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Violet Chachki

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Violet Chachki
Chachki in April 2017
Born
Paul Jason Dardo

(1992-06-13) June 13, 1992 (age 32)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
EducationSt. Pius X Catholic High School
Savannah College of Art and Design
Occupation(s)Drag queen
Performer
Content creator
Model
Recording artist
Television personality
Years active2011–present[1]
Known forRuPaul's Drag Race (season 7) winner
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Labels
YouTube information
ChannelsViolet Chachki
Genres
  • Beauty
  • Reviews
  • Vlog
  • Music
Subscribers282 thousand
Total views24 million
Last updated: February 10, 2022
Websitevioletchachki.com Edit this at Wikidata

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.

Career

[edit]

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.[5] She first performed at the bar LeBuzz in Marietta, Georgia. Using a fake ID to perform in local drag shows, she 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.[6] Later, Violet 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. She became a regular cast member of The Other Show at the bar Jungle in Atlanta which gave her exposure locally and allowed her to perform with Alaska Thunderfuck 5000, Amanda Lepore, and Lady Bunny.[7]

In 2013, she was photographed for "Legendary Children". The project focused on Atlanta's drag scene and was exhibited at Gallery 1526. Two photos that featured her genitals and gaff were covered up after complaints. Later, the censorship controversy caught the attention of Vice.[8][9]

In 2014, she appeared on the cover for the single "Cosplay" by Captain Murphy (AKA Flying Lotus). She also appeared in a commercial for the single on Adult Swim.[10] Flying Lotus recorded the song as Captain Murphy for Adult Swim's Single Series.[11]

In 2015, Violet Chachki was announced as a contestant on seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race,[12] after having unsuccessfully auditioned for season six.[13] On the show, she was noted for excelling in fashion and design related challenges and her focus on aesthetics and confident demeanor.[14] On June 1, 2015, she won the competition and received a cash prize of $100,000.[15]

Violet Chachki is known for her burlesque performances and aerial work, including aerial silk and aerial hoop.[16] In January 2017, Dardo joined The Art of Teese, a neo-burlesque show headlined by Dita Von Teese.[17]

Chachki performing in Copenhagen in 2016

In November 2017, she became the first drag queen in a major lingerie ad campaign, for the brand Bettie Page Lingerie.[18]

In January 2018, she walked for Moschino in their Fall 2018 Collection at Milan Fashion Week.[19]

In April 2019, she became the first international drag queen to have ever performed in India.[20]

Chachki performing for Werq the World in 2019

In May 2019, she attended the Met Gala, where the theme was Camp: Notes on Fashion, wearing a glove-shaped Moschino dress which was altered by Jeremy Scott.[21] Thus, she became one of the first drag queens at the event, alongside Aquaria and RuPaul.[22] In June 2019, a panel of judges from New York magazine placed Violet Chachki 16th on their list of "the most powerful drag queens in America", a ranking of 100 former Drag Race contestants.[23]

In November 2019, she teamed up with perfume brand Heretic Parfum as collaborator and muse for the genderless fragrance "Dirty Violet".[24]

In 2023, she was featured on an alternate cover for the March 2023 edition of Vogue Czechoslovakia, and became the first Drag Race alum to be featured on the cover of the magazine.[25]

In May 2023, while at a party in Santa Monica, California, Violet Chachki and frequent collaborator, fellow drag queen, and RuPaul's Drag Race alum Gottmik were asked by rapper Cardi B to direct her next music video. The duo accepted, and the completed video is to-be-announced.[26]

In June 2023, she walked in the British Vogue x Luisa Via Roma fashion show in Florence, Italy.[27] The same month, Violet Chachki was awarded the Cultural Icon Award from the Tom of Finland Foundation, which was presented to her by Dita Von Teese.[28]

She is the fifth most followed queen from Drag Race, and has accumulated over 2 million Instagram followers as of April, 2024.[29]

Music

[edit]

On June 2, 2015, Violet Chachki released "Bettie" as the lead single from her debut EP.[30] The EP Gagged was released on June 30, 2015.[31] In May 2018, she released her fourth single, "A Lot More Me", a burlesque track independent from an album.[32]

In July 2021, Violet 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. Violet Chachki had previously appeared in Allie X's 2016 music video for "All The Rage".[33]

Artistry

[edit]

Violet Chachki's style is characterized by her "obsession with vintage glamour".[34] She has 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.[35]

The influence of fetish fashion and art is a staple in Violet Chachki's aesthetic, with references to the bondage and latex subcultures,[35] John Willie's illustrations,[36] dominatrix imagery[37] and Bettie Page.[38] 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."[35] Violet Chachki is known for her tightly laced corsets.[37]

Personal life

[edit]

