Meet Miami’s Fiercest Drag Queens

Drag isn’t just an art form – it’s a celebration of self-expression and community. Greater Miami and Miami Beach is home to some of the world’s fiercest queens, with stages throughout the destination packed every night of the week. From drag bingo to iconic drag brunches and nightly shows, the queens keep the party going. We caught up with some local drag queens to learn more about their art and what it means to them.

Gadfrie Arbulu

Gadfrie Arbulu is one of Miami’s brightest drag stars, bringing elegance, talent and cultural pride to every stage she touches. In September 2025, she earned international acclaim by winning Miss Continental 2026, the world’s most prestigious drag pageant, held at Chicago’s Riviera Theatre. Her talent performance was unforgettable, which featured a mash-up of "Maybe This Time" from Cabaret and a remixed "Big Spender", complete with dazzling costume changes, choreography and backing dancers.

“This is only the beginning, and I’m beyond excited to showcase the rest of what I have to offer on the Miss Continental stage,” she said after her win. “The work continues, the passion grows and the dream lives on.” Originally from Peru, Gadfrie began performing at the age of 18 in LGBTQ clubs, where she drew inspiration from trailblazing trans icons.

For Gadfrie, drag is deeply personal. “Drag art started with transsexuals. We were the ones doing these shows in clubs,” she explains. “What I hope people see from us is that the trans community should stop being seen only as a sexual object. We can make art, we can do drag, we can dance and we can develop like any citizen in the world. Being trans is not easy, but it is really beautiful.”

Follow Gadfrie on Instagram to stay updated on her performances at R House Wynwood in Wynwood, where she performs regularly.

Karla Croqueta

The self-proclaimed “Miami Drag Machine,” Karla Croqueta rose to fame as one-half of the Juleisy y Karla drag comedy duo. Popular on YouTube, Juleisy y Karla would playfully mock Miami’s Latinx culture with their distinctive and flamboyant bearded drag looks. Karla now performs solo and continues to redefine drag. “I've explored different realms artistically, but drag itself is the art form where I can encapsulate every single art form, practice, theory, idea and modality,” she says.

When Karla performs, it’s important for her to feel a connection and help create a sense of community. “I really invite the audience to be a part of the experience. I have a way of drawing people in and really getting them to engage in what's going on the stage and really break that fourth wall, because in all of my shows there's no fourth wall… we are in this together,” she says.

It’s because of this that Karla has a deep connection to Miami. “Miami is so much of who I am. Miami influences me in so many ways. It's so vibrant and tropical, and it's a melting pot. It’s a place where people come here to really just let loose and be free.”

Celebrate Miami’s drag culture with Athena Dion at R House Wynwood brunches.

Athena Dion

Athena Dion, known as the Greek Goddess, has become a local icon as the resident host and producer of R House Wynwood’s drag brunches. She’s also the house mother to over 20 drag queens as part of the House of Dion, and the creator behind Dream Queens, a Miami-based drag entertainment company. 

Miami played a huge role in inspiring Athena to pursue drag. “I was a child of the ‘90s, so I watched The Birdcage, the movie with Robin Williams that took place in South Beach, and they had a drag bar in the movie – a total classic. So, after watching that, I was just so obsessed with the duality of being a drag queen,” she says. 

Her drag brunches at R House Wynwood have become legendary, frequently welcoming high-profile celebrities. “We recently had Billy Porter visit. He was dancing salsa with me and that was amazing. Ana Navarro from The View is a constant regular. We had Gloria Estefan there and I did the conga with her. That was a lifetime achievement.” Athena, who took her name from the Greek goddess in mythology, describes her drag style as the ultimate glamour. “I am a glamour goddess… I like big, over-the-top drag.”

Don’t miss Athena at R House Wynwood on Friday nights, as well as Saturday and Sunday brunches. 

Juicy Love Dion

Juicy Love Dion, the self-proclaimed “Miami’s Afro Cuban Dancing Doll,” lives up to every part of her name. Born Dariel Rodriguez, she’s been dancing her whole life, and brings the skills of a former FIU cheerleader to her electrifying drag persona. Known for outrageous, high-energy performances filled with flips, splits and jaw-dropping choreography, Juicy shines at R House Wynwood, where she performs regularly.

Her drag mother Morphine Love Dion, who gained national recognition on Season 16 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, helped guide her artistry, but Juicy has carved out her own spotlight. In 2023, she was named Best Drag Performer in the Best of Miami New Times awards, and in 2024, she showcased her talent to a national audience as a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance (Season 18). With charisma, talent and boundless energy, Juicy Love Dion is a true Miami star.

Catch Miami’s award-winning drag performer, Tiffany T. Fantasia, live at Palace Bar.

Tiffany T. Fantasia

Tiffany T. Fantasia, also known as Ebony Legs of South Beach, has been a South Beach staple for decades, and has lived in Miami since she was 2. An emcee, comedian, actor and singer, Tiffany is perhaps best known for her storied performances at the famous Palace Bar drag shows, where she has worked for the past 19 years. “People are on Ocean Drive and unexpectedly walk into a drag show happening for the whole world to see. I mean, how amazing is that?” she says.

Tiffany was voted Best Drag Performer by the Miami New Times in 2021, and has even appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. “I feel like I'm like a melting pot of drag. You're gonna get the funny. You're gonna get the dancing. You're gonna get a little bit of camp… a little bit of everything,” she says.

Performing for so many years in and around Miami has inspired her art. “I think growing up in this culture has given me a more diverse portfolio than the average entertainer. You can put me in any type of genre and I'm going to make it work for me.”

Catch Tiffany on Wednesday and Saturday nights at Palace Bar, and of course, the Sunday drag brunch.

See one of Miami's reigning queens, CC Glitzer.

CC Glitzer

CC Glitzer relocated to Miami from Germany in 2018. Since then, she’s solidified herself as one of Miami’s reigning queens. “This beautiful city made a lot of icons in our community that are known all over the world,” she says. CC met her now husband in Germany, which inspired her move. “I would say love brought me to Miami.

The art form of drag inspires every aspect of her performances, and she hopes the audience feels the same way. “I think drag gives our community, and especially our LGBTQIA community, a huge platform for conversation. It’s a way to express ourselves and to show other communities how fabulous our community is and that we don't mean any harm,” she says. 

CC gets the first C in her name from German supermodel, Claudia Schiffer, and the word “glitzer” means glitter in German. “I am CC Glitzer, the German sensation in Miami, and don’t ever forget: If the world is bitter, put on some GLITZER!”

On Monday nights, catch CC at Karaoke Mondays at Gaythering. On Wednesdays, she hosts trivia at Gaythering. On Thursday nights, she performs at both Palace Bar and Twist South Beach, and on Friday nights, you can see her again at Twist.

FKA Twink

FKA Twink is one of Miami’s most dynamic drag talents, known for her outrageous, boundary-pushing style and makeup looks that are nothing short of works of art. Originally from Nicaragua, she moved to Miami at the age of 12 and discovered drag through the magic of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Today, she is a powerhouse performer at Supernatural Haus, as well as at Las Rosas and R House Wynwood. She’s also a beloved host of drag and queer nights across Miami.

In 2024, she earned the title of Miss Wynwood Pride, and in 2025 she curated and hosted the inaugural 2-day Big Wig Drag Fest, a centerpiece of Wynwood Pride that brought together performers from across the region. With her fearless creativity and strong presence in the community, FKA Twink continues to revolutionize the Miami drag scene.

Kat Wilderness

Kat Wilderness, the self-proclaimed “Miami’s International Pop Princess,” is a trans drag artist who brings star power to every stage she touches. Known for her high-energy performances and signature pop diva flair, Kat can be seen at Supernatural Haus, Grand Palace, R House Wynwood and other top Miami venues. In 2025, she expanded her artistry beyond the stage with the release of her first single, “Protect Your Energy,” now available on all streaming platforms. She continues to captivate online audiences with viral videos of her electric performances, many inspired by today’s biggest pop stars.

A longtime favorite in Miami’s drag scene, Kat was named one of Miami New Times’ 15 Best Drag Performers and made a national appearance on The View in 2024 alongside fellow R House queens. Her talents have also placed her beside global icons including Laganja Estranja of RuPaul’s Drag Race and pop sensation Charli XCX. 

For Kat, drag is more than entertainment. “Drag is an art. It is not a gender,” she explains, embodying the limitless creativity that fuels her work. With charisma, talent and unapologetic authenticity, Kat Wilderness continues to raise the bar for Miami drag and beyond.