DiDa Ritz
{{good article}}
{{Short description|American drag performer}}
{{Infobox person
| name = DiDa Ritz
| image = File:Rupaul Dragcon 2018-66 (28203492268) (cropped).jpg
| alt = Photograph of a person wearing an outfit with many embellishments
| caption = DiDa Ritz at RuPaul's DragCon LA, 2018
| birth_name = Xavier Hairston
| birth_place =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality = American
| other_names =
| occupation = Drag queen
| years_active =
| known_for =
| television = RuPaul's Drag Race (season 4)
| notable_works =
}}
DiDa Ritz is the stage name of Xavier Hairston,{{Cite web |title=Dida Ritz {{!}} Booking Agent {{!}} Talent Roster |url=https://mn2s.com/booking-agency/talent-roster/dida-ritz/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206093738/https://mn2s.com/booking-agency/talent-roster/dida-ritz/ |archive-date=2022-12-06 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website= |publisher=MN2S}} an American drag performer who competed on season 4 of RuPaul's Drag Race. Dida Ritz is based in Chicago, where she performs regularly and hosts Drag Race viewing parties. Her performance of "This Will Be" by Natalie Cole during a lip-sync contest has been deemed among the show's best.
Early life
Xavier Hairston was raised by a pastor in Lansing, Michigan.{{cite news |last1=Nunn |first1=Jerry |date=January 18, 2012 |title=DiDa Ritz: DiDa Ritz interview with ChicagoPride.com |work=GoPride Chicago |url=https://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/I328144 |url-status=live |access-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302074755/https://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/I328144 |archive-date=March 2, 2021}} He moved to Chicago after graduating from high school.{{Cite web |last=Erbentraut |first=Joseph |date=2012-04-05 |title=Local 'Drag Race' Diva Dishes On Reality TV Success |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/my-chicago-dida-ritz-rupa_n_1403814 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809035645/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/my-chicago-dida-ritz-rupa_n_1403814 |archive-date=2020-08-09 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}
Career
Hairston performs in drag as DiDa Ritz. She competed on season 4 (2012) of RuPaul's Drag Race, and performed regularly at Chicago's Hydrate Nightclub at the time. In 2017, DiDa Ritz attended the "Fashion Does Drag" Ball, hosted by former Drag Race judge Marc Jacobs during New York Fashion Week.{{Cite web |last=Munzenrieder |first=Kyle |date=2017-09-08 |title=All the Pictures From Marc Jacobs and RuPaul's Drag Ball at New York Fashion Week |url=https://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/marc-jacobs-rupaul-drag-ball-new-york-fashion-week-in-pictures |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223153708/https://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/marc-jacobs-rupaul-drag-ball-new-york-fashion-week-in-pictures |archive-date=2023-12-23 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=W |language=en |issn=0162-9115 |oclc=1781845}} She performed in the drag show "Black Girl Magic" with Drag Race contestants Asia O'Hara, Mayhem Miller, Shea Couleé, and The Vixen, in Detroit in 2018.{{Cite web |last=Baetens |first=Melody |date=2018-07-11 |title=Entertainment calendar: Things to do this week in town |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/2018/07/11/entertainment-calendar-things-week-metro-detroit-festivals-concerts/36797685/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223153705/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/2018/07/11/entertainment-calendar-things-week-metro-detroit-festivals-concerts/36797685/ |archive-date=2023-12-23 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=The Detroit News |publisher=Digital First Media |language=en-US |issn=1055-2715}}
In 2020, DiDa Ritz participated in RuPaul's Digital DragCon, which replaced RuPaul's DragCon LA because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |last=Greenfield |first=Beth |date=2020-05-15 |title=How out-of-work drag performers are lifting fans up through online pandemic shows: 'A time to be creative' |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/drag-performers-lifting-fans-up-through-online-pandemic-shows-204412195.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330055836/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/drag-performers-lifting-fans-up-through-online-pandemic-shows-204412195.html |archive-date=2023-03-30 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Yahoo! Life |language=en-US}} She also joined the thousands participating in the Drag March for Change, "[demanding] justice for the multiple black people who have died due to police brutality," emphasizing members of the LGBTQ+ community.{{Cite web |last=Barnes |first=Paige |date=2020-06-17 |title=Drag March for Change addresses intersectionality of race, sexuality, gender |url=https://columbiachronicle.com/drag-march-for-change-addresses-intersectionality-of-race-sexuality-gender |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603183307/https://columbiachronicle.com/drag-march-for-change-addresses-intersectionality-of-race-sexuality-gender |archive-date=2023-06-03 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=The Columbia Chronicle |publisher=Columbia College Chicago}} Additionally, she was in the line-up for an online benefit concert, organized by the Chicago Artists' Relief Fund and Rattleback Records, for artists (especially those of color) unemployed due to COVID-19.