Lady Red Couture
{{short description|American drag performer}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Lady Red Couture
| image = Lady Red Couture.jpg
| caption = Lady Red Couture in an undated photo
| alt = Lady Red Couture smiling and holding flowers
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1977|05|30}}
| birth_place = Park City, Utah, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2020|07|25|1977|05|30}}
| death_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| alias = {{flatlist|
- Kareemia Baines{{cite news |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/9424710/lady-red-couture-dead |title=Drag Stars Mourn Death of Lady Red Couture: 'Rest In Power to This Gorgeous Soul' |date=July 27, 2020 |last1=Peters |first1=Mitchell |last2=Daw |first2=Stephen |magazine=Billboard |access-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807154528/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/9424710/lady-red-couture-dead |url-status=live |archive-date=August 7, 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://instinctmagazine.com/hey-qween-icon-lady-red-couture-has-passed-away/ |title=Hey Qween Icon Lady Red Couture Has Passed Away |date=July 25, 2020 |last=Lopez |first=David |magazine=Instinct |access-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807154842/https://instinctmagazine.com/hey-qween-icon-lady-red-couture-has-passed-away/}}
- Mother Couture{{cite news |url=http://inmagazine.ca/2020/07/hey-qweens-lady-red-couture-has-died/ |title=Hey Qween's Lady Red Couture Has Died |date=July 27, 2020 |author=IN Magazine |magazine=IN Magazine |publisher=Mint Media Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815185322/http://inmagazine.ca/2020/07/hey-qweens-lady-red-couture-has-died/ |archive-date=August 15, 2020 |url-status=live |access-date=August 15, 2020}}
}}
| years_active = 1995–2020
| spouse =
| relatives =
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Drag queen
- singer
- talk show host
}}
| known_for = Hey Qween! with Jonny McGovern
| website =
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| instrument = Vocals
| associated_acts = {{hlist|Adam Joseph}}
| label = PolyGram
}}
}}
Kareemia Baines (May 30, 1977{{spnd}}July 25, 2020), known professionally as Lady Red Couture, was an American drag queen and singer best known as the co-host of Hey Qween! with Jonny McGovern. Born in Park City, Utah, she relocated to Los Angeles, where she became a fixture of the local drag scene. She released an album, #Stuntqueen, in 2018, and she was featured in a number of other drag queens' singles and music videos throughout the 2010s. She also starred in Judge Lady Red, another web series produced by McGovern. Baines died on July 25, 2020, after a flare-up of cyclic vomiting syndrome, a chronic condition that affected her throughout her life.
Early life and education
Baines was born in Park City, Utah, on May 30, 1977, to Kathleen Barnes.{{cite news |url=https://www.them.us/story/lady-red-couture-a-trans-icon-and-drag-performer-dies-at-43 |title=Lady Red Couture, a Trans Icon and Drag Performer, Dies at 43 |last=Lang |first=Nico |date=July 28, 2020 |access-date=August 4, 2010 |magazine=them. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807155117/https://www.them.us/story/lady-red-couture-a-trans-icon-and-drag-performer-dies-at-43 |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |url-status=live}} According to Baines's obituary in The New York Times, her father "left the family when she was young and was not a part of her life".{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/01/arts/lady-red-couture-dead.html |title=Lady Red Couture, 'Mother Hen' of a Drag Scene, Dies at 43 |last=Leland |first=John |date=August 1, 2020 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807155215/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/01/arts/lady-red-couture-dead.html |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |url-status=live}} She had a younger sister named Krystle Butler. Their mother was a nondenominational Christian minister, and Baines had a strained relationship with her. Ultimately, her mother kicked her out of their home for being transgender.
Baines attended George Washington Preparatory High School in Los Angeles. She was active in extracurricular activities including theatre and marching band, where she played trombone and tuba. As part of the band, she performed in the Rose Parade. After high school, she earned an associate's degree in culinary arts from Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake County, Utah. In 2001, she graduated from Weber State University. After college, Baines was briefly employed as a chef for Amtrak. When she returned to Los Angeles, she took up work as a "security diva" at Gym Sportsbar and as a "budtender" at a MedMen cannabis shop.
