Willam Belli Explained

Willam Belli
Birth Date:June 30, 1982
Birth Place:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Module:
Embed:yes
Instrument:Vocals
Label:Self-released
Embed:yes
Channel Name:noextrai
Channel Display Name:willam belli
Years Active:2002–present
Subscribers:931 thousand
Views:263.2 million
Silver Button:y
Stats Update:August 11, 2024

Willam Belli (born June 30, 1982),[1] mononymously known as Willam, is an American drag queen, actor, singer-songwriter, reality television personality, author, and YouTuber. Willam came to prominence as a contestant on the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race in 2012, but was disqualified in the "Frenemies" challenge.

Before appearing on Drag Race, Willam worked as an actor, most notably playing the recurring role of transgender woman Cherry Peck in Ryan Murphy's medical drama Nip/Tuck. She has continued to perform in a variety of films, television series and web series, often in drag. In 2018, she appeared in the critically acclaimed film A Star Is Born. For her performance on the dark comedy web series EastSiders, she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama Series.[2]

Since 2012, Willam has recorded three albums of comedy music, mostly consisting of parodies of popular songs. Her second album, Shartistry in Motion, debuted at number one on the Billboard Comedy Albums chart. Between 2012 and 2014, she recorded several songs as part of the group DWV (alongside drag queens Vicky Vox and Detox), including the parodies "Chow Down" and "Boy Is a Bottom", whose music videos were viral successes. Following the breakup of DWV, Willam formed another drag supergroup, the AAA Girls, with Courtney Act and Alaska Thunderfuck.

Early life

Willam Belli was born to Debbi Ruzic Belli[3] in Philadelphia. He is the younger of two children. He has a sister, Samantha.[3] [4] Belli states he is of Yugoslav and Italian heritage.[5] He lived in Florida for middle school and high school.[6] Belli's father worked at the Kennedy Space Center. His aunt is television director Mary Lou Belli.

Growing up, Willam frequently illustrated dresses, to which many people assumed that he wanted to become a fashion designer, but he asserted that he designed the garments with the intent to wear them himself. He later worked in costume design in theatre, and, at the age of 13, he was put in drag for the first time at a closing night party. From there, he would dress in drag to watch performances of The Rocky Horror Show, and was paid for a drag performance for the first time at the age of 16.[7]

Belli was overweight when he was young but lost the extra pounds by becoming vegetarian before being emancipated at 16.[8] Belli met his husband, Bruce, at nineteen. They were married on September 9, 2008.[9]

Career

2000–2008: Beginnings

Belli's first acting credit was as the role of a street hustler named Bart Jaker on two episodes of The District (2002) and his first TV appearance was on an episode of the game show Street Smarts.[6] [10] He later appeared in the TV series Boston Public, Cold Case, The Shield, My Name Is Earl and most notably Nip/Tuck as the transgender character Cherry Peck. Throughout the 2000s he would go on to play small roles in many television shows. He also had a small role in the film American Wedding.

In 2008, Belli was featured on the single artwork for the song "Breakin' Up" by Rilo Kiley.[11] He has also modeled as part of the Tranimal Master Class Workshop at the Machine Project, which was photographed by Austin Young.[12]

2009–2010: Drag career

Belli is a member of the band Tranzkuntinental, which made its debut at The Roxy in 2009. The band was started by Charlie Paulson and Xander Smith and features drag queens Detox, Kelly Mantle, Rhea Litré, and Vicky Vox.[13] [14]

In January 2011, he was featured in Rihanna's music video "S&M" along with Detox and Morgan McMichaels as back-up dancers.[15]

2011–2012: RuPaul's Drag Race and further success

World of Wonder contacted Willam's management asking for her to audition for the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.[6] She decided to apply after being rejected for an acting role in Don Johnson's pilot, A Mann's World, when the casting director of the pilot (which later went unaired), who had previously cast Willam in Cinema Verite, didn't cast her because she was not a "name". The role later went to Cara Cunningham.[7] In November 2011, Logo TV announced that Belli was among 13 contestants competing on the fourth season.[16] Fellow castmate Chad Michaels had competed with Belli in the California Entertainer of the Year Pageant in 2010.[17] Belli won the main challenges in the episodes "Float Your Boat" and "Frenemies", but was disqualified in the latter.[18] In the episode "Reunited", Belli stated that her disqualification was due to conjugal visits made by his husband in his hotel room.[19] By Belli's own account however, in the years since airing season 4, Willam has refuted the "official story" in multiple interviews.[20]

