Laganja Estranja
Laganja Estranja is the stage name of Jay Evan Jackson, an American choreographer and drag queen based in Los Angeles, California. Laganja competed on the sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, finishing in eighth place.
Early life
Jackson was raised in Dallas, Texas, and attended the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Jackson obtained a BFA in dance from the California Institute of the Arts.Career
Drag
Laganja Estranja's drag debut was at Micky's West Hollywood on November 7, 2011. After winning the Amateur Competition, Laganja became an official "Showgirl" with a monthly gig at Micky's. Laganja went on to win "Queen of Queens" at 340 Nightclub in Pomona, CA and "Best Newcomer" in West Hollywood.In April 2013 Laganja Estranja auditioned for RuPaul's Drag Race. She was accepted onto the show, and filmed in the summer of 2013.
In 2014, the sixth season of drag-oriented reality competition RuPaul's Drag Race aired on LogoTV. Laganja performed moderately well on the show, winning a challenge while partnered with eventual runner-up Adore Delano. Laganja was eliminated in the eighth episode of the season, placing her in a small category of contestants in the show's history who were eliminated the week after winning a challenge. At the outset of the show, Laganja received quite a lot of attention on social media for her now-iconic entrance. During the show, Laganja became infamous for her over-the-top dramatics, catchphrases, and emotional breakdowns. Eventual winner Bianca Del Rio credited Laganja as the root of every memorable quote from the following season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Laganja's mannerisms have since been parodied by fellow drag queens, including Alaska Thunderfuck.
Laganja Estranja is the drag daughter of Alyssa Edwards, and the drag sister of Shangela and Plastique Tiara —all of whom competed on RuPaul's Drag Race, Edwards appearing on season 5 and season 2 of , Wadley appearing on season 2 and 3 and All Stars season 3, and Tiara on season 11. Under the moniker of the Haus of Edwards, they have internationally toured and performed together on multiple occasions, most notably at the pre-show warm-up for the finale episode of the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race.
In 2018, Laganja Estranja was interviewed by Billboard Pride for her notable role in the drag community. In this interview, Billboard Pride highlights her drag career as well as her choreography work with Miley Cyrus for the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards.
Laganja currently hosts her own web show on the drag-centric platform World of Wonder, the same production company behind RuPaul's Drag Race, RuPaul's DragCon LA, and RuPaul's DragCon NYC.
Music
In 2014, Laganja contributed vocals to a cover of RuPaul's "Jealous of My Boogie", for the album . Throughout 2014, Laganja was featured on three singles, contributing a rap verse to each song. In 2015, she released her debut single as a lead artist, titled "Legs", which featured American rapper Rye Rye. In June 2015, "Legs" was rated as the third best song by a RuPaul's Drag Race contestant by Pitchfork Media. In June 2015, Laganja was featured on fellow RuPaul's Drag Race star, Alaska Thunderfuck's debut album, Anus, on the track "Gimme All Your Money".In 2016, she released both her third single "Tease 4U" and a Christmas Album with the Haus of Edwards. Her single on the album is entitled "Green XXXmas," and the video featured exotic dancer Candace Cane. In September 2018, she released her fourth single "Look At Me" featuring J. Tyler, and an accompanying video. The video took a stance against arrests for marijuana possession. In November 2018, she released a lyric video for her fifth single "Smoke Break."
Lifestyle brand
The Laganja Estranja lifestyle brand includes a collaboration preroll joint with San Francisco's The Hepburns, called "LAhepburns." Laganja also partnered with FRUIT SLABS, a company making cannabis infused, vegan, real-fruit squares for their 2019 PRIDE collection. Laganja worked with FRUIT SLABS to create a one-of-a-kind flavor to be offered for a limited time.Cannabis advocacy
As a cannabis rights activist, Laganja has hosted conversations on cannabis legalization at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and at Impulse in San Francisco. She has also been featured twice in High Times Magazine as well as on the cover of Dope Magazine, making her the first LGBTQ+ advocate on the cover of a cannabis magazine.In September 2018, Laganja was interviewed by Civilized Magazine about her music video for Look at Me that “slammed” the war on drugs. The interview by Civilized — a magazine reported to be for the millions of adults who choose to enjoy cannabis recreationally — covered a number of aspects behind the imagery of Laganja's music video.
