Violet Chachki
Violet Chachki | |
|---|---|
 Chachki in April 2017 | |
| Born | Paul Jason Dardo June 13, 1992 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Occupation | Drag queen Performer Content creator Model Recording artist Television personality |
| Years active | 2011–present[1] |
| Known for | RuPaul's Drag Race (season 7) winner |
| Predecessor | Bianca Del Rio |
| Successor | Bob the Drag Queen |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Labels |
|
| YouTube information | |
| Channels | Violet Chachki |
| Genre |
|
| Subscribers | 231 Thousand |
| Total views | 17 Million |
Updated: March 20, 2021 | |
| Website | violetchachki |
Violet Chachki is the stage name of Paul Jason Dardo (born June 13, 1992),[2][3][4] an American drag queen, burlesque/aerial performer, content creator, model, and recording artist best known for winning the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race. In June 2019, a panel of judges from New York magazine placed Chachki 16th on their list of "the most powerful drag queens in America", a ranking of 100 former Drag Race contestants.[5] Chachki is genderfluid and uses she/her and they/them pronouns.
Career[]
Dardo began performing in drag as Violet Chachki at the age of 19. The name "Violet" was inspired by Jennifer Tilly's character of the same name in the film Bound, while "Chachki" is a variant of the Yiddish word tchotchke, used to name a strictly decorative small collectible item or describe a beautiful young lady.[6] They first performed at the bar LeBuzz in Marietta, Georgia. Using a fake ID to perform in local drag shows, they eventually won Miss New Faces at Friends on Ponce in Atlanta and was adopted as a "drag daughter" by drag queens Dax Exclamationpoint (who competed on the eighth season of Drag Race) and Genre Monster.[7] Later, Chachki was enrolled at the Savannah College of Art and Design at the Atlanta campus for fashion design, but dropped out to focus on doing drag. They became a regular cast member of The Other Show at the bar Jungle in Atlanta which gave them exposure locally and allowed them to perform with Alaska Thunderfuck 5000, Amanda Lepore, and Lady Bunny.[8]
In 2013, they were photographed for "Legendary Children". The project focused on Atlanta's drag scene and was exhibited at Gallery 1526. Two photos that featured their genitals and gaff were covered up after complaints. Later, the censorship controversy caught the attention of Vice.[9][10]
In 2014, they appeared on the cover for the single "Cosplay" by Captain Murphy (AKA Flying Lotus). They also appeared in a commercial for the single on Adult Swim.[11] Flying Lotus recorded the song as Captain Murphy for Adult Swim's Single Series.[12]
In 2015, Violet Chachki was announced as a contestant on seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race,[13] after having unsuccessfully auditioned for season six.[14] On the show, they were noted for excelling in fashion and design related challenges and their focus on aesthetics and confident demeanor.[15] On June 1, 2015, they won the competition and received a cash prize of $100,000.[16]
Chachki is known for their burlesque performances and aerial work, including aerial silk and aerial hoop.[17] In January 2017, Dardo joined The Art of Teese, a neo-burlesque show headlined by Dita Von Teese.[18]
In November 2017, they became the first drag queen in a major lingerie ad campaign, for the brand Bettie Page Lingerie.[19]
In January 2018, they walked for Moschino in their Fall 2018 Collection at Milan Fashion Week.[20]
In April 2019, they became the first international drag queen to have ever performed in India.[21]
In May 2019, they attended the Met Gala, where the theme was Camp: Notes on Fashion, wearing a glove-shaped Moschino dress which was altered by Jeremy Scott.[22] Thus, they became one of the first drag queens at the event, alongside Aquaria and RuPaul.[23]
In November 2019, they teamed up with perfume brand Heretic Parfum as collaborator and muse for the genderless fragrance "Dirty Violet".[24]
Music[]
On June 2, 2015, Chachki released the lead single from their upcoming EP, "Bettie".[25] Their debut EP Gagged was released on June 30, 2015.[26] In May 2018, they released their fourth single, "A Lot More Me", a burlesque track independent from an album.[27]
In July 2021, Chachki released the single "Mistress Violet" with pop singer Allie X. The song was produced by French producer Lecomte De Brégeot and written by Allie X. The accompanying 1980s influenced music video was shot on analog and features themes of power play and BDSM, with the two appearing in haute couture outfits by Schiaparelli. Chachki had previously appeared in Allie X's 2016 music video for "All The Rage".[28]
Artistry[]
Violet Chachki's style is characterized by their "obsession with vintage glamour".[29] They have been referred to as "the living embodiment of a 1950s female archetype" and have cited designers Christian Dior, Thierry Mugler and John Galliano as inspirations, as well as "style icons" such as Lady Miss Kier, Dovima, Dita Von Teese, and Raquel Welch.[30]
