Yara Sofia

Yara Sofia is the stage name of Gabriel Burgos Ortiz[2] (born May 8, 1984), 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.

Yara Sofia
Sofia in February 2016
Born
Gabriel Burgos Ortiz

(1984-05-08) May 8, 1984[1]
San Juan, Puerto Rico
OccupationDrag queen, make-up artist, reality television personality, seamstress.
TitleMiss Congeniality
PredecessorPandora Boxx
SuccessorLatrice Royale
WebsiteOfficial website

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 (also known as Eros), 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.[3]

Career
Yara in June 2015

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.[4] With a heavy, yet comically perceived accent and a popular catchphrase (Echa Pa'lante which translates to Check it out) she became a fan favorite due to her unique use of makeup, wigs, contact lenses and fashion.[5] She won the challenge in episode 11 where the contestants had to create three different looks for a hair themed fashion show.[6] 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.[7] During the reunion special, which aired on May 2, 2011, Sofia won the annual Miss Congeniality award.[8]

On 6 August 2012, it was announced that Sofia was one of twelve past Drag Race contestants selected to join the cast of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars that premiered on the Logo network on 22 October 2012.[9] 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.[10]

Sofia appeared among other Drag Race alumni as a guest in episode one of season ten in January 2018.[11]

Outside of the show, Sofia was a playable character with Pandora Boxx and Manila Luzon for the "RuPaul's Drag Race: Dragopolis" app.[12][13]

Sofia appeared with other alum for an episode of the Game Show Network show Skin Wars in May 2016.[14]

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.[15] Sofia also appeared in the music video "Werqin' Gurl" by season two, three and all stars three alum Shangela.[16]

Filmography

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2011 RuPaul's Drag Race Herself Contestant Season 3 - 4th Place
2011–2012 RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked Herself
2012 RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars Herself Contestant Season 1 - 5th/6th Place
2016 Skin Wars Herself Episode: "Miss Skin Wars"[17]

Web series
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2013 Ring My Bell Herself Guest [18]
2013 Transformations Herself Guest [19]
2013 WOW Shopping Network Herself Guest [20]
2014 Couple$ for Ca$h Herself Guest [21]
2020 Envy of My Boogie Herself Guest

Music videos
Year Title Artist
2012 Queen Xelle

References
  1. Yara Sofia Official Website: Biography
  2. "Yara Sofia to Headline Pride Center's New Year's Eve Kiki". Out in SA. 2016-11-04. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  3. Yara Sofia Official Website: Biography
  4. "Alexis Mateo: RuPaul's Drag Race Season 3 Contestant - RuPaul's Drag Race (Video Clip) | LOGOtv". Logo TV. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  5. RuPaul's Drag Race: Yara Sofia from the Huffington Post 18 April 2011
  6. "'RuPaul's Drag Race': A super-sad elimination. Plus, A Poll: Which queen should return next week?". EW.com. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  7. Goodbye, Yara Sofia, we hardly understood you from ahora12.blogspot.com April 2011
  8. "'RuPaul's Drag Race': Help Pick Miss Congeniality | NewNowNext". www.newnownext.com. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  9. RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars cast includes Jujubee, Latrice Royale, Manila Luzon from chicago.gopride.com; 06 August 2012
  10. "'RuPaul's All Stars Drag Race' episode 4 recap". EW.com. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  11. Bellino 3/21/2018, Damian. "RuPaul Brings Back Katya, Porkchop, Kim Chi, Jujubee, Detox, and More to Help Judge the First Mini-Challenge of Season 10". VH1 News. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  12. "RuPaul's Drag Race: Dragopolis – So Much Drama Studios". Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  13. Morgan, Glennisha (2013-04-24). "Dragopolis, 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Drag Queen Mobile Game, Set To Debut". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  14. "Drag Queens Stomp the Runway at 'Skin Wars'". www.out.com. 2016-05-12. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  15. Spargo, Chris (25 October 2012). "XELLE's 'Queen' Music Video Features Every 'Drag Race' Queen: Watch October 25, 2012 ● by Chris Spargo". New Now Next. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  16. "Shangela's Music Video "Werqin' Girl" Is Basically Going To Be Your New CV (If It's Not Already)". The WOW Report. 2015-09-22. Retrieved 2018-12-01.
  17. Boulet, Ruth (2016-05-11). "Skin Wars meets RuPaul's Drag Race: a Season 3 episode 4 preview". Channel Guide Magazine. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  18. Yara Sofia - Ring My Bell. YouTube. April 4, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  19. James St. James and Yara Sofia: Transformations. YouTube. June 4, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  20. Yara Sofia on WOW Shopping Network. YouTube. September 27, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  21. Yara Sofia & Rubin- Couple$ for Ca$h. YouTube. February 28, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
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