Aja (entertainer)
{{Short description|American rapper and drag queen}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Aja
| image = File:Aja drag queen in feb 2018.jpg
| caption = Aja before a performance in February 2018
| birth_place = Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York, US
| death_date =
| nationality = American
| other_names = {{ubl|Venus Nadya Oshun|Aja 007|Aja LaBeija|Aja Miyake-Mugler}}
| occupation = {{Flatlist|
}}
| known_for = {{flatlist|
}}
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| instrument = Vocals
| genre = Hip hop
| label =
}}
}}
Venus Nadya Oshun{{Cite tweet |user=ajaoxum |number=1596067009351090177 |title=For reference my legal name is: ✨VENUS NADYA OSHUN ✨}} (born January 4, 1994), known professionally as Aja Miyake-Mugler{{Cite instagram |user=ajathekween |postid=CyaUWVqubPH |title=I NOW INTRODUCE TO YOU… AJA MIYAKE MUGLER!!! |date=October 15, 2023}}{{efn|Formerly as Aja LaBeija.{{Cite web |last=@ajaoxum |date=July 1, 2023 |title=Reminder that I am no longer Mother LaBeija and haven't been since the beginning of the year 😭 y'all keep calling me Aja LaBeija |url=https://twitter.com/ajaoxum/status/1675280207626764288 |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=Twitter |language=en}}}} or better known mononymously as Aja ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɑ:|ʒ|ə}} {{respell|AH|zhə}}), is an American rapper, reality television personality and drag queen{{cite news |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/aja-rpdr-queer-artist-rap-star-box-office-album-790747/ |title='Drag Race' Star Aja Is Ready to Be Your New Trap Queen |date=February 7, 2019 |last=Spanos |first=Brittany |magazine=Rolling Stone |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=October 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029032829/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/aja-rpdr-queer-artist-rap-star-box-office-album-790747/ |archive-date=October 29, 2019 |url-status=live}} best known for competing on the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race and on the third and tenth seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.
Aja released her debut EP, In My Feelings, in 2018, followed by her debut studio album, BOX Office, in February 2019. Her second EP, ALL CAPS, was released in June 2019.{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/cmalone/2019/06/28/aja-delivers-viciousness--vulnerability-on-all-caps-ep/#776e81d67f81 |title=Aja Delivers Viciousness & Vulnerability On 'ALL CAPS' EP |date=June 28, 2019 |last=Malone |first=Chris |magazine=Forbes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629125818/https://www.forbes.com/sites/cmalone/2019/06/28/aja-delivers-viciousness--vulnerability-on-all-caps-ep/ |archive-date=June 29, 2019 |url-status=live}} She released Nail in the Coffin, a Halloween-themed EP, in collaboration with Shilow later that year. She was a contestant on the third season of Legendary on HBO Max, where she finished in 6th place with the House of LaBeija.
Early life
Aja was born on January 4, 1994, in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.{{Cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.com.au/rupauls-drag-race-season-9-episode-1-lady-gaga-queens-spoilers-1546235|title='RuPaul's Drag Race' season 9 episode 1: Lady Gaga, the Queens and spoilers|first=Edana|last=Patricio|date=March 9, 2017|work=International Business Times |publisher=Newsweek Media Group |access-date=February 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125658/http://www.ibtimes.com.au/rupauls-drag-race-season-9-episode-1-lady-gaga-queens-spoilers-1546235 |archive-date=October 27, 2017 |url-status=live}} She was raised by adoptive parents. Aja reconnected with her biological mother, Linda, later in life until her passing in 2024.{{Cite instagram |user=ajathekween |postid=DJhRR0WOJ08 |title=This Mother's Day hits different. |date=May 11, 2025}} She used to suffer from PTSD and anxiety, which she attributed to her single-parent home, but stopped having panic attacks after starting drag. She lived as a trans woman for a year at age 18, later coming to identify as genderqueer after learning about non-binary gender identities. Aja identifies as a person of color.{{cite magazine |last1=Cuby|first1=Michael|title=Aja Told Us the Backstory Behind Her Epic Death Drop on RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars Season 3|url=https://www.them.us/story/aja-spills-the-tea-on-rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-3|access-date=February 21, 2018|magazine=them. |publisher=Condé Nast |date=February 1, 2018 |archive-date=February 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222044257/https://www.them.us/story/aja-spills-the-tea-on-rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-3 |url-status=live}} She is of African American and Puerto Rican descent.[https://twitter.com/ajaoxum/status/1110406491025088512 Tweet by ajaoxum] | Twitter — March 26, 2019[https://twitter.com/ajaoxum/status/1315605209352200192 Tweet by ajaoxum] | Twitter — October 12, 2020[https://twitter.com/ajaoxum/status/1302404376431128582?lang=en Tweet by ajaoxum] | Twitter — September 6, 2020
