Raja Gemini

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Raja Gemini
Raja Gemini (cropped).jpg
Born
Sutan Ibrahim Karim Amrullah

(1974-06-14) June 14, 1974 (age 47)
Baldwin Park, California, United States
Other names
  • Raja
  • Raja Gemini
  • Sutan Amrull
  • Crayola
OccupationMake-up artist
Drag performer
Television personality
Years active1990-present
Known forRuPaul's Drag Race (season 3) winner
Height190 cm (6 ft 3 in)
PredecessorTyra Sanchez
SuccessorSharon Needles
Spouse(s)
Ryan Turner
​
(m. 2017)​
Relatives [id] (father)
Hamka (step-uncle)

Sutan Ibrahim Karim Amrullah ['suːtɑn ˈibrahɪm ka.riːm ˈamruːla]; (born June 14, 1974), often shortened to Sutan Amrull, is an American drag performer and make-up artist who uses the stage name Raja Gemini. He is best known for winning Season 3 of RuPaul's Drag Race and remains the only Asian American to win the show. He is also known for his makeup artistry on the reality television show America's Next Top Model[1] (cycles four through twelve). Amrull's clients include Tyra Banks, Dita von Teese, Pamela Anderson, Paulina Porizkova, Iman, Iggy Azalea, RuPaul, and Twiggy.[2] Since 2009, Amrull has been make-up artist to singer Adam Lambert for print media, live U.S. appearances, and Lambert's international 2010 Glam Nation Tour.

Early life[]

Amrull was born in Baldwin Park, California, United States. His late father, Abdul Wadud Karim Amrullah, was the younger brother of Indonesian ʿālim and philosopher Hamka.[3] At the age of three, his family moved to Indonesia, his parents' native country, where they stayed for six years before returning to the U.S.[4]

Career[]

Career beginnings[]

When he was sixteen, Amrull got into the drag scene by attending L.A. nightclubs with his friends. He was part of a sector of drag that was inspired by the goth and punk subcultures.[5] The first few years of his drag career in the early '90s were spent as a club kid named Crayola.[6]

He attended California State University, Fullerton as an art student, focusing on art direction and illustration, for two years, then decided to pursue a career in makeup artistry and female impersonation.[7][8]

RuPaul's Drag Race[]

Amrull at RuPaul's DragCon LA in 2019

He was a contestant on the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race as Raja.[9] He was a member of the "Heathers" clique,[10][11] which took its name from the popular cult film Heathers. In the final episode, after a lip-sync battle with Manila Luzon, Raja was declared the winner of the show's third season and crowned America's Next Drag Superstar.[12] As part of his duties as the third-season winner of Drag Race, Amrull toured the U.S. and Canada on Logo's Drag Race Tour in 2011.[13] Raja is the first and only Asian American winner of RuPaul's Drag Race.[14]

In 2014 Raja joined the Drag Race Battle of the Seasons tour where she performed a lip-sync duet with Manila Luzon to the Babymetal song "Gimme Chocolate!!"

Other ventures[]

He was a make up artist on America's Next Top Model from 2005 until 2009.[citation needed].

In May 2011, Amrull released his first single as Raja, titled "Diamond Crowned Queen."[15] The single debuted at number fifty on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs,[16] before peaking at number thirty-five.[17] On August 21, 2012, his second single "Sublime" was released. His third single, "Zubi Zubi Zubi" (roughly translating to "Dance Dance Dance"), was released June 1, 2013.[18]

Since 2014, he has presented the weekly WOWPresents YouTube series RuPaul's Drag Race Fashion Photo RuView with fellow Drag Race alumna Raven.[19]

In February 2017, he starred as an intergalactic creature in the music video for Blondie's single "Fun."[20] He also appeared in the "Make Love Not Walls" Diesel campaign directed by David LaChapelle and in a campaign for Urban Decay alongside fellow Drag Race alumni Alaska, Jiggly Caliente, and Katya.

