Pepper LaBeija

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 Look

Pepper 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.