House of LaBeija
The Royal House of LaBeija is a prominent drag family founded by Crystal LaBeija and Lottie LaBeija in 1968.[1] Crystal and Lottie established the House of LaBeija in response to the racially oppressive drag pageant system of 1960s America.[2] Their first event was called "Crystal & Lottie LaBeija presents the first annual House of Labeija Ball at Up the Downstairs Case on West 115th Street & 5th Avenue in Harlem, NY."[1] This is thought to be the birth of house culture within the ballroom scene—as it is known today.[3] Houses serve as alternative families, primarily for gay, gender nonconforming and transgender youth and others who feel ostracized from conventional support systems.[4]
House of LaBeija Film
On April 19, 2022, the Tribeca Film Festival announced that the House of LaBeija, a short film created by Fredgy Noël, would be featured at the festival.[5] The film pays homage to the Royal House of LaBeija through a series of letters from its members. The film casts Vivian LaBeija, Samil LaBeija, Krystal LaBeija, Jasmine Rice LaBeija, Bougie LaBeija, Jeffrey Bryant, and Diovanna LaBeija.[6][7]
House mothers and fathers
Like other drag families, the House of LaBeija is structured like a family, with a house “mother” and “father” who oversee and direct the group.
House Mothers
| Name | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crystal LaBeija | 1972–1982 | Founding House Mother |
| Pepper LaBeija | 1982–2003 | Performed against Avis Pendavis and Dorian Corey at "Legends Statements and Stars Part 1: Mother vs Mother"[8] |
| Kia LaBeija | 2017–2019[9] | |
| Samil Labeija | 2023- |
House Fathers
| Name | Tenure | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tommie LaBeija | 1986–2016[8] | ||
| Freddie LaBeija Powell | 2017–2020[10] | ||
| Soho LaBeija | 2021-2023 |
Notable members
| Name | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Junior LaBeija | Emceed "Paris Is Burning Ball" and "Avis Pendavis Presents: Autumn in the Fall," both in 1984[8] | |
| Andre Ovanhess LaBeija Revlon | Dec 1988 – 1992[8] | Founded the House of Mizrahi with Heidi Allure in 1992 |
| Gerald Dupree LaBeija | Attended "Legends, Statements, and Stars Part 2: Club Red Zone in 1990[8] | |
| Portia LaBeija McQueen | "Peppa LaBeija, Portia LaBeija McQueen and John Moschino yo McQueen Ball" held in 2000[8] | |
| Derek LaBeija | Appeared on "The Star and Buc Wild Radio Show" in 2005 to promote "How Do I Look?" film/documentary[8] | |
| Krystal LaBeija ~ (entertainer/producer) | 2012 – present[8] | Main feature in the Documentary 'PIER Kids: The Life'. She is the First Trans' 'SINGER' to appear on 'B.E.T.(Black Entertainment Television) and 'Apollo Live' in Harlem. WNBA Arizona Mercury - Dancer, Lead Role (Baby Simba) in 'Lion King', Writer & Cast in House Of LaBeija Short Film. She's a Certified Producer for MNN Studios (Manhattan Neighborhood Network) & co-owner of (GHMammalZ~ GHtv) & continues to Advocate for the POC Queer community through Media & Visual Arts & Productions. |
| Aja LaBeija | Appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 9, placing 9th, and All Stars 3, placing 7th. | |
| Joey LaBeija | DJ, producer, artist[11][12][13] |
Past events
| Event Name | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Peppa LaBeija and the House of LaBeija Presents: "The Royal House of Sunshine Balls"[8] | 1989 | |
| Tommie LaBeija Presents: "The House of LaBeija Ball"[8] | 1990 | |
| Tommie LaBeija Presents: "The Labeija Ball Honoring Peppa LaBeija[8] | 1998 |
References
- ^ a b Lawrence, Tim (2011). Listen, and You Will Hear all the Houses that Walked There Before: A History of Drag Balls, Houses and the Culture of Voguing. London: Soul Jazz. Archived from the original on August 26, 2018.
- ^ Iovannone, Jeffry J. (Jun 29, 2018). "Crystal LaBeija: Legendary House Mother". Medium. Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved Jan 12, 2019.
- ^ Street, Mikelle (August 19, 2016). "The Iconic Drag Queen Behind Frank Ocean's 'Endless'". Vice. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
- ^ Jones Chanel, Isla (March 26, 2015). "A GIF Guide to Voguing (+ Short History)". Standard Culture. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018.
- ^ "The House of LaBeija | 2022 Tribeca Festival".
- ^ "Here are all of the LGBTQ+ films at the 2022 Tribeca Festival!". 20 April 2022.
- ^ "Tribeca Festival Lineup Includes 'Corner Office' with Jon Hamm, Ray Romano's 'Somewhere in Queens', More". 19 April 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Burrus, Kevin Omni (April 30, 2015). "Harlem Ballroom Historic Timeline". Archived from the original on December 27, 2018.
- ^ Graham, Annabel (January 18, 2018). "The Underside of Glamour: An Interview of Kia LaBeija". Autre Magazine. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
- ^ Silva, Horacio (December 12, 2018). "Kia LaBeija Is Remodeling One of Ballroom's Legendary Houses For the Future". W Magazine. Archived from the original on December 12, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
- ^ Michael, Michael Love (16 May 2019). "Joey LaBeija Is Poised To Become the Puerto Rican Robyn". Paper Magazine. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
- ^ Cliff, Aimee (18 August 2015). "Joey LaBeija Bares His Soul On His Debut Album Shattered Dreams". THE FADER. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
- ^ "Premiere: Joey LaBeija – Joey's Inferno". Dummy. 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
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