Recently, the New York Times declared Pabllo Vittar the heir to RuPaul of RuPaul's Drag Race, the popular TV show that highlights drag queens competing in various challenges. Ironically, the show sparked Pabllo Vittar's interest in the art of drag and is recognized for its importance in bringing drag culture in the mainstream.
Pabllo Vittar hails from Maranhão, a state in Brazil's Northeast, a region known for its rich cultural heritage and systemic prejudice. Despite its significant contributions to music and literature, Northeasterners often encounter negative stereotypes and socio-economic marginalization. Media representations frequently rely on outdated and exaggerated caricatures, perpetuating harmful biases and failing to recognize the region's modernization and achievements. The practice of "Brazilian yellowface," where non-Northeastern performers use makeup to create exaggerated versions of Northeastern characters, is a clear example of this prejudice, reducing complex cultural identities to simplistic and often derogatory portrayals.
This regional influence can be heard in Vittar’s sound, which incorporates local rhythms like tecnomelody, forró, arrocha, and Carioca funk, fused with pop and electronic music. She was exposed to a melting pot of influences. From an early age, taking classic ballet and jazz dance classes. She joined the choir of a Presbyterian Church, sang at parties, and performed regionally, covering songs from various artists. Her mother was a strong musical influence, introducing Aretha Franklin, Donna Summer, Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, Gilberto Gil, Ney Matogrosso, Elis Regina, Alcione, and Caetano Veloso. As well as more contemporary artists like Beyoncé, Anahi, Rihanna, and Mylla Carvalho.
Pabllo Vittar is one of three children raised by a single mother. There are over 11 million single mothers in Brazil, out of a population of 214 million.
During her school years, Pabllo's high-pitched voice and delicate gestures was a target for bullying. Today, he is a gay icon and an emblem of gender fluidity. She uses her platform to promote self-esteem and affirmation through her lyrics and advocates for LGBT+ rights. The "Pabllo Vittar Effect" refers to a collective of drag queens helping to change the acceptance of the LGBTQ community in Brazil, using music and performance as their means of expression. She is a strong symbol of resistance in a country where violence against the LGBTQ community is commonplace. Pabllo has publically honoured the protagonists in the 1969 Stonewall Riots, which was the kickstart of the gay movement globally. She also breaks social bubbles within the music industry, amalgamating fans from various genres and generations through her participation in both traditional Brazilian programs and contemporary platforms. Not only these, but has transcended geographical borders, as evidence by the NYT piece, with a strong fan base inside and outside Brazil, since her debut in the Carnaval 2015 and now the world.
Drag queens have constantly experienced historical erasure, a result of structural prejudice that even exists within the LGBT community itself. The art of drag is often used as a humorous backdrop for stories about the gay experience and its conflicts with straight culture, or simply as a comic relief. This perception undermines the seriousness and worth of drag as an art form. Instead of valuing its plurality in arts—such as singing, dancing, acting, dressing, creating, writing, and directing—it is frequently reduced or omitted.
Drag challenges expectations, social constructs, gender norms, and identities. For instance, in Berlin, Germany, between the end of the 19th century and the 1930s, there were numerous cross-dressing balls. At these balls, the dresses were so heavy that they had to be literally dragged across the floor. This was where the term “drag” came from. Though, cross-dressing, has been practiced throughout much of recorded history, in many societies, and for many reasons.
Pabllo Vittar responds to hate and erasure with high numbers in the charts and media, not only on traditional music platforms, there's also the cameo appearance on the video game, The Sims 4. She opens unthinkable doors for those facing darkness and struggle in the margins of society. Vittar's present voice is a mix of diversity and plural causes, and his future is destined to shine brightly, saving seats for opportunities she has opened. Pabllo Vittar: The Queen Who Dares, the Heir Who Cares.
