Alyssa Edwards
| Alyssa Edwards | |
|---|---|
Alyssa Edwards performing in March 2013
|
|
| Born |
Justin Johnson January 16, 1980 |
| Residence | Mesquite, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation | Drag performer, dance teacher |
Justin Johnson (born January 16, 1980), known by her stage name Alyssa Edwards, is an American drag performer, dance teacher, and businessperson. Johnson was known for competing in drag pageantry and being dethroned from her title as Miss Gay America 2010, with the title being passed on to Coco Montrese, before gaining prominence and ultimately becoming a fan favorite on the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race and the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars.
Johnson performs under the stage name Alyssa Edwards. He chose his name in homage to Alyssa Milano and to his mother Laken Edwards, a former drag queen. Johnson is part of the drag family "the Haus of Edwards" and serves as drag mother to fellow RuPaul's Drag Race contestants Shangela Laquifa Wadley, Laganja Estranja, and Gia Gunn. Johnson was one of the judges of the 2010 California Entertainer of the Year pageant, which Shangela won.
Johnson appeared in the 2008 documentary Pageant. The film focused on the 34th Miss Gay America pageant of 2006 On December 9, 2010, Johnson was stripped of his 2010 Miss Gay America title for having business dealings in conflict with obligations to the Miss Gay America organization. First alternate Coco Montrese replaced Johnson as the winner of Miss Gay America. That same year, Johnson was also stripped of his title as All American Goddess.
In November 2012, Logo announced that Johnson was among 14 drag queens who would be competing on the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Also performing on the show was pageant friend and rival Coco Montrese. Performing as Alyssa Edwards throughout the season, Johnson won the ballet-themed main challenge in the "Black Swan: Why It Gotta Be Black? episode". As part of the show, Johnson 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. Johnson was eliminated in episode 9, following a lip sync against Coco Montrese, and finished in 6th place.World of Wonder, the production company behind RuPaul's Drag Race, has prepared a sizzle reel, "Beyond Belief", for a potential reality series for Logo, centered on his Mesquite, Texas-based business, Beyond Belief Dance Company. Johnson has also been a special guest on the podcast series run by RuPaul and Michelle Visage called 'What's the Tee?'
...
Wikipedia