Belli's most recent reassertion about the circumstances of her disqualification is in an interview with YouTuber Joseph Shepherd in February 2019, where Belli claims that the 'so-called' official reason was just a fabrication by the show's creators for the purpose of portraying a more palatable scenario of Belli's departure from the show. In that interview, Willam claimed that the genuine reason for his removal was due to increasing hostilities and issues between the contestants and the crew, and that, whenever she had broken the rules, she would report it directly to production in hopes of being removed from the show. Willam claims that many members of the crew were rude and condescending towards the drag queens in general, with some of the crew members not even bothering to try to learn the contestant's names - sharing one example of a crew member repeatedly calling season 4 fellow contestant Latrice Royale "La-something", despite all the crew having cards with the photographs of the queens/contestants (in and out of drag) worn around their necks. At one point, Willam verbally barked at a production member for not knowing Latrice's name "just because (Willam) felt like it". Willam, along with cast members such as Royale and Chad Michaels, attempted to make a stand against the production members.[7]

Willam also claimed that, outside of filming hours, the queens weren't being adequately fed, noting that $75 was all that was allocated to feed the 12 contestants- Willam claims that this necessitated visits to the store for food. Willam also revealed that she frequently got other contestants high and/or drunk, attempted to steal items from the set such as feather fans and RuPaul-branded Ironfist shoes, and had access to a computer in her hotel room, which was outlawed by production, in order to run her "go-go boy side hustle". She has additionally claimed to have had sex in the bathroom of Micky's Weho, a local club, with producer Steven Corfe, whom she had previously made apologize to her for asking her to leave Untucked after Willam spoke out about "emotional manipulation" being done to Jiggly Caliente over the one-year anniversary of her mother's death. As the two were being escorted out of the bathroom after being discovered having sex, Corfe is said to have thrown a cup at the performer on stage that night, fellow Drag Race alum Raven, getting the two ejected from the club. Outside of the club, the duo ran into more World of Wonder staff members, including Drag Race producer Chris McKim (claimed by Willam to be Corfe's best friend), who had to physically separate the two, as they were still "making out". Weeks later, Corfe allegedly contacted Willam again and invited her out to lunch with the intent to chat with her and "get (Willam) back in with World of Wonder", of which Willam obliged. According to Belli, the conjugal visit story was made up by producers and Willam agreed to "go along with the excuse" so that "everyone looked okay".[21] [22] Belli used the publicity of his disqualification to release his single "Chow Down", which was a parody of Wilson Phillips' "Hold On" that addressed the 2012 Chick-fil-A same-sex marriage controversy. The song featured Detox and Vicky Vox.[23]

On March 12, 2012, she released her first single "Trouble", which was produced by RuPaul's Red Hot collaborator Tom Trujillo. The music video for the song was directed by porn director Chi Chi LaRue and premiered on Logo TV.[6] [24] On March 21, Belli released "The Vagina Song", a parody of "Billionaire" by Travie McCoy featuring Bruno Mars as his third single, which had been previously uploaded to YouTube in 2010. The music video was directed by Michael Serrato,[25] who also directed Belli's music video for "Chow Down".[23]

Belli released "Love You Like a Big Schlong" on April 29, 2012, which became a viral hit being viewed more than a million times on YouTube alone. Produced by Uncle Slam, the song parodies "Love You Like a Love Song" by Selena Gomez & the Scene. The song was inspired by Belli's loss to 7-year-old Eden Wood in a lip syncing contest during a segment of the 2012 NewNowNext Awards.[26]

In November 2012, Belli was featured with country music artist Drake Jensen on a cover of Tammy Wynette's "Stand by Your Man".[27] That same month, Belli self-released her debut album The Wreckoning via his website.[28]

Willam has claimed that she was originally cast on the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars in 2012, but was dropped from the cast two days before filming was scheduled to begin. The reason given to Willam by production was that they did not see her "having stakes or stories with any of the girls". Willam believes that she was dropped from the cast because of her appearance on RuPaul's Drag U a few months prior, which she had only appeared on because another queen, later claimed to be Phi Phi O'Hara, had allegedly failed her background check, and, as Willam believes that she would've had the "most stakes" with Phi Phi (who no longer could appear on the show), resulted in Willam being dropped from the cast. She has also stated that she believes her replacement in the cast was Mimi Imfurst. Phi Phi later appeared on the next season of All Stars.[7]

2012–2013: YouTube Career, "Boy Is a Bottom", and DWV success

Beginning in December 2012, Belli began a YouTube series associated with thestylishvids titled "Willam's Beatdown". A comedy segment involving insult humor and video reviews, the series would eventually be renewed for a second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth season that then premiered on Belli's self-titled channel. In January 2013, Belli would have his biggest viral hit with 20 million hits on YouTube alone, when he released "Boy Is a Bottom", featuring Detox and Vicky Vox, to coincide with the fifth season premiere of RuPaul's Drag Race.[29] Its timing and the use of social media made it a very well received release. The song is a parody of "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys and also features an altered version of the "breakdown" from "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" by En Vogue.[30] "Boy Is a Bottom" debuted at number six on Billboards Comedy Digital Songs, selling 3,000 downloads in its first week.[31]

On August 14, 2013, Belli was featured along with Shangela, Detox, Raven, Morgan McMichaels, Landon Cider, Shannel, and Courtney Act, in Lady Gaga's lyric video for her single "Applause".