Career
{{Quote box |quoted=true |quote=At a time when the word authentic is overused, honey, she was unique. She was 6-foot-7, wore size 16 Converse sneakers with an evening gown, and wore the showbiz eyelashes during the day. And she would drop her voice real low to freak you out. |salign= right |source= –Lady Bunny, quoted in Couture's obituary in The New York Times |align=right |width=20em}}
Lady Red Couture began her drag career in 1995, regularly performing at venues like Hamburger Mary's.{{cite news |url=https://www.wehoville.com/2013/10/28/lady-red-couture/ |title=Lady Red Couture |last=Baume |first=Matt |date=October 28, 2013 |website=WEHOville.com |publisher=West Hollywood Media Company |access-date=December 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201202329/https://www.wehoville.com/2013/10/28/lady-red-couture/ |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |url-status=live}} She was {{convert|6|ft|7|in|m|2|abbr=on}} in height and stood as tall as {{convert|7|ft|2|in|m|2|abbr=on}} when wearing heels. As a vocalist, she was noted for her wide range and commanding stage presence, which, together with her stature, earned her the nickname "the largest live-singing drag queen".{{cite news |url=https://jezebel.com/saturday-night-social-remembering-lady-red-couture-1844507278 |title=Saturday Night Social: Remembering Lady Red Couture |date=July 25, 2020 |last=Walker |first=Harron |website=Jezebel |access-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807160036/https://jezebel.com/saturday-night-social-remembering-lady-red-couture-1844507278 |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.out.com/drag/2020/7/26/hey-qweens-lady-red-couture-la-drag-icon-has-died |title='Hey Qween's Lady Red Couture, LA Drag Icon, Has Died |date=July 26, 2020 |last=Street |first=Mikelle |magazine=Out |access-date=August 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730194821/https://www.out.com/drag/2020/7/26/hey-qweens-lady-red-couture-la-drag-icon-has-died |archive-date=July 30, 2020 |url-status=live}} Also known as Mother Couture, she was widely regarded as a staple of the Los Angeles queer nightlife community.{{cite news |url=https://www.advocate.com/news/2020/7/27/la-drag-fixture-hey-qween-star-lady-red-couture-has-died |title=L.A. Drag Fixture, Hey Qween Star Lady Red Couture Has Died |date=July 27, 2020 |last=Street |first=Mikelle |magazine=The Advocate |access-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807155422/https://www.advocate.com/news/2020/7/27/la-drag-fixture-hey-qween-star-lady-red-couture-has-died |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.newnownext.com/lady-red-couture-dead-hey-qween/07/2020/ |title=Drag Legend and 'Hey Qween' Co-Host Lady Red Couture Dead at 43 |last=Rudolph |first=Christopher |date=July 27, 2020 |access-date=August 9, 2020 |website=NewNowNext |publisher=Logo TV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804023303/http://www.newnownext.com/lady-red-couture-dead-hey-qween/07/2020/ |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |url-status=live}}
Couture rose to international attention as the co-host of Hey Qween! with Jonny McGovern, a drag-focused talk show that features interviews with RuPaul's Drag Race contestants. She worked at Hey Qween! for eight seasons, from 2014 until her death.{{cite news |url=https://heavy.com/entertainment/2020/07/lady-red-couture-dead/ |title=Lady Red Couture Dead: 'Hey Qween' Star & Drag Performer Dies at 43 |date=July 25, 2020 |last=Warnock |first=Caroline |access-date=August 4, 2020 |website=Heavy.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807155803/https://heavy.com/entertainment/2020/07/lady-red-couture-dead/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |url-status=live}} She also had a minor role in the 2011 film Leave It on the Floor; starred in Judge Lady Red, a 2015 web series produced by McGovern; and appeared in "Dickmatized", one of McGovern's music videos.{{cite news |url=https://www.wehoville.com/2020/07/25/lady-red-couture-a-weho-drag-queen-known-for-her-talent-charm-and-height-has-died/ |title=Lady Red Couture, a WeHo Drag Queen Known for Her Talent, Charm and Height, Has Died |author=Staff |date=July 25, 2020 |website=WEHOville.com |publisher=West Hollywood Media Company |access-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807151338/https://www.wehoville.com/2020/07/25/lady-red-couture-a-weho-drag-queen-known-for-her-talent-charm-and-height-has-died/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://worldofwonder.net/you-dont-want-to-miss-episode-1-of-judge-lady-red-shade-or-no-shade/ |title=You Don't Want to Miss Episode 1 of 'Judge Lady Red: Shade or No Shade!' |last=Zeff |first=Nigel |work=The WOW Report |date=August 12, 2015 |access-date=August 7, 2020 |publisher=World of Wonder Productions |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807154055/https://worldofwonder.net/you-dont-want-to-miss-episode-1-of-judge-lady-red-shade-or-no-shade/}}
