Out100: Carmen Carrera

Photography by JUCO | Retouching by Anna Glen at Wet Noodle

The Moment: August 16, 1991: Paris Is Burning, starring Carmen Xtravaganza, opens in theaters.

Since she began transitioning in 2012, RuPaul's Drag Race alum Carmen Carrera has been signed by the major modeling agency Elite, photographed by Steven Meisel for W magazine, and shot for the cover of Candy. She appeared on Katie Couric's show earlier this year (along with Laverne Cox) to discuss trans issues, and the ensuing controversy was further stoked by David LaChapelle's fully nude shot of Carrera on a poster for Life Ball 2014. The generational wisdom of her drag grandmother, Carmen Xtravaganza, keeps her grounded, she says, helping her express her feelings as a woman.

Photographed at ACME Studio, Brooklyn on July 23, 2014

styling by Michael Cook. Makeup: Angela DiCarlo. Hair: Yanni Boyiatzis. Bodysuit by Leka

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