Mayhem Miller (drag queen)

Mayhem Miller is the stage name of Dequan Armand Johnson[2][1] (born February 9, 1982),[3] an American drag performer and actor, best known for competing on the tenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race (2018), the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (2020),[4] and the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World (2024).[5]

Mayhem Miller
Miller performing live in 2018
Born
Dequan Armand Johnson

(1982-02-09) February 9, 1982 (age 42)[1]
Occupations
Years active2002–present
Known for

Early life

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Johnson was born in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in the Beverly Grove neighborhood of Los Angeles.[6] He[a] grew up in Riverside, California and South Central Los Angeles.[3] He got the drag name "Mayhem Miller" from Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson's sex tape.[3] He started doing drag on May 10, 2002,[8][9] the same year as fellow Drag Race alumna Raven and the year after Morgan McMichaels, whom Johnson worked with before Drag Race. Johnson's other drag colleagues are alum Detox and Delta Work. He auditioned for Drag Race every year beginning with season two.[10]

Career

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Mayhem Miller was announced as one of fourteen contestants for the tenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race on February 22, 2018.[11] He was declared the winner of the episode one sewing challenge.[12] In episode three, He was in the bottom two and lip synced "Celebrity Skin" against Yuhua Hamasaki, and won.[13] He was eliminated in episode five after losing a lip sync of "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" against Monét X Change, and placed tenth overall.[14]

Outside of Drag Race, Miller appeared in an episode of Buzzfeed's "Try Guys" in 2014, giving a drag makeover to Eugene Lee Yang as Cheyenne Pepper.[15] He was one of the backup dancers for NeNe Leakes's lip sync of RuPaul's "Supermodel (You Better Work)" in the show, "Lip Sync Battle" in 2016.[16] He played the character Blanquisha in the 2017 movie Cherry Pop with Detox, Bob the Drag Queen, Latrice Royale, and Tempest DuJour.[17][18] He was with queens McMichaels, Laganja Estranja, Jaidynn Diore Fierce, and Farrah Moan and singer Rita Ora for the thirteen season of Germany's Next Topmodel in May 2018.[19]

He was in the music video for Blair St. Clair's "Call My Life" in June 2018.[20] An internet meme of one of Miller's 2011 video performances with overexaggerated eyes started spreading in November 2018.[21] Miller competed in the Drag Race television special RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular.[22]

He appeared in the music video for Iggy Azalea's "Sally Walker" on March 14, 2019.[23] He also appeared in a music video for Lizzo's song "Juice" on April 17, 2019.[24] In 2019, Miller released his very own lipsticks in collaboration with Hank & Henry.[25] In August 2019, he was featured in Women's Wear Daily magazine, alongside Kimora Blac, Mariah Balenciaga, and Kameron Michaels.[26]

Miller was credited as a makeup artist for RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race, making over Jermaine Fowler during the premiere episode.[27]

In 2020, Miller returned for the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, placing 7th overall.[citation needed] In 2021, Mayhem returned as a Lip-Sync Assassin on the fifth episode of the sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, where he lost the lip-sync to Lizzo's song "Phone" against Ginger Minj.[citation needed]

Miller returned to compete in the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World which aired in February 2024. He was eliminated in the first episode by Marina Summers after failing the premiere talent show, bottoming a second time in the same challenge, meaning he finished last place in eleventh.[28]

Music

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Miller released his first single "Queen of the Party" featuring producer Brynn Taylor on December 7, 2018.[29]

Personal life

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Johnson is gay.[30] His drag daughters are Rhea Litré[31] and Eugene Lee Yang (Cheyenne Pepper).[32]

In July 2018, Johnson was refused services from an Uber driver in Minneapolis for being in drag. He expressed it on Twitter with support from his fans.[33]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role
2017 Cherry Pop Blanquisha
2021 The Bitch Who Stole Christmas[34] Bus Driver

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref
2016 Lip Sync Battle Backup dancer Guest [16]
2018 RuPaul's Drag Race Herself Contestant (10th place) [35]
RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked
Germany's Next Topmodel Guest [19]
RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular Contestant (Joint Winner) [22]
2019 Hey Qween! Guest [36]
2020 AJ and the Queen Guest [37]
RuPaul's Drag Race Kanye West
Andre Leon Talley
Cameo appearance (2 episodes) [38]
RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race Creative Consultant Credited as Dequan Johnson
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 5) Herself Contestant (7th place) [4]
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars: Untucked [39]
2021 RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 6) "Lip-Sync Assassin" (Episode 5)
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars: Untucked Guest
2023 Drag Me to Dinner Hulu original [40]
2024 RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World (series 2) Contestant (11th place) [41]