{{Cite web |last=Polk |first=Milan |date=2020-07-02 |title=Dida Ritz, Glitter Moneyyy and more performing in a benefit concert |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ent-covid-artists-benefit-0701-20200702-m4psigxt55aqdotb4df6tiwrya-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221134738/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ent-covid-artists-benefit-0701-20200702-m4psigxt55aqdotb4df6tiwrya-story.html |archive-date=2022-02-21 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Chicago Tribune |publisher=Tribune Publishing |oclc=7960243}} DiDa Ritz also performed regularly at Chicago's gay bar and nightclub Berlin; according to The New York Times, in 2020, she helped lead a demonstration from the club along Halsted Avenue, demanding better pay and working conditions for drag performers.{{Cite news |last=Schmall |first=Emily |date=2023-12-01 |title=Labor Dispute Closes Berlin, the Beloved Chicago Gay Bar |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/01/us/berlin-night-club-chicago-closed.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223094603/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/01/us/berlin-night-club-chicago-closed.html |archive-date=2023-12-23 |access-date=2023-12-23 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}
DiDa Ritz has continued to host LGBT events and tour throughout the United States. In 2021, Out included her in a list of the top 30 "movers and shakers" in queer nightlife.{{Cite web |last=Huley |first=Rachel |date=2021-06-16 |title=Out at Night: Top 30 Names in Queer Nightlife |url=https://www.out.com/nightlife/2021/6/11/out-night-top-30-names-queer-nightlife |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609054208/https://www.out.com/nightlife/2021/6/11/out-night-top-30-names-queer-nightlife |archive-date=2023-06-09 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Out |language=en |issn=1062-7928}} As of 2021, she has hosted RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars viewing parties at Hydrate Nightclub.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-05 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race Viewing Party with DiDa Ritz on 8/5/2021 : Hydrate Nightclub events in Chicago |url=https://chicago.gopride.com/calendar/event.cfm/id/255834 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920181156/https://chicago.gopride.com/calendar/event.cfm/id/255834 |archive-date=2021-09-20 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=GoPride Chicago |language=EN}} In 2022, she performed at Pridefest in Bloomington, Indiana,{{Cite web |last=Stafford |first=Erin |date=2022-08-22 |title=Bloomington PRIDE to present drag performers DiDa Ritz, Saint at annual Pridefest Aug. 27 |url=https://www.idsnews.com/article/2022/08/bloomington-pride-to-present-drag-performers-dida-ritz-and-saint-at-annual-pridefest-aug-27 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731153523/https://www.idsnews.com/article/2022/08/bloomington-pride-to-present-drag-performers-dida-ritz-and-saint-at-annual-pridefest-aug-27 |archive-date=2023-07-31 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Indiana Daily Student |publisher=Indiana University Bloomington |language=en-US}} and at the Official Unofficially Official Club Renaissance Party, which was organized the same weekend as Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour in Chicago.{{Cite web |last=Waxman |first=Naomi |date=2023-07-19 |title=Where to Drink and Dance Through Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour Weekend in Chicago |url=https://chicago.eater.com/2023/7/19/23799327/beyonce-renaissance-tour-chicago-bars-specials-pop-ups-events-soldier-field |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727221616/https://chicago.eater.com/2023/7/19/23799327/beyonce-renaissance-tour-chicago-bars-specials-pop-ups-events-soldier-field |archive-date=2023-07-27 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Eater Chicago |publisher=Vox Media |language=en}}
= ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' =
File:DiDa Ritz.in a interview at DragCon 2018 by dvsross (cropped).jpg in 2018]]
On Drag Race, DiDa Ritz did not win any main challenges and placed sixth overall. On the third episode, she placed in the bottom two of an infomercial challenge{{Cite web |last=Peikert |first=Mark |date=2012-02-14 |title=Recap: RuPaul's Drag Race Episode 3 |url=https://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2012/02/14/recap-rupauls-drag-race-episode-3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501130122/http://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2012/02/14/recap-rupauls-drag-race-episode-3 |archive-date=2012-05-01 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Out |language=en}} and defeated The Princess in a lip-sync to "This Will Be" (1975) by Natalie Cole, who was serving as a guest judge. DiDa Ritz impersonated Wendy Williams for the Snatch Game challenge.{{Cite web |last=Yang |first=Bowen |last2=Rogers |first2=Matt |date=2018-05-03 |title=Every Snatch Game Impersonation on RuPaul's Drag Race, Ranked |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/rupauls-drag-race-snatch-game-impressions-ranked.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806061508/https://www.vulture.com/article/rupauls-drag-race-snatch-game-impressions-ranked.html |archive-date=2020-08-06 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Vulture |publisher=Vox Media |language=en}} She was eliminated on the ninth episode, which featured a comedy challenge in the form of a "Frock the Vote" debate. She placed in the bottom two and lost the lip-sync battle against Latrice Royale to "I've Got to Use My Imagination" (1973) by Gladys Knight & the Pips.{{Cite web |last=Peikert |first=Mark |date=2012-03-27 |title=Recap: RuPaul's Drag Race Episode 9 |url=https://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2012/03/27/recap-rupauls-drag-race-episode-9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609180650/https://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2012/03/27/recap-rupauls-drag-race-episode-9 |archive-date=2023-06-09 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Out |language=en}}
DiDa Ritz was at times ostracized by judges and fellow contestants as "not perpetuating the hyper-glamorized look of professional drag", leading to her portrayal by editors as the antagonist within the context of the show.{{cite journal |last1=Hodes |first1=Caroline |last2=Sandoval |first2=Jorge |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: A Study in the Commodification of White Ruling-class Femininity and the Etiolation of Drag |journal=Studies in Costume & Performance |date=1 December 2018 |volume=3 |issue=2 |page=158 |doi=10.1386/scp.3.2.149_1|s2cid=158822215|url=https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/110388 }} Despite this, her high points within the season included the aforementioned rendition of "This Will Be", judged by Cole herself, who engaged in a call-and-response duet with DiDa Ritz. Her performance mimed Cole's wide-eyed expressions and rhythmic dancing as Cole ad-libbed along, gospel-style. According to author Jennifer O'Meara, Cole's response to the performance "can be read as a validation that such lip-synching, with its corresponding 'body talk', takes real skill".{{cite journal |last1=O'Meara |first1=Jennifer |date=2021 |title=Body Talk and the Remediation of Women's Voices in RuPaul's Drag Race |journal=Journal of Cinema and Media Studies |volume=61 |issue=1 |page=80 |doi=10.1353/cj.2021.0073 |s2cid=243856267}}
The "This Will Be" lip-sync has been described by PinkNews and Pride.com as the best of the season and among the best of all time.{{Cite web |last=Sim |first=Bernardo |date=2023-09-06 |title=Ranking The Best Lip Sync of Each RuPaul's Drag Race Season |url=https://www.pride.com/drag-queens/drag-race-best-lip-syncs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801205224/https://www.pride.com/drag-queens/drag-race-best-lip-syncs |archive-date=2023-08-01 |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=Pride.com |publisher=Here Media |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Wratten |first=Marcus |date=2023-12-09 |title=All 15 seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race US ranked from worst to best |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/12/09/all-fifteen-seasons-of-rupauls-drag-race-us-ranked-worst-best/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210002141/https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/12/09/all-fifteen-seasons-of-rupauls-drag-race-us-ranked-worst-best/ |archive-date=2023-12-10 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=PinkNews |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Sim |first=Bernardo |date=2023-03-13 |title=Fan-Casting An All-Robbed Queens Season of 'Drag Race All Stars' |url=https://www.pride.com/drag-queens/drag-race-robbed-queens |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004025711/https://www.pride.com/drag-queens/drag-race-robbed-queens |archive-date=2023-10-04 |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=Pride.com |language=en}} Pride.com said DiDa Ritz "gave her all to every single lyric and beat in the song. The Princess didn't do poorly, but DiDa Ritz gave us a legitimate lip sync masterclass!" Latrice Royale described DiDa Ritz's performance as "high drag at its finest".{{Cite web |last=McGrath |first=Mary Kate |date=2021-08-19 |title=17 Sickening 'Drag Race' Lip-Syncs That Left RuPaul & Viewers Gagged |url=https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/rupauls-drag-race-lip-sync-all-stars-winners-best-performances/amp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204222936/https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/rupauls-drag-race-lip-sync-all-stars-winners-best-performances/amp |archive-date=2023-12-04 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Bustle |language=en}} In 2018, Drag Race contestant Alyssa Edwards said the lip-sync was among her top five favorites from the show.{{Cite web |last=Damshenas |first=Sam |date=2018-10-04 |title=Alyssa Edwards on her Netflix series Dancing Queen and 'living a Hannah Montana life' |url=https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/alyssa-edwards-on-her-netflix-series-dancing-queen-and-living-a-hannah-montana-life/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808155746/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/alyssa-edwards-on-her-netflix-series-dancing-queen-and-living-a-hannah-montana-life/ |archive-date=2022-08-08 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Gay Times |language=en-GB |issn=0950-6101}}{{Cite web |last=Damshenas |first=Sam |date=2018-10-31 |title=Alyssa Edwards spills the T on her five favourite Drag Race lip syncs |url=https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/alyssa-edwards-spills-the-t-on-her-five-favourite-drag-race-lip-syncs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808155218/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/alyssa-edwards-spills-the-t-on-her-five-favourite-drag-race-lip-syncs/ |archive-date=2022-08-08 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Gay Times |language=en-GB}} In The Spinoff{{'s}} 2019 "definitive ranking" of Drag Race lip-syncs to date, Sam Brooks ranked DiDa Ritz's battles against Latrice Royale and The Princess numbers 35 and 20 out of 162, respectively. Brooks called the "This Will Be" lip-sync "one of the most joyous ... of all time" and wrote, "Not only does DiDa Ritz channel Natalie Cole in her prime, she confirms herself as a contender here. It's a perfect match of song, energy and performer, only marred by the queen she has to share the stage with".{{Cite web |last=Brooks |first=Sam |date=2019-10-03 |title=A definitive ranking of all 162 Lip Syncs on RuPaul's Drag Race |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/03-10-2019/a-definitive-ranking-of-all-162-lip-syncs-on-rupauls-drag-race |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525074940/https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/03-10-2019/a-definitive-ranking-of-all-162-lip-syncs-on-rupauls-drag-race |archive-date=2023-05-25 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=The Spinoff |language=en}}
In Bustle{{'s}} 2021 list of 17 lip-syncs "that left RuPaul and viewers gagged", Mary Kate McGrath said DiDa Ritz delivered "pure joy" and was the season's "lip-sync assassin". In his 2021 list of the ten best "one-sided" lip-syncs, Screen Rant{{'s}} Ben Orosz wrote:
{{Blockquote| The lovable queen from season 4 delivered one of the show's most seminal moments in this lip sync. She embodied the song through pure joy and enthusiasm and didn't rely on splits or dips to make an impression. The Princess certainly did a fine job and was far from a failure, but it was impossible not to be captivated by Dida. She made sure to make eye contact with the singer and her thousand-watt smile was infectious.{{cite news |last1=Orosz |first1=Ben |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: Best 10 One-Sided Lip Syncs |url=https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-best-one-sided-lip-syncs/#dida-ritz-vs-the-princess-season-4 |access-date=December 13, 2023 |work=Screen Rant |date=June 25, 2021 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713214939/https://screenrant.com/rupauls-drag-race-best-one-sided-lip-syncs/#dida-ritz-vs-the-princess-season-4 |url-status=live }}}}
In 2022, the website's Cailyn Szelinski said the performance "cemented her place as one of the most entertaining Drag Race queens who deserved more recognition on their season",{{Cite web |last=Szelinski |first=Cailyn |date=2022-12-08 |title=RuPaul's Drag Race: 10 Best Lip Syncs In Any Series, According To Reddit |url=https://screenrant.com/drag-race-best-lip-syncs-according-to-reddit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623192258/https://screenrant.com/drag-race-best-lip-syncs-according-to-reddit/ |archive-date=2023-06-23 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}} and Out included the lip-sync in a list of the show's seven best performances, according to judge Michelle Visage.{{Cite web |last=Ermac |first=Raffy |date=2022-03-01 |title=The 7 Best 'Drag Race' Performances Ever, According to Michelle Visage |url=https://www.out.com/television/2022/3/01/7-best-rupauls-drag-race-lip-syncs-performances-ever-all-time-according-to-michelle-visage |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601191539/https://www.out.com/television/2022/3/01/7-best-rupauls-drag-race-lip-syncs-performances-ever-all-time-according-to-michelle-visage |archive-date=2023-06-01 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Out |language=en}}
Personal life
Hairston is based in Chicago, and has also lived in Detroit.
DiDa Ritz's name is inspired by Dita Von Teese.{{Cite web |date=2020-08-27 |title=On Point With: DiDa Ritz |url=https://thotyssey.com/2020/08/27/on-point-with-dida-ritz/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Thotyssey |language=en |archive-date=2023-06-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602185343/https://thotyssey.com/2020/08/27/on-point-with-dida-ritz/ |url-status=live }} She is a member of the House of Hall, a drag "family" which also includes fellow Drag Race contestants Jaida Essence Hall, Kahmora Hall, and Naysha Lopez.{{Cite web |last=Street |first=Mikelle |date=2021-01-07 |title=A Complete Guide to Drag Families in 'Drag Race' Season 13 |url=https://www.out.com/drag/2021/1/07/complete-guide-drag-families-drag-race-season-13 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127052859/https://www.out.com/drag/2021/1/07/complete-guide-drag-families-drag-race-season-13 |archive-date=2021-01-27 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Out |language=en}}
Filmography
=Television=
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|DiDa Ritz}}
- [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4869121/ DiDa Ritz] at IMDb
- {{YouTube|id=1vBgXGWIXeo|title=Lipsync for Your Life with DiDa Ritz! at RuPaul's DragCon NYC 2017}}
{{RuPaul's Drag Race}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:DiDa Ritz}}
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:African-American drag queens
Category:Drag performers from Chicago
Category:Drag performers from Michigan
Category:Entertainers from Detroit