Career
File:House of Aja at DragCon 2018 by dvsross.jpg and Dahlia Sin) at DragCon 2018]]
Aja began doing drag in Manhattan at age 16, participating in contests at Posh Bar, the Stonewall Inn, Metropolitan Bar and Sugarland.{{cite news|url=https://www.amny.com/entertainment/drag-race-aja-1.16722323 |title=Bushwick's 'Drag Race' contestant Aja explains the therapeutic power of drag |last=Giannotta |first=Meghan |date=February 13, 2018 |access-date=February 24, 2018 |newspaper=AM New York |publisher=Rich Tomko |archive-date=February 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224112445/https://www.amny.com/entertainment/drag-race-aja-1.16722323 |url-status=live}} She was announced as one of 14 contestants for the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race on February 2, 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://www.logotv.com/shows/rupauls-drag-race/cast|title=RuPaul's Drag Race Cast {{!}} logotv.com|website=Logo TV|access-date=February 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114103309/http://www.logotv.com/shows/rupauls-drag-race/cast |archive-date=November 14, 2017}} Aja placed ninth that season and subsequently returned to participate in the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.{{cite web |url=http://ew.com/tv/2017/10/20/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-season-3-cast-aja/ |title='RuPaul's Drag Race' reveals first 'All Stars 3' cast member |last=Nolfi |first=Joey |date=October 20, 2017 |access-date=February 24, 2018 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |publisher=Meredith Corporation |archive-date=February 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221005747/http://ew.com/tv/2017/10/20/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-season-3-cast-aja/ |url-status=live}} Aja was eliminated during the fifth episode of All Stars 3, but she returned in the following episode to compete for a chance to win re-entry to the competition.{{cite web |url=http://www.vulture.com/2018/02/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-recap-season-3-episode-5.html |title=RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Recap: Survival Art |date=February 22, 2018 |last1=Yang |first1=Bowen |last2=Rogers |first2=Matt |website=Vulture |publisher=New York Media, LLC |access-date=February 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223175726/http://www.vulture.com/2018/02/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-recap-season-3-episode-5.html |archive-date=February 23, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.vulture.com/2018/03/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-recap-season-3-episode-6.html |title=RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Recap: Messy Girls |date=March 1, 2018 |last1=Yang |first1=Bowen |last2=Rogers |first2=Matt |website=Vulture |publisher=New York Media, LLC |access-date=March 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302191115/http://www.vulture.com/2018/03/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-recap-season-3-episode-6.html |archive-date=March 2, 2018 |url-status=live}} Another contestant, Morgan McMichaels, rejoined instead, which placed Aja seventh overall.
The drag house Haus of Aja, based in Bedford–Stuyvesant, includes members Aja, Kandy Muse, Momo Shade, Dahlia Sin, and Janelle No5.{{cite web |url= https://www.grizzlykiki.com/podcast/podcast/the-haus-of-aja|title=The Haus of Aja |date=November 18, 2016 |website=Grizzly Kiki |access-date=February 22, 2018}}{{cite tweet |author=Aja |user=ajaqueen |number=985979107333853185 |date=April 16, 2018 |title=The #Hausofaja would like to present to you our newest member @janelle.no.5 !!! We love this hoe and can't wait to see what this woman adds to our collective ✨💕 @dahlia_sin @thekandymuse @momoshade photo by @orograph |archive-date=April 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417173933/https://twitter.com/ajaqueen/status/985979107333853185 |access-date=April 17, 2018 |url-status=live}} They performed at Hardware Bar until the house dissolved in June 2018.{{cite web |url=https://brokelyn.com/brooklyn-drag-crews/ |title=5 Brooklyn drag supergroups ripe for your adoration |last=Shorey |first=Eric |date=June 13, 2017 |website=Brokelyn |access-date=February 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222044227/https://brokelyn.com/brooklyn-drag-crews/ |archive-date=February 22, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://thetab.com/uk/2021/01/05/haus-of-aja-drama-kandy-muse-leave-netflix-rupaul-drag-race-188124 |title=What happened between the Haus of Aja and Drag Race's Kandy Muse? |last=Urquhart |first=Bean |website=thetab.com |date=5 January 2021 |publisher=The Tab |access-date=May 29, 2023}}