Music videos

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Year Title Artist Role
2015 ”Not a Pearl” Willam Belli Herself
2018 "Call My Life" Blair St. Clair
2019 "Sally Walker" Iggy Azalea Funeral attendee
"Juice" Lizzo
2020 "Ass Like Mine"[42] Morgan McMichaels Herself
"Nerves of Steel"[43] Erasure Herself

Web series

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Year Title Role Ref
2014 Try Guys Herself [44]
2018 Cosmo Queens [45]
Whatcha Packin' [46]
Hey Qween [47]
Queen to Queen [48]
Countdown to the Crown [49]
2019 The Pit Stop [50]
His Vintage Touch [51]
Follow Me [52]
2020 ASMR Queens [53]
The X Change Rate [54]
Whatcha Packin [55]
2021 YIAY TIME [56]
2022 Binge Queens [57]
2023 Kerri Kares [58]
The Try Guys Are Dead - The Funeral Roast [59]

Discography

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Singles

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Year Title
2018 "Queen of the Party"

As Featured Artist

Title Year Album
"I'm in Love"[60]
(with the Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, Season 5)
2020 Non-album single

Notes

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  1. ^ Johnson uses he/him pronouns both in and out of drag.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Dequan Armand Johnson". Ancestry Institute. Ancestry. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  2. ^ "Drag Divas Get Down to Business". Los Angeles LGBT Center. Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018. Hard-working Miller (real name Dequan Johnson)...
  3. ^ a b c Koch, Drew (March 22, 2018). "Who's In Mayhem Miller's Drag Family? The 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Star Has Serious Support". Bustle. Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018. Mayhem is a 36-year-old queen from Riverside, California.
  4. ^ a b Vary, Adam B. (May 8, 2020). "'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Moves Back to VH1 From Showtime, Reveals Cast". Variety. Archived from the original on May 8, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  5. ^ Nolfi, Joey. "RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs. the World season 2 reveals cast competing for first UK cash prize". ew.com. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  6. ^ https://www.laweekly.com/drag-in-l-a-hometown-queen-mayhem-miller-has-made-her-mark/
  7. ^ @TheOnlyMayhem (June 30, 2020). "You are absolutely correct. I was asked what pronouns would I prefer to be addressed as and @joeynolfi and @EW were informed he/him. Thank you for respecting that and asking in the first place ❤️" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. ^ "'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 10, episode 5: Mayhem Miller exit interview". Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  9. ^ @TheOnlyMayhem (May 10, 2019). "TODAY IS MY DRAG BIRTHDAY 🎂 17 years ago I started off winning...and don't plan on stopping! Keep pushing cuz you never know what can happen ❤️ #dreambig #RuPaulDragRace #HappyBirthday" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. ^ "RuPaul's Mayhem Miller: "I have more to offer than ALL of them."". Metro Weekly. Washington, D.C. April 21, 2018. Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  11. ^ "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 10 is Premiering a Week After 'All Stars'". February 16, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  12. ^ "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 10 premiere recap: Mayhem Miller, Miz Cracker and Christina Aguilera". Houston Chronicle. March 23, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  13. ^ "Eliminated 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Contestant Yuhua Hamasaki Talks Reviving the Spirit of Drag, Gender Neutrality & More". Billboard. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  14. ^ "'Drag Race' star Mayhem Miller: 'I'm here to prove that I'm a great drag queen – not a clown'". Houston Chronicle. April 21, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  15. ^ "Guys Are Transformed Into Drag Queens For The First Time". BuzzFeed. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  16. ^ a b Lip Sync Battle (April 14, 2016), NeNe Leakes as RuPaul vs. Todd Chrisley as Shania Twain | Lip Sync Battle, retrieved July 27, 2018
  17. ^ "Detox And Mayhem Miller Fight Over Makeup And Janet Jackson In New Clip From "Cherry Pop"". LOGO News. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  18. ^ "CHERRY POP: FilmOut San Diego Presents the San Diego Premiere of this Uproarious Comedy : Rage Monthly Magazine". www.ragemonthly.com. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  19. ^ a b "Condragulations to Laganja Estranja, Morgan McMichaels, Jaidynn Dior Fierce, Mayhem Miller, and Farrah Moan for their Triumphant Performance on Germany's Next Top Model!". The WOW Report. World of Wonder. May 29, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  20. ^ "Drag Race star Blair St. Clair is a glamour queen in Call My Life music video". Gay Times. June 27, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  21. ^ "'Drag Race' Star Mayhem Miller Is the Face of a Hilarious New Meme: See the Best". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  22. ^ a b "Kim Chi, Shangela, Trixie Mattel & More to Compete in 'RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-Slay Spectacular'". Billboard. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  23. ^ "Iggy Azalea - Sally Walker (Official Music Video)". YouTube. March 14, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  24. ^ "Lizzo - JUICE Music Video feat. RuPaul's Drag Race Queens". YouTube. April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  25. ^ Stiefvater, Sarah (May 29, 2013). "Drag Queens Are Taking Over the Makeup Industry (and Honestly, It's About Damn Time)". PureWow. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  26. ^ "How Drag Queens Broke Through the Beauty Barrier". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  27. ^ Street, Mikelle (April 25, 2020). "These Queens Actually Did 'Celebrity Drag Race's Makeovers". Out. Pride Publishing. Archived from the original on May 26, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  28. ^ Drag Race: Why Mayhem Miller felt “tricked” on UK vs the World
