Yara Sofia


Yara Sofia is the stage name of Gabriel Burgos Ortiz, a Puerto Rican drag queen, professional make-up artist, and reality television personality. He is most known for appearing on RuPaul's Drag Race season 3, where she won Miss Congeniality, and All Stars season 1, where she was partnered with Alexis Mateo.

Biography

Although born in San Juan, Ortiz was raised in the small town of Manati, Puerto Rico. Her drag career began at local San Juan gay nightclub Krash, where in 2005, she won her first gay pageant title "Miss Road to Diva." Later, in 2006, Ortiz earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theater from the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan.

Career

Sofia was announced as a cast member on the third season of Logo's popular reality series, RuPaul's Drag Race, which premiered on the network on January 29, 2011. With a heavy, yet comically perceived accent and a popular catchphrase she became a fan favorite due to her unique use of makeup, wigs, contact lenses and fashion. She won the challenge in episode 11 where the contestants had to create three different looks for a hair themed fashion show. She was eliminated in what was considered a very emotional lip sync against fellow contestant Alexis Mateo in the thirteenth episode of the season, which first aired on April 22, 2011. During the reunion special, which aired on May 2, 2011, Sofia won the annual Miss Congeniality award.
On 6 August 2012, it was announced that Sofia was one of twelve past Drag Race contestants selected to join the cast of that premiered on the Logo network on 22 October 2012. Due to the team twist of the season, she teamed with Alexis Mateo to form Team Yarlexis. The duo was eliminated in the fourth episode of the series which aired on 12 November 2012, coming in the 3rd-place position amongst the teams, with Sofia therefore placing 5th/6th overall with Mateo.
Sofia appeared among other Drag Race alumni as a guest in episode one of season ten in January 2018.
Outside of the show, Sofia was a playable character with Pandora Boxx and Manila Luzon for the "RuPaul's Drag Race: Dragopolis" app.
Sofia appeared with other alum for an episode of the Game Show Network show Skin Wars in May 2016.
In 2012, along with other RuPaul's Drag Race contestants, Sofia appeared in the music video "Queen" for New York City-based girl group Xelle, fronted by alum Mimi Imfurst. Sofia also appeared in the music video "Werqin' Gurl" by season two, three and all stars three alum Shangela.

Filmography

Television

Web series

Music videos