Aja appeared in a commercial for H&M's Pride OUT Loud campaign in May 2018.{{Cite news |url=https://nylon.com/articles/hm-pride-2018-aja-interview |title=Aja Is The Face Of H&M's New Pride OUT Loud Campaign |date=May 24, 2018 |magazine=Nylon |access-date=June 5, 2018 |last=Igneri |first=Jenna |archive-date=May 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524232852/https://nylon.com/articles/hm-pride-2018-aja-interview |url-status=live}} Since June 2018, Aja has hosted a talk show called Ayo Sis on WOW Presents Plus.{{cite news |url=http://ew.com/tv/2018/06/25/miss-vanjie-tv-show-follow-me/ |last=Nolfi |first=Joey |title=Vaaanjie! Find out which RuPaul's Drag Race alums are getting their own TV shows |date=June 25, 2018 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |publisher=Meredith Corporation |access-date=July 3, 2018 |archive-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625222444/http://ew.com/tv/2018/06/25/miss-vanjie-tv-show-follow-me/ |url-status=live}} In May 2019, Aja was sponsored by Starbucks to promote the company's S'Mores Life contest.{{Cite web |url=https://stylecaster.com/beauty/starbucks-lip-gloss/ |title=Here's How to Get Starbucks' Unreleased Lip Gloss—Yes, Starbucks |date=April 30, 2019 |website=StyleCaster |publisher=SHE Media |last=Denton |first=Elizabeth |access-date=May 2, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-date=May 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501021055/https://stylecaster.com/beauty/starbucks-lip-gloss/ |df=mdy-all }}
In July 2018, Aja announced that she no longer wish to be known as a drag queen but rather as a queer artist, stating to them. magazine: {{Blockquote|[B]eing a queer artist is more generalized, and being a drag queen is way more specific. I know I kind of let go of the idea of being a drag queen because, for most people, the stereotypical drag queen lip syncs and performs. I've been working on my burlesque and my live music, and I don't really have the drive to dance and flip flop and be doing dips and, 'Is she gonna jump from there?' It's just not something I want to do. It's something that is part of me, but it's not something that I'm carrying into the future, so I'm kind of leaving the term behind.{{cite news |url=https://www.them.us/story/aja-queer-performance |title=Why 'Drag Race' Alum Aja Is No Longer Using the Term 'Drag Queen' |last=Street |first=Mikelle |date=July 3, 2018 |access-date=July 4, 2018 |magazine=them. |publisher=Condé Nast |archive-date=July 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704002930/https://www.them.us/story/aja-queer-performance |url-status=dead}}}}
For the next three years, Aja focused primarily on her musical career. In September 2021, she stated that she would again begin performing in drag. After seeing Kylie Sonique Love win the sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, Aja said: "It really hit me at that moment that trans is who I am and drag is what I do,... that me doing drag has never taken away from who I am as a person.... As of today I can feel comfortable to say that I am a drag artist again."{{cite news |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/06/drag-race-aja-gender-journey/ |title=Drag Race icon Aja announces return to drag and opens up about ongoing 'gender journey' |date=September 6, 2021 |last=Baska |first=Maggie |newspaper=PinkNews |access-date=September 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906193823/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/06/drag-race-aja-gender-journey/ |archive-date=September 6, 2021 |url-status=live}}
In 2023, Aja appeared on the first episode of the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars as a “lip-sync assassin”, where she faced off against the week's winner, Kahanna Montrese, to Beyoncé’s “Freakum Dress”. Aja won the lipsync and revealed which of the bottom queens had received the majority of the queens’ votes to go home, that being Monica Beverly Hillz.{{cite web|url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2023/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-untucked-season-5-episode-1-recap/ |title='RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Untucked' season 5 episode 1 recap: 'The Fame Games' |last=Benutty |first=John |website=goldderby.com |date=12 May 2023 |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=May 29, 2023}}
In July 2023, after having altered her Instagram display name months before, Aja formally announced that she was no longer part of the House of LaBeija, and that she is to be referred to as "Aja 007".{{efn|"007" is a title and surname used by vogue performers who are currently not a part of any vogue houses.}}
