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Alaska Thunderfuck
Thunderfuck performing in Denver with The AAA Girls, October 2017
Born
Justin Andrew Honard

Erie, Pennsylvania
Other namesAlaska, Alaska Thunderf*ck 5000, Alaska 5000, Alaska Thunderfun
Alma materUniversity of Pittsburgh
Occupations
Known forRuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 2) winner
PredecessorChad Michaels
Websitealaskathunderfuck.com

Alaska Thunderfuck (also known mononymously as Alaska, or as Alaska Thunderfuck 5000, Alaska 5000; is the stage name of Justin Andrew Honard,[1] an American drag performer and recording artist. Alaska is best known for competing in the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, where she was a runner-up. She later returned for the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, where she was crowned the winner.

Early life

Honard was raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Fort LeBoeuf High School in 2003.[2][1] He studied theater at the University of Pittsburgh.[3] Honard has a half-brother named Cory Binney, with whom he stars in a World of Wonder web series, Bro'Laska. He also has an older sister Brooke, and a younger brother Ryan.[4]

Career

2007–2012: Career beginnings

Thunderfuck at Dayton Pride in 2010

Honard originally moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. Dissatisfied with the auditioning process, he turned to drag and got a job at the West Hollywood club, Fubar.[5] He frequently performed in the Trannyshack shows in Los Angeles.[6] In 2009, he performed in Palm Springs Gay Pride with Tammie Brown and Jer Ber Jones.[7]

She later went on to release her debut mixtape Glamtron. The mixtape included songs like "Gimme Some Food","The Gayest Thing You've Ever Seen","Cocaine", a cover version of American singer Britney Spears song "Circus" and the buzz single "Trannies Are Fierce".

Honard met future boyfriend Sharon Needles through Myspace in December 2009 and eventually moved back to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to live with him in 2010.[2] Along with Sharon Needles and Cherri Baum, he formed the band Haus of Haunt, which later evolved into a drag troupe based out of the bar the Blue Moon.[8] As part of the Haus of Haunt, he helped present the Pittsburgh debut° of fellow drag queen and recording artist Christeene Vale in 2013.[9] Alaska later impersonated Christeene for the music video "RuPaulogize" by Willam Belli.[10]

2013–2015: RuPaul's Drag Race

It was announced in November 2012 that Alaska Thunderfuck was among 14 drag queens who would be competing on the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, but would be known by the mononym Alaska.[2][11] He had previously auditioned every season for the show.[5] Alaska won the fragrance commercial-themed main challenge in the episode "Scent of a Drag Queen" and the main challenge for "Sugar Ball."[12][13] As part of the show, Alaska sang on the "We Are the World"-inspired song "Can I Get an Amen?". The song's proceeds helped benefit the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center.[14] In May 2013, during the season finale, Jinkx Monsoon was declared the winner and Alaska was declared the runner-up of the season, along with fellow competitor Roxxxy Andrews.

In October 2013, Alaska performed as Dr. Frank N. Furter in the Woodlawn Theatre's production of The Rocky Horror Show in San Antonio, Texas. RuPaul's Drag Race judge Michelle Visage and season four contestant Willam Belli also starred in the musical.[15]

Thunderfuck performing in 2013

Since appearing on RuPaul's Drag Race, Honard has toured and performed consistently, appearing in RuPaul's Drag Race Battle of the Seasons shows, the Drag Stars at Sea cruises, custom one-woman shows such as a Stevie Nicks tribute called "Stevie Forever", a cabaret show called "Red for Filth", and a holiday show called "Blue Christmas".[16][17][18] During the summer of 2014, she starred in a stage production of Sex and the City.[19] With brother Cory Binney, Honard has a web series sponsored by World of Wonder, called Bro’Laska.[20] Alaska recently became a spokesmodel for American Apparel alongside Willam Belli and Courtney Act.[21]

Honard has since pursued a music career, and released a string of singles, namely "Ru Girl", "Your Makeup Is Terrible", and "Nails". In June 2015, Alaska's debut album, Anus, was released to positive reviews. Singles from the album included "Hieeee" and "This is My Hair".[22][23][24][25][26]

2016-present: RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 2

In 2016, Alaska returned to Drag Race for the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.[27] She received some backlash due to some of her choices of eliminations, and her behavior towards the end of the competition. In response to the backlash, Alaska donated $5,000 to the charity Trans Kids Purple Rainbow and posted an apology video online. In the season finale, he was crowned the second winner of All Stars.[28][29][30]

