Jinkx Monsoon

Hera Lilith Hoffer (born September 18, 1987), best known by the stage name Jinkx Monsoon, is an American drag queen, actress, singer and comedian, best-known for winning the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, as well as the All-Winners seventh season of All-Stars, becoming the first and only queen to win two crowns on the show. She made her Broadway debut in 2023 and has appeared in character roles on television and in cabaret.

Nine years after her first win on RuPaul's Drag Race, in 2022, she returned as part of an all-winners All Stars season, featuring a mixture of crowned queens from several seasons competing against one another for the title of "Queen of All Queens" and a $200,000 prize. Monsoon placed first, becoming the first and only two-time winner of the show across its many global franchises. Throughout her drag career, she has been noted for her wit and comedic timing, her musical theatre-inspired performances, and for celebrity impersonations, including Judy Garland, Edie "Little Edie" Bouvier Beale, and Natasha Lyonne.

She has also pursued a career in music, releasing two studio albums titled The Inevitable Album (2014) and The Ginger Snapped (2018). She has appeared in cabaret acts. In film, Monsoon appeared with her collaborative and touring partner BenDeLaCreme in the holiday film The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Special (2021) which was later released on Hulu. On television, Monsoon appears in the WOW Presents Plus original Sketchy Queens, a series she created alongside Liam Krug, and the BBC series Doctor Who as the villain Maestro. In 2023 she made her Broadway debut in Chicago as "Mama" Morton, continued in musical theatre as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors in New York and, in 2025, made a Carnegie Hall debut and returned to Broadway in Pirates! The Penzance Musical. In 2026 she made her West End debut in the lead role of Oh, Mary!.

Early life Hoffer was born in an Irish Catholic household on September 18, 1987, in Portland, Oregon and raised in an unstable environment. Her mother Deanne Hoffer, was a heavy alcoholic, leaving Hoffer at age 12 to take on a parental role for her younger siblings. She described her mother as "a woman who wasn't ready to be a mom." Her mother is intersex and has an underdeveloped testicle. She has two younger brothers and a half-sister.

Hoffer attended da Vinci Arts Middle School and Grant High School. She worked as a janitor through college and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theater from Cornish College of the Arts in 2010.

Hoffer learned she was of partial Ashkenazi ancestry as a teenager; after her maternal grandmother, Judith Irwin-Hoffer, died in 2008 from complications of a stroke, she learned Judith was born to Jewish parents of Polish and Finnish descent and had been adopted by an Irish Catholic couple. Hoffer initially told The Times of Israel she was of Russian Jewish ancestry.

Career Early career

Hoffer began performing in drag at age 15, two years after coming out as gay. Performing at Portland's all-ages Escape Nightclub under the name Heidi Destruction, Hoffer found an outlet for her creativity through drag. She later adopted the stage surname Monsoon after Edina Monsoon, the central character in the British sitcom Absolutely Fabulous.

After relocating to Seattle, Hoffer became active in the city's theatre and drag communities. In 2011, she and writer-performer Nick Sahoyah created and starred in the Funny or Die web series Monsoon Season, in which Hoffer portrayed Jinkx Monsoon as an overbearing, substance-addled and nearly psychotic mother opposite Sahoyah's character, Kamikaze Monsoon. Later that year, Hoffer appeared in the Wes Hurley film Waxie Moon in Fallen Jewel and became the subject of Drag Becomes Him, a documentary web series directed by Alex Berry that explored her life in and out of drag.

The following year, Hoffer expanded into musical theatre. In January 2012, she portrayed Moritz in a Seattle production of Spring Awakening. The performance drew attention after a review in The Seattle Times described Hoffer as "overly flamboyant" for the role, prompting columnist Dan Savage to publicly defend the casting and challenge assumptions about queer actors portraying heterosexual characters. Later that year, she appeared as Angel in Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre production of Rent.

By late 2012, Hoffer had appeared in a web series, a documentary series, an independent film and several theatre productions before being cast on the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, marking the beginning of her national television career.

RuPaul's Drag Race Jinkx Monsoon at Pride 2013In November 2012, Logo announced that Jinkx Monsoon was among the 14 contestants selected for the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.

During the season, Monsoon won the main challenges for "Drama Queens" and the annual "Snatch Game", a challenge in which contestants impersonate celebrities. For Snatch Game, she portrayed socialite Edie "Little Edie" Bouvier Beale. Later in the competition, she impersonated former RuPaul's Drag Race contestant Mimi Imfurst during the "Lip Synch Extravaganza Eleganza" challenge. She went on to win the fifth season in May 2013.

In 2022, nine years after her first victory, Monsoon returned for the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, the franchise's first all-winners season, in which previous champions competed for the title of "Queen of All Queens". She won the Snatch Game with impersonations of actress Natasha Lyonne and entertainer Judy Garland, and also claimed the fourth, fifth, ninth and tenth main challenges. On July 29, 2022, Monsoon won the competition, becoming the first and only contestant to win two RuPaul's Drag Race crowns.