On April 23, 2025, Aja was announced as one of eighteen former Drag Race contestants participating 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 =
Aja released the single "Level Ya Pussy Up" with producers WNNR and DJ Accident Report in February 2017.{{Cite web|title=Level Ya Pussy Up (feat. WNNR & DJ Accident Report) - Single |date=February 2, 2017|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/level-ya-pussy-up-feat-wnnr-dj-accident-report-single/1335402765|access-date=February 21, 2018|publisher=iTunes Store}} Aja's single with fellow season 9 queens Sasha Velour, Peppermint and Alexis Michelle, titled "C.L.A.T.", was released on April 21, 2017.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7767972/rupauls-drag-race-new-york-city-queens-clat |title='RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 9 Queens From NYC Team Up for 'C.L.A.T.' Video: Exclusive |date=April 21, 2017 |first=Joe |last=Lynch |magazine=Billboard |access-date=February 21, 2018|issn=0006-2510 |publisher=Lynne Segall |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820184316/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7767972/rupauls-drag-race-new-york-city-queens-clat |archive-date=August 20, 2017 |url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/7966091/rupauls-drag-race-best-songs-queens|title=17 Best Songs From 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queens|date=September 19, 2017|first=Joe|last=Lynch|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 21, 2018 |publisher=Lynne Segall |archive-date=November 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171102021524/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/7966091/rupauls-drag-race-best-songs-queens |url-status=live}} The track was produced by DJ Mitch Ferrino, who was featured on "Purse First" by Bob the Drag Queen.{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/c-l-a-t-feat-dj-mitch-ferrino/1224249908?i=1224251423|title=C.L.A.T. (feat. DJ Mitch Ferrino) - Single|date=April 21, 2017|publisher=iTunes Store|access-date=February 21, 2018}} Producer Adam Joseph remixed Aja's rant about fellow season 9 queen Valentina in a track called "Linda Evangelista".{{cite web |url=http://www.newnownext.com/aja-valentina-untucked-dance-song/04/2017/ |title=Aja's 'Untucked' Valentina Read Has Been Turned Into A Killer Club Track |last=Rudolph |first=Christopher |date=April 17, 2017 |access-date=February 24, 2018 |website=NewNowNext |publisher=Logo TV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222044452/http://www.newnownext.com/aja-valentina-untucked-dance-song/04/2017/ |archive-date=February 22, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://mic.com/articles/174735/model-linda-evangelista-shows-love-to-rpdr-by-posting-iconic-aja-valentina-meme-on-ig#.8MIS29L32 |title=Model Linda Evangelista shows love to 'RPDR' by posting iconic Aja/Valentina meme on IG |last= Katz|first= Evan|date=April 20, 2017 |website=Mic |publisher=Mic Network Inc. |access-date=February 24, 2018}}{{Cite web|title=Linda Evangelista - Single|date=May 3, 2017|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/linda-evangelista-feat-aja/1234035664?i=1234035665|access-date=February 21, 2018|publisher=iTunes Store}} In September 2017, Aja appeared in the music video for Velo's song "Big D*ck Daddy" alongside Phi Phi O'Hara.{{cite web |url=http://www.newnownext.com/velo-big-dick-daddy-music-video-aja-phi-phi-o-hara/09/2017/ |title=Aja And Phi Phi O'Hara Want a "Big D*ck Daddy" in New Velo Music Video |website=NewNowNext |publisher=Logo TV |last=Rudolph |first=Christopher |date=September 4, 2017 |access-date=February 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222043848/http://www.newnownext.com/velo-big-dick-daddy-music-video-aja-phi-phi-o-hara/09/2017/ |archive-date=February 22, 2018 |url-status=live}}
On March 1, 2018, Aja released a solo music video, "Finish Her!", which was produced in collaboration with WNNR and DJ Accident Report. It features some of Aja's runway looks from All Stars 3. Her debut EP, In My Feelings, was released on May 11, 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8455498/aja-music-rupauls-drag-race-ep-interview |last=Lynch |first=Joe
|date=May 11, 2018 |title= 'Drag Race' All Star Aja on Her Debut EP, 'Classism' In the New York Drag Scene & Rejecting the Gender Binary |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Lynne Segall|access-date=May 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512001258/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8455498/aja-music-rupauls-drag-race-ep-interview |archive-date=May 12, 2018 |url-status=live}} Videos for two other songs from In My Feelings, "Brujería" and "I Don't Wanna Brag", were released on May 7, 2018, and July 13, 2018, respectively. Aja's second EP, All Caps, was released on June 28, 2019.
