Milk (drag queen)
{{Short description|American drag queen and figure skater}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Milk
| image = Milk DragCon2024 @DVSROSS (cropped).jpg
| caption = Milk at RuPaul’s DragCon, 2024
| birth_name = Daniel P. Donigan{{cite web|url=https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/159950320:62209 |title=Daniel P Donigan |website=Ancestry Institute |publisher=Ancestry |access-date=November 12, 2022}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1987|06|23}}
| birth_place = Syracuse, New York, U.S.
| occupation = Drag queen, model, Figure Skater
| television = {{Flatlist|
}}
| partner =
| website = {{URL|bigandmilky.com}}
}}
Milk (born June 23, 1987) is the stage name of Daniel P. Donigan, an American drag performer and figure skater who came to attention on the sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, and the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars.{{Cite news|title=Milk Out Of Drag—And Out Of His Clothes|work=LOGO News|url=http://www.newnownext.com/drag-race-milk-sexy-man/01/2017/|access-date=2018-02-12|archive-date=2017-05-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504202420/http://www.newnownext.com/drag-race-milk-sexy-man/01/2017/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Donigan |first=Daniel |date=June 23, 2019 |title=MILK on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/bigandmilky/status/1142845242045075459 |access-date=2021-10-06 |website=Twitter |language=en |archive-date=2021-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006174219/https://twitter.com/bigandmilky/status/1142845242045075459 |url-status=live }}
Early life
Donigan was raised by a conservative but supportive family{{cite web | title=Drag queen Milk is a figure skating 'weirdo' with big lashes and bigger ambition | website=In The Know | date=24 November 2020 | url=https://www.intheknow.com/post/milk-drag-queen-behind-the-drag/ | access-date=17 March 2021 | archive-date=31 May 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531033917/https://www.intheknow.com/post/milk-drag-queen-behind-the-drag/ | url-status=live }} in Syracuse, New York.{{cite web |title=This Milk Has Gone Bad! Watch the VIDEO |url=https://metrosource.com/rupauls-newest-villain-this-milk-has-gone-bad/ |website=metrosource.com |date=9 February 2018 |access-date=4 August 2018 |archive-date=4 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804110056/https://metrosource.com/rupauls-newest-villain-this-milk-has-gone-bad/ |url-status=dead}} He began ice skating at the age of 9 and eventually became a competitive figure skater, until 2009.
Career
= Drag =
After moving to New York City in 2012, Donigan began a full-time career as a drag performer. Donigan first gained attention when he appeared on season six of RuPaul's Drag Race in 2014. Out of 14 contestants, Milk placed ninth overall, losing a lip-sync to Trinity K. Bonet in the sixth episode.{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/02/09/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-3-milk-elimination-interview/|title=Drag Race eliminee Milk teases 'diva' twist, would've played Virgin Mary for Snatch Game|last=Nolfi|first=Joey|date=9 February 2018|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=24 January 2019|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330011520/https://ew.com/tv/2018/02/09/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-3-milk-elimination-interview/|url-status=live}} On October 20, 2017, Donigan was announced as one of the 10 contestants for RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 3. He was eliminated by Kennedy Davenport in the third episode, placing 8th.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/02/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-3-milk-interview.html|title=RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 3's Milk Isn't Mad About Getting the Villain Edit|date=2018-02-09|language=en|work=Vulture|access-date=2019-04-23|archive-date=2019-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423182209/https://www.vulture.com/2018/02/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-3-milk-interview.html|url-status=live}} He again placed ninth after Morgan McMichaels returned to the competition.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8225841/rupauls-drag-race-bendelacreme-interview|title='RuPaul's Drag Race': BenDeLaCreme Opens Up About Her Shocking Exit|date=2018-02-03|language=en|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-04-23|archive-date=2019-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501195042/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8225841/rupauls-drag-race-bendelacreme-interview|url-status=live}}