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Dardo is half-Ecuadorian.[4][39] During his upbringing, he also lived in Stone Mountain and Lilburn, and graduated from St. Pius X Catholic High School.[40]

Discography

[edit]

EPs

[edit]
Title Details Peak
positions
US
Dance
[41] 		US
Heat
[42] 		US
Indie
[43]
Gagged 11 16 48

As lead artist

[edit]
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
[edit]
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Drop That Pimp" 2015 RuPaul, Miles Davis Moody[44] RuPaul Presents: CoverGurlz2
"I Run the Runway" Miss Fame Beauty Marked
"The Night Before Christmas" — Christmas Queens
"Rim" 2019 Brooke Candy, Aquaria Sexorcism

Filmography

[edit]

Films

[edit]
Title Year Role Notes Ref.
Queer Moxie 2016 self Documentary [45]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2015 RuPaul's Drag Race (season 7) Herself Contestant (winner) [46]
2016 RuPaul's Drag Race (season 8) Guest in Episode 1 and 10 [47]
2022 RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race Guest [48]

Web series

[edit]
Title Year Role Notes Ref.
Untucked 2015 self Companion show to RuPaul's Drag Race [49]
Transformations with James St. James 2016 Guest [50]
The Pit Stop 2017-2022 guest in 4 episodes [51]
Iconic 2018 Guest [52]
Digital Drag 2019 Series from their YouTube channel
Runway Rewind
Violet Does
His Vintage Touch Guest [53]
Werq the World World of Wonder's series [54]
Shop Like a Queen Host [55]
Huda Boss Season 2, Episode 4 [56]

Music videos

[edit]
Title Year Artist(s) Director Ref.
"Drop That Pimp" 2015 self — [57]
"Get Ready to Clock" themself, Max, Jaidynn Diore Fierce [58]
"Born Naked (Stadium Remix)" RuPaul Steven Corfe [59]
"Bettie" self Michael Serrato [60]
"Vanguard"
"I Run the Runway" Miss Fame Ali Mahdavi [61]
"All the Rage" 2016 Allie X Jungle George/Maluko Haus [62]
"A Lot More Me" 2018 self Love Bailey [63]
"Mine" Alice Glass Lucas David [64]
"I Don't Wanna Brag" Aja Assaad Yacoub [65]
"Whatever Violet Wants" 2021 self Ali Mahdavi [66]
"The Perfect Girl" 2022 Mareux Michael E Linn

Nedda Afsari

[67]
"Unholy" Sam Smith and Kim Petras Floria Sigismondi [68]

Other appearances

[edit]
Title Year Role Note Ref.
#CreateYourStyle 2018 self Schwarzkopf campaign video [69]
Neon Dream Marilyn Monroe Impersonator / Showgirl Prada campaign video [70]
Sublime Perfection 2019 self Path McGrath Labs campaign video [71]
Oops! I LaLiT Again The LaLiT London ad [72]
Werq the World Live Stream 2020 Voss Events' online show [73]
Werq the World Battle Royale [74]
Le Male Le Parfum — Jean Paul Gaultier campaign video [75]
Digital Folies self Solo live stream show [76]
Boys Lie Family — Boys Lie campaign video [77]
When You Wear a Condom 2021 self AHF parody ad [78]

Tours

[edit]

Headlining

[edit]
  • A Lot More Me (World, 2019–present)[79]