Music

Following her victory on RuPaul's Drag Race in 2013, Jinkx Monsoon expanded her career into music, establishing herself as a recording artist alongside her work in drag, theatre and comedy. Her recordings have drawn on influences including cabaret, jazz, musical theatre, traditional pop, grunge and ska.

Monsoon released her debut studio album, The Inevitable Album, through Sidecar Records on May 6, 2014. Influenced by performers including Bette Midler, Marlene Dietrich, Peggy Lee, Amanda Palmer, and Regina Spektor, the album blended blues, jazz, traditional pop and cabaret. Later that year, Monsoon released the single "The Bacon Shake", featuring Fred Schneider of The B-52s. In 2015, she followed the album with the remix collection ReAnimated and The Inevitable Commentary Album, which featured commentary accompanying the original recordings.

Stage and cabaret career

Following her victory on RuPaul's Drag Race in 2013, Hoffer expanded her stage career through cabaret, theatre and touring productions, developing original stage productions while continuing to appear in musicals, concerts and theatrical productions in the United States and internationally.

In January 2013, Hoffer portrayed Hedwig in the Moore Theatre's production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. The following June, she played Velma Von Tussle in a concert staging of Hairspray presented by the Seattle Men's Chorus and the 5th Avenue Theatre. Later that year, Balagan Theatre revived its production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch for a limited engagement with Hoffer and the original cast.

Hoffer has frequently collaborated with fellow drag performer and touring partner BenDeLaCreme, with whom she has developed a long-running series of original holiday stage productions. In 2020, the pair co-wrote and starred in The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Special, a feature-length holiday film based on their Christmas stage productions. They resumed touring with the holiday show in 2021 and continued to present newly written productions in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

In addition to her original productions, Hoffer has appeared in live comedy events and theatrical benefits. In May 2017, she participated in the celebrity roast of theatre columnist Michael Musto alongside Bianca Del Rio, Orfeh, Michael Riedel, Randy Rainbow, Crystal Demure, Countess Luann de Lesseps, Judy Gold and Randy Jones.

Hoffer made her Broadway debut in 2023 as Matron "Mama" Morton in Chicago, becoming the first drag performer to play the role on Broadway. She returned to the production in 2024 before portraying Audrey in the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors.

She played Tallulah/Dennis, the owner of Lipstick Lounge in an episode of Blue Bloods entitled "Manhattan Queens", which aired on January 31, 2014. In 2015, Monsoon joined the cast of Wes Hurley's comedy series Capitol Hill.

In May 2017, Monsoon appeared in the celebrity roast of Michael Musto alongside Bianca Del Rio, Orfeh, Michael Riedel, Randy Rainbow, Crystal Demure, Countess Luann de Lesseps, Judy Gold, and Randy Jones. The roast which was produced by Daniel DeMello and directed by Rachel Klein, was hosted by Bruce Vilanch and introduced by Rosie O'Donnell.

In 2020, Monsoon appeared in the Hulu original Christmas film Happiest Season.

Monsoon was cast in the fourteenth series of Doctor Who (Season 1), produced by BBC and Disney+. Monsoon played the villain "Maestro" in the episode "The Devil's Chord", which aired in May 2024.

Recognition In June 2019, a panel of judges from New York magazine placed Monsoon 18th on their list of "the most powerful drag queens in America", a ranking of 100 former Drag Race contestants.

In 2013, Monsoon was chosen as one of the Artists of the Year by City Arts magazine along with Megan Griffiths, Macklemore, Ryan Lewis, and Wes Hurley.

Personal life

In 2017, Hoffer stated she identified as "non-gendered" or non-binary, and went by singular they pronouns when not in drag. In an April 2017 interview, Monsoon stated, "I've never identified as fully male. I've always identified as more gender fluid or gender ambiguous, but I never knew the vocabulary to explain it for myself."

In a 2024 interview, Monsoon stated that she identifies as trans-femme non-binary and uses she/her pronouns. In the same interview, she said she had begun hormone replacement therapy and undergone facial feminization surgery. In 2025, she stated that she identifies as pansexual.

Hoffer struggles with alcoholism and substance abuse. She had been hit by a car while intoxicated and almost hit again a few years later in 2019 while "blackout drunk".

In January 2021, Hoffer married her partner Michael Abbott in a small ceremony at home with their friends and family witnessing through video call. The marriage was officiated by comedian Deven Green. In February 2024, Abbott announced they had separated.

In April 2024, Hoffer legally changed her name to Hera Hoffer, but still kept her stage name of Jinkx Monsoon.

She had lived in Seattle, Washington, up until 2018.

Political views Hoffer writes on her Instagram and Twitter accounts about her views on US President Donald Trump and LGBT equality. She is a Democratic Party supporter and donated to both Elizabeth Warren's and Bernie Sanders's campaigns to be the Democratic nominee for president in 2020. She has spoken out in support of Palestine.

Artistry Hoffer's drag persona is inspired by her mother and the comedians Lucille Ball, Maria Bamford, Deven Green, and Sarah Silverman. Her drag persona's last name, Monsoon, is derived from the character Edina Monsoon from the British sitcom Absolutely Fabulous.