Aja's debut studio album, BOX Office, was released on February 7, 2019.{{cite news |url=https://people.com/tv/drag-race-aja-being-genderqueer-new-single/ |title=RuPaul's Drag Race
In May 2025, Aja released an original collaboration with Australian singer-songwriter Greg Gould titled ‘Bloodlines’.
Personal life
Aja resides in New York City.{{cite news |url=http://nymag.com/strategist/article/rupauls-drag-race-aja-favorite-things.html |title=What Aja of 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Can't Live Without |last=Aja |date=February 15, 2018 |access-date=February 24, 2018 |magazine=New York |publisher=New York Media, LLC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219090448/http://nymag.com/strategist/article/rupauls-drag-race-aja-favorite-things.html |archive-date=February 19, 2018 |url-status=live}}
Just before filming season 9 of Drag Race, Aja was in a situation of domestic violence with a previous boyfriend.{{cite magazine |last=Dresden |first=Hilton |title=Aja Spills on That Death Drop, Milk, & Why All Stars 3 is the Most 'Shocking' Season Yet |url=https://www.out.com/interviews/2018/2/08/aja-spills-death-drop-milk-why-all-stars-3-most-shocking-season-yet |access-date=February 21, 2018 |magazine=Out |publisher=Joe Landry |date=February 8, 2018 |issn=1062-7928 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222104831/https://www.out.com/interviews/2018/2/08/aja-spills-death-drop-milk-why-all-stars-3-most-shocking-season-yet |archive-date=February 22, 2018 |url-status=live}} In December 2017, Aja and her current boyfriend were kicked out of a Lyft after kissing.{{Cite news |url=http://www.washingtonblade.com/2017/12/14/rupauls-drag-race-alum-aja-kicked-lyft-kissing-boyfriend/ |title='RuPaul's Drag Race' alum Aja kicked out of Lyft for kissing boyfriend |last=Cooper |first=Mariah |date=December 14, 2017 |newspaper=Washington Blade |publisher=Lynne Brown |access-date=February 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222043853/http://www.washingtonblade.com/2017/12/14/rupauls-drag-race-alum-aja-kicked-lyft-kissing-boyfriend/ |archive-date=February 22, 2018 |url-status=live}} The driver was later fired, and the company issued a statement of support for Aja.
In August 2018, Aja was banned from Twitter for referring to a user who discounted her gender identity as a "senseless cow".{{cite news |url=https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/111701/drag-race-star-aja-got-banned-from-twitter-for-calling-out-a-transphobe/ |title=Drag Race star Aja got banned from Twitter for calling out a transphobe |date=August 2, 2018 |last=Damshenas |first=Sam |access-date=August 28, 2018 |magazine=Gay Times |publisher=James Frost |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802211232/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/111701/drag-race-star-aja-got-banned-from-twitter-for-calling-out-a-transphobe/ |archive-date=August 2, 2018 |url-status=live}} Her account was reinstated after a few hours.{{Cite news|url=https://metro.co.uk/2018/08/04/rupauls-drag-race-star-aja-banned-twitter-transphobes-attacked-7799226/ |title=RuPaul's Drag Race star Aja banned from Twitter after transphobes attacked them |date=August 4, 2018 |last=Pearce |first=Tilly |magazine=Metro |publisher=DMGT |access-date=August 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826043930/https://metro.co.uk/2018/08/04/rupauls-drag-race-star-aja-banned-twitter-transphobes-attacked-7799226/ |archive-date=August 26, 2018 |url-status=live}} In a July 2019 interview with them. Magazine, Aja shared that she was going through the process of changing her legal name from her birth name to Aja in order to reflect her gender identity.{{cite magazine |last=Goodman |first=Elyssa |title=Exclusive: Nonbinary Rapper Aja Discusses Their Name Change |url=https://www.them.us/story/aja-rapper-name-change-interview |access-date=July 14, 2019 |magazine=them. |publisher=Condé Nast |date=July 12, 2019 |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714183349/https://www.them.us/story/aja-rapper-name-change-interview |url-status=live}} She said, {{Blockquote|I've never identified with the name I have. Being adopted and already having several names, I feel like the name I was given wasn't even my real name. I was like, it'd be nice to have my own name. Especially for someone who identifies as more fluid on the spectrum, as nonbinary, one of the things that really influenced was people thinking there's this dramatic transformation and detachment from Aja as a person and an artist. What people don't realize is that Aja the artist is Aja the person, there is no difference.}}She further stated, {{Blockquote|I don't like to be dead named. It's really uncomfortable when people do that because even the people in my life don't call me by my government name. I don't think it's proper or respectful. Everyone calls me Aja, even my mom sometimes.}}
In December 2021, Aja came out as a transgender woman, and announced the beginning of her transition, explaining in an Instagram post and GoFundMe campaign, "I have lived my life as Non Binary since 2018 and have recently began to identify more with the feminine aspect of my identity. Now living my life as a trans woman has brought out worries about different things such as my appearance."{{cite tweet |last=Labeija |first=Aja |author-link=Aja Labeija |user=ajaoxum |number=1473437504481251332 |date=December 21, 2021 |title=35 donations and I'm at 2k! I just want to say thank you to everyone who's helping me share this and get this news out there and helping me get through this journey! I'm truly appreciative. Keep sharing if you can and remember it really helps me! https://t.co/KIVXSe5YNi |language=en |access-date=December 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228092031/https://twitter.com/ajaoxum/status/1473437504481251332 |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-status=live}} Aja uses she/her pronouns.