Co-Headlining

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Violet Chachki Never Stop Chasing the Neon Rainbow". HuffPost. May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  2. ^ Sources for Chachki's birth name:
  3. ^ Sources for Chachki's date of birth:
  4. ^ a b Beckdahl, Kathy (September 3, 2016). "Violet Chachki has advice for other would-be drag performers: 'Do it now'". The New Orleans Advocate. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  5. ^ "Violet Chachki Interview". Powderzine. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  6. ^ "Who Is Your Drag Mom? | The Kiki Show". YouTube. June 13, 2017.
  7. ^ Terrell, Matthew (April 28, 2014). "Violet Chachki Never Stops Chasing the Neon Rainbow". The Huffington Post. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  8. ^ Terrell, Matthew (October 10, 2013). "No Amount of Censorship Can Stop Atlanta's Drag Queens from Looking Fabulous". Vice. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  9. ^ Terrell, Matthew (September 27, 2013). "Legendary Children Censorship Reveals Discomfort With Drag Queens' Dicks". The Huffington Post. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  10. ^ Fitzgerald, Christine (February 26, 2015). "Meet the Queens of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 7: Violet Chachki". Socialitelife.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2015. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  11. ^ Nelson, Michael (August 15, 2014). "Captain Murphy – "Cosplay"". Stereogum. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  12. ^ Beard, Lanford (December 7, 2014). "'RuPaul's Drag Race': Meet the new queens and watch the first season 7 tease". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  13. ^ Ho, Rodney (May 29, 2015). "Atlanta's Violet Chachki could win 'RuPaul's Drag Race' June 1". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on August 24, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  14. ^ Hill, Libby (June 2, 2015). "RuPaul's Drag Race Wraps Up With a Messy, Redundant Finale". Vulture. Vox Media. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  15. ^ Weigle, Lauren (June 1, 2015). "Violet Chachki Crowned Winner on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 7". Heavy.com. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  16. ^ Machado, Sam (June 30, 2015). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 7 Winner: Violet Chachki Dishes on Aerial Performing & Burlesque, 'I'm Glad That I Can Bring It Back'". Enstarz.com. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  17. ^ St. James, James (January 4, 2017). "ConDRAGulations! Violet Chachki Joins Dita Von Teese's 'The Art of Teese' Tour!". WorldOfWonder.net. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  18. ^ Mikel, Ryan (November 16, 2017). "Violet Chachki Becomes First Drag Queen to Star in Major Lingerie Campaign". Out. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  19. ^ STEFF YOTKA (January 18, 2018). "Violet Chachki on Walking Moschino and the Importance of Queer Visibility". RUNWAY. VOGUE. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  20. ^ Chaudhri, Shweta (April 20, 2019). "Drag queen Violet Chachki on fashion, pop culture and reinvention of self". Vogue. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  21. ^ "Violet Chachki Serves a Lesson on the True Meaning of Camp". Vogue. May 6, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  22. ^ Fry, Courtney (May 7, 2019). "Aquaria & Violet Chachki Turn It Out As The First Drag Queens At Met Gala". pedestrian.tv. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  23. ^ "The Most Powerful Drag Queens in America: Ranking the new establishment". New York. June 10, 2019. Archived from the original on June 10, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  24. ^ Peters, Alex (November 5, 2019). "Violet Chachki is collaborator and muse for new fragrance Dirty Violet". Dazed. Archived from the original on January 24, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  25. ^ Street, Mikelle. "Violet Chachki Makes Drag Race History With Solo Vogue Cover". out.com. Out Magazine. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  26. ^ Atkinson, Katie. "Cardi B Asks 'Drag Race' Stars Violet Chachki & Gottmik to Direct Her Next Music Video". billboard.com. Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  27. ^ Hawkins, Laura (June 15, 2023). "British Vogue and Luisa Via Roma Join Up for a Blockbuster Fashion Show in Florence—See All the Looks". vogue.com. Condé Nast. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  28. ^ Malkin, Marc (June 6, 2023). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Star Violet Chachki to Be Honored by Tom of Finland Foundation". variety.com. PMC. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  29. ^ Juengling, Konrad (October 15, 2021). "Here are the 25 Most-Followed "RuPaul's Drag Race" Queens on Instagram". IntoMore. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  30. ^ "iTunes – Music – Bettie – Single by Violet Chahki". iTunes Store (US). June 2, 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2015.
  31. ^ "iTunes – Music – Gagged – EP by Violet Chahki". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved June 21, 2015.
  32. ^ "Violet Chachki Talks Fantastical, Burlesque-Inspired Music Film: 'I Wanted to Glamorize Reality'". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  33. ^ Leiber, Sarah Jae (July 30, 2021). "Allie X & Violet Chachki Release 'Mistress Violet'". BroadwayWorld.
  34. ^ "A Conversation with Violet Chachki, Drag's Unapologetic New It-Girl". HuffPost. June 1, 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  35. ^ a b c Bygod, Matti (August 19, 2016). "Design Scene Interview with Violet Chachki". Design Scene. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  36. ^ Drag Makeup Tutorial: Violet Chachki 'Leather and Lace Runway' Look (video). Logo TV on YouTube. May 20, 2016. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  37. ^ a b VIOLET CHACHKI'S CORSET TOUR (video). Violet Chachki on YouTube. February 18, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  38. ^ Reynolds, Daniel (June 3, 2015). "Catching Up With Violet Chachki: 'I Identify With Trans People'". Out. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  39. ^ Chachki, Violet [@VioletChachki] (January 30, 2015). "@YANFRET Ecuadorian. 1/2" (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved January 4, 2021 – via Twitter.