Discography Albums Studio albums Title Details The Inevitable Album Released: May 6, 2014 Label: Sidecar Records Formats: CD, digital download, streaming The Ginger Snapped Released: January 12, 2018 Label: Producer Entertainment Group Formats: CD, digital download, streaming

Live albums Title Details Red Head Redemption Released: May 23, 2023 Label: Comedy Dynamics Formats: digital download, streaming

Soundtrack albums Title Details The Jinkx & Dela Holiday Special (with BenDeLaCreme) Released: October 13, 2015 Label: Sidecar Records, Producer Entertainment Group, Streaming Format: CD, Digital download

Commentary albums Title Details The Inevitable Commentary Album Released: July 2, 2014 Label: Sidecar Records, Producer Entertainment Group Formats: digital download, streaming

Extended plays Title Details The Virgo Odyssey: Prologue Released: August 12, 2022 Label: self-released Formats: digital download, streaming The Virgo Odyssey: Leo Moon (2026)

Singles Song Year Album "Coffee & Wine" 2014 The Inevitable Album "The Bacon Shake" (featuring Fred Schneider) "Creep" "Hold On JMX (GlitterMix)"(featuring Jean Morisoon) 2015 ReAnimated "Cartoons and Vodka" 2018 The Ginger Snapped "Know-It-All" 2022 The Virgo Odyssey: Prologue "Internationolidays" "Strange Magic" The Virgo Odyssey: Prologue "Space & Time" "Looking at the Lights"2022rowspan="2" "The Lavender Song" 2023

Featured singles

"Planet Yes" (2026)

Other appearances Song Year Other Artist(s) Album "Red & Green" 2015 N/A Christmas Queens "Passive Aggressive Christmas" 2016 Major Scales Christmas Queens 2 "Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah" 2017 N/A Christmas Queens 3 "The Auld Lang Syne Song" "Jingle Bell Rock" 2018 N/A Christmas Queens 4 "I Wanna Fuck a Ghost" 2025 Erika Henningsen, Jack Plotnick Helluva Boss: Season Two (Original Soundtrack)

Music videos Song Year Director "Jinkxalicious" 2011 Alex Berry "Coffee & Wine" 2014 "The Bacon Shake" Steve Willis "Creep" "Hold On JMX (GlitterMix)" 2015 "Red & Green" Santiago Felipé "Cartoons & Vodka" 2018 Mac Kerman "Just Me (The Gender Binary Blues)" Santiago Felipé "She Evil" Brad Hammer, Shawn Adeli "Strange Magic" 2022 Frank Correa "Know-It-All" Assaad Yacoub

Filmography

Film

Television Year Title Role Notes 2013 RuPaul's Drag RaceHerself Season 5 – Winner RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked NewNowNext Awards 2014 Blue Bloods Tallulah/Dennis Episode: "Manhattan Queens" RuPaul's Drag RaceHerself (guest) Season 6 – 2 episodes 2015 Season 7 – "Countdown to the Crown" – Guest 2016 Season 8 – 2 episodes Gay for Play Game Show Starring RuPaul 1 episode 2018 Steven Universe Emerald (voice) Season 5 – "Lars of the Stars" Mighty Magiswords Hairmosa (voice) Season 2 – "To Balderly Go" RuPaul's Drag Race Herself Season 10 – "10s Across the Board" – Guest Bravest Warriors Jenna (voice) 3 episodes 2019 RuPaul's Drag Race Herself Season 11 – "Snatch Game At Sea" – Guest Blame the Hero The Queen 1 episode 2020 AJ and the Queen Edie Episode 2 Blood & Makeup: The Last Laugh of Blah Blah the Clown Melora Oswald 3 episodes 2022 RuPaul's Drag Race All StarsHerself Season 7 – Winner Countdown to All Stars 7: You’re a Winner Baby VH1 special The View Guest 2023 Late Night with Seth Meyers Guest CBS Mornings Guest Good Morning America Guest RuPaul's Drag Race Season 15 – "Grand Finale" – Guest performance Drag Me to Dinner Hulu original Red Head Redemption Amazon Prime original HouseBroken Mrs. P Cockx Episode: "Who's a Party Pony?" Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake Normulon, Lemongrab, additional voices 4 episodes Teenage Euthanasia Cafe Cashier Episode: "A Very Fantasy Vacation" Here & Queer Herself Episode: "Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme" 2024 Doctor WhoMaestro Episode: "The Devil's Chord" BBC Proms Episode: "Doctor Who at the Proms" 2025 Krapopolis Donna (voice) Episode: "Love Week" Resident Alien Bruce (voice) Season 4 – 2 episodes

Music videos Year Title ArtistRef. 2015 "Hieeee" Alaska Thunderfuck 2017 "Doom or Destiny" Blondie 2018 "Now or Never" Blair St. Clair

Web series

Theatre

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result 2014 Helpmann Awards Best Cabaret Performer The Vaudevillians Lockdown LOL The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Special 2023 Badass Herself Podcast Hi Jinkx! 2024 Live Theater The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show 2025 Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards Favorite Featured Actress in a Musical Pirates! The Penzance Musical Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance