Pepper Labeija
Pepper Labeija was a drag queen and a fashion designer. She served as mother of the House of Labeija, beginning in 1981, which she led for over 20 years.
A competitor and a coach
Pepper competed in hundreds of balls, and she is believed to have won approx. 250 trophies. Pepper was able to earn an income from her work as a modeling coach.
Starring in How Do I Look
Pepper Labeija was a first generation and a true Icon in the Ballroom community.
At the time when Wolfgang was videotaping balls, Pepper was already in a wheelchair, because of diabetes. Wolfgang was able to videotape Pepper at the balls and at honorings by the local community. Pepper was supportive of How Do I Look, and Wolfgang visited Pepper during her last days in the hospital in Manhattan. Unfortunately, Wolfgang didn't have an opportunity to do a one-on-one interview with Pepper. Pepper passed away on May 14, 2003, leaving behind two children and her loving mom. |
More about How Do I LookPepper Labeija starred in How Do I Look, an independent vogue (dance) documentary released in 2006 that gives us a cinematic look at some of the legends, icons, and members of ballroom community that influenced pop culture around the world.
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