House of Balmain

**House of Balmain** is a ballroom house founded by Rodney Balmain in 2015. Rodney was the overall father of the House of Prodigy, but he decided to leave his role because he wanted to create something of his own and build his legacy. He enlisted the help of Alexis Balmain and Kai Balmain, now known as Kai Milan from the House of Milan, to found the house. Initially, the House of Balmain consisted of less than thirty members in the United States, however, the house won the title of "House of the Year" in every region in which it debuted. Currently, their numbers have grown, and the house is known for walking in realness and runway categories in the ballroom. In 2020, the overall father is still Rodney Balmain and the overall mother is Felicity Balmain.

House of Balmain appears in the first season of the HBO Max original reality-competition series "Legendary", and most of the members are primarily from the west coast of the United States. They describe their House as mysterious, and for people to expect the unexpected. They also think their House is a large melting pot of creativity that never stops giving.

## Members

The House of Balmain consists of:

* Father Jamari Balmain
* Cali Balmain
* Calypso Balmain
* Gravity Balmain
* Torie Balmain

## House Progress

**10s**: House of Balmain earned 10s or was not chopped from this category.
**✖**: House of Balmain was chopped from this category in the first round.
## Behind the Scenes

In episode two Once Upon a Time, Jamari Balmain's costume for the "Three Fab Mice" trio performance was not made to his liking, and he ended up getting glued to his costume right up until it was time for the House of Balmain to perform. Jamari is a perfectionist, so when the fashion was incorrectly made he was put into an emotional state. Thus, when Jamari and two other house members walked the category, the judges chopped the House of Balmain, further stressing out Jamari and causing him to not want to go back on the stage. The "Legendary" staff tried to convince him to participate in the redemption battle, but Jamari still insisted that he didn't want to be in the competition anymore. However, when Calypso Balmain offered to take his place in the battle, he realized that he needed to step up as a father and save their house from elimination.

Throughout the competition, the House of Balmain's fashion made by the on-set stylists consistently did not come out the way in which they envisioned. This caused father Jamari Balmain to take matters into his own hands, including in episode four Wild Wild West where he had to personally make all of his team's jackets for the "Mannequin Showcase" category. Also, the House of Balmain's requested masks were given to them right before the performance, and they did not have any time to practice with the masks on. This caused the members to have impaired vision while performing. Due to the above incident, and several others, Jamari started to "water down" his ideas to the stylists so they would have an easier task of creating the House of Balmain's outfits.

The House of Balmain among many other houses became close friends with the House of Ninja and its five members. In episode six Intergalactic, backstage we see Jamari Balmain become upset when House of Ninja mother Dolores Ninja receives negative critiques for her house's group performance. Later on, members of the House of Balmain start crying when the House of Ninja is eliminated. Furthermore, Jamari believed that the House of Balmain and the House of Ninja were meant to be in the final two together, so he dedicates his performance in the "Queen Titans" category of episode seven to commemorate the fallen house.

In episode nine Heaven and Hell, the House of Balmain and House of Lanvin battled in the Five Elements category twice, but only the second battle was shown in the final cut of the episode and viewers were led to believe there was only one battle. After the first battle, judge Law Roach was confused on what occurred and what he was to be looking for in terms of five elements performance. As a result, producers walked on stage and asked the houses if they would like to battle again, to which they both agreed. According to Zay Lanvin on an Instagram Live, after the House of Balmain was announced as the winner of the ""Legendary" competition, the House of Lanvin was told they won the first battle, while the House of Balmain won the second battle.

A common critique from the judges for the House of Balmain was that their performances were all very serious, and the judges wanted the house to create more laid-back and comedic performances. However, in episode six Intergalactic when the house decided to make their group production have a comedic story line, judge Law Roach exclaimed he was bored and needed more.

## Welcome to My House

In Welcome to My House, the House of Balmain must make their first statement to their judges, which is typically called "The Grand March" in the ballroom. Balmain must create and choreograph a performance that is true to their House.

In the performance, the House of Balmain performs a hip-hop themed vogue performance, with some members displaying acrobatics. Their fashion for this episode consists of black see-through garments and black boots.

## Once Upon a Time

In episode two Once Upon a Time, the House of Balmain participates in three runway categories of a fairy-tale themed ball.