On October 14, 2016, Alaska released her second album, titled Poundcake.[31] Three singles from the album have been released: "The T", "Stun", "Puppet".[citation needed] The album is named after the puppet challenge on RuPaul's Drag Race where Alaska and fellow contestant Lineysha Sparx created a rebellious puppet called Lil' Poundcake.[32] Alaska features other drag queens on his album such as Adore Delano, Jackie Beat, Miss Fame and Gia Gunn.[citation needed]

In October, 2016 Alaska modeled in a fashion show held by the fashion brand, Marco Marco, which is known for its runways filled with people from the LGBT community. Alaska walked the runway while he performed her new hit "Puppet" live with backup dancers.[33] He mentioned that being a part of the Marco Marco fashion show is a dream come true for any drag queen.[34]

In August 2017, it was announced that Alaska would compete in the first season of VH1's Scared Famous, which premiered on October 23, 2017.[35]

Artistry

Alaska Thunderfuck is Jer Ber Jones's drag daughter.[36] Jones is noted for pioneering "tranimal" drag, which originated in Los Angeles and emphasized non-traditional drag influences such as Leigh Bowery and the Cockettes.[37] Honard's drag name is derived from Alaskan Thunderfuck, a strain of marijuana. Alaska counts Divine, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, and Marilyn Monroe as her main influences. Her drag character's back story revolves around being an alien from the planet Glamtron who crash-landed on Earth.[38][39]

Personal life

Honard originally lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and later moved to Los Angeles, California in 2014.

She was in a relationship with Sharon Needles for four years. During season four, Sharon explained that Alaska had auditioned for every single season of Drag Race, but that Sharon had made it through on her first try. Alaska later explained that while she was upset at first about Sharon's success, she decided it was better to be her biggest fan. They were announced as the drag race "royal couple" and "super couple" until Alaska and Sharon announced their separation on December 19, 2013, explaining that it was the best thing to do, and they are currently still friends.[40][41] Needles said, quote: “Due to the severe change not only in mine but Alaska’s life, the survival of our partnership relies on simply changing the word 'boy' in boyfriend to 'best.' And because of my severe vanity, I’d like to keep my social media as a place dedicated to my art, and not a place to talk about my personal life. RuPaul once said that people come into our lives for different reasons for different intervals of time. I will treasure the four years we had together.”

Other ventures

PayPal transference

Since 2015, Thunderfuck began offering most of her fans and followers a thousand-something taxes via PayPal as she revealed her obsession with transfering money via PayPal.[42][A]

While filming the seventh episode of the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars, Thunderfuck bribed fellow contestant (and main challenger winner of the episode; besides Detox) Katya Zamolodchikova to let her stay in the competition and not eliminate her and then Thunderfuck will give her $10,000 via PayPal.[43][44][45][46][47][48]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Details Peak chart positions
US
Dance
[49] 		US
Heat
[50] 		US
Indie
[51] 		BEL
(FL)
[52]
Anus 3 4 14 —
Poundcake
  • Released: October 14, 2016[citation needed]
  • Label: Producer Entertainment Group
  • Format: Digital download
 4 3 28 200

Singles

As lead artist

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Comedy
Digital
[54]
"Ru Girl"[citation needed] 2013 — Non-album single
"Your Makeup Is Terrible"[citation needed] 2014 — Anus
"Nails"[citation needed] —
"Hieeee"[citation needed] 2015 5
"This Is My Hair"[citation needed] —
"Gimme All Your Money"
(featuring Laganja Estranja)[citation needed] 		2016 —
"Anus"[citation needed] —
"Puppet"[citation needed] — Poundcake
"The T"
(featuring Adore Delano) 		—
"Stun"
(featuring Gia Gunn) 		2017 -
"Valentina" - Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that failed to chart or was not released in that territory.
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Comedy
Digital
[54]
"Can I Get an Amen?"[citation needed]
(Rupaul featuring Drag Race Season 5 Cast) 		2013 — Non-album single
"I Look Fuckin' Cool"[citation needed]
(Adore Delano featuring Alaska Thunderfuck) 		2014 — Till Death Do Us Party
"American Apparel Ad Girls"[citation needed]
(with Courtney Act & Willam) 		10 Shartistry in Motion
"Dear Santa, Bring Me a Man"
(with Courtney Act & Willam) 		— Non-album single
"Ride for AIDS"
(Willam featuring Alaska Thunderfuck) 		2015 12 Shartistry in Motion
"Read U Wrote U"
(RuPaul featuring Alaska Thunderfuck, Detox, Katya & Roxxxy Andrews) 		2016 — Non-album singles
"AAA"
(with Courtney Act & Willam) 		2017 2 Access All Areas
"—" denotes a recording that failed to chart or was not released in that territory.

