Anastarzia Anaquway

Jermaine Aranha (born 21 January 1982), better known by the stage name Anastarzia Anaquway, is a Bahamian drag queen and television personality based in Toronto, Canada.

Anastarzia Anaquway
Born
Jermaine Aranha

(1982-01-21) 21 January 1982
Nassau, Bahamas
Other namesStarzy
OccupationDrag queen
Years active2002–present
TelevisionCanada's Drag Race
The Amazing Race Canada 9

She is the only Bahamian to featured in the Drag Race television franchise, having competed in the first season of Canada's Drag Race.[1][2]

Career

Anaquway, who made her pageant debut in Miss Bahamas in 2003, has won over 15 pageants, including Miss Styles Bahamas, Miss Canada International, Miss Toronto Gay, and Miss Black Continental at Large.[3]

In July 2021, she performed alongside BOA, Juice Boxx, Farra N. Hyte, and TroyBoy at the inaugural Drag Starz at the Manor, a new drag event in Guelph, Ontario.[4]

In 2023, Aranha competed on the ninth season of The Amazing Race Canada with fellow Drag Race contestant Justin Baird (also known as Kimora Amour).[5]

Experience with homophobia

Aranha was born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas and has opened up about his experiences with homophobia and hate crime in his home country.[6][7] Aranha moved to Canada, claiming asylum, after allegedly being shot at in 2013 by two men into his driveway.[8] Aranha's story, told on an episode of Drag Race, was met with a mixed response from Bahamians, ranging from support and solidarity to threats and accusations of lying to make the country look bad.[9]

References
  1. Damshenas, Sam (17 July 2020). "Anastarzia Anaquway doesn't hold back as she spills the T on Canada's Drag Race". Gay Times Magazine. Archived from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  2. Ritchie, Kevin (17 July 2020). "Canada's Drag Race contestant Anastarzia Anaquway on East York, pageant queens, and Bahamas news". The Georgia Straight. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  3. Ball, Daniel (25 June 2020). "Talking Canadian food and culture with Anastarzia Anaquway of Canada's Drag Race". Eat North. Archived from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  4. Lauren Scott, "Queens at the castle: Guelph strip club the Manor to host first drag event in July". Toronto Star, July 16, 2021.
  5. "Paralympian, other advocates set to hit the road for 'The Amazing Race Canada'". Toronto Star. June 21, 2023. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  6. Bernardo Sim, "Canada's Drag Race: Things You Didn’t Know About The Queens". Screen Rant, July 17, 2020.
  7. Bidaux, Markus (17 July 2020). "'Canada's Drag Race': Anastarzia Anaquway opens up about hate crimes in the Caribbean". Attitude. Archived from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  8. Hunt, Cara (17 July 2020). "A new star on the rise: Bahamian drag queen withstands backlash in pursuit of success". The Tribune: 13. Archived from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  9. Smith, Sloan (16 July 2020). "No 'hate crimes' legislation creates barrier to accessing justice". Eyewitness News. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
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