Acid Betty
{{Short description|American drag performer}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Acid Betty
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| image = Dragcon2-SAT-50 (47937170542) (cropped).jpg
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| caption = Acid Betty in 2019
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| birth_name = Jamin Ruhren
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|12|10}}
| birth_place = Riverside, California, U.S.
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| occupation = {{hlist|Drag queen|performer|actor|singer}}
| years_active = 2006–present
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| television = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 8) and RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 10)
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| website = {{URL|acidbetty.com}}
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}}
Jamin Ruhren{{Cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2016/03/07/rupaul-still-reigns-supreme-as-drag-race-hits-100-episodes/|title=RuPaul still reigns supreme as 'Drag Race' hits 100 episodes|last=Hegedus|first=Eric|date=2016-03-07|website=New York Post|language=en|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-date=2017-03-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318213425/http://nypost.com/2016/03/07/rupaul-still-reigns-supreme-as-drag-race-hits-100-episodes/|url-status=live}} (born December 10, 1977), better known by the stage name Acid Betty, is an American drag queen, performer, actor and singer. He rose to national prominence after competing on the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race in 2016 and the tenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars in 2025.
Early life
Ruhren first wore drag when he was very young, masquerading as his sister's “cousin from out of town” as a practical joke, where he wore his sister's cheerleader pompoms to act as his hair and breasts. He later said that that was when he first knew he would pass as a female in the future, even if he looked like “a fat Raggedy Ann”.{{cite web |url=https://nypost.com/2016/03/07/rupaul-still-reigns-supreme-as-drag-race-hits-100-episodes/ |title=RuPaul still reigns supreme as 'Drag Race' hits 100 episodes |last=Hegedus |first=Eric |website=New York Post |date=7 March 2016 |publisher=NYP Holdings, Inc. |access-date=October 4, 2022 |archive-date=18 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318213425/http://nypost.com/2016/03/07/rupaul-still-reigns-supreme-as-drag-race-hits-100-episodes/ |url-status=live }} Ruhren went to his first drag club when he was 17, where he saw Raja perform.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gaycalgary.com/magazine.aspx?id=162&article=5605|title=GayCalgary.com - VIDEO INTERVIEW - Acid Betty talks about RuPaul's Drag Race and Big Brother|website=GayCalgary Online|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-date=2017-12-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224042536/http://www.gaycalgary.com/Magazine.aspx?id=162&article=5605|url-status=live}} He is Jewish.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Top-5-Jewish-Drag-Queens-496355|title=5 Jewish drag queens slaying the competition - Diaspora - Jerusalem Post|website=www.jpost.com|date=9 June 2017 |access-date=2019-06-07|archive-date=2018-06-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628072318/https://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Top-5-Jewish-Drag-Queens-496355|url-status=live}}
Career
File:Acid Betty at RuPaul's Dragcon 2017 by dvsross (2).jpg
Before his appearance on RuPaul's Drag Race, Betty was a guest for an episode of Project Runway, season five in 2008, where RuPaul was the guest judge.{{Cite web|url=http://www.newnownext.com/rupaul-project-runway-all-stars/12/2017/|title=RuPaul Is Returning To "Project Runway" {{!}} NewNowNext|website=www.newnownext.com|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-date=2019-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607060214/http://www.newnownext.com/rupaul-project-runway-all-stars/12/2017/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.yasqueens.com/performers/drag-queen-acid-betty/|title=Meet Acid Betty – Discover Drag Performers on Yas Queens|website=Yas Queens|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-date=2019-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607060223/http://www.yasqueens.com/performers/drag-queen-acid-betty/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://flamingomusings.com/2008/08/project-runway-stream-of-consciousness-recap-ep-6.html|title=Project Runway: Stream of Consciousness Recap – Ep. 6|date=2008-08-21|website=Flamingo Musings|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-date=2019-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607060154/http://flamingomusings.com/2008/08/project-runway-stream-of-consciousness-recap-ep-6.html|url-status=live}} In 2009, Betty was in the film An Englishman in New York with John Hurt.