Aja

A self-described “kooky, crazy person” who reportedly practices the Afro-Caribbean religion of Santería and “always speaks the truth,” Brooklyn-based queen Aja won over fans as the youngest contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race season nine — arguably the show’s most diverse iteration in terms of gender representation and expression. Born Jay Rivera and named after song lyrics from the Bollywood film Disco Dancer, Aja — who prefers the gender-neutral pronouns they, their and them — got critiqued for spotty makeup application but showed considerable sewing chops, whipping up costumes fit for the performer’s style icons and inspirations — which run the gamut from Jean Paul Gaultier and Thierry Mugler to “furry monsters” and an amusing-to-imagine “Judy Jetson hooker.” During an exit interview with transgender RPDR contestant Peppermint, Aja spoke fondly of fellow competitors and the overall experience: “I lived for being in a room full of crazy-ass bitches where you could be yourself, you could fight them, and then you could still love them at the end of the day and everything is forgiven … for now.” Rey Lopez Entertainment brings the catty but lovable “slutty anime girl” to town for two shows at Heat with local support from Tencha La Jefa, The Juniors, Sharkeisha Banks, Chyna Cravens, Alayna Marquez, Amerie Parker and Nilaya Milan Mathews.