The influence of fetish fashion and art is a staple in Chachki's aesthetic, with references to the bondage and latex subcultures,[30] John Willie's illustrations,[31] dominatrix imagery[32] and Bettie Page.[33] They told Design Scene in 2016: "I think drag in itself is kind of a fetish, it’s kind of uncomfortable and I think bondage and latex are uncomfortable and they have that same feel... I think especially when you’re really feeling it and feeling your look and you’re willing to suffer through the pain to kind of present yourself the way you want to present... I think that’s kind of a fetish. I think it’s exhibitionism almost."[30] Chachki is known for their tightly laced corsets.[32]
Personal life[]
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Dardo is half Ecuadorian.[4][34]
Dardo is genderfluid and uses she/her and they/them pronouns.[35][36]
Discography[]
EPs[]
| Title | Details | Peak positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Dance [37] |
US Heat [38] |
US Indie [39] | ||
| Gagged |
|
11 | 16 | 48 |
As lead artist[]
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Bettie" | 2015 | Gagged |
| "Vanguard" | ||
| "A Lot More Me" | 2018 | non-album singles |
| "Whatever Violet Wants" (featuring Daddy Squad) |
2021 | |
| "Mistress Violet" (with Allie X) |
TBA |
As featured artist[]
| Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Drop That Pimp" | 2015 | RuPaul, Miles Davis Moody | RuPaul Presents: CoverGurlz2 |
| "I Run the Runway" | Miss Fame | Beauty Marked | |
| "The Night Before Christmas" | N/A | Christmas Queens | |
| "Rim" | 2019 | Brooke Candy, Aquaria | Sexorcism |
Filmography[]
Films[]
| Title | Year | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queer Moxie | 2016 | self | Documentary | [40] |
Television[]
| Title | Year | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RuPaul's Drag Race (season 7) | 2015 | self | Contestant/winner | [41] |
| RuPaul's Drag Race (season 8) | 2016 | Guest in Episode 1 and 10 | [42] | |
| RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars (season 2) | Archive footage in Episode 4 | [43] | ||
| RuPaul's Drag Race (season 10) | 2018 | Archive footage in Episode 1 |
Web series[]
| Title | Year | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Untucked | 2015 | self | Companion show to RuPaul's Drag Race | [44] |
| Transformations with James St. James | 2016 | Guest | [45] | |
| The Pit Stop | 2016-2021 | guest in 4 episodes | [46] | |
| Iconic | 2018 | Guest | [47] | |
| Digital Drag | 2019 | Series from their YouTube channel | ||
| Runway Rewind | ||||
| Violet Does | ||||
| His Vintage Touch | Guest | [48] | ||
| Werq the World | World of Wonder's series | [49] | ||
| Shop Like a Queen | Host | [50] | ||
| Huda Boss | Season 2, Episode 4 | [51] |
Music videos[]
| Title | Year | Artist(s) | Director | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Drop That Pimp" | 2015 | self | N/A | [52] |
| "Get Ready to Clock" | themself, Max, Jaidynn Diore Fierce | [53] | ||
| "Born Naked (Stadium Remix)" | RuPaul | Steven Corfe | [54] | |
| "Bettie" | self | Michael Serrato | [55] | |
| "Vanguard" | ||||
| "I Run the Runway" | Miss Fame | Ali Mahdavi | [56] | |
| "All the Rage" | 2016 | Allie X | Jungle George/Maluko Haus | [57] |
| "A Lot More Me" | 2018 | self | Love Bailey | [58] |
| "Mine" | Alice Glass | Lucas David | [59] | |
| "I Don't Wanna Brag" | Aja | Assaad Yacoub | [60] | |
| "Whatever Violet Wants" | 2021 | self | Ali Mahdavi | [61] |
Other appearances[]
| Title | Year | Role | Note | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #CreateYourStyle | 2018 | self | Schwarzkopf campaign video | [62] |
| Neon Dream | Marilyn Monroe Impersonator / Showgirl | Prada campaign video | [63] | |
| Sublime Perfection | 2019 | self | Path McGrath Labs campaign video | [64] |
| Oops! I LaLiT Again | The LaLiT London ad | [65] | ||
| Werq the World Live Stream | 2020 | Voss Events' online show | [66] | |
| Werq the World Battle Royale | [67] | |||
| Le Male Le Parfum | N/A | Jean Paul Gaultier campaign video | [68] | |
| Digital Folies | self | Solo live stream show | [69] | |
| Boys Lie Family | N/A | Boys Lie campaign video | [70] | |
| When You Wear a Condom | 2021 | self | AHF parody ad | [71] |
Tours[]
Headlining[]
- A Lot More Me (World, 2019–present)[72]
Co-Headlining[]
- RuPaul's Drag Race: Battle of the Seasons (World, 2015–2016)
- Werq the World (World, 2017–2020)
References[]
- ^ "Violet Chachki Never Stop Chasing the Neon Rainbow". HuffPost. May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- ^ Sources for Chachki's birth name:
- Quintana, Adam (June 21, 2018). "Tyra Sanchez, Bianca Del Rio, and All the 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Winners Then and Now!". Life & Style. American Media, Inc. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
- Clark, Heather (January 18, 2019). "Concerns Raised After 10-Year-Old 'Drag Child' Photographed With Naked Adult 'Drag Queen'". Christian News Network. Repent America. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
- Salazar Nuñez, Marco (June 17, 2017). "Los 10 mejores participantes de RuPaul's Drag Race" [The 10 best participants of RuPaul's Drag Race]. E! Latino (in Spanish). NBCUniversal. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
- ^ Sources for Chachki's date of birth:
- Ng, Kate (August 9, 2017). "Everything You Need To Know About Rupaul's Violet Chachki". Grazia. Arnoldo Mondadori Editore. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
- @violetchachki (June 13, 2018). "Happy birthday to me!