Belli's trio, including Detox and Vicky Vox, called DWV, officially split in June 2014 due to a personal conflict between the members.[32]

2014–2017: American Apparel, Shartistry in Motion, first book, perfume, and talk show

Belli then became an American Apparel Ad Girl alongside Drag Race alumni Courtney Act and Alaska Thunderfuck 5000 which they supported with a single entitled, "American Apparel Ad Girls".[33] [34] They also released a second single together, "Dear Santa, Bring Me a Man" for the Christmas season.[35] [36]

On January 13, 2017, he released a solo version of the DWV hit "Boy Is a Bottom", in Spanish, entitled, "Es Una Pasiva",[37] which went on to top the comedy iTunes chart.[38] Belli self-released his sophomore studio album, Shartistry in Motion, on June 2.[39] [40]

Belli released his first book Suck Less: Where There's a Willam, There's a Way in October 2016 through Grand Central Publishing. In 2017, he released his first perfume collaboration with Xyrena, Scented by Willam.[41]

On May 18, 2017, it was revealed that Fullscreen had ordered a talk show to be hosted by Belli. Suck Less, billed as a weekly half-hour call-in show 'where Willam throws shade and shows how to slay the game of life in six-inch stilettos' is set to debut in the summer. Friends from Belli's everyday life, as well as some of his favorite drag queens are expected to put in guest appearances over the course of the 13-episode series.[42]

2018–present: A Star Is Born, West End Debut and other ventures

In 2018, Willam appeared in the critically acclaimed film A Star Is Born. Willam and fellow drag queen Shangela play queens working in a drag bar alongside Lady Gaga's character Ally when she's discovered by famous country singer Jackson Maine, played by Bradley Cooper. Willam's character, Emerald, is a Dolly Parton impersonator who flirts with Jackson. The dialogue in his scenes was mostly improvised, including a memorable moment in which his character has Jackson autograph her silicone breastplate. Bradley Cooper, who also directed the film, said that Willam and Shangela "blew his mind" with their ad-libbing.[43]

On July 18, 2018, the first episode of Belli's Drag Race-themed podcast co-hosted with Alaska Thunderfuck and entitled Race Chaser, was published on the Forever Dog Network.[44] In 2020 Alaska and Willam announced that they would be setting up their own podcast network in collaboration with Forever Dog, Moguls of Media (MOM), featuring a "star-studded roster of iconic drag queens and queer luminaries" to bridge "the past, present, and future of LGBTQ+ entertainment".[45] Podcasts established under the Moguls of Media brand and executive produced by Willam and Alaska include The Chop, hosted by Latrice Royale and Manila Luzon; Very That, hosted by Delta Work and Raja; Hi Jinkx!, hosted by Jinkx Monsoon; Famous This Week, hosted by Priyanka and formerly Brooke Lynn Hytes; Sloppy Seconds, hosted by Big Dipper and Meatball; Wanna Be On Top?, hosted by Shea Couleé; and Hall & Closet, hosted by Jaida Essence Hall and Heidi N Closet.[45]

In 2019, Belli launched his own makeup line, Suck Less Face & Body.[46] In June 2019, a panel of judges from New York magazine placed her ninth on their list of "the most powerful drag queens in America", a ranking of 100 former Drag Race contestants.[47]

In 2021, Belli was announced as the star of Iconic Justice, a courtroom show in which Belli will hear and rule on various legal and social disputes between LGBTQ people.[48]

In May 2021 Belli made their West End debut in the play Death Drop, an all-drag spoof on an Agatha Christie murder mystery billed as a "Dragatha Christie".[49] They reprised the performance on a tour across the UK[50] before returning to the West End in late 2022 to headline a sequel Death Drop: Back in the Habit again followed by a UK tour.[51] They reprised their performance in the original play when it premiered Off-Broadway in Summer 2023.[52]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2003Butch Queen
2004The Last ShotBus Stop Drag Queen
2005Screech of the DecapitatedMarta
2006Big TopRenee
Unbeatable HaroldAnita Boner
2007Because I Said SoTranssexual
2008Defying GravityLola
Dog TagsAlan
Transamerican Stewardess Nancy Needatwat
CrowdedCelesteShort film
Tranny McGuyverOfficer MacShort film
2009Sex Drugs GunsCandy
Tools 4 FoolsBlonde Drag QueenShort film
2010Barry MundayFeliciaUncredited
Ticked-Off Trannies with KnivesRachel Slurr
Silver LakeDarioShort film
Gaysharktank.comShort film
2011BlubberellaVadgealso co-writer
Vasyl Tishenko
2nd TakeBathroom Tranny
Someplace Better Than HereTravisShort film
2012The Newest PledgeSailor
Fun SizeQwerty
Lost AngelesBobalso known as City of Jerks
The WatchOliviaUncredited
Fake Fingernails, Cash and ViagraFranklinShort film
2013X-RatedGeoffrey Gann/'Karen Dior'
Southern Baptist SissiesBennyTelevision film
2015MouthpieceDiva Bell
HollywoodChampagne
2016Kicking Zombie Ass for JesusBeth Ann-Fetterman
Hurricane BiancaBailey
2018Joey StefanoGeoffrey Gann/'Karen Dior'
A Star Is BornEmerald
Miss ArizonaDestiny
2019Blue CallShineeda Drink
After BirthTammy
Swipe Left
A Very Sordid WeddingHerself
Girls Will Be GirlsProsecutor
HerselfDocumentary
Dead Don't Die in DallasBeth-Anne Fetterman