He guest stars as himself in The Simpsons episode "Werking Mom," which aired on November 18, 2018.[21][22] In June 2019, he was one of 37 queens to be featured on the cover of New York Magazine.[23]

Personal life[]

On December 14, 2017, Amrull married Ryan Turner in Norwalk, California.[24]

Discography[]

Singles[]

List of singles, with selected details and chart positions
Title Year Peak chart position
US
Dance
[25]
"Diamond Crowned Queen" 2011 35
"Sublime" 2012 —
"Zubi Zubi Zubi" 2013 —
"Cholita" 2015 —
"Divine" 2017 —
"Moodbored" 2019 —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other appearances[]

Title Year Other Artist(s) Album
"Lady Marmalade" 2014 Raja, Delta Work, Manila Luzon and Carmen Carrera (as The Heathers) Non-album single

Filmography[]

Film[]

Year Title Role Notes
2000 Angels! Tawngy Davis
2008 The Young and Evil Maxie Short
2015 TupiniQueens Himself Documentary

Television[]

Year Title Role Notes
2005-2009 America's Next Top Model Himself Make Up Department
2011 RuPaul's Drag Race Himself/Contestant Winner
RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked
2012 RuPaul's Drag Race Himself Season 4, Episode 13: "The Final Three" – Guest
RuPaul's Drag U Himself/Professor
2013 NewNowNext Awards Himself
2016 RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8, Episode 1: "Keeping It 100!" (100th episode) – Guest
Season 8, Episode 10: "Grand Finale" – Guest
2018 The Simpsons Season 30, Episode 7: "Werking Mom"
2019 RuPaul's Drag Race Season 11, Episode 1: "Whatcha Unpackin?" – Guest

Web[]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2013 Ring My Bell Himself Guest [26]
2013 SubCultures: Drag Queens feat. Raja Gemini & Vicky Vox By SoulPancake [27]
2014–present RuPaul's Drag Race Fashion Photo RuView Cohost with Raven [28]
2014 Paint Me Bitch Episode: "Sutan Amrull" [29]
2015 Raja Drawja Host [30]
2015 Hey Qween Episode: "Raja" [31]
2015 Olivia Culpo is Transformed into Farrah Fawcett by Make-up Artist Raja By Refinery29 [32]
2016 100 Years of Drag Queen Fashion By Vanity Fair [33]
2017-2019 The Pit Stop Host [34]
2019 Reading Queens Guest [35]
2019 Hey Qween Episode: "Raja on the Hey Qween Halloween Special" [36]
2019 Puff Puff Sessions Guest [37]
2020 Working Out is a Drag Guest [38]
2021 Wanna Be On Top? Podcast, guest [39]

Music videos[]

Year Title Artist
1994 "Everlasting Love" Gloria Estefan
2011 "Champion" RuPaul
"Diamond Crowned Queen" Herself
2012 "Amazing"[40] Hi Fashion
"Sublime" Herself
2013 "RuPaulogize" Willam Belli
"Zubi Zubi Zubi" Herself
2014 "Lady Marmalade" The Heathers
"Ransom"[41] MOXXI
2015 "Not a Pearl" Willam Belli
2015 "Cholita" Herself
2016 "Anus" Alaska Thunderfuck
2017 "Fun" Blondie
2018 "Excuse the Beauty" Latrice Royale
2019 "Go Fish" Manila Luzon
"Comin in Hot"[42] Adam Lambert
"Moodbored"[43] Herself
2020 "Nerves of Steel"[44] Erasure
2021 "Shoes"[45] Herself

References[]