In 2016, Couture toured with the Drag Queens of Comedy.{{cite news |url=https://www.essence.com/celebrity/lady-red-couture-dead/ |title=Drag Icon Lady Red Couture Dead At 43 |date=July 27, 2020 |last=Wilson |first=Kimberly |magazine=Essence |access-date=September 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803192436/https://www.essence.com/celebrity/lady-red-couture-dead/ |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |url-status=live}} Two years later, in 2018, she released an album called #Stuntqueen in collaboration with Adam Joseph,{{cite news |url=https://instinctmagazine.com/hey-qween-with-a-new-single-podcast-out-now-a-2021-album-coming-adam-joseph-keeps-serving-it-to-the-kids/ |title=Hey Qween!—With A New Single & Podcast Out Now (& A 2021 Album Coming), Adam Joseph Keeps Serving It To 'The Kids' |date=November 10, 2020 |last=Cook |first=Michael |magazine=Instinct |access-date=December 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128044036/https://instinctmagazine.com/hey-qween-with-a-new-single-podcast-out-now-a-2021-album-coming-adam-joseph-keeps-serving-it-to-the-kids/ |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |url-status=live}} who also featured her on his EP The Rent. Lady Red Couture also produced a number of live shows, including an adaptation of The Vixen's "Black Girl Magic" in 2019. In June 2020, Harper's Bazaar featured her in its photo series "Striking Portraits of America's Most Legendary Drag Queens".{{cite news |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a32814513/striking-portraits-of-americas-most-legendary-drag-queens/ |title=Striking Portraits of America's Most Legendary Drag Queens |date=June 17, 2020 |last=Marsh |first=Ariana |magazine=Harper's Bazaar |access-date=December 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002161412/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a32814513/striking-portraits-of-americas-most-legendary-drag-queens/ |archive-date=October 2, 2020 |url-status=live}} She was known for helping aspiring drag queens learn to sew, do makeup, and perform.
Personal life
Baines was a trans woman. She and McGovern became close friends during the first season of Hey Qween!, and he invited her to move in with him after discovering she was living in a transient hotel.
Death and legacy
On July 19, 2020, Baines was hospitalized in Los Angeles due to cyclic vomiting syndrome, a lifelong chronic condition.{{cite news |url=https://www.edgemedianetwork.com/story.php?295350 |title='Hey Qween!' Host, Iconic LA Performer Lady Red Couture Dies, Twitter Reacts |date=July 26, 2020 |website=EDGE Media Network |access-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807160828/https://www.edgemedianetwork.com/story.php?295350 |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |url-status=live}} She was placed on a breathing tube in intensive care. On July 24, McGovern posted on social media that she appeared to be improving and would be moved out of intensive care. However, the following day, Baines died from complications of the illness. McGovern announced her death in an Instagram post. He had been raising money for Baines's medical expenses via GoFundMe and Venmo, and he subsequently redirected the funds to her family and funeral costs. An illegitimate GoFundMe page was also set up by an unknown party, but it was swiftly deactivated after McGovern discovered and publicly condemned it.{{cite news |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/07/28/lady-red-couture-gofundme-fundraiser-donate-death-hey-qween/ |title=Loved ones of late trans drag queen Lady Red Couture launch funeral fundraiser after ghouls set up fake page |date=July 28, 2020 |last=Smith |first=Reiss |newspaper=PinkNews |access-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731093705/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/07/28/lady-red-couture-gofundme-fundraiser-donate-death-hey-qween/ |archive-date=July 31, 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.canyon-news.com/official-fundraiser-established-for-late-hey-qween-co-host/126361 |title=Official Fundraiser Established For Late 'Hey Qween!' Co-Host |date=July 29, 2020 |author=Sahana |newspaper=Canyon News |access-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731054011/https://www.canyon-news.com/official-fundraiser-established-for-late-hey-qween-co-host/126361 |archive-date=July 31, 2020 |url-status=live}} A number of queer celebrities—including Isis King, Justin Tranter, and "virtually the entire cast of RuPaul's Drag Race"—expressed shock and sadness at her death, and they shared tributes to her life and work. In a report on her death, Billboard called Baines "a pillar of the drag and trans community".