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2002The DistrictDarrin Jacobs2 episodes
2003Boston PublicMikeEpisode: "Chapter Fifty-Eight"
2004The ShieldColtEpisode: "Posse Up"
2004–06Nip/TuckCherry Peck5 episodes
2005My Name Is EarlD.J.Pilot
2006SavedTippiEpisode: "Living Dead"
2007Women's Murder ClubSasha SimoneEpisode: "To Drag & To Hold"
Candy DarlingEpisode: "The Lying Game"
American Body ShopWandaEpisode: "Stretchy Face"
2009Criminal MindsWalter PattersonEpisode: "To Hell... and Back"
SouthlandShielaEpisode: "See the Woman"
2011Cinema VeriteCandy DarlingTelevision film
2012RuPaul's Drag Race (season 4)HimselfContestant (7th place)
Himself10 episodes
RuPaul's Drag UProfessorEpisode: "Ex-Beauty Queens"
[53] DahliaEpisode: "Code Blue Plate Special"
2013The New NormalNana Drag QueenEpisode: "The Goldie Rush"
She's Living for This[54] HerselfSeason 2, Episode 1
2015International DeskNassimeEpisode: "Alps Plane Crash"
Reenactment
2016, 2018Hit the FloorHerselfSeason 3, Episode 6: "Carrying"
Season 4, Episode 4: "Number's Up"
2016–2018@midnight with Chris HardwickHerselfSeason 4, Episode 27
2017When We RiseJason SnyderSeason 1, Episode 4 and 5
The Twins: Happily Ever After?Herself/LandlordEpisodes: "Happily NEVER After?" and "Hoff and Running..."
DragulaGuest JudgeSeason 2, Episode 1
Difficult PeopleKashtonEpisode: "The Silkwood"
2018Work MomBobTelevision film
Super DragsLady ElzaVoice role
The Kominsky MethodCherryEpisode: "Chapter 8. A Widow Approaches"
2021Iconic JusticeJudge Willam5 episodes
2023Drag Me to DinnerHerselfHulu original[55]
Celebrity Family FeudHerselfGuest[56]
AccusedLayla Guest

Web

YearTitleRoleNotes
2009Road to the AlterJamieWorkingBug
2 episodes
2011Good Job, Thanks!ActressVimeo
Episode: "We All Need a Meeting"
A Series Of Unfortunate PeopleCamiWorkingBug/Dailymotion
Episode: "Bargain Birthday"
2012Squad 85Bar AttendeeYouTube/YOMYOMF
Episode 4
2012–13Transfashionable[59] HimselfYouTube/The Stylist
4 episodes
2012–2019EastSidersDouglas/Gomorrah Ray/Amber AlertVimeo/Logo TV/Netflix
13 episodes
Indie Series Awards Best Guest Actor — Drama (2016)[60]
2013Neil's Puppet Dreams[61] PerformerYouTube
Episode: Dream Bump
Willam's BeatdownHostYouTube/The Stylist
19 episodes
30 Days of WillamHostLogo TV
30 episodes
SnoreMaidFunny or Die
Parody of Downton Abbey set to "Vogue"
The Fairfax FileFlame LaToucheFunny or Die
Rambo, But GayDeputy MitchYouTube/Nerdist
2014Willam's This is not the BeatdownHostYouTube
26 episodes
Real World S#!t ShowHostMTV
12 episodes
JizSpoogeEpisode: "Jiz is Dead"
Episode: "Jiz Makes a CUMback"
Mean BoyzTeacherYouTube
Parody trailer of Mean Girls
HollywoodlandDinner GuestYouTube
Episode 1
Hey Qween!GuestYouTube
2014–presentBeatdownHostYouTube
70 episodes
Paint Me BitchYouTube
28 episodes
2015The Dinner BashHimselfEpisode 5: "Cocktails & Hens"
Episode 6: "Tranimal Cookies"
Gay of EverythingHimselfYouTube
1 episode
2015–16Shane and FriendsGuestSeason 3, Episode 6
Season 4, Episode 7
2015–17The WeHoansHimselfYouTube/City of West Hollywood
Parody of The Californians
7 episodes
Billium's WheatdownHimselfYouTube
11 episodes
2016Straight Outta OzHimselfYouTube
Music video: "Expensive"
Go-Go Boy InterruptedClub Pantherwarmth ManagerYouTube
2 episodes
2017Suck LessHostFullscreen
13 episodes
UNHhhhGuestYouTube
Episode 55
Not Too Deep with Grace HelbigGuestPodcast
2018–present¿Cómo Se Dice?HostYouTube
co-hosted with Rhea Litré
13 episodes
Race ChaserHostPodcast
co-hosted with Alaska Thunderfuck
2019ExposedGuestYouTube
Hosted by Joseph Shepherd
2020The X Change RateGuestYouTube
Hosted by Monet X Change
2023Tea Time with AttitudeGuestYouTube
With Crystal[62]
2023Sissy That Talk Show with Joseph ShepherdPodcast; GuestYouTube[63]