Tours

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2015 TupiniQueens Herself In production. Brazilian film. [citation needed]

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2011 RuPaul's Drag Race Herself Season 3 – Episode 1: "Casting Extravaganza"
2012 RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked Herself Season 4 – Cameo in video message
2013 RuPaul's Drag Race Herself Season 5 – Runner-up
2013 RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked Herself Season 5
2015 The Art Of Herself Episode: "The Art of Drag"
2015 RuPaul's Drag Race Herself Season 7 – Episode 1: "Born Naked"
2016 RuPaul's Drag Race Herself Season 8 – Episode 10: "Grand Finale"
2016 RuPaul's All Stars Drag Race Herself Season 2 – Winner
2017 The New Celebrity Apprentice Herself Episode: "Candy for a Billionaire"
2017 @midnight Herself Episode 580
2017 Scared Famous Herself Season 1 - Contestant

Web series

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2013 Pure Camp Herself Produced by World of Wonder [56]
2014–present Bro'Laska Herself Produced by World of Wonder [20]
2017 Shane and Friends Herself Season 5 - Episode 27

Theatre

Year Title Role Theatre Ref.
2013 The Rocky Horror Show Dr. Frank N. Furter Woodlawn Theatre [15]

Music videos

Year Title Artist(s) Role Ref.
2016 Expensive Todrick Hall Herself
2017 "Power" Little Mix feat. Stormzy Herself [57]

See also

Notes

Notes
  1. ^ Alaska tends to mostly brag about PayPal on her songs and at certain events such as interviews, TV shows and drag shows.

