.

Personal life

Rodriguez has a working class background,[19] and is a licensed cosmetologist.[15] His familial roots are in Puerto Rico. Rodriguez spent most of his life in Chicago, attending Lane Tech College Prep High School (graduating class of 2002), and, in 2023, was living on the city's Northwest Side and working in Lake View, also known as Boystown. She also lived in Belmont Cragin,[20] in 2016, and Elmwood Park, Illinois.[21]

As Naysha Lopez, Rodriguez hosts a popular weekly viewing party for RuPaul’s Drag Race, live-streamed from Chicago gay bar Roscoe's Tavern on YouTube. Along with co-hosts Kara Mel and Batty Davis, the event features anywhere from 2-4 guests, usually other queens from the show, as well as occasional judges from the series or other media personalities. Other guests at Roscoe's have included contestants and winners from Canada's Drag Race and RuPaul's Drag Race UK. The group gives intermittent commentary during and after the episode, with behind-the-scenes gossip and information often being revealed, hence there is a strict no-filming policy at the bar.[22] [23] [24] [25] [26]

Naysha Lopez is a member of the House of Hall, a drag family headed by pageantry icon Tajma Hall (1970–2014),[27] which includes fellow Drag Race contestants DiDa Ritz (season 4), Jaida Essence Hall (season 12 winner) and Kahmora Hall (season 13).[28]

As of 2024, Rodriguez is currently residing in Los Angeles, explaining in a podcast interview with fellow Drag Race alum Delta Work that he values the position hosting the viewing parties at Roscoe's Tavern (in Chicago) so much that he travels weekly between California and Illinois, stating: "I do my thing every week, and I have one of the best jobs, ever…Roscoe's has really stepped-up and shown appreciation for their talent."[29] Rodriguez is currently dating Jason Hughes.[30]

Discography

Singles

As featured artist

!Title!Year!Album
"Money, Success, Fame, Glamour" 2023[31]

Filmography

Television

Year! scope="col" style="width: 15em; class="unsortable"
TitleRoleNotes
2016RuPaul's Drag Race (season 8)Herself/Contestant9th place[32]
2018The JamHerselfGuest[33]
2023 (season 8)Herself/Contestant11th Place[34]
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars: Untucked