  40. ^ Ho, Rodney. "Atlanta's Violet Chachki could win 'RuPaul's Drag Race' June 1". ajc.com. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  41. ^ "July 18, 2015 – Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2015. (subscription required)
  42. ^ "July 18, 2015 – Heatseeker Albums – Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2015. (subscription required)
  43. ^ "July 18, 2015 – Independent Albums – Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2015. (subscription required)
  44. ^ "RuPaul Teases "Covergurlz 2," New Album With Season 7 Queens, On Instagram". www.logotv.com. January 30, 2015. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  45. ^ "Queer Moxie (2016)". IMDb. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  46. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race recap: season seven, episode one – the devil wears nada". The Guardian. March 3, 2015. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
  47. ^ "Season 8, Ep 1: Keeping It 100!". Logo TV. March 7, 2016. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  48. ^ Nolfi, Joey (July 18, 2022). "RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race teases Masked Singer format for season 2 premiere". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  49. ^ Untucked: RuPaul's Drag Race Episode 1 – Born Naked. YouTube. March 3, 2015. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
  50. ^ James St. James and Violet Chachki: Transformations (video). YouTube. July 22, 2015.
  51. ^ The Pit Stop S5 E2 | Bob & Violet Chachki Recap I'm in Love! | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. RuPaul's Drag Race. June 13, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2020.The Pit Stop S13 E5 | Trixie Mattel & Violet Chachki Judge 'The Bag Ball'! | RuPaul's Drag Race. RuPaul's Drag Race. June 13, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  52. ^ Real, Evan (September 25, 2018). "Brad Goreski on the Intersection of Drag and Red-Carpet Styli". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  53. ^ Violet Chachki: His Vintage Touch with Tony Medina (video). YouTube. April 19, 2019.
  54. ^ "Werq the World". wowpresentsplus.com. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  55. ^ "Shop Like a Queen". wowpresentsplus.com. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  56. ^ Huda Boss S2:E4 – Episode 4: How Does Huda Find Her Inner Ho?. Facebook. August 28, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  57. ^ Violet Chachki - Drop That Pimp: RuPaul Presents: The CoverGurlz2 (video). YouTube.
  58. ^ "Get Ready to Clock" ft. Max, Violet Chachki, and Jaidynn Diore Fierce - RuPaul's Drag Race S7 (video). YouTube. March 24, 2015.
  59. ^ RuPaul – Born Naked (Stadium Remix) Official Music Video. YouTube. May 26, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  60. ^ Violet Chachki – Bettie [Official]. YouTube. June 1, 2015. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  61. ^ I Run The Runway [Official] Miss Fame & Violet Chachki (video). YouTube. February 5, 2016.
  62. ^ Gohl, Cody (August 29, 2016). "Violet Chachki Hits The Road In New Allie X Video "All the Rage"". newnownext.com. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  63. ^ "Go Behind the Scenes of Violet Chachki's Short Film 'A Lot More Me'". Paper. May 8, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  64. ^ Alice - Mine (Official Music Video) (video). YouTube. June 15, 2018.
  65. ^ Daw, Stephen (July 14, 2018). "Watch 'Drag Race' Star Aja Show Off Cocky Side in New 'I Don't Wanna Brag' Video". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  66. ^ Whatever Violet Wants - Violet Chachki X Daddy Squad (video). YouTube. March 16, 2021.
  67. ^ Mareux - The Perfect Girl (Official Music Video), April 20, 2022, retrieved May 7, 2022
  68. ^ "Watch Sam Smith and Kim Petras in Underground Sex Club in 'Unholy' Video". Spin. September 30, 2022. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  69. ^ "Violet Chachki - Moments Video | Schwarzkopf ⌗CreateYourStyle". YouTube. April 10, 2018.
  70. ^ Horbelt, Stephan (July 18, 2018). "Violet Chachki Is Marilyn Monroe and a Vegas Showgirl in the New Prada Video Ad Campaign". hornet.com. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  71. ^ Valentini, Lauren (July 17, 2019). "Violet Chachki on High Drag Beauty, Industry Inclusivity, and Being a Pat McGrath Muse". Vogue. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  72. ^ "With New Ambassador Violet Chachki, the LaLiT London Is No Drag". rochecom.com. September 29, 2019. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021.
  73. ^ "Werq the World Live Stream - Voss Events". vossevents.com. May 14, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  74. ^ "Werq the World Battle Royale - Voss Events". vossevents.com. May 14, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  75. ^ "Jean Paul Gaultier: Le Male Le Parfum with Mitchell Slaggert". fashionablymale.com. September 4, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  76. ^ Abad, Mario (July 29, 2020). "Violet Chachki's New Show Is a Fashion Extravaganza". Paper. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  77. ^ Boys Lie Family (video). YouTube. November 13, 2020.
  78. ^ Gomez, Aaron (March 5, 2021). "Corsets, Crystals, & Condoms? The Condom Packed Parody You Have To See To Believe". Medium. Archived from the original on March 20, 2021. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  79. ^ Juno, Kelly (July 20, 2019). "Violet Chachki announces her global solo tour 'A Lot More Me'". Love. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
[edit]
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race
US season 7 		Succeeded by
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