References

  1. ^ a b McCracken, Sean (March 13, 2013). "High school friend on national reality competition". Erie Times-News. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b c Nunn, Jerry (April 18, 2013). "Alaska from RuPaul's Drag Race dishes with Jerry Nunn". ChicagoPride.com. Archived from the original on May 18, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ Sciullo, Maria (January 28, 2013). "Pittsburgh's 'Alaska' takes a turn on 'Drag Race'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  4. ^ Bro'Laska with Alaska Thunderfuck & Cory Binney - Golden Child - YouTube
  5. ^ a b Middleton, Josh (March 29, 2013). "Interview: Alaska From RuPaul's Drag Race Talks About Life Post-Show and Her Love Affair with Sharon Needles". Philadelphia. Retrieved April 19, 2013.
  6. ^ Lucid, Michael (July 23, 2009). "DAILY FREAK SHOW: JAMES GOES TO TRANNYSHACK". World of Wonder. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
  7. ^ Lucid, Michael (November 18, 2009). "JAMES ST JAMES GOES TO THE ACE HOTEL". World of Wonder. Archived from the original on February 7, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ Thunderfuck, Alaska (October 15, 2012). "Just who did create the Haus of Haunt?". Facebook. Retrieved April 19, 2013.
  9. ^ "Tickets for CHRISTEENE @ 6119 in Pittsburg from ShowClix". ShowClix. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
  10. ^ Higbee, Jonathan (April 22, 2013). "Willam's Back With Brand New Video, "RuPaulogize"". IInstinct. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  11. ^ Coughlan, Maggie (November 19, 2012). "RuPaul's Drag Race Season 5 Contestants Announced". People. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  12. ^ Sava, Oliver (March 19, 2013). "Scent of a Drag Queen". The A.V. Club. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  13. ^ Sava, Oliver (April 16, 2013). "Sugar Ball". The A.V. Club. Retrieved April 19, 2013.
  14. ^ Parker, Lyndsey (March 5, 2013). "Great Musical Moments In Reality TV: RuPaul's "Can I Get An Amen"". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  15. ^ a b Shorey, Eric (October 8, 2013). "Willam, Alaska And Michelle Visage Get Ready To Rock "Rocky Horror Show": PHOTOS". New Now Next. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  16. ^ "Alaska: Stevie Forever-The Laurie Beechman Theatre- Theatre In New York".
  17. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race".
  18. ^ "Alaska Opens New Show, "Red For Filth," In NYC //". NewNowNext.
  19. ^ "Sex and the City Live! San Francisco Tickets - $15.00 at Victoria Theatre". Goldstar.
  20. ^ a b "BroLaska Starring Alaska Thunderfuck and Cory Binney". World of Wonder.
  21. ^ "Exclusive: Alaska, Courtney Act, and Willam Belli Team Up With American Apparel". Out Magazine.
  22. ^ "Alaska Thunderfuck - Nails [Official]". YouTube.
  23. ^ "The Magic Critique: 'Anus' by Alaska Thunderfuck Album Review". themagiccritique.com.
  24. ^ "Alaska's ANUS Album #1 on Dance and #38 All Categories - World of Wonder". World of Wonder.
  25. ^ "Alaska Thunderfuck Makes Better Dance Music Than Your Vanilla Garbage". NOISEY.
  26. ^ Daniel Reynolds. "Why Alaska Thunderfuck Titled Her New Album 'Anus'". Advocate.com.
  27. ^ "'RuPaul's All Stars Drag Race' season 2 cast revealed — exclusive". Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  28. ^ Shah, Karim (October 11, 2016). "Alaska Responds To 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Fan Uproar". Instinct Magazine. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  29. ^ "ALASKA RESPONDS TO 'DRAG RACE' BACKLASH VIA VIDEO, SNAKE REFERENCES ABOUND". Pop Crush. October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  30. ^ Morgan, Joe (October 11, 2016). "RuPaul's Drag Race stars Alaska and Detox are donating $10,000 via Paypal before taxes to charity". Gay Star News. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  31. ^ http://alaskathunderfuck.com/music/
  32. ^ Crowley, Patrick. "'RuPaul's Drag Race' All-Star Alaska Drops New Music Video for 'Puppet'". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  33. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdafDSTaZ1w
  34. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbbiWYtfRio
  35. ^ Bellino, Damian. "VH1 Announces Scared Famous Starring Tiffany Pollard, Drita D'Avanzo, Alaska Thunderf-uck, and More!". VH1 News. Viacom International. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  36. ^ Thunderfuck, Alaska (April 15, 2013). "Twitter / Alaska5000: @yazzzy666 PB5K is one of my". Twitter. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
  37. ^ Shellhammer, Bradford. "jer ber jones (Bradford Shellhammer : Interviews)". BradfordShellhammer.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ ">> Bio". AlaskaThunderfuck.com. Retrieved May 28, 2017. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  39. ^ Slice, Kymbo. "The Alaska Thunderfuck Interview". Nak You Out. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  40. ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/19/sharon-alaska-break-up_n_4472895.html
  41. ^ http://www.dragofficial.com/phil/the-post-breakup-interview-alaska-thunderfuck-discusses-how-it-happened-sobriety-and-her-plans-for-the-future
  42. ^ "Alaska's Obsession With PayPal". AlaskaDaily. AlaskaDaily.com. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  43. ^ "Mike Bromberg". www.facebook.com. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  44. ^ "'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 2' recap: We need to talk about Alaska's meltdown". Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  45. ^ doovdoo (October 8, 2016), Katya burned Alaska to SNAP!, retrieved November 12, 2017
  46. ^ Andy Genova (October 8, 2016), Alaska and Katya Deliberating, retrieved November 12, 2017
  47. ^ Victor Terr (October 9, 2016), Katya VS Alaska! #Party - Turn Down For What, retrieved November 12, 2017
  48. ^ A Post (October 7, 2016), party.avi, retrieved November 12, 2017
  49. ^ "Alaska Thunderfuck – Chart history (Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  50. ^ "Alaska Thunderfuck – Chart history (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  51. ^ "Alaska Thunderfuck – Chart history (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  52. ^ "ultratop.be - Discografie Alaska Thunderfuck". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  53. ^ "Anus - Alaska Thunderfuck". Amazon. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  54. ^ a b "Billboard Chart Archive" (To access, type "Alaska" in the artist bar, then select "Comedy Digital Tracks" in the chart name bar). Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  55. ^ Gutelle, Sam (August 21, 2017). "Drag Queens Willam, Alaska, Courtney Act Hit The Road For Fullscreen-Produced Tour". Tubefilter. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  56. ^ Asea, Adam (August 22, 2013). "The Premiere of Sharon Needles and Alaska: Pure Camp". World of Wonder. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
  57. ^ Salandra, Anam (June 6, 2017). "Alaska, Courtney Act, Willam Will Have The "Power" In New Little Mix Video". NewNowNext. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Alaska Thunderfuck.
Preceded by
Chad Michaels & Phi Phi O'Hara
 RuPaul's Drag Race runner-up
Season 5 (2013)
(with Roxxxy Andrews) 		Succeeded by
Preceded by RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars winner
All Stars 2 (2016) 		Current Winner

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