Web series

Year! scope="col" style="width: 15em; class="unsortable"
TitleRoleNotes
2016Meet the QueensHerselfStand-alone special
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8
2017Backhanded ComplimentsHerselfGuest[35]
2017VideoOutHerselfGuest[36]
2017Hey Qween!HerselfGuest[37]
2019Kiki with Kimora BlacHerselfGuest[38]
2019Out Of The ClosetHerselfGuest[39]
2022Naysha Lopez: White Sox Pride NightHerselfStand-alone special[40]
2022The Pit StopHerselfGuest[41]
2023Meet the QueensHerselfStand-alone special
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 8
2023EW News FlashHerselfGuest[42]
2023BuzzFeed CelebHerselfGuest[43]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Lopez . David . September 29, 2021 . Move Over Naysha Lopez, Fabian is Hottie of the Week . live . . 1096-0058 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221213192016/https://instinctmagazine.com/move-over-naysha-lopez-fabian-is-hottie-of-the-week/ . December 13, 2022 . January 15, 2023.
  2. Web site: Alonzo . Michelle Konopka . 2023-01-04 . Why Sasha Colby Is The One To Beat On RuPaul's Drag Race Season 15 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230114051807/https://screenrant.com/sasha-colby-beat-rupauls-drag-race-season-15/ . 2023-01-14 . 2023-01-16 . Screen Rant . en.
  3. Web site: Naysha Lopez wins Miss Continental 2013 title . 2023-01-16 . ChicagoPride.com . EN . 2021-10-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211020203539/https://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/46534225 . live .
  4. Web site: 2021-09-08 . 'Drag Race' Alum Naysha Lopez Won Mr. Continental 2022's Swim Category . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221213192020/https://www.out.com/celebs/2021/9/08/drag-race-alum-naysha-lopez-won-mr-continental-2021s-swim-category . 2022-12-13 . 2022-12-13 . . en . 1062-7928.
  5. Naysha Lopez Wins First Place in Swimsuit Category. Instinct. January 15, 2023. September 9, 2021. Denny. Patterson. December 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221213192016/https://instinctmagazine.com/naysha-lopez-wins-first-place-in-swimsuit-category/. live.
  6. Tenreyro . Tatiana . 2017-11-02 . Puerto Rican 'Drag Race' Alumni Talk Show's Impact on the Island Ahead of Benefit Concert . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211229145413/https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/puerto-rico-benefit-rupauls-drag-race-queens-8022331/ . 2021-12-29 . 2023-01-16 . . en-US . 0006-2510.
  7. Web site: Sim . Bernardo . 2022-01-15 . RuPaul's Drag Race: Every First Eliminated Queen In History . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220204021724/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-first-eliminated-contestant-ever-list/ . 2022-02-04 . 2023-01-16 . Screen Rant . en.
  8. Web site: Sim . Bernardo . 2019-10-07 . RuPaul's Drag Race: 5 Best Returning Queens Ever (& 5 Worst) . 2023-01-16 . Screen Rant . en . 2019-10-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191007225519/https://screenrant.com/rupaul-drag-race-returning-queens/ . live .
  9. Book: Drushel . Bruce E. . Sontag and the Camp Aesthetic: Advancing New Perspectives . Peters . Brian M. . 2017-02-15 . Lexington Books . 978-1-4985-3777-3 . en . 2023-01-16 . 2023-01-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230116024504/https://books.google.com/books?id=kHAKDgAAQBAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA229&dq=%22Naysha+Lopez%22&hl=en . live .
  10. Web site: 2023-01-06 . Every First-Eliminated Queen From 'RuPaul's Drag Race' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230112165314/https://www.out.com/television/2023/1/06/every-first-eliminated-queen-rupauls-drag-race . 2023-01-12 . 2023-01-16 . Out . en.
  11. Web site: Allen . Timothy . Don't F*ck With A Pageant Queen Or She Might Put Glass In Your Face Powder . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220119173454/https://www.queerty.com/dont-fck-with-a-pageant-queen-or-she-might-put-glass-in-your-face-powder-20160313 . 2022-01-19 . 2023-01-16 . Queerty. 13 March 2016 .
  12. Web site: Cook . Michael . Interview with Naysha Lopez After her Drag Race Elimination . 2023-01-16 . . en-gb . 2017-07-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170701010120/http://southfloridagaynews.com/Television/interview-with-naysha-lopez-after-her-drag-race-elimination.html . live .
  13. Crowley . Patrick . 2018-05-15 . 5 Highlights From RuPaul's DragCon LA 2018, Day 3: Porkchop's Ru-Demption, Miss Vangie & More . 2023-01-16 . Billboard . en-US . 2023-01-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230116024451/https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/rupauls-dragcon-la-2018-day-3-recap-8456083/ . live .
  14. Web site: Ermac . Raffy . 8 September 2021 . 'Drag Race' Alum Naysha Lopez Won Mr. Continental 2021's Swimsuit Category . www.Out.com.
  15. Web site: Dee . Jake . 2021-10-14 . RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8 Queens: Where Are They Now? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220427144544/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-season-8-where-are-they-now/ . 2022-04-27 . 2023-01-16 . . en.
