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Alaska Thunderfuck

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Alaska Thunderfuck
Thunderfuck performing on the AAA Girls tour in Denver (c.2017)
Born
Justin Andrew Honard

(1985-03-06) March 6, 1985 (age 39)
Erie, Pennsylvania
Other namesAlaska, Alaska Thunderf*ck 5000, Alaska 5000, Alaska Thunderfun
Alma materUniversity of Pittsburgh
Occupations
Years active2006–present
Known forRuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 2) winner
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
PredecessorChad Michaels
SuccessorTrixie Mattel
Musical career
Genres
Websitealaskathunderfuck.com

Alaska Thunderfuck 5000 (primarily known mononymously as Alaska) is the stage name of Justin Andrew Honard,[1] an American drag performer and recording artist best known as the runner-up on the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race[2][3] and the winner of the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.[4]

Early life

Honard was raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Fort LeBoeuf High School in 2003.[1][5] He studied theater at the University of Pittsburgh.[6]

Career

2007–2012: Career beginnings

Thunderfuck at Dayton Pride in 2010

Alaska originally moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. Dissatisfied with the auditioning process, she turned to drag and got a job at the West Hollywood club, Fubar.[7] She frequently performed in the Trannyshack shows in Los Angeles.[8] In 2009, she performed in Palm Springs Gay Pride with Tammie Brown and Jer Ber Jones.[9]

Alaska met future boyfriend Sharon Needles (stage name of Aaron Coady) through Myspace in December 2009 and eventually moved back to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to live with him in 2010.[5] Along with Needles and Cherri Baum, she formed the band Haus of Haunt, which later evolved into a drag troupe based out of the bar the Blue Moon. As part of the Haus of Haunt, she helped present the Pittsburgh debut of fellow drag queen and recording artist Christeene Vale in 2013. Alaska later impersonated Vale for the music video "RuPaulogize" by Willam Belli.[10]

2013–2015: RuPaul's Drag Race

Alaska Thunderfuck competed on the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, under the mononym Alaska.[5][11] She had previously auditioned for every season of the show.[7] 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] At the season finale in May 2013, Alaska was declared the runner-up along with fellow competitor Roxxxy Andrews. Jinkx Monsoon was the winner of the season.[15]

In October 2013, Alaska performed as Dr. Frank N. Furter in 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.[16]

Since appearing on RuPaul's Drag Race, Alaska has toured and performed, 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".[17][18] An animated version of Alaska appeared in the "RuPaul's Drag Race: Dragopolis 2.0" mobile app.[19] During the summer of 2014, she starred in a stage production of Sex and the City.[20] With brother Cory Binney, Honard has a web series sponsored by World of Wonder, called Bro'Laska.[21] In 2014, Alaska became a spokesmodel for American Apparel alongside Willam Belli and Courtney Act.[22]

Alaska has since 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".[23][24][25]

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.[26] She received some backlash due to some of her choices of eliminations and her behavior toward the end of the competition. In response, Alaska donated $5,000 to the charity Trans Kids Purple Rainbow and posted an apology video online. In the season finale, she was crowned the second winner of All Stars.[27][28][29]

On October 14, 2016, Alaska released her second album, titled Poundcake.[30] Three singles from the album have been released: "The T",[31] "Stun",[32] "Puppet". 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.[33]

Alaska competed in the first season of VH1's Scared Famous, which premiered on October 23, 2017, and placed 6th in the competition.[34][35][36]

Since July 2018 she has hosted a podcast with fellow Drag Race alumna Willam Belli. The podcast, titled "Race Chaser" is "devoted to the discussion and dissection of every episode of Rupaul's Drag Race."[37] Alaska and Jeremy Mikush, performing as Alaska and Jeremy, released their debut album Amethyst Journey in August 2018.[38]

Public image and artistry

She has stated, "I am a huge fan of drag for many reasons; first and foremost being that it is an extremely important form of performance art. Drag uses humor as means of relaying a message, and because humor tends to get overlooked as a valid way to communicate through art, drag tends to get pigeonholed into being something "less than" when you think about it in terms what you’d see at a museum. I can’t think of almost anything more artistically redeeming than a huge museum full of drag queens, but maybe that's just me."[39][40]

She has cited Gianni Versace, Lady Gaga and Marc Jacobs as her favorite fashion influences.[41] Thought Catalog described her style as "risk-taking" and "creative", with "weird choices";[42] Yahoo! called her Lil Poundcake outfit a "pink nightmare" and "clownish crazy", and "the drag and music world would certainly be very quiet without Ms Thunderfuck".[43]

Billboard listed Thunderfuck the seventh-most-active drag queen on social media on its August 2015 Social 50 chart.[44]

Honard's drag name is derived from Alaskan Thunderfuck, a strain of cannabis. Alaska counts Divine and Marilyn Monroe as her "role models".[45]

Personal life

Alaska was in a relationship with fellow drag queen Sharon Needles for four years before separating in December 2013, though they remain on good terms.[46][47]

Discography

Title Details Peak chart positions
US
Dance
[48] 		US
Heat.
[49] 		US
Indie
[50] 		BEL
(FL)
[51]
Anus 3 4 14 —
Poundcake
  • Released: October 14, 2016[53]
  • 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"[55] 2013 — Non-album single
"Your Makeup Is Terrible"[56] 2014 — Anus
"Nails"[57] —
"Hieeee"[58] 2015 5
"This Is My Hair"[59] —
"Anus"[60] 2016 —
"Puppet"[61] — Poundcake
"The T"
(featuring Adore Delano) 		—
"Come to Brazil" 2017 —
"Snaked" 2018 — Non-album singles
"Valentina" —
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Comedy
Digital
[54]
"Let's Get Something Started"[62]
(Candy Apple Blue featuring Alaska Thunderfuck) 		2013 — Night Tracks
"Can I Get an Amen?"[63]
(RuPaul featuring Drag Race Season 5 Cast) 		— Non-album single
"I Look Fuckin' Cool"[64]
(Adore Delano featuring Alaska Thunderfuck) 		2014 — Till Death Do Us Party
"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
"Yet Another Dig"
(Bob the Drag Queen featuring Alaska Thunderfuck) 		2017 —
"Shade"
(Cake Moss featuring Alaska) 		2018 —
"La China Mas Latina"
(Gia Gunn featuring Alaska Thunderfuck) 		—
"—" denotes a recording that failed to chart or was not released in that territory.

Other appearances

Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Kai Kai" 2013 Sharon Needles, Ana Matronic PG-13
"Miss Fame" 2015 Miss Fame Beauty Marked
"Everyday Is Christmas" N/A Christmas Queens
"Working Holiday" 2016 Manila Luzon Christmas Queens 2
"Chr!$tm@s $ux!" N/A
"We Three Queens" 2017 Manila Luzon, Peppermint Christmas Queens 3
"Angels We Have Heard on High" N/A
"All This Body" 2018 Jiggly Caliente, Ginger Minj T.H.O.T. Process
"America's Sweetheart" Blair St. Clair Call My Life
"Santa Baby" N/A Christmas Queens 4
"Inspire Me (Reprise)" 2019 Manila Luzon Rules!
"Where Are the Jokes?" Trinity The Tuck Plastic

Tours

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2015 TupiniQueens Herself In production. Brazilian film. [citation needed]
2018 Hurricane Bianca 2: From Russia With Hate Cameo
2018 The Last Sharknado: It's About Time Morgana Television film [67]
2018 The Quiet Room Hattie Independent film [68]

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2011 RuPaul's Drag Race Herself Season 3 – Episode 1: "Casting Extravaganza"
2012 RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked Season 4 – Cameo in video message
2013 RuPaul's Drag Race Season 5 – Runner-up
2013 RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked Season 5
2015 The Art Of Episode: "The Art of Drag"
2015 RuPaul's Drag Race Anna Wintour Season 7 – Episode 1: "Born Naked"
2016 RuPaul's Drag Race Herself Season 8 – Episode 10: "Grand Finale"
2016 RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 2 – Winner
2017 The New Celebrity Apprentice Episode: "Candy for a Billionaire"
2017 @midnight Episode 580
2017 Scared Famous Season 1 – 6th place
2018 RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 3 – Cameo
2019 RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 4 – Cameo

Web series

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2013 Pure Camp Herself Produced by World of Wonder [69]
2014–present Bro'Laska [21]
2017 Shane and Friends Season 5 – Episode 27
2017 Dragula Season 2 – Episode 4
2018 The Pit Stop Produced by VH1
2018 Ass Controller Alexis Thunderstorm Produced by Men.com [70]

Theatre

Year Title Role Theatre Ref.
2013 The Rocky Horror Show Dr. Frank N. Furter Woodlawn Theatre [16]

Music videos

Year Title Artist(s) Role Ref.
2014 "Your makeup is terrible" Herself Herself
2014 "Nails" Herself
2015 "Do It Like Miley" Team Heartbreak [71]
2015 "Hieeee" Herself
2015 "This is my hair" Herself
2016 "Expensive" Todrick Hall [72]
2016 "Gimme All your money" Herself feat. Laganja Estranja
2016 "Anus" Herself
2016 "Puppet" Herself
2016 "The T" Herself feat. Adore Delano
2017 "Power" Little Mix feat. Stormzy [73]
2017 "Stun" Herself feat. Gia Gunn
2017 "Come to Brazil" Herself
2018 "Valentina" Herself [74]
2018 "666" Sharon Needles -

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. ^ Rezsnyak, Eric. "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 5 Reunion: The winner revealed!". City Newspaper. Rochester, New York. Archived from the original on November 14, 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2017. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Alaska Thunderfuck - Official Pornstar Profile on Men". www.men.com. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  4. ^ "'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 2' Winner on Snatching the Crown, Her Haters and Who She Wanted To Win". People. October 14, 2016. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  5. ^ 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)
  6. ^ Sciullo, Maria (January 28, 2013). "Pittsburgh's 'Alaska' takes a turn on 'Drag Race'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ Lucid, Michael (July 23, 2009). "Daily Freak Show: James Goes to Trannyshack". World of Wonder. Archived from the original on November 13, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ 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)
  10. ^ Higbee, Jonathan (April 22, 2013). "Willam's Back With Brand New Video, "RuPaulogize"". IInstinct. Retrieved April 27, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  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. ^ "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 5 Finale Recap: Last Night's 10 Best Moments". Flavorwire. May 7, 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ "Alaska: Stevie Forever-The Laurie Beechman Theatre In New York".
  18. ^ "Alaska Opens New Show, "Red For Filth," In NYC //". NewNowNext.
  19. ^ "Dragopolis 2.0 Has Arrived! | NewNowNext". www.newnownext.com. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  20. ^ "Sex and the City Live! San Francisco Tickets - $15.00 at Victoria Theatre". Goldstar,com.
  21. ^ a b "BroLaska Starring Alaska Thunderfuck and Cory Binney". World of Wonder.
  22. ^ "Exclusive: Alaska, Courtney Act, and Willam Belli Team Up With American Apparel". Out Magazine.
  23. ^ "The Magic Critique: 'Anus' by Alaska Thunderfuck Album Review". themagiccritique.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ "Alaska Thunderfuck Makes Better Dance Music Than Your Vanilla Garbage". NOISEY.
  25. ^ Reynolds, Daniel. "Why Alaska Thunderfuck Titled Her New Album 'Anus'". The Advocate.
  26. ^ "'RuPaul's All Stars Drag Race' season 2 cast revealed — exclusive". Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  27. ^ Shah, Karim (October 11, 2016). "Alaska Responds To 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Fan Uproar". Instinct Magazine. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  28. ^ "Alaska Responds to 'Drag Race' Backlash via Video, Snake References Abound". Pop Crush. October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ http://alaskathunderfuck.com/music/
  31. ^ "The T (feat. Adore Delano) – Single by Alaska Thunderfuck on Apple Music". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  32. ^ "Watch Alaska And Gia Gunn "Stun" In Fierce New Music Video". LOGO News. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  33. ^ Crowley, Patrick. "'RuPaul's Drag Race' All-Star Alaska Drops New Music Video for 'Puppet'". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  34. ^ Bellino, Damian. "VH1 Announces Scared Famous Starring Tiffany Pollard, Drita D'Avanzo, Alaska Thunderfuck, and More!". VH1 (Viacom). Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  35. ^ SDGLN, Timothy Rawles-Community Editor for (October 31, 2017). "Alaska talks about being 'Scared Famous' on her new reality show". San Diego Gay and Lesbian News. Retrieved May 7, 2019. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  36. ^ "Alaska On Halloween, Horror Movies, And Life In The "Scared Famous" House | NewNowNext". www.newnownext.com. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  37. ^ "Race Chaser with Alaska & Willam by Forever Dog Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  38. ^ "Alaska Unveils New Musical Duo Alaska and Jeremy & Album 'Amethyst Journey'". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  39. ^ Podell, Michael (February 21, 2014). "An Exclusive Interview With Alaska, From RuPaul's Drag Race". Thought Catalog. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  40. ^ Madison Moore (July 9, 2015). "9 Fierce Queens Who Should Definitely Be On "RuPaul's Drag Race" All Stars 2!". Thought Catalog. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  41. ^ "Alaska Thunderfuck Interview – Celebrity Style". Teen Vogue. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  42. ^ Moore, Madison (October 5, 2017). "Alaska Thunderfuck's Most Memorable Moments". Thought Catalog. Retrieved August 14, 2016.[dead link]
  43. ^ "Alaska Thunderfuck's fashion extends to Pink-print body..." Yahoo! UK. Retrieved November 13, 2016.[dead link]
  44. ^ "Alaska Thunderfuck – Chart History". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  45. ^ Slice, Kymbo. "The Alaska Thunderfuck Interview". Nak You Out. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  46. ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/19/sharon-alaska-break-up_n_4472895.html
  47. ^ http://www.dragofficial.com/phil/the-post-breakup-interview-alaska-thunderfuck-discusses-how-it-happened-sobriety-and-her-plans-for-the-future
  48. ^ "Alaska Thunderfuck – Chart history (Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  49. ^ "Alaska Thunderfuck – Chart history (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  50. ^ "Alaska Thunderfuck – Chart history (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  51. ^ "ultratop.be – Discografie Alaska Thunderfuck". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  52. ^ "Anus – Alaska Thunderfuck". Amazon. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  53. ^ Poundcake by Alaska Thunderfuck on Apple Music
  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. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  55. ^ "iTunes – Music – Ru Girl – Single by Alaska Thunderfuck". iTunes.
  56. ^ "iTunes – Music – Your Makeup Is Terrible – Single by Alaska Thunderfuck". iTunes.
  57. ^ "iTunes – Music – Nails – Single by Alaska Thunderfuck". iTunes.
  58. ^ "Hieeee [Explicit]". Amazon.
  59. ^ "Alaska Launches Music Video For "Hieeee," Announces New Album". NewNowNext. June 9, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  60. ^ Alaska Thunderfuck – Anus [Official] - YouTube
  61. ^ Alaska Thunderfuck – Puppet [Official] - YouTube
  62. ^ "iTunes – Music – Let's Get Something Started (Extended Play) – EP by Candy Apple Blue". iTunes.
  63. ^ "iTunes – Music – Can I Get an Amen? (feat. The Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 5) – Single by RuPaul". iTunes.
  64. ^ "iTunes – Music – I Look F****n Cool (feat. Alaska Thunderfuck) – Single by Adore Delano". iTunes.
  65. ^ Gutelle, Sam (August 21, 2017). "Drag Queens Willam, Alaska, Courtney Act Hit The Road For Fullscreen-Produced Tour". Tubefilter. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  66. ^ "Klub Kids London presents 'An Evening with Alaska' (ages 14+)". Eventbrite. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  67. ^ Chappell, Les (August 19, 2018). "The Last Sharknado is the last flopping gasp of a series well past its sell-by date". The A.V. Club. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  68. ^ The Quiet Room, retrieved August 31, 2018
  69. ^ Asea, Adam (August 22, 2013). "The Premiere of Sharon Needles and Alaska: Pure Camp". World of Wonder. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
  70. ^ "Ass Controller Part 9 - Official Free Gay Scenes - Men". www.men.com. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  71. ^ Team Heartbreak (July 1, 2015), Do It Like Miley [Official] Feat. Alaska Thunderfuck, retrieved August 31, 2018
  72. ^ todrickhall (July 20, 2016), Expensive by Todrick Hall feat: Kim Chi, Willam, Alaska, Mariah & Laganja, retrieved August 31, 2018
  73. ^ Salandra, Anam (June 6, 2017). "Alaska, Courtney Act, Willam Will Have The "Power" In New Little Mix Video". NewNowNext. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  74. ^ Parody of Despacito entitled "Valentina" based on her not being happy with fellow drag race alumni Valentinas elimination.
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