Music videos

YearTitleArtist(s)
2011"S&M"Rihanna[64]
2013"Applause" Lyric videoLady Gaga[65]
2016"Expensive"Todrick Hall[66]
2017"Power"Little Mix[67]
2018"Girly"John Duff[68]
2019"Star Maps"Aly & AJ[69]
2023"True Colors"Kylie Sonique Love[70]

Discography

Albums

TitleDetailsChart peaks
US
Comedy

[71]
The Wreckoning
Shartistry in Motion
  • Released: June 2, 2015
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download
1
Now That's What I Call Drag Music, Vol. 1[72]
  • Released: October 26, 2018
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download
4
"—" denotes a recording that failed to chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
Comedy
Digital

[73]
"Trouble"2012The Wreckoning
"Chow Down"
12
"The Vagina Song"
"Love You Like a Big Schlong"25
"She Doesn't Know"
"Let's Have a KaiKai"
"Stand by Your Man"
"RuPaulogize"
201314
"Potential New Boyfriend"
"Boy Is a Bottom"
6rowspan="6"
"Silicone"
"Blurred Bynes"
5
"That Christmas Song"
"Gaycation"
2014
"Hole Pic"
"Only Anally"Shartistry in Motion
"American Apparel Ad Girls"
10
"Dear Santa, Bring Me a Man"
"Es Una Pasiva"2015Shartistry in Motion
"Ride for AIDS"
12
"Thick Thighs"
3
"I'm Not a Pearl"rowspan="2"
"Uck Foff"201612
"AAA"
20172Access All Areas
"—" denotes a recording that failed to chart or was not released in that territory.

Tours

Bibliography

Awards and nominations

Daytime Emmy Awards

Belli was nominated for his performance on the Netflix dark comedy web series EastSiders at the 47th Daytime Emmy Awards.[2] |-|rowspan="2"| 2020|rowspan="2"| EastSiders || Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama Series || |-|| Outstanding Makeup || |-

NewNowNext Awards

Belli was nominated for his role on RuPaul's Drag Race at the fifth annual NewNowNext Awards which aired on Logo network on April 9, 2012. He lost to Nadia G. of Bitchin' Kitchen which airs on the Food Network Canada and the Cooking Channel.[75] |-| 2012| Willam Belli || Most Addictive Reality Star || |-

Queerty Awards

|-| 2019| rowspan="3"|Race Chaser| Podcast[76] | |-| 2020| Podcast[77] | |-| 2021| Podcast[78] | |-| rowspan="2"|2022| Willam Belli || Drag Royalty[79] || |-| Race Chaser|| Podcast[80] || |-| 2023| Access All Areas: The AAA Girls Tour| Documentary[81] | |-| 2024| Race Chaser| Podcast[82] | |-