  29. ^ "Queen of the Party (feat. Brynn Taylor) - Single". iTunes. December 7, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  30. ^ @theOnlyMayhem (July 28, 2018). "I AM BLACK. I AM GAY. I AM A MAN. I AM A DRAG QUEEN. If those are not enough for you...kindly, FUCK OFF!!!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  31. ^ "Behind the Scenes with Rhea Litré". This is West Hollywood. May 10, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  32. ^ "Mayhem Miller". www.facebook.com. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  33. ^ Jones, Hannah. "'RuPaul' star Mayhem Miller says Minneapolis Uber driver refused him a ride in drag | City Pages". City Pages. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  34. ^ Joey Nolfi (October 29, 2021). "RuPaul's new Christmas movie unites the largest Drag Race cast in history". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  35. ^ "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Contestant Defies DUI Court Order". TMZ. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  36. ^ Fitzgerald, Christine (June 29, 2019). "The Week In Drag – Raja, Mariah, Kameron Michaels And More!". Socialitelife.com. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  37. ^ Nolfi, Joey (December 3, 2019). "RuPaul brings 22 Drag Race queens to costar on AJ and the Queen". EW.com. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  38. ^ Fitzgerald, Christine (February 29, 2020). "Let's Kiki About The Top 10 Moments Of The RuPaul's Drag Race Season 12 Premiere". Socialite Life. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  39. ^ Dino-Ray Ramos (June 5, 2020). "'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Brings Back 'Untucked' Aftershow For Season 5". Deadline. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  40. ^ Rice, Lynette (May 1, 2023). "'Drag Me To Dinner': Hulu Announces Premiere Date For Unscripted Series From Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka". Deadline.com. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  41. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs. The World queens on their big comebacks: 'There was definitely some drama'". www.thepinknews.com. January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  42. ^ Fitzgerald, Christina (March 1, 2020). "The Week In Drag – RuPaul's Drag Race Season 12 Is Here! Plus Queerty Winners, Trixie Mattel And Scarlet Envy In The Hot Seat And Sasha Velour Shows Off Their Artistic Side". Socialitelife.com. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  43. ^ Erasure (August 11, 2020). "Erasure - Nerves of Steel (Official Video)" (YouTube video). Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  44. ^ The Try Guys Try Drag For The First Time. YouTube. December 7, 2014. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  45. ^ Mayhem Miller | COSMO Queens | Cosmopolitan. YouTube. April 29, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  46. ^ Whatcha Packin': Mayhem Miller | Season 10 Episode 5 | RuPaul's Drag Race Season 10. YouTube. April 23, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  47. ^ MAYHEM MILLER on Hey Qween! with Jonny McGovern | Hey Qween. YouTube. July 16, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  48. ^ Blair & Mayhem: Favorite BTS Moments & Life After RPDR | Queen to Queen | RuPaul's Drag Race. YouTube. June 29, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  49. ^ "Do You Believe in Aliens?" COUNTDOWN TO THE CROWN: RuPaul's Drag Race Season 10. YouTube. June 27, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  50. ^ Rudolph, Christopher (January 12, 2019). ""RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars" Recap: Season 4, Episode 5, "Roast in Peace"". NewNowNext.com. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  51. ^ Mayhem Miller: His Vintage Touch with Tony Medina. WOWPresents. April 5, 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  52. ^ FOLLOW ME: Mayhem Miller. YouTube. June 10, 2019. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  53. ^ Mayhem Miller: ASMR QUEENS 205. YouTube. April 9, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  54. ^ The X Change Rate: "All Stars" Season 5 Queens (Part 2). YouTube. June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  55. ^ Whatcha Packin': Mayhem Miller S5 E4 RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. YouTube. June 26, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  56. ^ "Movie Night". YIAY TIME.
  57. ^ SPOILER ALERT: Binge Queens - RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World Season 1, Episode 1. YouTube. February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  58. ^ "Getting Your Life". www.wowpresentsplus.com. January 25, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  59. ^ The Try Guys Are Dead | The Funeral Roast. YouTube. June 13, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  60. ^ "I'm In Love - Single". iTunes.
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