* **First Category**: *Rapunzel Effect*
	+ One member from each house must serve a freestyle hair performance. First, they perform alone, and if they earn tens across the board they must battle against other House members to win the category.
* **Second Category**: *Mirror Mirror*
	+ One House member must walk the runway in this *face* category, serving smooth skin, white teeth, and cut bone structure.
* **Third Category**: *Three Fab Mice*
	+ Three members from each House, who have not walked in the previous categories, must choreograph a runway walk in which they are in perfect unison. They must also design matching outfits.

### Rapunzel Effect

Calypso Balmain chooses to walk this category.

In the first round, Calypso is chopped and sent backstage. She is no longer allowed to participate in this category.

### Mirror Mirror

Cali Balmain chooses to walk this category, and wears and outfit inspired by Jafar from the Disney animated film "Aladdin".

In the first round, Cali is chopped and sent backstage. He can no longer participate in this category.

### Three Fab Mice

Gravity Balmain, Jamari Balmain, and Gravity Balmain choose to walk this category. Jamari Balmain's costume for the "Three Fab Mice" trio performance was not made to his liking, and he ended up getting glued to his costume right up until it was time for the House of Balmain to perform. Jamari is a perfectionist, so when the fashion was incorrectly made he was put into an emotional state.

In the first round, the trio is chopped and sent backstage. They can no longer participate in this category.

### Outcome

After the judges chopped the House of Balmain from "Three Fab Mice", Jamari became further stressed out and caused him to not want to go back on the stage. The "Legendary" staff tried to convince him to participate in the redemption battle, but Jamari still insisted that he didn't want to be in the competition anymore. However, when Calypso Balmain offered to take his place in the battle, he realized that he needed to step up as a father and save their house from elimination.

At the end of the ball, the judges place House of Balmain in the bottom two, along with the House of West. Father Jamari Balmain chooses himself to participate in the redemption battle, and Father James West chooses Wilma West . After the battle, the judges to save Jamari and the House of Balmain from elimination. The House of West is eliminated, and the House of Balmain is allowed to stay in the competition.

## Circus Bezerkus

In episode three Circus Bezerkus, the House of Balmain participates in a "Circus Bezerkus" themed ball, where they are required to choreograph and perform a group production for the judges.

### Performance

House of Balmain's performance is an It-themed performance, where Calypso is an evil clown that lures Father Jamari to her with a balloon, and turns him into an evil creature like the rest of her followers. Balmain receives glowing critiques from all judges for its cohesive concept and story, costume and design, and performance.

### Outcome

The House of Balmain is declared safe and is allowed to stay in the competition.

Group LookGroup Look
## Wild Wild West

In Wild Wild West, the House of Balmain must walk three categories in a "Wild Wild West" themed money ball.

* **First Category**: *Come Up and See Me*
	+ One member from each house must walk the runway in this *Best-Dressed* category showcasing their fiercest gown, but must also include a spinning element. First, they perform alone, and if they earn tens across the board they must battle against other House members to win the category. The winner of this category earns $5,000 for their entire House.
* **Second Category**: *Sheriff of Seduction*
	+ One House member must walk the runway in this *body* category, meaning each competitor must show self-confidence and self-love on the runway in order to "sell" their body to the judges. First, they perform alone, and if they earn tens across the board they must battle against other House members to win the category. The winner of this category earns $5,000 for their entire House.
* **Third Category**: *Mannequin Showcase*
	+ All five members from each House must create and choreograph a showcase primarily consisting of runway and vogue elements. Each House will be critiqued for their performance. The winner of this category earns $15,000 for their entire House.

### Come Up and See Me

Calypso Balmain chooses to walk the category, and she wears a blue gown with tulle fabric. As she spins, the tulle unravels into a long detached train of fabric, leaving a flowy blue dress.

In the first round, Calypso earns tens and is allowed to stand to the side. In the second round, Calypso faces off against Xa'Pariis Ebony from the House of Ebony, and the judges choose Xa'Pariis to stay. Calypso is sent backstage and is no longer allowed to participate in the category.

### Sheriff of Seduction

Jamari Balmain chooses to walk this category, and he wears a pink harness oriented outfit.

In the first round, Jamari earns tens and is allowed to stand to the side. In the second round, Jamari faces off against Dolores Ninja and Jarrell Gucci, and Dolores and Jamari earn the same amount of votes while Jarrell is sent backstage. Dolores and Jamari face off once more, and the judges choose Dolores to stay. Jamari is sent backstage and is no longer allowed to participate in the category.

