20 fabulous Michigan drag queens you should be following on Instagram

By Randiah Camille Green on Wed, Jun 1, 2022 at 12:47 pm

All hail the queens: Drag performers inspire us to embrace our true selves and say, "fuck the haters." Here are 20 drag queens from Michigan to follow on Instagram, along with where you can see them perform.

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Alexa Vogel (@tonexalexa)

Miss Alexa Vogel has been strutting around Michigan for around 20 years. She used to be the show director at Saginaw’s Bambi’s Bottom-Up and now performs with The Kunty Kittens. You’re guaranteed a good time when she’s in the house.

Photo by Alexa Vogel (@tonexalexa)

Orion Story (@theorionstory)

This Grand Rapids queen was the first to represent Michigan on Ru Paul’s Drag Race. Sadly, she did not get a chance to lip-sync for the crown on season 14 of the show after getting sent home on the first episode, and getting a short-lived second chance before sashaying away for good. She still performs regularly in and around Grand Rapids.

Photo by David (@dmvrtinez.jpg)

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Jadein Black (@jadeinblack1)

Jadein Black knows how to work a room, whether she’s shimmying through the audience, throwing high kicks, or dropping into the splits. She’s been performing since 2007 and was actually a full-time teacher before 2020. When Michigan schools shut down during the pandemic, she took on drag full-time doing drag bingos, weddings, birthday parties, and beyond. She’s also the show director at Hamburger Mary’s in Ypsilanti and helms the Boylesque Michigan troupe, but performs wherever the wind takes her, so catch her if you can.

Photo by Jadein Black (@jadeinblack1)

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Aphrodite (@itisaphrodite)

Aphrodite is Southeast Michigan’s Drag Goddess of Love. This well-polished queen has made appearances at Ferndale Pride and is constantly touring, most recently touring and slinging merch for Alyssa Edwards’ “Life, Love, and Lashes” tour.

Photo by Just Toby (@justtobyme)

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Alex Suarez (@queenalexsuarez)

This Georgia transplant landed in Grand Rapids in 2021 and is already making waves. Whether 26-year-old Alex Suarez is wearing a shimmery bodysuit or tight hoochie dress, she always makes it look fab. She’s performed across the country but can often be seen hosting drag shows at Skelletones in Grand Rapids. She’s also slinging merch for Alyssa Edward’s tour with your girl Aphrodite.

Photo by Just Toby (@justtobyme)

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Artemiss (@artemiss.png)

Artemiss performs in Detroit, Ann Arbor, and virtually, but really we’re here for her aesthetically pleasing Instagram page. Her long lashes, creative makeup looks (and hairy chest) are stunning.

Photo by Artemiss (@artemiss.png)

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Bentley James (@bentley_james)

She’s Detroit’s Drag Princess with the million-dollar mug, Miss Bentley James. (Although technically she’s originally from Flint and lives in Lansing, neither of which is Detroit.) Anyway, you’ll find her performing all over Michigan, from Hamburger Mary’s in Ypsilanti, where she’s a regular house diva, to Woodward Bar & Grill in Detroit, and Ferndale Pride, which she’s hosted the past few years.

Photo by Scott Kirby (@scottykirbyphoto)

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Jewel Jubilee (@jeweljubilee)

Jewel Jubilee is the Glittering Gem of the Great Lakes. She’s also Bentley James’ drag daughter, so she’s learned from the best. Catch this up and coming queen performing around Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and beyond.

Photo by Jewel Jubilee (@jeweljubilee)

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Lavender Hazze (@lavenderhazze)

Lavender Hazze’s horror-punk style means lots of ripped fishnets, collars, and big hair. She’s another regular performer at Rumors Nightclub in Grand Rapids.

Photo by Drag Coven (@dragcoven)

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Lotipha Hunter (@lotipha_r_hunter)

This queen is a regular performer at Gigi’s in Detroit. She was crowned Miss Amateur Gigi’s 2019-2020 and serves classic Hollywood glamor.

Photo by Josh Mandujano (@joshmandujanophoto)

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Luna Banx (@luna.banx)

This baby drag queen may be a newcomer to the scene, but you’d never know it just by looking at her. She beats her face like it’s her worst enemy — that is to say, her makeup is always on point. She’s performed at Hamburger Mary’s, Menjo’s, Ann Arbor Pride (virtually), and more.

Photo by Luna Banx (@luna.banx)

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Maxi Chanel (@maxichanel)

If it’s classic camp you crave, look no further than Maxi Chanel. Find her at Ypsilanti’s Hamburger Mary’s, where she regularly performs at Drag Brunch, Dinner With The Divas, and other events. Maxi Chanel is also part of the Michigan Boylesque Drag troupe with Miss Jadein Black.

Photo by Maxi Chanel (@maxichanel)

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Mia Cole (@the_miacole)

Detroit’s Mia Cole has a string of titles attached to her fabulous name, including Miss Michigan Drag Queen of the Year (Professional) 2019, and Miss Woodward 2013 and 2019.

Photo by Scott Kirby (@scottykirbyphoto)

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Monique Madison (@iownamonique2021)

If you like Kunty Kittens, meet the HBIC, Monique Madison. Madison created the Southwest Michigan drag troupe and has been performing as a female impersonator for 26 years. She’s also a house diva at Five15’s Drag Queen Bingo and has performed around the country. She even appeared as a guest on The Nick Cannon Show.

Photo by givemeashot (@givemeashot)

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Sabin (@sabindetroit)

The “Bald Headed Bitch of Detroit,” Sabin is arguably Michigan’s most recognizable queen. The longtime MC of Motor City Pride and Drag Queen Bingo at Royal Oak’s Five15, Sabin does it all, from comedy to pageant looks.

Photo by Tony Lowe (@tonylowephoto)

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Spïne (@spinedrag)

Spïne’s Instagram feed is never boring. This Detroit queen’s colorful, wacky, and sometimes just plain weird makeup looks are always fun to look at.

Photo by Spïne (@spinedrag)

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Tequila Sanchez (@lilghettoinstilettos)

Another Grand Rapids queen, Tequila Sanchez is the show director at Rumors Nightclub. She’s always serving us classic glamor.

Photo by Tequila Sanchez (@lilghettoinstilettos)

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Velma Violet (@velmaviolet)

We love a good heavy metal party, and this queen from Jackson gives us exactly that. Her drag is full of rock ’n’ roll attitude, knee-high boots, blood, and hauntingly beautiful characters.

Photo by Velma Violet (@velmaviolet)

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Yolanda Del Fierce (@yoyoscorner)

The Dancing Latina, Yolanda Del Fierce comes to us by way of Kalamazoo. She’s a house performer at popular Grand Rapids LGBTQ hangout, Rumors Nightclub, and a member of The Kunty Kittens drag troupe. She has also been crowned Miss Red Ribbon, Miss Powerdiva Newcomer, Miss AMCAB, and Miss Professional Rumors Nightclub.

Photo by Yolanda Del Fierce (@yoyoscorner)

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AUNTI (@au.nti)

This blonde bombshell with legs for days is serving latex, corsets, and horror — there’s a reason she calls herself a “scary bitch.” She’s also a techno and house DJ under the same moniker. Catch her performing around Ann Arbor and Detroit.

Photo by Ty (@tyneal.jpg)

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