Jinkx Monsoon
Jerick Hoffer (born September 18, 1987), better known by the stage name Jinkx Monsoon, is an American drag performer, actor, comedian and singer who came to international attention by winning the fifth season of "RuPaul's Drag Race". They returned to compete in the seventh season of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars". Their first studio album, "The Inevitable Album", was released in 2014, followed by their second studio album, "The Ginger Snapped", in 2018. In June 2019, a panel of judges from "New York" magazine placed Monsoon 18th on their list of "the most powerful drag queens  in America", a ranking of 100 former "Drag Race" contestants. Early life. Jerick Hoffer was born in Portland, Oregon, and first performed in drag at age 16 at the all-ages Escape Nightclub. Their original drag name was going to be "Heidi Destruction" before settling on Jinkx Monsoon. They attended da Vinci Arts Middle School and Grant High School. Hoffer was raised Catholic, and discovered Russian-Jewish ancestry on their mother's side at the age of 18. Their drag character, Jinkx, is characterized as Jewish as a way of reconnecting with this part of their heritage. Hoffer worked as  a janitor through college and graduated with a BFA in theater from Cornish College of the Arts in 2010. They have lived in Seattle, Washington since 2006. Career. 2011-2013: Career beginnings. After moving to Seattle from Portland, Hoffer and creative partner Nick Sahoyah wrote and starred in multiple Funny or Die webisodes titled "Monsoon Season" in which they played Jinkx Monsoon as an overbearing, substance addled, near-psychotic mother to Nick Sahoyah's character, Kamikaze Monsoon. In 2011, Hoffer appeared in the Wes Hurley film "Waxie Moon in Fallen Jewel". On February 28, 2013, the first screening at Seattle 's Central Cinema was hosted by Monsoon and Waxie Moon. In January 2012, Hoffer appeared as Moritz in the rock musical "Spring Awakening" at the Balagan Theater in Seattle. Controversy arose from "The Seattle Times" review by Misha Berson, who said that they were "overly flamboyant" for the role. Dan Savage defended Hoffer's portrayal of Moritz. From July 21 to August 19, they starred as Angel in the 5th Avenue Theatre's production of the musical "RENT". In January 2013, Hoffer played Hedwig in the Moore Theatre's production of the rock musical "Hedwig and the Angry Inch". Balagan  reprised the production in December 2013 for a week long run with Hoffer and the original cast/production team. In June 2013, they played Velma Von Tussle in the Seattle Men's Chorus/5th Avenue Theatre's production of the musical "Hairspray". Hoffer also performs as Jinkx Monsoon in the original one act cabaret musical "The Vaudevillians" under the name "Kitty Witless." They are accompanied by musical partner and co-creator Richard Andriessen who performs under the name "Dr. Dan Von Dandy." The Vaudevillians performed at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in New York City from July to November 2013. After touring  Australia with "The Vaudevillians", they received a nomination for the Helpmann Award for Best Cabaret Performer. In 2013, Hoffer was chosen as one of the Artists of the Year by "City Arts" magazine along with Megan Griffiths, Macklemore, Ryan Lewis, and Wes Hurley. They played Tallulah/Dennis, the owner of Lipstick Lounge in an episode of "Blue Bloods" entitled "Manhattan Queens", which aired on January 31, 2014. 2013-present: "RuPaul's Drag Race". In November 2012, Logo announced that Jinkx Monsoon was among fourteen drag queens who would be competing on the fifth season of "RuPaul's Drag Race". Hoffer  was inspired to audition after seeing Sharon Needles on the fourth season of the show. Monsoon won the main-challenges for the episodes "Snatch Game" and "Drama Queens." For the "Snatch Game," Monsoon impersonated Edith Bouvier Beale. Monsoon also impersonated third-season contestant Mimi Imfurst in the episode "Lip Synch Extravaganza Eleganza." As part of "RuPaul's Drag Race", Monsoon 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. Monsoon won "RuPaul's Drag Race" season 5. In December 2014, an animated version  of Hoffer appeared in the "RuPaul's Drag Race: Dragopolis 2.0" mobile app. In 2015, Hoffer joined the cast of Wes Hurley's comedy series "Capitol Hill". In 2020, Hoffer starred in a series of collaborations with frequent collaborator BenDeLaCreme, including Happiest Season and "The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Special". In April 2022, it was announced that Jinkx would be competing on the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, the first all winners edition of the franchise. Section::::"Drag Becomes Him". In June 2011, Hoffer became subject to a YouTube docu-series by Alex Berry, a Seattle videographer . Named after "Death Becomes Her", one of Jinkx's favorite movies, "Drag Becomes Him" explores Hoffer's life in and out of drag. The series has continued since the finale of "RuPaul's Drag Race" and will offer insight into their life since the show. In October 2013 it was announced that "Drag Becomes Him" was being turned into a feature-length film with Seattle-based producer Basil Shadid on board. A Kickstarter campaign in March 2014 successfully raised funds to complete the project. On March 26, 2015, Hoffer announced on their Instagram page that the film would premiere at  the Cinerama in Seattle on April 29, 2015. Politics. Hoffer is very outspoken on their Instagram and Twitter about 45th US President Donald Trump and LGBT equality. They are a Democrat supporter and donated to both Elizabeth Warren's and Bernie Sanders' campaigns to be the Democratic nominee for President. Personal life. Hoffer identifies as "non-gendered" or non-binary, and goes by singular they pronouns when not in drag. In an April 2017 interview, Monsoon stated, "I've never identified as fully male. I've always identified as more gender fluid or gender ambiguous, but I never knew the  vocabulary to explain it for myself." Hoffer suffers from narcolepsy, a fact that they revealed in the season five premiere of "RuPaul's Drag Race". In January 2021, Hoffer married their partner Michael Abbott in a small ceremony at home with their friends and family witnessing through video call. The marriage was officiated by comedian Deven Green. Artistry. Hoffer's drag persona is inspired by their mother and the comedians Lucille Ball, Maria Bamford, Deven Green, and Sarah Silverman. Their drag persona's last name, Monsoon, is derived from the character Edina Monsoon from the British sitcom "Absolutely Fabulous". Hoffer  also performs as the drag character Deirdre A. Irwin, who is a Southern medium.