### Mannequin Showcase

Jamari Balmain had to personally make all of his team's jackets for the category. Also, the House of Balmain's requested masks were given to them right before the performance, and they did not have any time to practice with the masks on. This caused the members to have impaired vision while performing.

House of Balmain's performance is saloon-themed, where Torie Balmain is a pimp. Calypso Balmain is a woman in a love triangle featuring Cali Balmain and Gravity Balmain. Jamari Balmain portrays the sheriff. The judges give positive critiques for the fashion and runway. Leiomy feels the performance had a slow build-up, and Law feels more effort was put into the fashion than the performance.

The judges choose the House of Ninja as the winner of this category and they earn $15,000.

### Outcome

The House of Balmain is declared as safe and is allowed to stay in the competition.

## Remember the Times

In Remember the Times, the House of Balmain walks two categories in an ancient civilization-themed ball.

* **First Category**: *March of the Mummies*
	+ One House member must perform a freestyle Old-Way Vogue performance. First, they perform alone, and if they earn tens across the board they must battle against other House members to win the category.
* **Second Category**: *Warrior Guardians*
	+ All five House members must create and choreograph a performance showcasing the floor performance element of vogue. They will be critiqued on their performances.

### March of the Mummies

Gravity Balmain chooses to walk this category.

In the first round, Gravity earns tens and is allowed to stand to the side. In the second round, Gravity faces off against Jeter Gucci from the House of Gucci, and the judges choose Jeter to stay. Gravity is sent backstage and is no longer allowed to participate in the category.

### Warrior Guardians

The performance is Egyptian-themed, where the members are mummified pharaohs. Torie takes on the role of King Tut and Calypso takes on the role of Cleopatra. The judges give positive critiques for all aspects of the performance, including the makeup, fashion, and vogue. Every member served unique performance, and made the small details count.

### Outcome

The House of Balmain is declared safe and is allowed to stay in the competition.

## Intergalactic

In Intergalactic, the House of Balmain walks two categories in an out-of-this-world (space) themed ball.

* **First Category**: *Rise of the Fembots*
	+ One House member must perform a freestyle Vogue Femme performance. First, they perform alone, and if they earn tens across the board they must battle against other House members to win the category.
* **Second Category**: *Take Me to Your Leader*
	+ All five House members must create and choreograph a performance centering around one House member, while wearing bizarre-themed fashion.

### Rise of the Fembots

Jamari Balmain chooses to walk this category, as he is a professional dancer that specializes in vogue.

In the first round, Jamari earns tens and is allowed to stand to the side. In the second round, Jamari faces off against Chise Ninja from the House of Ninja, and the judges choose Jamari to stay. In the final round, Jamari faces off against Shyanne Escada from the House of Escada, and the judges choose Jamari as the winner of the category.

### Take Me to Your Leader

The House of Balmain's performance is comedic, where Jamari Balmain is an alien monarch who is choreographing his four subjects for a dance number. The judges give positive critiques for the fashion. However, Law Roach felt bored by the fashion and performance, but Leiomy disagrees and enjoyed both. This causes a heated discussion between the two parties, where Law explains that his credentials allow him to speak on fashion, but Leiomy explains that a resume doesn't matter and the theme of "bizarre", among many other aspects of mainstream culture, originates from ballroom.

Group LookGroup LookGravity Balmain
### Outcome

The House of Balmain is declared safe and allowed to stay in the competition.

## Capes & Tights

In Capes & Tights, the House of Balmain walks four categories in a superhero-themed ball. However, the twist in this episode is that the remaining houses must battle mysterious supervillains from the ballroom scene in order to win the overall category. Specifically, all four houses choose their respective members to walk in a category, and then the judges choose one of the houses as their favorite performance. Finally, the chosen house member(s) must then face supervillain(s) to win the overall category and cash prize.

* **First Category**: *Queen Titans*
	+ One member from each participate in this category by walking the runway in a superhero disguise, then must reveal their superhero outfit underneath and vogue. The prize for this category is US$5,000.
* **Second Category**: *Elastic Fantastic*
	+ One member from each house must participate in this category by performing vogue showcasing the hand-performance element. The prize for this category is US$5,000.
* **Third Category**: *Super Fashonista*
	+ One member from each house must participate in this category by showcasing their finest superhero outfit, then present poses to the judges. The prize for this category is US$5,000.
* **Fourth Category**: *Wonder Twin Power*
	+ Two members from each house must walk this category, with one member walking the runway and the second member performing vogue. The prize for this category is US$10,000.