  1. ^ Loza, Josefina (September 11, 2010). "Designer eyes leaving Omaha to achieve his dreams". Omaha World-Herald. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
  2. ^ Raja Gemini at IMDb
  3. ^ Amrullah, Abdul Wadud Karim (2016). Sumatran Warrior: Mighty Man of Love and Courage. Westbow Press. ISBN 9781512731835.
  4. ^ Renzi, Dan. "'Drag Race' Winner Sutan Amrull, a.k.a. Raja, Wants You to Have Sex in Heels". Queerty. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  5. ^ "Interview: Drag Queen Raja Talks About His Start in Drag, Coming Out to His Family and His Favorite Beauty Tip". Alive. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  6. ^ RDR 909: Fashion Photo RuView 423 | WOWPresents. . May 24, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  7. ^ Nunn, Jerry. "Raja Gemini interview with ChicagoPride.com". ChicagoPride.com. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  8. ^ The Power Group – Sutan Amrull
  9. ^ Jessie Peterson (July 14, 2014). "Conchita Wurst Walked At Paris Fashion Week, Might Be Drag's New Fashion Superstar". MTV News. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  10. ^ Tanner Stransky (May 3, 2011). "'RuPaul's Drag Race: Reunited!': 'The Drag Race may be over, but the real drama is just getting started...'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  11. ^ Davis, Madeliene (March 1, 2011). "RuPaul's Drag Race Takes a Page Out of Heathers". Gawker. Gawker Media. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
  12. ^ Parsley, Aaron (April 26, 2011). "What's Next for the Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race?". People. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
  13. ^ John Polly (May 11, 2011). "Get Ready! The RuPaul's Drag Race Season 3 Winner's Tour Is Sashaying Your Way!". LOGO Blog. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  14. ^ Jethro Nededog (April 26, 2011). "'RuPaul's Drag Race': Raja on her controversial win, 'I don't mind the criticism'". Zap2It. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  15. ^ Lyndsey Parker (February 17, 2015). "7 Actually Great Singles By 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Contestants". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  16. ^ "Dance Club Play Songs - Week of July 02, 2011". Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  17. ^ "Dance Club Play Songs - Week of July 30, 2011". Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  18. ^ Dan Avery (June 1, 2013). "Raja Serves New Single, "Zubi Zubi Zubi": LISTEN". LOGO Blog. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  19. ^ "Raja and Raven Star in New Web Series 'RuPaul's Drag Race Fashion Photo RuView'". Drag Official. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  20. ^ "Watch Raja Play A Psychedelic Space Queen In New Blondie Music Video". LOGO News. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  21. ^ "RuPaul and Drag Race winner Raja sashay into the Simpsons and it is everything". November 19, 2018.
  22. ^ "Sutan RAJA on Instagram: "Here she is everyone! I am so proud to announce my cameo appearance on #theSimpsons ! I cant describe how honored I am to have been asked…"". Instagram. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  23. ^ "On The Cover: The Most Powerful Drag Queens In America".
  24. ^ Rudolph, Christopher (December 18, 2018). ""Drag Race" Season 3 Winner Raja Marries Husband In Surprise Wedding". NewNowNext. Viacom International. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  25. ^ "Dance Songs: Top Dance Music Chart – August 6, 2011". Billboard. August 6, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2015. (subscription required)
  26. ^ Raja - Ring My Bell. YouTube. April 25, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  27. ^ "SoulPancake Has Raja Gemini And Vicky Vox Reveal Another Side Of Drag (VIDEO)". Huffpost. July 31, 2013. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  28. ^ RuPaul's Drag Race Fashion Photo RuView with Raja and Raven - Episode 1. YouTube. February 26, 2014. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  29. ^ Paint Me Bitch Ep 05 - Sutan Amrull. YouTube. December 12, 2014. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  30. ^ Raja Drawja - Willam. YouTube. March 23, 2015. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  31. ^ RuPaul’s Drag Race Star Raja on Hey Qween with Jonny McGovern | Hey Qween. YouTube. June 15, 2015. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  32. ^ Olivia Culpo is Transformed into Farrah Fawcett by Make-up Artist Raja | Refinery29. YouTube. September 17, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  33. ^ 100 Years of Drag Queen Fashion | Vanity Fair. YouTube. October 12, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  34. ^ The Pit Stop w/ Raja & Raven | RuPaul's Drag Race (Season 9 Ep 10) | Now on VH1. YouTube. March 29, 2017. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  35. ^ Raja: Reading Queens With Char Margolis. YouTube. September 18, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  36. ^ RAJA ON THE HEY QWEEN! HALLOWEEN SPECIAL. Hey Qween! TV. October 30, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  37. ^ Puff Puff Sessions - Laganja Estranja and Raja Do Magic!. YouTube. December 30, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  38. ^ WOWPresents (July 8, 2020). "Raja: WORKING OUT IS A DRAG 104" (YouTube video). Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  39. ^ Nolfi, Joey (April 9, 2021). "RuPaul's Drag Race champ Shea Couleé to host America's Next Top Model podcast". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  40. ^ Spargo, Chris (September 19, 2012). "Raja Cameos In Hi Fashion 'Amazing' Video: Watch". NewNowNext.com. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  41. ^ Bendix, Trish (March 11, 2017). "20 Music Videos With Drag Queen Cameos". Billboard.com. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  42. ^ "Adam Lambert is "Comin in Hot" on his new single". Lab.fm. June 26, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  43. ^ Daw, Stephen (November 4, 2019). "Raja Celebrates the Day of the Dead in New 'Moodbored' Video". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  44. ^ Erasure (August 11, 2020). "Erasure - Nerves of Steel (Official Video)" (YouTube video). Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  45. ^ Song, Sandra (April 6, 2021). "Raja Gives Kelly's 'Shoes' a High Fashion Makeover". Paper. Retrieved June 2, 2021.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""