Plasma | |
---|---|
Born | Taylor Ratliff November 6, 1998[1] Austin, Texas, U.S. |
Other names | Plasma LaRose |
Education | University of Oklahoma (BFA) |
Occupations |
|
Television | RuPaul's Drag Race (season 16) |
Relatives | Bill Ratliff (grandfather) Bennett Ratliff (uncle) |
Plasma[2] is the stage name of Taylor Ratliff (born November 6, 1998),[3] an American drag performer, actor, and singer. Plasma is best known for competing on season 16 of RuPaul's Drag Race.[4]
Ratliff was born in Austin, Texas and grew up in a small rural town in the northeast area called Mount Pleasant, Texas.[5][6] After listening to singers like Julie Andrews, Judy Garland, and Barbra Streisand, and participating in junior high theatrical plays, he developed a love of theatre.[7] Ratliff earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theatre performance from the University of Oklahoma.[7][3]
After graduating, Ratliff moved to New York City in June of 2021 to start a career in theatre before deciding to engage with the city's resurgent drag scene.[8]
Plasma started her New York City drag career at the Lady Liberty pageant hosted by RuPaul's Drag Race alum Brita Filter.[9] Her drag is heavily inspired by the actresses of the Golden Age of Hollywood and seeks to unite vintage and modern American pop culture. [6]
Plasma competed on season 16 of RuPaul's Drag Race. She won two "maxi challenges" before being eliminated from the competition in the season's ninth episode after a lip-sync contest loss to fellow contestant Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige to a remix of "Bloody Mary" by Lady Gaga.[10] She holds the series record for lowest placement by anyone with at least two solo "maxi challenge" wins.
Ratliff is based in New York City.[11] His father is a Republican lobbyist in Texas,[12] who has fought against anti-drag legislation.[13] His grandfather is Bill Ratliff, former lieutenant governor of Texas.[citation needed]