In December 2018, Laganja was featured in a Facebook live broadcast by Merry Jane. In this episode, Laganja talks fun-and-games topics like sky diving in drag and her favorite cannabis strains. But, she also goes into serious topics like “weed slut-ness” and important cannabis policy news.
Leafly, the world's largest cannabis information site, featured Laganja on their in-house podcast in January 2019. The podcast, The Hash, explored, alongside Laganja, topics like homophobia in the cannabis industry and what it's like to often be the only queer person in a room.
Dance
Graduating from The California Institute of the Arts in 2011 with a bachelor of fine arts degree in dance and choreography, Laganja is a skilled choreographer, teacher, and dancer. A Presidential Scholar in The Arts, Laganja performed her original work “not today” at the Kennedy Center in 2007. Laganja is also a YoungArts Silver Winner and returns every year to the program to mentor high school students in Miami, Florida.Laganja's choreography credits include Germany's Next Top Model, NYC Cosmetics FACE Awards, and for commercial artists such as Miley Cyrus and Brooke Candy.
In the summer of 2017, Laganja led a dance theatre project on gender expression with artists across Europe assembling in Nottingham, UK for a four-day workshop and showcase exploring the boundaries of gender identity. “GER” was in collaboration with Backlit Gallery, Kitty Tray, and Nottingham Contemporary. In the fall of 2018, Laganja elaborated on this idea of gender expression with her dance residency at YoungArts. The immersive experience included live vocals, original compositions, and curated set design.
Laganja's moves have also been featured on several popular dance YouTube channels including, but not limited to, Brian Friedman and DanceON.
In the fall of 2018, Laganja found herself partnered with the Pérez Art Museum Miami to present the art of drag for a one-day Poplife Social YoungArts Takeover. The event at the world-renowned art museum included an invitation from Laganja herself, “Onto Pamm’s terrace to warm up their dance muscles, ‘sissy that walk’ across the space and participate in a fan dance inspired by traditional Japanese performance.”
Laganja's Dance School
In 2016 Laganja's Dance School, an international high-heels masterclass and confidence workshop, was founded with partner Kristen Lovell. The master class has been held in dozens of cities in the United States and as an international experience, has traveled to Manchester, Nottingham, London, Newcastle, Dublin, Lima, Mexico City, and Amsterdam.The class includes an extensive warmup/stretch, across the floor exercises, and a final combination of original choreography. Participants are encouraged to express themselves, gain new skills, and feel amazing in this hip-hop oriented jazz funk atmosphere.
Laganja's Dance School is also held weekly at The Basement Center of NoHo in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, and a beginning Heels Technique class is held at Downtown Dance and Movement in Downtown Los Angeles. Dancers and non-dancers are encouraged to participate and push the limits of their bodies. Class is taught at a professional level, but all ages and abilities are welcome.
In 2019 the documentary "Laganja's Dance School" was released. The documentary was directed by Selene Kapsaski and chronicles Laganja Estranja teaching a dance class in London.
Merchandise
In 2014, Laganja launched a collection of marijuana-themed merchandise including a jewelry line called "Laganja Estranja Is My Enemy". Laganja has also collborated with Blunted Objects on a marijuana-themed statement necklace.As a model/brand ambassador, Laganja embodies the company she endorses and represents by increasing brand awareness with an authentic flair. While she does not have a marketing degree, it is clear that, through her social media skills, Laganja provides the utmost exposure for any partner.
With her established online presence of over one million followers collectively, Laganja always provides professional, modern marketing to consumers. Laganja maintains long lasting relationship with many diverse companies as a product and brand ambassador.