Webby Awards

|-|2020|Race Chaser|Podcasts - Television & Film[83] ||-

Notes and References

  1. News: Gay Times . Happy birthday, Willam! . Gay Times . 29 June 2016 . October 22, 2018 . October 22, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181022194025/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/41210/happy-birthday-willam/ . dead .
  2. Web site: NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR THE 47TH ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY® AWARDS. 2020-05-23. theemmys.tv. National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
  3. willam . CAAorIen6lv . Soon after taking this photo, my mother confiscated my tweezers. . May 10, 2020.
  4. bellidebbi . CvtDhIfN9wx . This is my first born! . August 8, 2023.
  5. Web site: Is Willam Belli your given name? . . October 8, 2013 . . October 25, 2018.
  6. Web site: Smith. Brian Bowen. Willam Belli: How to Break the Rules . Dirty. March 31, 2013. 2012.
  7. Web site: WILLAM: EXPOSED (The Full Interview) - Part 1 . . en. February 27, 2019 . July 13, 2023.
  8. Web site: Do you talk to your family know after getting emancipated? . . February 22, 2016 . Tumblr . October 25, 2018.
  9. Sources pertaining to Belli's husband:
  10. Web site: Willam Belli – IMDb. IMDb. March 31, 2013.
  11. Web site: Belli. Willam. Twitter / @willambelli: @KidsGoSplat yes I love Jenny .... Twitter. April 14, 2013. December 6, 2012.
  12. Web site: Tranimal Master Class Workshop on Vimeo. Vimeo. April 14, 2013. February 28, 2012.
  13. Web site: Lecaro. Lina. L.A.'s A Drag: The Reign of Raja, Tranzkuntinental (and Adam Lambert) On Stage and the Dance Floor. LA Weekly. March 22, 2013. May 2, 2011.
  14. Web site: Horbelt. Stephan. Scream Queens: Meet the Ghouls of Tranzkuntinental. Frontiers. March 22, 2013. October 13, 2011. October 24, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111024053728/http://www.frontiersla.com/Features/Highlights/Story.aspx?ID=1555194. dead.
  15. Web site: Belli. Willam. Season 2's Morgan McMichaels and season 4's Willam Belli with Rihanna for the "S&M" music video.. Tumblr. March 31, 2013. January 27, 2012.
  16. Web site: Jones. Arnold Wayne. Logo announces cast for Season 4 of 'RuPaul's Drag Race'. Dallas Voice. Voice Publishing Company, Inc. March 31, 2013. November 15, 2011. May 3, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150503001235/http://www.dallasvoice.com/logo-releases-cast-list-season-4-rupauls-drag-race-1094450.html. dead.
  17. Web site: Addams. Calpernia. California EOY 2010 – The Recap. Calpernia.com. March 30, 2013. December 26, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131226040109/http://www.calpernia.com/diary/california-eoy-2010-the-recap/. dead.
  18. Web site: Sava. Oliver. Float Your Boat. The A.V. Club. March 31, 2013. March 6, 2012.
  19. Stransky. Tanner. Controversial 'RuPaul's Drag Race' queen Willam explains disqualification: 'My husband was coming to bang me out' – UPDATED. Entertainment Weekly. March 31, 2013. May 1, 2012.
  20. Web site: Willam Finally Spills the Tea On His Drag Race Disqualification . Rose . Dommu . Out (magazine) . 2018-06-08 . 2021-06-18.
  21. Web site: Willam. Belli. 27 February 2019. WILLAM: EXPOSED (The Full Interview) - Part 1. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/ZW8pW9bURms . 2021-12-19 . live. Youtube.
  22. Web site: Bruno. Paul. Willam Belli: How to Break the Rules. dirty-mag.com. Dirty Magazine. 13 December 2014. May 2012. I was doing a show off-broadway by that point! It was called Jersey Shoresical. In fact, two days after I got kicked off of drag race I was in Jersey Shoresical in New York, pretty convenient, huh? And we won the Fringe Fest Audience Award. It's almost like it was planned....
  23. News: Willam Belli, RuPaul's Drag Race Star, Chats About Chick-fil-A and More. The Huffington Post. March 30, 2013. Lady Bunny. Lady Bunny. July 24, 2012.
  24. Web site: Spargo. Chris. Willam Returns To Logo With 'Trouble' . New Now Next. March 31, 2013. November 25, 2012.
  25. Web site: Debord. Matt. WATCH: What Willam Belli Would Do If He Was A Lady Down 'There'. Queerty. March 30, 2013 . October 27, 2010.
  26. Web site: Spargo. Chris . VIDEO: Willam, 'Love You Like A Big Schlong'. New Now Next. March 31, 2013. May 1, 2012.
  27. Web site: Video: Willam Goes Country With Help From Gay Artist Drake Jensen In "Stand By Your Man". https://archive.today/20130126070331/http://instinctmagazine.com/blogs/blog/video-willam-goes-country-with-help-from-gay-artist-drake-jensen-in-stand-by-your-man?directory=100011. dead. January 26, 2013. Instinct. March 31, 2013. November 9, 2012.