{{Cite web|url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2010/01/28/inside-the-downtown-celebrity-known-as-acid-betty/|title=Inside The Downtown Celebrity Known As Acid Betty|website=www.villagevoice.com|date=28 January 2010|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-date=2019-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607060151/https://www.villagevoice.com/2010/01/28/inside-the-downtown-celebrity-known-as-acid-betty/|url-status=live}} In 2010, she appeared in an eight episode web series documentary, Queens of Drag: NYC with Peppermint, Bianca Del Rio and Mimi Imfurst.{{Cite web|url=https://www.outwordmagazine.com/inside-outword/glbt-news/373-queens-of-drag-nyc|title=Queens of Drag: NYC|website=www.outwordmagazine.com|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-date=2019-05-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530154551/https://www.outwordmagazine.com/inside-outword/glbt-news/373-queens-of-drag-nyc|url-status=live}} She has served as Ringleader at the Lincoln Center for New York City's "Rock and Roll Circus" in 2011.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/06/fashion/06scenecity.html|title=Rock and Roll Circus Is a Tight Squeeze: Scene City|last=Aleksander|first=Irina|date=2011-01-05|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-06-07|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=2019-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607060211/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/06/fashion/06scenecity.html|url-status=live}}
Betty was announced to be one of twelve competing on season eight of RuPaul's Drag Race on February 1, 2016.{{Cite web|url=http://www.newnownext.com/the-cast-of-rupauls-drag-race-season-8-will-be-announced-at-new-now-next-honors/01/2016/,%20http://www.newnownext.com/the-cast-of-rupauls-drag-race-season-8-will-be-announced-at-new-now-next-honors/01/2016/|title=The Cast Of "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 8 Will Be Announced At New Now Next Honors {{!}} NewNowNext|last=Avery 1/14/2016|first=Dan|website=www.newnownext.com|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-date=2023-04-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415062611/https://www.logotv.com/news|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.queerty.com/meet-the-queens-of-rupauls-drag-race-season-8-20160201|title=Meet The Queens Of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8|last=Allen|first=Timothy|date=2016-02-01|website=www.queerty.com|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-date=2019-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607060148/https://www.queerty.com/meet-the-queens-of-rupauls-drag-race-season-8-20160201|url-status=live}} She was eliminated in episode five after performing badly on the annual snatch game challenge, and later losing a lip sync to Madonna's "Causing a Commotion" against Naomi Smalls.{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/acid-betty-rupauls-drag-race_n_570423f0e4b053766187f5ab|title=Acid Betty Reflects On Her Time On 'RuPaul's Drag Race'|last=Nichols|first=James Michael|date=2016-04-05|website=HuffPost|language=en|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-date=2020-08-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822190407/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/acid-betty-rupauls-drag-race_n_570423f0e4b053766187f5ab|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2016/04/rupauls-drag-race-recap-season-7-episode-5.html|website=www.vulture.com|title=RuPaul's Drag Race Recap: Snatch Me If You Can|last=Moylan|first=Brian|date=4 April 2016 |access-date=2019-06-07|archive-date=2022-05-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517095648/https://www.vulture.com/2016/04/rupauls-drag-race-recap-season-7-episode-5.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.crossmap.com/article/rupauls-drag-race-season-8-episode-5-acid-betty-fails-to-impress.html|title=RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8, Episode 5: Acid Betty Fails to Impress|website=www.crossmap.com|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-date=2019-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607060152/https://www.crossmap.com/article/rupauls-drag-race-season-8-episode-5-acid-betty-fails-to-impress.html|url-status=live}}