### Queen Titans

Jamari Balmain chooses to walk this category, as he is a trained dancer and performs in vogue-oriented categories in the ballroom scene. He dedicates his performance to the fallen members of the House of Ninja who were eliminated in the previous episode, Intergalactic. Jamari takes on the persona of the "Dark Ninja", a superhero he personally created, and his outfit includes the letter "N" on his knees as a reference to the first letter of the word "Ninja". Initially, Jamari's disguise consists of a traditional male suit, but he rips it off the reveal his superhero costume underneath.

Jamari receives the highest number of votes from the judges as their favorite performer causing him to win the first round; however, he must face the supervillain to win the overall category. The supervillain is revealed to be previously eliminated contestant Shorty Ebony from the House of Ebony under the persona of "The Bad Baby". After the battle, Jamari is chosen by the judges as the winner of the category and he receives $5,000.

### Elastic Fantastic

Gravity Balmain chooses to walk this category, as he is known in his house and the competition for excelling at hand performance.

After the first performance round, the judges choose Carlos Lanvin from the House of Lanvin as the winner and to face the supervillain, Monster 007, in the final round. However, Gravity did receive two votes from judges Jameela Jamil and Megan Thee Stallion.

### Super Fashonista

Calypso Balmain chooses to walk this category, and wears an outfit inspired by the Marvel Comics superhero known as Emma Frost.

After the first performance round, Calypso receives two votes from judge Leiomy Maldonado and guest judge Winnie Harlow, but Eyricka Lanvin from the House of Lanvin receives three votes, and wins the first round to face the myserious supervillain. The supervillain is revealed to be Champ St. Laurent from the House of St. Laurent, who was eliminated in episode three Circus Bezerkus.

### Wonder Twin Power

Cali Balmain and Torie Balmain choose to walk this category, with Torie walking the runway and Cali performing vogue. After the first performance round, the judges choose Makayla Lanvin and Pack-Rat Lanvin from the House of Lanvin as the winners, and to face the supervillains Honey Balenciaga and Lolita Leopard in the final round.

### Outcome

In this episode, none of the houses are in the bottom two or eliminated from the competition; however, the judges choose the House of Lanvin as the *Superior House* of the week.

As a reward for winning this ball, mother Eyricka Lanvin is allowed to choose which of the other three houses she wants to team up with in the next episode in order to form a mega-house. She chooses the House of Gucci, which creates the mega-house of La'Gorgeous. As a result, the remaining two houses, the House of Balmain and the House of Escada, team up to form the mega-house of Bal'Scada.

## Atlantis

In Atlantis, the House of Balmain, teamed up with the House of Escada to form the mega-house of Bal'Scada, must walk five categories in a underwater-themed ball. They compete against the mega-house of La'Gorgeous, consisting of the House of Lanvin and the Gorgeous House of Gucci, and the first mega-house to win three categories will earn their spot at the final ball of episode nine.

* **First Category**: *Tales from Atlantis*
	+ Three members from each mega-house must participate in this category, and each member must showcase one of the following in their performance: face, runway, and vogue.
* **Second Category**: *Octo Pus Pus Party*
	+ Four members from each mega-house must walk this category serving a unique and semi-synchronized hand-performance based vogue presentation.
* **Third Category**: *Merfolk Physiques*
	+ One member from each mega-house must walk this category serving body.
* **Fourth Category**: *To Sea or Not to Sea*
	+ Two members from each mega-house must walk this category, with one member serving a dramatics style of vogue while the other performs a soft and feminine style of vogue.
* **Fifth Category**: *Rich Fish Bitch*
	+ Two members from each mega-house must walk this category, and must showcase a bizarre outfit while oozing with a "rich bitch" aura.

### Tales from Atlantis

In this category, Calypso Balmain chooses to walk face, Jamari Balmain chooses to walk runway, and London Escada chooses to perform vogue.

During the performance, Calypso takes off her wig to reveal a bald head, but during the process, her wig gets caught on her outfit. Judge Leiomy Maldonado notices this error and expresses that it took away from the overall performance. Judge Law Roach and Jameela Jamil complement Calypso Balmain on her beauty and her ability to pull off her performance through her hair malfunction.