Outside of Drag Race, Donigan has modeled for Marc Jacobs's Spring/Summer 2016 Campaign{{cite web |last1=Weiss |first1=Sabrina Rojas |title=Why Marc Jacobs Chose A "RuPaul's Drag Race" Alum For His Spring Campaign |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/marc-jacobs-milk-spring-summer-campaign |website=www.refinery29.com |date=21 January 2016 |access-date=5 December 2019 |archive-date=5 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205233405/https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/marc-jacobs-milk-spring-summer-campaign |url-status=live }} and Vivienne Westwood's S/S 2018 campaign.{{Cite news|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/02/06/vivienne-westwoods-ss18-campaign-features-drag-race-queen-milk-and-fans-are-thrilled/|title=Vivienne Westwood's SS18 campaign features Drag Race queen Milk and fans are thrilled|work=PinkNews|access-date=2018-02-22|archive-date=2018-02-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222230649/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/02/06/vivienne-westwoods-ss18-campaign-features-drag-race-queen-milk-and-fans-are-thrilled/|url-status=live}} He was featured in Perry Ellis's Fall 2018 collection.{{Cite news|url=http://www.papermag.com/milk-perry-ellis-nyfw-2532225318.html|title=Drag Race All Star Milk Walks For Perry Ellis at NYFW|date=2018-02-07|work=PAPERMAG|access-date=2018-02-12|archive-date=2018-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213081042/http://www.papermag.com/milk-perry-ellis-nyfw-2532225318.html|url-status=live}} In print work, he was featured on the cover of Hello Mr. magazine's third issue{{Cite web|url=https://hellomrmag.com/dan-donigan-meet-the-milk-man/|title=Dan Donigan: Meet The Milk Man|last=Mr.|first=Hello|website=Hello Mr|access-date=2018-02-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213080241/https://hellomrmag.com/dan-donigan-meet-the-milk-man/|archive-date=2018-02-13|url-status=dead}} and featured in the third issue of Gayletter{{Cite web|url=http://gayletter.com/page/93/?ref=vantin-buy.ek.la|title=GAYLETTER|website=GAYLETTER|access-date=2018-02-12|archive-date=2018-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213080052/http://gayletter.com/page/93/?ref=vantin-buy.ek.la|url-status=live}} and in the January 2018 issue of Gay Times.{{Cite news|url=http://www.gaytimes.co.uk/guys/95757/drag-race-star-milk-strips-thong-steamy-gay-times-photoshoot/|title=Drag Race star Milk strips to a thong for steamy Gay Times photoshoot|date=2018-01-02|work=Gay Times|access-date=2018-02-22|archive-date=2018-02-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222230920/http://www.gaytimes.co.uk/guys/95757/drag-race-star-milk-strips-thong-steamy-gay-times-photoshoot/|url-status=live}} He was featured in a 2014 issue of Next Magazine.{{Cite news|url=http://www.newnownext.com/milk-drag-race-fashion-marc-jacobs/02/2016/|title=15 Times Milk WAS Fashion|work=LOGO News|access-date=2018-03-04}} He was announced as the new face of Madonna's skincare line, MDNA Skin.{{Cite news|url=http://www.newnownext.com/milk-madonna-mdna-skincare/11/2017/|title=Milk Is The New Face Of Madonna's MDNA Skincare Line|work=LOGO News|access-date=2018-02-22|archive-date=2018-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423025920/http://www.newnownext.com/milk-madonna-mdna-skincare/11/2017/|url-status=live}} In 2017, Milk appeared as Madonna in a video promoting the skincare range, dressing in several of her iconic costumes.{{cite web | last=Michelson | first=Noah | title=Watch 'Drag Race' Star Milk Channel Madonna In Iconic Ad For Pop Star's New Skincare Line | website=HuffPost UK | date=9 November 2017 | url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2017/11/09/watch-drag-race-star-milk-channel-madonna-in-iconic-ad-for-pop-stars-new-skincare-line_a_23272772/ | access-date=17 March 2021 | archive-date=8 August 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808035846/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/madonna-milk-mdna_uk_5c7e9987e4b048b41e3a30f1 | url-status=live }}
= Figure skating =
Donigan is a former elite figure skater who qualified to the 2009 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Junior Ice Dance.{{Cite web |title=2009 US Figure Skating Championships / Cleveland OH / 19 January 2009 / Junior Dance Compulsory Dance / Group 3 |url=http://www.cs.kent.edu/~walker/photos/09-01-18_USNationals/09-01-19f-JDC/group3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928114015/http://www.cs.kent.edu/~walker/photos/09-01-18_USNationals/09-01-19f-JDC/group3/ |archive-date=2020-09-28 |access-date=2018-09-23 |website=www.cs.kent.edu}} He returned to competition in 2025, winning first place in the Gold Solo Pattern Dance and Gold Solo Free Dance categories at the U.S. Eastern Adult Sectional Championships.{{Cite web |title=2025 Adult Eastern Sectional Figure Skating Championships: Adult Gold Solo Pattern Dance |url=https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2025/30911/211_247s2.htm |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=ijs.usfigureskating.org}}{{Cite web |title=2025 Adult Eastern Sectional Figure Skating Championships: Adult Gold Solo Free Dance I/II |url=https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2025/30911/235c1.htm |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=ijs.usfigureskating.org}}