After the show, Betty made a cameo appearance in The Path in 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://fathersonholygore.com/2018/02/21/the-path-season-3-episode-8-the-door/|title=The Path – Season 3, Episode 8: "The Door"|last=Gore|first=Father|date=2018-02-22|website=Father Son Holy Gore|language=en|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-date=2019-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607060153/https://fathersonholygore.com/2018/02/21/the-path-season-3-episode-8-the-door/|url-status=live}} In July 2020, Betty was featured in Drive N' Drag, a drive-in drag show.{{Cite news|url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/festivals/drive-in-drag-show|title=This Drive-in Drag Show Is Bringing America's Drag Superstars to a Parking Lot Near You|last=Romano|first=Andrea|date=July 14, 2020|work=Travel and Leisure|access-date=July 27, 2020|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727022940/https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/festivals/drive-in-drag-show|url-status=live}} In April 2025, Acid Betty was announced as one of eighteen former Drag Race contestants competing in the tenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.{{cite news|url= https://ew.com/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-10-cast-revealed-11719777|title=RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 10 cast announced with major format change: See 18 returning queens on largest cast ever|date=April 23, 2025|first=Joey|last=Nolfi|website=Deadline|access-date=April 24, 2025}}
= Music =
In November 2011, Betty appeared in the music video for Cazwell's "Unzip Me".{{Citation|last=Peace Bisquit|title=CAZWELL & PEACHES "Unzip Me" Official video directed by Bec Stupak|date=2011-11-20|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je8cEDHzvtE|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-date=2019-06-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620212305/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je8cEDHzvtE|url-status=live}} Betty released her first single, "Ruthless", on March 1, 2012.{{Citation|title=Ruthless - Single by Acid Betty & Brittany Campbell|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/ruthless-single/1106921168|language=en-us|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-date=2021-12-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203121648/https://music.apple.com/us/album/ruthless-single/1106921168|url-status=live}} Her second single, "Fantasy", was released on May 15, 2016.{{Citation|title=Fantasy (feat. Brittany Campbell & Mathenee Treco) - Single by Acid Betty|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/fantasy-feat-brittany-campbell-mathenee-treco-single/1115092571|language=en-us|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-date=2021-12-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203121650/https://music.apple.com/us/album/fantasy-feat-brittany-campbell-mathenee-treco-single/1115092571|url-status=live}} The music video features season eight finalists Kim Chi and Bob the Drag Queen.{{Citation|last=Acid Betty|title=fantasy|date=2016-04-04|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8a8kyIwSZI|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-date=2021-01-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106165848/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8a8kyIwSZI|url-status=live}} A third single, "Acid (Drop)", was available three days later.{{Citation|title=Acid (Drop!) [feat. Brittany Campbell & Mathenee Treco] - Single by Acid Betty|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/acid-drop-feat-brittany-campbell-mathenee-treco-single/1116026604|language=en-us|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-date=2021-12-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203130334/https://music.apple.com/us/album/acid-drop-feat-brittany-campbell-mathenee-treco-single/1116026604|url-status=live}}
Personal life
Ruhren is based in Brooklyn.
Filmography
= Film =
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Title !Role |
| 2009
|Herself |
= Television =
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Title !Role !Notes |
| 2008
|Project Runway | rowspan="6" |Herself |Guest (season five) |
| rowspan="2" |2016
| rowspan="2" |Contestant (eighth place) |
| RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked |
| 2018
|Season 3, Episode 8: "The Door" |
| 2020
|Tales from the Trip |Episode 35: "Acid Betty" |
| 2025
|RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 10) |Contestant - TBA |
= Music videos =
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Title !Artist !Ref. |
| 2011
|"Unzip Me" | |
| 2012
|"Ruthless" |Herself |
= Web series =
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Title !Role !Ref. |
| 2010
|Queens of Drag: NYC | rowspan="6" |Herself |
| rowspan="2" |2016 |
| Bus Buddies |
| rowspan="2" |2018
|Out of the Closet |
| Hey Qween! |
| 2020
|The Pit Stop |
Discography
= Singles =
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Title |
| 2012
|"Ruthless" |
| rowspan="2" |2016
|"Fantasy" |
| "Acid (Drop)" |
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{IMDb name|6011008|Acid Betty}}
- [https://www.discogs.com/artist/6472227-Acid-Betty Acid Betty] on Discogs
{{RuPaul's Drag Race}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Acid Betty}}
Category:20th-century American LGBTQ people
Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people
Category:Artists from Brooklyn
Category:Drag performers from California
Category:Drag performers from New York City
Category:Jewish American male actors
Category:Jewish American singers
Category:LGBTQ people from New York (state)