Judges Jameela Jamil and Megan Thee Stallion choose the House of Bal'Scada as their favorite, but the remaining three judges choose the House of La'Gorgeous. Thus, the House of La'Gorgeous wins this category.

### Octo Pus Pus Party

Gravity Balmain, Jazzul Escada, Twilight Escada, and Yyoyo Escada choose to walk this category. They wear tight swimsuits with an octopus tentacle wrapped around each member's body.

After their performance, the judges express that the members were more in-sync than the members of the House of La'Gorgeous, and Jameela Jamil gives positives critiques for the house's display of elegance.

According to Pack-Rat Lanvin on her Instagram story, guest judge Tamar Braxton initially voted for the House of La'Gorgeous to win the category, but changed her vote after leaning over to Leiomy to ask her a question. This was not shown in the final cut of the episode, and instead we only see Tamar initially vote for the House of Bal'Scada.

At the end of the critiques, the judges give three votes the House of Bal'Scada, and they win the category.

### Merfolk Physiques

Cali Balmain chooses to walk this category even though he does not have experience walking this category in the ballroom scene. In the first round, he must perform alone, but in the second round he must battle against a member from the Mega-House of La'Gorgeous. He competes against Jarrell Gucci from the Mega-House of La'Gorgeous in the second round, but the judges choose Jarrell as the winner of this category.

### To Sea or Not to Sea

Shyanne Escada and Torie Balmain choose to walk this category, as they have experience performing in their respective vogue performance categories of "soft and feminine" and "dramatics. Thus, Shyanne performs soft and feminine vogue while Torie performs dramatics. In the first round, they must perform as duo, and then battle the duo from the Mega-House of La'Gorgeous in the second round. They compete against Deshon Gucci and Pack-Rat Lanvin from the Mega-House of La'Gorgeous in the second round, and the judges choose Shyanne and Torie as the winners of this category.

### Rich Fish Bitch

London Escada and Jamari Balmain choose to walk this category, and wear outfits in which London portrays a bride and Jamari is her groom. During the presentation, Jamari emits a ring that he was hiding in his mouth, and proposes to London. In the first round, they must perform as a duo, and then battle against a duo from the Mega-House of La'Gorgeous in the second round. They compete against Eyricka Lanvin and Jarrell Gucci from the Mega-House of La'Gorgeous in the second round.

During the battle, there is noticeable tension between Eyricka and London, and they throw shade to each other as they perform in front of the judges. Eyricka tries to convince the judges that her house's looks are better in terms of fashion, but London continually exclaims that Eyricka is wearing the same outfit that she wore in the "Tales from Atlantis" category.

After the battle, the judges express that the duo from the Mega-House of Bal'Scada had a more "bizarre" fashion choice, and that is what the category called for, thus they choose London and Jamari as the winners of this category.

### Outcome

Since the Mega-House of Bal'Scada won three categories out of five during the ball, they automatically win *Superior House* and guarantee their spot in the final ball of episode nine.

## Gallery

House Title Card
Father Jamari BalmainCali BalmainCalypso Jetè BalmainGravity BalmainTorie Balmain
## Trivia

* Even though the house was founded on June 1st, 2015, it did not debuted in a ball until September 7th of the same year.
* The house started with 8 members, now it's up to 118 members around the United States.. The House of Balmain has members in the United States and France.
* Its motto is *"When change happens... CHANGE HAPPENS"*.
* The Overall Founding Father of the House, Rodney Balmain, was a previous member of the House of Miyake-Mugler, House of Balenciaga. House of Milan and the House of Prodigy.

## References

1. ↑ Meet the HBO Max 'Legendary' 8 Houses of Ballroom
2. ↑ "Episode One: Welcome to My House"
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 UBE's Legendary Review 06.11
4. ↑ "Episode Six: Intergalactic"
5. ↑ "Episode Seven: Capes & Tights"
6. ↑ Zay Lanvin's Instagram Five Elements First Battle Instagram Post
7. ↑ Zay Lanvin's Instagram Five Elements Second Battle Instagram Post
8. ↑ UBE's 'Legendary' Review Episode 6 w Torie Balmain &
9. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1412080829138352
10. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1412080829138352
11. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1412080829138352
12. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1412080829138352