A 2018 Netflix docuseries clip depicting a drag performer instructing young dancers has re-entered public discourse this week, following recent remarks by Texas U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico. The Democratic candidate's comments at a campaign event, identifying his favorite drag queen, prompted the resurgence of the archival footage and drew criticism from Republican figures.
"Oh, my gosh. Probably Alyssa Edwards." James Talarico, Texas U.S. Senate Candidate
The controversy began when Talarico, campaigning for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas, was approached by a man who asked, "Who is your favorite drag queen in Texas?" Talarico responded without hesitation, stating, "Oh, my gosh. Probably Alyssa Edwards." Alyssa Edwards is the stage name for Justin Dwayne Lee Johnson, a prominent drag performer. Fox News reported that Johnson has publicly discussed "working with children" and expressed support for youth-focused drag performances. Following Talarico's remark, the social media account "Libs of TikTok" reposted a segment from "Dancing Queens," a 2018 Netflix docuseries centered on Johnson’s dance studio.
The footage shows Johnson directing a group of young students. In one instance, Johnson singles out a student by a nickname, expressing optimism for his future. "Oh, I cannot wait to see what his future holds for him," Johnson says in the clip. He added, "Although I see my mini-me, Justin Johnson in a million years never could have been that at nine years old." The student was later identified by the Dallas Observer in 2018 as J.J. Garza, one of the few male children enrolled in Johnson's program at the time. During the segment, Garza had styled himself after Johnson's performance persona. Johnson praised the child's self-assurance in response to the moment. "He knows what he is, but he’s himself, he has a character, he has a personality that just lights up any room, and sometimes people are intimidated by people that are very secure with who they are," Johnson stated. He then drew a comparison to his own childhood, noting, "And, for myself I was very insecure, because that had me going into a shell as a little boy. I didn’t know, I had four sisters, they polished their nails, I polished mine."
Fox News reportedly sought comment from Talarico's Senate campaign regarding the resurfaced clip. The campaign's response did not directly address the footage but instead shifted focus to criticizing Talarico’s general-election opponent, Attorney General Ken Paxton. Talarico and Paxton are currently vying for a U.S. Senate seat, with the midterm election approaching in weeks. The naming of Johnson as a favorite performer prompted a public reaction from Texas Republican Rep. Brandon Gill. "It’s completely bizarre for any ‘man’ to be able to instantly name their ‘favorite drag queen,’ let alone the name of any drag queen at all," Gill commented.
This is not the first instance where Talarico's past statements concerning drag performances have garnered attention. In 2021, The Washington Free Beacon reported that Talarico had been a headliner at an event that featured an 11-year-old drag performer known as "Kween Kee Kee," who was promoted as "the absolute cutest & youngest of our drag performers." Talarico offered his assessment of that performance at the time, stating, "It was an inspiration to watch." Two years later, in 2023, he made a broader comment about the drag scene in Texas, asserting, "We produce some of the best drag performers in the nation."
Beyond drag performances, Talarico has also drawn public scrutiny for remarks on other subjects, including religion, immigration, and gender. While publicly identifying himself as a "Presbyterian seminarian," a 2021 interview clip captured a different perspective on his beliefs. In that clip, he remarked, "I always think of myself as a Christian who hates Christianity, right? And, like, I always get drawn back into it." That same year, he referred to God as "non-binary" and suggested that Jesus Christ could be characterized as a "radical feminist." On immigration, Talarico has advocated for treating the southern border "like our front porch," with "a giant welcome mat out front." He has also previously stated that there are six genders, a position he later retracted, acknowledging that some of his past statements "missed the mark." Separately, Talarico has spoken about his involvement with a church he described as "active" in LGBT rights efforts, which he stated sheltered an undocumented family to prevent their deportation.
The re-emergence of the 2018 docuseries clip and the subsequent commentary surrounding Talarico's past and present statements on drag performances, religion, and other social issues underscore the cultural and political divides present in the lead-up to the Texas U.S. Senate election. The candidate's remarks continue to be a point of discussion for voters and political observers.