Aja practices Santeria, and she started doing what she called "sex work" on OnlyFans during the 2020 lockdown.{{cite magazine |last=Pasulka |first=Nicole |title=Aja Finally Captures the Crown |url=https://slate.com/human-interest/2021/05/aja-crown-album-drag-race.html |access-date=August 20, 2022 |magazine=Slate |date=May 21, 2021 }} She is bisexual.{{Cite tweet |user=ajaoxum |number=1921756966579278131 |title=Had the realization today that I am definitely bisexual and have been in denial about it 😭 Welp. I guess I'm coming out. I'm bisexual.}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| rowspan="1" style="width:14em;"| Title
! rowspan="1" style="width:19em;"| Details |
|---|
| scope="row"| Box Office
|
|
| scope="row"| Crown
|
|
=EPs=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| rowspan="1" style="width:14em;"| Title
! rowspan="1" style="width:19em;"| Details ! rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;" | {{abbr|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| In My Feelings
|
|
| scope="row"| ALL CAPS
|
|
| scope="row"| Nail in the Coffin
|
|
| scope="row"| Femme Queen Rage:, Vol. 1
|
| style="text-align: center;" | {{Cite web|title=Femme Queen Rage:, Vol. 1 |date=September 16, 2023 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/femme-queen-rage-vol-1/1707549728 |access-date= September 16, 2023 |publisher=iTunes Store}} |
=Singles=
Filmography
= Television =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |
| scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" | Notes |
|---|
| rowspan="2"| 2017
! scope="row" | RuPaul's Drag Race (season 9) | Contestant | 9th place (9 episodes) |
| scope="row" | RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked
| Herself | Season 8 (7 episodes) |
| 2018
! scope="row" | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 3) | Contestant | 7th place (7 episodes) |
| 2019
! scope="row" | Tattoo Tales{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} | Herself | 1 episode |
| 2022
! scope="row" | Legendary (season 3) | Contestant | House of LaBeija (4 episodes) |
| 2023
! scope="row" | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 8) | Herself | Guest; Lip Sync Assassin (1 episode) |
| 2025
|RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 10) |Herself (contestant) |Contestant - TBA |
= Film =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |
| scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref|Reference}} |
|---|
| 2018
| Femme | Panzy LaRue |
= Internet series =
= Music videos =
See also
References
{{Notelist}}
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website|https://www.ajakween.com}}
- {{IMDb name|8766495}}
- {{Cite web|title=Drag Race's Aja Did a Reddit AMA and Oh Wow, So Much Went Down|url=http://www.comedycentral.co.uk/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars/articles/aja-did-an-ask-aja-anything-and-so-much-went-down|date=January 23, 2018|first=Claire|last=Rowden|publisher=Comedy Central}}
{{RuPaul's Drag Race}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aja (drag queen)}}
Category:20th-century American LGBTQ people
Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people
Category:21st-century American rappers
Category:21st-century American women rappers
Category:American LGBTQ rappers
Category:American people of Egyptian descent
Category:American people of Moroccan descent
Category:American transgender musicians
Category:American transgender women
Category:Drag performers from New York City
Category:Entertainers from New York City
Category:LGBTQ people from New York (state)
Category:Non-binary drag performers
Category:People from Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn
Category:RuPaul's Drag Race contestants
Category:Rappers from Brooklyn