Aquaria
Aquaria – Life, Career, and Personal Philosophy
Aquaria (stage name of Giovanni Palandrani) is an American drag queen, fashion icon, and winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10. This article traces their life, artistry, milestones, public voice, and memorable statements.
Introduction
Aquaria is an influential figure in modern drag culture — blending high fashion, performance, and personal identity into a bold, boundary-pushing persona. Rising to major visibility through RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10, Aquaria has since worked across music, modeling, editorial, and activism. Their journey reveals more than glitz: it’s an exploration of self, aesthetics, representation, and creative voice in queer spaces.
Early Life and Background
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Birth and Origins
Aquaria was born Giovanni Lucca Palandrani on February 12, 1996, in West Chester, Pennsylvania. They are of Italian descent. They have a sister named Francesca. -
Early Interests & Training
From youth, Aquaria studied dance (for approximately four years) and began experimenting with drag during high school. They later enrolled in the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in Manhattan to study womenswear, attending for two semesters before leaving to focus on drag. -
Influences & Name
The drag name Aquaria is inspired by their zodiac sign, Aquarius. Early in their drag career, they received support and inspiration from figures like Susanne Bartsch.
Career & Achievements
Entry into Drag & Early Years
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Aquaria began professionally performing in drag in 2014.
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They quickly became involved in New York’s drag and nightlife scene, gaining attention for strong visuals, makeup artistry, and runway sensibility.
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Aquaria is sometimes referred to as a “drag daughter” of former RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Sharon Needles, though in later years they distanced themselves following controversies.
RuPaul’s Drag Race & Breakout Visibility
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In 2018, Aquaria was selected as one of the contestants on Season 10 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
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They delivered a strong performance:
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Won three main challenges.
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They never landed in the bottom two.
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Aquaria became the first queen in Drag Race history to win both the ball and the Snatch Game in the same season.
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On June 28, 2018, Aquaria was crowned the winner of Season 10.
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Her win made her one of the youngest winners of the show to date.
Beyond Drag Race: Fashion, Music & Media
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After her win, Aquaria expanded into modeling, editorial work, and fashion campaigns:
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Featured in Vogue Italia (multiple times) and other fashion publications.
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Modeled for Moschino × H&M capsule collection.
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Signed with IMG Models.
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Participated in Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty show in 2019.
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Became a face of MAC’s Viva Glam campaign.
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In music, Aquaria released her debut single “Burn Rubber” in 2018. She also featured on tracks such as “Looks” with Linux (2016) and in RuPaul’s American.
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In addition to performance and modeling, Aquaria has held editorial or hosting roles (such as serving as entertainment editor for Dazed).
Public Voice, Identity & Perspective
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Pronouns & Identity
In drag, Aquaria often uses she/her and they/them; out of drag, they sometimes use he/him and they/them. Their aesthetic persona embraces futurism, fashion-forward styling, and a mixture of club/kabuki/avant-garde influences. -
Advocacy & Critique
Aquaria has used their platform to call out issues within drag fandom—including racism, gatekeeping, and toxicity. For example, after RuPaul’s Drag Race fans attacked contestant The Vixen with racist comments, Aquaria publicly condemned such behavior. -
Evolution & Distance
Although they were once associated with Sharon Needles (as drag mother), Aquaria later distanced themselves following allegations of misconduct, stating they no longer support her.
Notable Quotes & Statements
While Aquaria is not primarily known as a writer or philosopher, she has spoken in interviews and public venues with insight and conviction. Below are some representative quotes:
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On confidence and mindset:
“I always convince myself of my confidence. It’s always, oh, I’m gonna win this one.”
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On drag as personal art and identity:
Though a direct singular quote is less cited, her interviews often emphasize drag not merely as performance but as extension of self, artistic expression, and identity reclamation—especially in queer and marginalized contexts. -
On responsibility to marginalized voices:
In publicly addressing racism within fandom, Aquaria has lamented silence and urged accountability: that visibility must come with care.
Lessons & Takeaways from Aquaria’s Journey
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Artistic identity can transcend genre boundaries.
Aquaria merges drag, fashion, performance, and editorial work—avoiding being boxed as just one type of entertainer. -
Visibility comes with responsibility.
Success in queer platforms invites accountability to racial justice, representation, and community integrity. -
Confidence often precedes validation.
Her repeated self-reassurance (“I’m gonna win”) suggests the inner narrative is a crucial component of outward success. -
Evolution is part of longevity.
As Aquaria distances from earlier associations or refines her public voice, she shows that growth—even toward critique—does not diminish legacy. -
Use platform to amplify others, not just self.
By addressing issues like racism within fandom and holding space for marginalized voices, Aquaria signals how artists can wield influence with humility.
Conclusion
Though Aquaria is not an “author” in the conventional sense, their creative and public output offers a rich source for understanding artistry, identity, and voice in contemporary drag and queer culture. From their win on RuPaul’s Drag Race to high fashion, music, and public advocacy, Aquaria is a multidimensional figure forging new aesthetic and ethical pathways.