American Harlem Ballroom Culture and History
The Documentary That Preserved Ballroom Before the World Was Watching
How Do I Look captures the voices, style, and survival of New York’s ballroom community
in the 1980s and 90s — before mainstream attention, before recognition, before history was secured.
An award-winning documentary and digital archive preserving Harlem ballroom culture
for audiences, students, and researchers worldwide.
How Do I Look captures the voices, style, and survival of New York’s ballroom community
in the 1980s and 90s — before mainstream attention, before recognition, before history was secured.
An award-winning documentary and digital archive preserving Harlem ballroom culture
for audiences, students, and researchers worldwide.
Watch the film on Vimeo
Ballroom Was More Than Voguing
Ballroom was a self-created world of family, style, and survival for Black and Hispanic LGBTQ+ communities in New York City. It was a space where people claimed identity, dignity, and visibility when society offered none.
Filmed Before the World Was Watching
How Do I Look was documented before ballroom entered mainstream culture.
The film captures voices, moments, and histories that might otherwise have been lost.
A Living Cultural Record
This film continues to educate new generations, artists, scholars, and community members worldwide.
It stands as both a historical record and a reminder of how culture is created from resilience.
Ballroom was a self-created world of family, style, and survival for Black and Hispanic LGBTQ+ communities in New York City. It was a space where people claimed identity, dignity, and visibility when society offered none.
Filmed Before the World Was Watching
How Do I Look was documented before ballroom entered mainstream culture.
The film captures voices, moments, and histories that might otherwise have been lost.
A Living Cultural Record
This film continues to educate new generations, artists, scholars, and community members worldwide.
It stands as both a historical record and a reminder of how culture is created from resilience.
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How Do I Look is an authentic documentary film that takes viewers into the vibrant world of New York City’s ballroom culture — exploring identity, artistry, survival, and community through the voices of those who lived it.
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At the heart of New York City’s ballroom culture are the individuals who built it — through performance, mentorship, resilience, and self-expression. How Do I Look centers their voices, allowing them to speak for themselves.
FEATURED STARS
Pepper LaBeija, Ballroom Pioneer
jose-xtravaganza-house-of-xtravaganza-how-do-i-look.jpg
Icon Jose Xtravaganza
octavia-st-laurent-ballroom-icon-how-do-i-look.jpg
Icon Octavia St. Laurent
tracy-africa-ballroom-community-how-do-i-look.jpg
Icon Tracy Africa
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willi-ninja-vogue-pioneer-how-do-i-look.jpg
Icon Willi Ninja
kevin-omni-ballroom-historian-how-do-i-look.jpg
Pioneer Kevin Omni, Historian
carmen-xtravaganza-house-of-xtravaganza-how-do-i-look.jpg
Icon Carmen Xtravaganza
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The Ballroom scene has undeniably influenced and inspired a wide range of individuals and industries, transcending boundaries and leaving an indelible mark on fashion, music, television, and popular culture.
Ballroom Chant
"Its Gonna Get Severe Up In Here, bring it to the Runway NOW ...!"
The Ballroom Pioneers, Icons, Legends, Statements & Stars
inspired the Fashion and Music industry, Documentaries, TV Producers, Choreographers, Dancers,
University students and Journalists from all backgrounds, including:
How Do I Look, RuPaul's Drag Race, Pose, Legendary, Paris is Burning, Vogue Evolution, Kiki,
Butch Queens Up In Pumps, Deep In Vogue, Leave It On The Floor, TV Transvestite, Lady Gaga,
Madonna, Sean Paul Gaultier, Thierry Mugler, Marc Jacobs, Naomi Campbell, Paris Hilton, Malcolm McLaren,
Janet Jackson, Jody Watley, Imani, Jolin Tsai, Jay-Z, Queen Latifah, Grace Jones, Wendy Williams, Beyoncé, Tyra Banks, Mo'Nique, La India. FKA Twigs, Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Teyana Taylor, Willow Smith, Azealia Banks and Patricia Field.
Ballroom Chant
"Its Gonna Get Severe Up In Here, bring it to the Runway NOW ...!"
The Ballroom Pioneers, Icons, Legends, Statements & Stars
inspired the Fashion and Music industry, Documentaries, TV Producers, Choreographers, Dancers,
University students and Journalists from all backgrounds, including:
How Do I Look, RuPaul's Drag Race, Pose, Legendary, Paris is Burning, Vogue Evolution, Kiki,
Butch Queens Up In Pumps, Deep In Vogue, Leave It On The Floor, TV Transvestite, Lady Gaga,
Madonna, Sean Paul Gaultier, Thierry Mugler, Marc Jacobs, Naomi Campbell, Paris Hilton, Malcolm McLaren,
Janet Jackson, Jody Watley, Imani, Jolin Tsai, Jay-Z, Queen Latifah, Grace Jones, Wendy Williams, Beyoncé, Tyra Banks, Mo'Nique, La India. FKA Twigs, Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Teyana Taylor, Willow Smith, Azealia Banks and Patricia Field.
Michael Musto, Village Voice
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Jason Belini, CBS News on Logo TV
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Keep The Dream Alive; Martin Luther King Award, New York City
Humanitarian Awards; Diaspora Film Festival and Berlin Germany
A List Award, New York City
Pill Award; New York City
Best Documentary
Humanitarian Awards; Diaspora Film Festival and Berlin Germany
A List Award, New York City
Pill Award; New York City
Best Documentary
Film Information
Director / Producer: Wolfgang Busch
Assistant Director: Kevin Omni
Assistant: Luna Khan
Distributed by: Art From The Heart Films
Available Formats
Digital: Amazon, Vimeo
DVD: PayPal, Vimeo, Amazon
