Also known as: Aja
Born: January 4, 1994, Brooklyn, New York, USA
Pronouns: She/her, they/them
Identity: Queer, nonbinary, transfeminine
Field: Drag performance, music, ballroom culture

Overview
Aja Miyake-Mugler is a queer nonbinary transfeminine performer, musician, and prominent figure in both the drag and ballroom scenes. Rising to international recognition through reality television and later distinguishing herself as a musical artist and cultural voice, Aja has used her platform to challenge gender norms, advocate for trans and nonbinary representation, and celebrate the rich legacy of Black and Latinx queer artistry. Her evolving self-identification and public transitions have sparked broader conversations about gender, race, and authenticity within drag and popular culture.

Early Life and Background
Aja was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, in a Puerto Rican and Dominican family. She experienced a difficult upbringing, marked by housing instability and time spent in foster care. Her early exposure to New York City’s underground queer nightlife, especially ballroom culture, played a formative role in shaping her identity and creative path. Aja found community and purpose through dance, fashion, and drag, beginning to perform at age 16.

Career

Drag and Reality Television
Aja gained widespread fame in 2017 after appearing as a contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 9 and later All Stars Season 3. Her performances were noted for high-energy choreography, bold fashion, and outspoken personality. While the show introduced her to a global audience, Aja later expressed frustration with the show’s framing of gender identity and drag, pushing back against the limits of what mainstream drag visibility allowed.

Music and Artistry
After Drag Race, Aja turned toward music as a primary creative outlet. Her debut EP In My Feelings (2018) and subsequent album BOX Office (2019) blended hip-hop, ballroom, and pop influences. Her lyrics explore themes of identity, empowerment, trauma, and self-realization. Aja has emphasized the importance of creating music as a trans artist on her own terms, outside of the expectations of drag culture or reality TV.

Ballroom and House Affiliations
Aja is a member of the House of Miyake-Mugler, one of the most respected houses in ballroom history. Competing in categories like runway and performance, she continues to represent the spirit of ballroom with a commitment to authenticity, visibility, and legacy. She has appeared on HBO Max’s Legendary, which showcases ballroom talent to a broader audience.

Gender Identity and Public Transition
Aja publicly came out as nonbinary in 2018, later clarifying her identity as a nonbinary transfeminine person in 2021. She has spoken about her experience with gender euphoria and navigating medical transition, as well as her decision to step back from drag to embrace herself as a woman. Aja’s transparency about her journey has contributed to greater visibility for transfeminine people of color in media and performance.

Legacy and Impact
Aja Miyake-Mugler’s work spans drag, music, ballroom, and activism. She represents a powerful intersection of queer, Afro-Caribbean, and trans experiences. Aja’s refusal to be boxed into any single identity or performance style has made her a unique and influential figure. Through her art and advocacy, she continues to inspire a new generation of queer creatives navigating gender, race, and self-expression.

Notable Works

• RuPaul’s Drag Race (Season 9, 2017)
• RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars (Season 3, 2018)
• In My Feelings (EP, 2018)
• BOX Office (Album, 2019)
• Legendary (HBO Max, House of Miyake-Mugler)

Affiliations

• House of Miyake-Mugler
• Formerly associated with the House of Aja (drag collective)