  28. Web site: Spargo. Chris . Go Buy Willam's Album, 'The Wreckoning'. New Now Next. March 31, 2013. November 18, 2012.
  29. Web site: This Boy Is A Bottom: Willam, Detox & Vicky Vox Return To Tackle Alicia Keys' 'Girl On Fire'. Instinct. March 31, 2013. January 28, 2013. April 11, 2013. https://archive.today/20130411034345/http://instinctmagazine.com/blogs/blog/this-boy-is-a-bottom-willam-detox-vicky-vox-return-to-tackle-alicia-keys-girl-on-fire?directory=100011. dead.
  30. News: 'Boy Is A Bottom' Music Video Parody From Drag Queens Of 'Chow Down (At Chick-Fil-A)' (VIDEO). The Huffington Post. March 31, 2013. January 28, 2013.
  31. Caulfied. Keith. 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Divas Debut in Top 10 on Billboard Dance Charts. Billboard. February 9, 2013. February 8, 2013.
  32. Web site: Johnson. Liam. US drag supergroup DWV split up. gaystarnews.com. June 15, 2014. 7 October 2014. March 6, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150306233555/http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/us-drag-supergroup-dwv-split150614. dead.
  33. Web site: Exclusive: Alaska, Courtney Act, and Willam Belli Team Up With American Apparel. September 11, 2014. August 6, 2017.
  34. Web site: American Apparel Ad Girls with Courtney Act, Alaska 5000 and Willam #AAAgirls. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/1mhNedNUAa4 . 2021-12-19 . live. willam belli. September 30, 2014. August 6, 2017. YouTube.
  35. News: These Three Queens Have Just One Wish For Santa . Huffington Post . December 9, 2014.
  36. Web site: Dear Santa, Bring Me A Man – Alaska, Courtney Act & Willam. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/zudT4fu5cjc . 2021-12-19 . live. Courtney Act. December 8, 2014. August 6, 2017. YouTube.
  37. Web site: Willam. www.facebook.com. August 6, 2017.
  38. Web site: Willam. www.facebook.com. August 6, 2017.
  39. Web site: Willam Belli Wants To Get Thrown Out of Her Own Show. April 17, 2015. August 6, 2017.
  40. Web site: "Shartistry in Motion" by Willam on iTunes. iTunes. June 2, 2015. August 6, 2017.
  41. Web site: Willam's New Perfume Smells Like Sandalwood And Sex. Logo TV. 6 February 2017. 8 February 2017.
  42. Web site: Drag Queen Star Willam Belli to Host Fullscreen Talk Show as Part of Gay-Pride Content Lineup. Variety. 18 May 2017. 25 May 2017.
  43. Web site: How Shangela and Willam Dragged Up A Star Is Born. Vulture. 5 October 2019. 15 October 2019.
  44. Web site: Race Chaser - A Drag Race Podcast with Alaska & Willam . Forever Dog Podcasts . 15 September 2022.
  45. Web site: MOM Moguls of Media Podcasts . Forever Dog Podcasts . 15 September 2022.
  46. Web site: Drag Race Star Willam Belli Launched His Own Makeup Brand, and the Sparkle Is Absurd. Allure. 14 September 2019. 15 October 2019.
  47. News: The Most Powerful Drag Queens in America: Ranking the new establishment. . June 10, 2019 . June 10, 2019 . . June 10, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190610184458/https://www.vulture.com/2019/06/most-powerful-drag-queens-in-america-ranked.html . live.
  48. Joey Nolfi, "Willam is now an official Judgey Judy in new court show Iconic Justice". Entertainment Weekly, August 20, 2021.
  49. Web site: Latrice Royale and Willam to Make West End Debut in Death Drop Reopening. 2023-10-13.
  50. Web site: Death Drop 2021 tour tickets, dates, venues and cast . August 28, 2021 .
  51. Web site: Drag Race icons Willam and Cheryl Hole are starring in drag murder mystery show Death Drop . September 22, 2022 .
  52. Web site: 'Death Drop' with 'Drag Race' Stars Jujubee, Willam and Shuga Cain Heads to New York (EXCLUSIVE) . April 20, 2023 .
  53. Web site: "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" Code Blue Plate Special (TV Episode 2012) - IMDb. IMDb.
  54. Web site:
      • She's Living For This**
    . here TV. October 20, 2013. August 23, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130823144557/http://heretv.com/sheslivingforthis/episodes/201.php. dead.
  55. News: 'Drag Me To Dinner': Hulu Announces Premiere Date For Unscripted Series From Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka. Rice. Lynette. May 1, 2023. Deadline.com. May 2, 2023. en.
  56. News: Willam, Manila, Symone, Ben, & Bianca will be on Celebrity Family Feud. May 15, 2023. www.reddit.com. May 17, 2023. en.
  57. Web site: Comedian Drew Droege and RuPaul's Drag Race Star Willam to Join Titanique Off-Broadway . Masserson . Meg . Gans . Andrew . playbill.com . . August 26, 2023.