He performed at the Bryant Park Figure-Skating Rink for the Guys On Ice event as charity for the Ali Forney Center.{{Cite news|url=http://www.newnownext.com/milk-on-ice-drag-race-star-returns-to-figure-skating-for-a-good-cause/03/2016/|title=Milk On Ice: "Drag Race" Star Returns To Figure Skating For A Good Cause|work=LOGO News|access-date=2018-02-12|archive-date=2018-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213080412/http://www.newnownext.com/milk-on-ice-drag-race-star-returns-to-figure-skating-for-a-good-cause/03/2016/|url-status=live}}
Music
Donigan formed the group The Dairy Queens in 2016, whose first single, "Milk It", was released on July 2, 2016.{{Citation|last=MILK QUEEN|title=Milk - MILK IT [OFFICIAL]|date=2016-07-02|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0vp9N_MDoA&t=39s|access-date=2018-02-12|archive-date=2023-02-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216191617/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0vp9N_MDoA&t=39s|url-status=live}} He then released his first solo single, "Touch the Fashion, Change Your Life",{{Citation|last=Dave Lennon|title=Milk 'Queen' - Touch the Fashion, Change Your Life (Audio)|date=2018-01-29|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1bJ4fbMouE|access-date=2018-02-12|archive-date=2020-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626045629/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1bJ4fbMouE&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}} which he performed live on the first episode of All Stars 3 in 2017.{{Cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/rupaul-s-drag-race-all-stars-returns-when-we-need-it-mo-1822433986|title=RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars returns when we need it most|last=Sava|first=Oliver|work=The A.V. Club|access-date=2018-09-23|archive-date=2020-08-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812041428/https://www.avclub.com/rupaul-s-drag-race-all-stars-returns-when-we-need-it-mo-1822433986|url-status=live}}
Personal life
Donigan currently lives in New York City. He was in an open relationship with James B. Whiteside,{{Cite news|url=https://www.out.com/out-exclusives/love-issue/2015/01/12/out-love-ballet-dancer-james-whiteside-aka-jbdubs-performer-dan|title=Out Love: Ballet dancer James Whiteside (aka JbDubs) & performer Dan Donigan (aka Milk)|date=2015-01-12|access-date=2018-02-13|archive-date=2018-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213135116/https://www.out.com/out-exclusives/love-issue/2015/01/12/out-love-ballet-dancer-james-whiteside-aka-jbdubs-performer-dan|url-status=live}} principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, for 12 years.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8460061/james-whiteside-ballet-podcast-drag|title=Ballet Dancer, Drag Queen, Singer & Podcaster: Inside James Whiteside's Fearless, Authentic Life|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2018-09-23|archive-date=2019-06-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618105715/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8460061/james-whiteside-ballet-podcast-drag|url-status=live}} In October 2020, Donigan announced on Instagram that they have amicably split.{{cite web| url = https://www.out.com/celebs/2020/10/05/drag-races-milk-and-dancer-james-whiteside-have-broken| title = 'Drag Race's Milk and Dancer James Whiteside Have Broken Up| last = Street| first = Mikelle| date = 5 October 2020| website = Out Magazine| access-date = 2 January 2021| archive-date = 4 March 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210304042912/https://www.out.com/celebs/2020/10/05/drag-races-milk-and-dancer-james-whiteside-have-broken| url-status = live}}
Filmography
= Television =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |
| scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" | Notes |
|---|
| 2014
| scope="row" | RuPaul's Drag Race (season 6) | rowspan="5" | Herself | Contestant (9th place) |
| 2016 |
| 2018
| scope="row" | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 3) | Contestant (9th place) |
| rowspan="2" | 2019
| scope="row" | Hey Qween! | Guest |
| Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
|Guest |
= Music Videos =
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Title ! Artist !Ref. |
|---|
| 2020
| Fashion Blogger | Rhyme So |
=Web=
Discography
= Featured singles =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| style="width:20em;"| Title
! Year ! Album |
|---|
| "Sitting on a Secret" (RuPaul featuring Aja, Chi Chi DeVayne, Milk, Morgan McMichaels, & Thorgy Thor) | 2018 |{{N/A|Non-album single}} |
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Milk (drag queen)}}
- {{Official website|http://www.bigandmilky.com/}}
- {{IMDb name|6215529|Milk}}
{{RuPaul's Drag Race}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:20th-century American LGBTQ people
Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people
Category:American figure skaters
Category:American LGBTQ models
Category:American gay entertainers
Category:Drag performers from New York City
Category:LGBTQ people from New York (state)