RuPaul's Drag Race season 12 winner Jaida Essence Hall embarked on an exhilarating career since snatching her crown. From her triumph during season 12's virtual finale to crowning her heir to the throne, season 13's winner Symone, Jaida has certainly proven that RuPaul made the correct decision decreeing her America's Next Drag Superstar. Despite being crowned in the midst of a global pandemic, Jaida Essence Hall has created a legendary legacy that is comparable to that of RuPaul.
In the most unconventional crowning of RuPaul's Drag Race history, Jaida Essence Hall narrowly beat out her competitors Gigi Goode and Crytal Methyd in a three-queen zoom lip-sync to Destiny Child's "Survivor". Jaida's performance on Drag Race season 12 set her apart from the pack, as the 34-year-old Milwaukee fashion designer, makeup artist, and performer always presented a very polished drag. In addition, Jaida's effervescent personality also shined from challenge to runway. As "The Essence of Beauty," Jaida won over Drag Race fans and judges, culminating in her win on May 29, 2020. At the time, the world was still grappling with COVID-19 and was on the precipice of a massive wave of social unrest as millions of protestors marched in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Right after her win, Jaida Essence Hall understood what it meant for fans to witness a Black, queer person like her achieve this level of success on RuPaul's Drag Race. Understanding her platform, Jaida told EW, "Hopefully they see this and realize, 'What I am and who I am is enough." Beyond understanding how to spread self-love to an intersectional LGBTQ+ community as the new face of mainstream drag, Jaida also got to work right away. In August 2020, Jaida starred in the music video for Shania Twain, as well as Orville Peck's "Legends Never Die" music video. Just a month later, Jaida was on the cover of Attitude magazine encouraging readers to fight against racism and bigotry. In October 2020, Jaida was nominated for a People's Choice Award for Competition Contestant of the Year. In the same month, Jaida joined Drag Race alumni Gigi Goode and Shea Couleé in Rihanna's Savage x Fenty runway show.
During the pandemic, Jaida cleverly utilized her Instagram account as a platform for her drag work in between gigs. Having amassed over 846,000 followers, Jaida's large social media following is regularly spoiled with immaculate drag looks from the season 12 winner in addition to collaborative photoshoots. In February 2021, Jaida united the reigning Drag Race superstars in a picture that featured Canada's Drag Race winner Priyanka and All Stars 5 winner Shea Couleé beside her to celebrate the three queens of color's triumph. Jaida has recently been featured with all recent winners from the UK's Lawrence Chaney to Holland's Envy Peru in a discussion on what it means to be winners during the dawn of the 2020s.
Even though Jaida has now passed the crown down to Drag Race season 13 winner Symone, the Milwaukee queen's legacy will continue to live on. As an accomplished model, reality star, and social justice advocate, Jaida Essence Hall has fulfilled all requirements of America's Next Drag Superstar. While the future of Jaida's prosperous career is yet to be seen, there is no doubt the RuPaul's Drag Race winner will remain the ultimate "Essence of Beauty."
Source: EW