In November 2020, McGovern released an EP titled Flowers (Songs to Lady Red), a tribute to Couture produced in collaboration with Adam Joseph.{{cite news |url=https://instinctmagazine.com/jonny-mcgovern-pays-homage-to-lady-red-couture-in-two-unique-ways/ |title=Jonny McGovern Pays Homage To Lady Red Couture In Two Unique Ways |date=November 30, 2020 |magazine=Instinct |last=Cook |first=Michael |access-date=December 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130200233/https://instinctmagazine.com/jonny-mcgovern-pays-homage-to-lady-red-couture-in-two-unique-ways/ |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite AV media |last=McGovern |first=Jonny |author-link=Jonny McGovern |date=November 24, 2020 |title=Flowers (Songs to Lady Red) |medium=EP |publisher=Apple Music |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/flowers-songs-to-lady-red-single/1541843662 |access-date=December 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127155745/https://music.apple.com/us/album/flowers-songs-to-lady-red-single/1541843662 |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |url-status=live}} The same month, Hey Qween! aired an episode called "The Lady Red Memorial Special", in which performers including Honey Davenport, Jackie Beat, Sherry Vine, The Vixen, Latrice Royale, and Peppermint shared memories of Couture.{{cite news |url=https://socialitelife.com/week-in-drag-nina-west-frock-destroyers/ |title=The Week in Drag—Nina West's Quarantine Dream, the return of the Frock Destroyers, Christmas with the queens, and more |date=November 29, 2020 |last=Fitzgerald |first=Christine |access-date=December 1, 2020 |website=Socialite Life |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129180108/https://socialitelife.com/week-in-drag-nina-west-frock-destroyers/ |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |url-status=live}}
Discography
= Studio albums =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| rowspan="1" style="width:14em;"| Title
! rowspan="1" style="width:22em;"| Details ! rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;" | {{abbr|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| #Stuntqueen
|
| style="text-align: center;" | {{cite AV media |author=Lady Red Couture |date=July 1, 2018 |title=#Stuntqueen |medium=Album |publisher=Apple Music |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/stuntqueen/1401676432 |access-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807160438/https://music.apple.com/us/album/stuntqueen/1401676432 |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |url-status=live}} |
= EPs =
=Singles=
==As lead artist==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:left;"
! scope="col" style="width:16em;" | Title ! scope="col" style="width:2em;" | Year ! scope="col" style="width:6em;" | Album ! rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;" | {{abbr|Ref|Reference}} |
| scope="row"| "24 Inch Magic" (feat. Adam Joseph) | rowspan="1"| 2017 | rowspan="1" | #Stuntqueen |
|---|
==As featured artist==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:left;"
! scope="col" style="width:16em;" | Title ! scope="col" style="width:2em;" | Year ! scope="col" style="width:6em;" | Album ! rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref|Reference}} |
| scope="row"| "Ballroom Bliss" (Phillip Evelyn feat. Ephraim Sykes, Andre Meyers, Lady Red Couture, Roxy Wood, Cameron Koa, Daveione Williams & James Allsop) | rowspan="2"| 2013 | rowspan="2" | Leave It on the Floor (Original Movie Soundtrack) |
|---|
| scope="row"| "His Name Is Shawn" (Clent Bowers feat. Charlo Crossley, Oren Waters, Miss Barbie-Q, Lady Red Couture, Phillip Evelyn, Andre Meyers, Donald Webber & Ledisi) |
| scope="row"| "Let's Do Drag" (Alaska Thunderfuck feat. Lady Red Couture) | rowspan="1"| 2016 | rowspan="1" | Poundcake |
Filmography
=Feature films=
= Internet series =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ !Year !Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" | Producer ! rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}} |
| scope="row" | 2014
| Homie$ for Ca$h | Guest (with Jonny McGovern) |
|---|
| scope="row" | 2014–2020
| Co-host (with Jonny McGovern) | Jonny McGovern |
| scope="row" | 2015
| Judge Lady Red | Herself | Jonny McGovern |
=Music videos=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ !Year !Title !scope="col" class="unsortable"| Artist !Role !style="text-align: center;" class="unsortable"| {{abbr|Ref|Reference}} |
| scope="row" rowspan ="1" | 2011
|"Dickmatized" | Cameo |
|---|
| scope="row" rowspan ="2" | 2016
|"TuckBusters" | Jackie Beat, Bianca Del Rio, Lady Red Couture & Sherry Vine | Main |
| "Tongue Pop the Halls"
| Cameo |style="text-align: center;"|{{cite AV media |last=Edwards |first=Alyssa |author-link=Alyssa Edwards |date=December 16, 2016 |title="Alyssa Edwards- 'Tongue Pop the Halls!'" |medium=YouTube video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTbIfbneBs0 |access-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706151354/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTbIfbneBs0 |archive-date=July 6, 2020 |url-status=live}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|4366207}}
- {{instagram|mothercouture}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lady Red Couture}}
Category:20th-century African-American women singers
Category:20th-century American women singers
Category:21st-century African-American women singers
Category:21st-century American women singers
Category:African-American drag queens
Category:African-American LGBTQ people
Category:African-American television talk show hosts
Category:American LGBTQ singers
Category:American transgender women
Category:American women television personalities
Category:American women television hosts
Category:Drag performers from Los Angeles
Category:LGBTQ people from Utah
Category:Musicians from Los Angeles
Category:People from Park City, Utah
Category:Salt Lake Community College alumni
Category:Television personalities from Los Angeles
Category:Television personalities from Utah
Category:Transgender drag performers