  58. willam . CwYi4_ZOSSa . ️ @titaniquemusical asked me to come aboard as a maritime consultant for the show due to the fact that you already know my boat is pretty (my boat is the best). . August 25, 2023.
  59. Web site: Anderson-Minshall. Diane. WATCH: RuPaul's Willam Belli on Transfashionable Drag Makeover. The Advocate. March 31, 2013. October 14, 2012.
  60. Web site: The Best of Indie TV 2014: 25 Networks, Series and Creatives Worth 5 Minutes of Your Time . Christian . Aymar Jean . January 24, 2015 . . . October 25, 2018.
  61. Web site: Joe Manganiello, Willam, Detox & David Burtka Appear In The Latest Webisode Of Neil's Puppet Dreams. Instinct. March 31, 2013. January 8, 2013. January 27, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130127113230/http://instinctmagazine.com/blogs/blog/joe-manganiello-willam-detox-david-burtka-appear-in-the-latest-webisode-of-neil-s-puppet-dreams?directory=100011. dead.
  62. Web site: Drag Race's Willam roasts British drag queens, RuPaul and her last shag. YouTube. April 5, 2023. April 3, 2023.
  63. February 14, 2023 . WILLAM Sissy That Talk Show with Joseph Shepherd Episode 4 . Moguls of Media . . June 14, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230202170138/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKyCM-YDQ7s . February 2, 2023 . live.
  64. Web site: MEET ALL 30 OF MILEY'S DAY-GLO DANCERS FROM HER INSANE VMA PERFORMANCE . https://web.archive.org/web/20150831110139/http://www.mtv.com/news/2256541/meet-miley-vma-dancers-drag-queens/ . dead . August 31, 2015 . Lamour . Joseph . August 31, 2015 . . . October 25, 2018.
  65. Web site: RuPaul's Drag Race star Shangela set to bring one-woman show to Birmingham . Stanley . Rebecca . January 10, 2018 . . . October 25, 2018.
  66. Web site: Todrick Hall Revisits 'Straight Outta Oz' With A Semi-Unnecessary Deluxe Edit . Brown . Jonathan . March 22, 2017 . . October 25, 2018.
  67. Web site: Alaska, Courtney Act, Willam Will Have The "Power" In New Little Mix Video. NewNowNext. 6 June 2017. 6 June 2017. Salandra. Anam.
  68. Web site: In 'Girly,' Singer John Duff Strikes Pop Diva Poses To Challenge Gender Norms . Wong . Curtis M. . September 12, 2018 . . . October 25, 2018.
  69. Watch Aly & AJ's 'Star Maps' music video featuring stars from Shameless, Drag Race, Silicon Valley, The Goldbergs, and more . Huff . Lauren . June 12, 2019 . . June 12, 2019.
  70. Web site: Kylie Sonique Love - True Colors (Official Video). . May 18, 2023.
  71. Billboard Chart Archive. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. May 17, 2015. To access, type "Willam" in the artist bar, then select "Comedy Albums" in the chart name bar.
  72. Web site: Now That's What I Call Drag Music, Vol .1 by Willam on iTunes . . October 2018 . Apple Music . October 25, 2018.
  73. Billboard Chart Archive. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. May 17, 2015. To access, type "Willam" in the artist bar, then select "Comedy Digital Tracks" in the chart name bar.
  74. Web site: Drag Queens Willam, Alaska, Courtney Act Hit The Road For Fullscreen-Produced Tour . Gutelle . Sam . August 21, 2017 . . September 30, 2017.
  75. Web site: 2012 NewNowNext Awards. Logo TV. March 31, 2013. March 17, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130317175450/http://www.logotv.com/events/newnownext_awards/2012/categories/most-addictive-reality-star/. dead.
  76. Web site: And the winners of the 2019 Queerties are... . Queerty . February 27, 2019 . 22 April 2022.
  77. Web site: Podcast Winners 2020 . The Queerties . March 1, 2023 . April 22, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220422123008/https://www.queerty.com/Queerties2020/vote-2017 . dead .
  78. Web site: Podcast Winners . The Queerties . 22 April 2022 . March 3, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220303163538/https://www.queerty.com/Queerties2021/vote-2107 . dead .
  79. Web site: 'The 2022 Queerties. Cheat Sheet. February 24, 2022. March 31, 2022. May 26, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220526025239/https://www.queerty.com/Queerties2022/vote-2202-drag-royalty. dead.
  80. Web site: 'The 2022 Queerties. Cheat Sheet. February 24, 2022. March 31, 2022. January 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220130123103/https://www.queerty.com/Queerties2022/vote-2211-podcast. dead.
  81. Web site: Documentary Winners . The Queerties . 1 March 2023.
  82. Web site: @Queerty: "The #Queerties are here! Congrats to @Alaska5000 & @willam, nominees for PODCAST OF THE YEAR for @racechaserpod . Vote for all your #LGBTQ+ favorites once a day until voting closes on February 22nd!" . Twitter . 24 January 2024.
  83. Web site: Race Chaser . The Webby Awards . 5 September 2023.