  16. Web site: Here Are the Drag Queens Who Performed on Stage With Jennifer Lopez . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221213185350/https://www.pride.com/celebrities/2022/3/23/here-are-drag-queens-who-performed-stage-jennifer-lopez . 2022-12-13 . 2023-01-16 . Pride.com . Here Media . en.
  17. Web site: Lopez . Naysha . 23 October 2019 . Here is another one.... Jennifer lopez will always be a huge inspiration for me and my drag. ... . . …Jennifer lopez will always be a huge inspiration for me and my drag. Her take on Fashion and work ethic is like no other..
  18. Nolfi . Joey . April 20, 2023 . 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 8' cast of returning queens revealed . 2023-04-20 . . en.
  19. Book: Delgadillo . Theresa . Building Sustainable Worlds: Latinx Placemaking in the Midwest . Rivera-Servera . Ramon H. . Cadava . Geraldo L. . Fox . Claire F. . 2022-07-12 . University of Illinois Press . 978-0-252-05354-2 . en . 2023-01-16 . 2023-01-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230116024506/https://books.google.com/books?id=hkBzEAAAQBAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PT62&dq=%22Naysha+Lopez%22&hl=en . live .
  20. Web site: Will One of These Boystown Queens be the First Chicago Winner of 'RuPaul'? . 6 January 2016 .
  21. Web site: Naysha Lopez, A Fierce Queen Representing Chicago's All-Star Drag Scene .
  22. Web site: Chicagoan cut from 'RuPaul's Drag Race' for not knowing Lady Gaga song . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210718033720/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-chicagoan-cut-from-rupaul-s-drag-race-for-not-knowing-lady-gaga-song-20160308-story.html . 2021-07-18 . 2023-01-16 . Chicago Tribune. 8 March 2016 .
  23. Web site: Chicago performer gets second chance on 'RuPaul's Drag Race' . 2023-01-16 . Chicago Tribune . 22 March 2016 . 2023-01-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230114015500/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-rupauls-drag-race-naysha-lopez-20160322-story.html . live .
  24. Web site: Forman . Ross . Naysha Lopez, A Fierce Queen Representing Chicago's All-Star Drag Scene . 2022-12-13 . ChicagoPride.com . EN . 2022-12-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221213192015/https://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/112132225 . live .
  25. Web site: 2016-03-09 . Last Words With RuPaul's Drag Race's Naysha Lopez . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221213192010/https://www.advocate.com/television/2016/3/09/last-words-rupauls-drag-races-naysha-lopez . 2022-12-13 . 2022-12-13 . . en . 0001-8996.
  26. Web site: Forman . Ross . Naysha Lopez, A Fierce Queen Representing Chicago's All-Star Drag Scene . 2023-01-16 . ChicagoPride.com . EN . 2022-12-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221213195021/https://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/112132225 . live .
  27. Web site: Forman . Ross . 19 April 2014 . Lady Tajma Hall dies . . Tajma Hall, a Chicago-based entertainer who shined worldwide, died Saturday morning, April 19, of cardiac arrest at Evanston Hospital. She was 44..
  28. Web site: 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 . 2023-01-16 . Out . en.
  29. Web site: 29 April 2024 . Very Delta #89 "Are You Very Mami & Papi Like Me?" (w/ Naysha Lopez) . . Moguls of Media (YouTube channel).
  30. CszXMX-PxF3 . nayshalopez . In love ❤️ that's all ' that's the post !! . May 28, 2023.
  31. Web site: Money, Success, Fame, Glamour (Glam Rock Mix) . 2023-07-11 . . en.
  32. News: The Cast Of "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 8 Will Be Announced At New Now Next Honors. LOGO News. 2018-06-10.
  33. The Queens. . September 24, 2018 . April 22, 2023.
  34. RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 8 cast of returning queens revealed. April 20, 2023. Joey. Nolfi. Entertainment Weekly. April 20, 2023.
  35. BACKHANDED COMPLIMENTS with Bianca, Latrice, Bob, Gia, Jiggly, Jaidynn, and Naysha. . March 23, 2017 . April 22, 2023.
  36. VideoOut: Fabian Rodriguez (Naysha Lopez), Your Greatest Gift to the World. . June 30, 2017. April 22, 2023.
  37. NAYSHA LOPEZ on HEY QWEEN! with Jonny McGovern Hey Qween. . June 12, 2017 . April 22, 2023.
  38. Rupaul's Drag Race Season 11; Ep. 1 with NAYSHA LOPEZ - The Entrance Looks Kiki with Kimora Blac. . March 7, 2019. April 22, 2023.
  39. Naysha Lopez's Miss Continental Looks S2 E4 RuPaul's Drag Race Out Of The Closet. . May 14, 2019 . April 22, 2023.
  40. Naysha Lopez: White Sox Pride Night (2022) . . June 29, 2022 . April 22, 2023.
  41. The Pit Stop AS7 E04 Bob The Drag Queen & Naysha Lopez Are Serving! RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars . . June 4, 2022 . April 22, 2023.
  42. Naysha Lopez Jokes About Ugly Looks on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 8 Runway Entertainment Weekly. Entertainment Weekly. April 26, 2023. 2023-05-03.
  43. The Queens Of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 8" Play Who's Who. BuzzFeed Celeb. May 15, 2023. 2023-05-18.