Jinkx Monsoon

After moving to Seattle from Portland, Hoffer and creative partner Nick Sahoyah wrote and starred in multiple Funny or Die webisodes titled Monsoon Season in which they played Jinkx Monsoon as an overbearing, substance addled, near-psychotic mother to Sahoyah's character, Kamikaze Monsoon.[17] In 2011, Hoffer appeared in the Wes Hurley film Waxie Moon in Fallen Jewel.[18]

In June 2011, Hoffer became the subject of a YouTube docu-series by Alex Berry, a Seattle videographer. Named after Death Becomes Her, one of Jinkx's favorite movies, Drag Becomes Him explores Hoffer's life in and out of drag.[19] The series has continued with a full length documentary film also called "Drag Becomes Him'. In October 2013 it was turned into a feature-length film with Seattle-based producer Basil Shadid on board. A Kickstarter campaign in March 2014 successfully raised funds to complete the project, and it premiered at April 29, 2015 at Seattle's Cinerama.

In January 2012, Hoffer appeared as Moritz in the rock musical Spring Awakening at the Balagan Theater in Seattle. Controversy arose from The Seattle Times review by Misha Berson, who said that they were "overly flamboyant" for the role.[20][21] Dan Savage defended Hoffer's portrayal of Moritz.[22] From July 21 to August 19, they starred as Angel in the 5th Avenue Theatre's production of the musical RENT.[14][23]

Jinkx Monsoon at Pride 2013

Jinkx Monsoon, 2014

In November 2012, Logo announced that Jinkx Monsoon was among fourteen drag queens who would be competing on the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.[24] Monsoon was inspired to audition after seeing Sharon Needles on the fourth season of the show.[6] Monsoon won the main-challenges for the episodes "Snatch Game" and "Drama Queens".[25][26] For the "Snatch Game", Monsoon impersonated Edith Bouvier Beale, nicknamed as "Little Edie."[3][27] Monsoon also impersonated third-season contestant Mimi Imfurst in the episode "Lip Synch Extravaganza Eleganza".[28] Monsoon later won the season, with two maxi-challenge wins.

In January 2013, Hoffer played Hedwig in the Moore Theatre's production of the rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch.[29] Balagan reprised the production in December 2013 for a week long run with Hoffer and the original cast/production team. In June 2013, they played Velma Von Tussle in the Seattle Men's Chorus/5th Avenue Theatre's production of the musical Hairspray.[30]

Hoffer also performed as Jinkx Monsoon in the original one act cabaret musical The Vaudevillians under the name "Kitty Witless." They are accompanied by musical partner and co-creator Richard Andriessen who performs under the name "Dr. Dan Von Dandy." The Vaudevillians performed at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in New York City from July to November 2013.[3][31][32] After touring Australia with The Vaudevillians, they received a nomination for the Helpmann Award for Best Cabaret Performer.[33] In 2013, Hoffer was chosen as one of the Artists of the Year by City Arts magazine along with Megan Griffiths, Macklemore, Ryan Lewis, and Wes Hurley.[34] They played Tallulah/Dennis, the owner of Lipstick Lounge in an episode of Blue Bloods entitled "Manhattan Queens", which aired on January 31, 2014. In 2015, Hoffer joined the cast of Wes Hurley's comedy series Capitol Hill.[35]

On May 6, 2014, Monsoon released their debut studio album The Inevitable Album through Sidecar Records. The album is a blend of blues, jazz, traditional pop, and cabaret, and was inspired by artists like Bette Midler, Marlene Dietrich, Peggy Lee, Amanda Palmer, and Regina Spektor.[36] The song "The Bacon Shake" features Fred Schneider of The B-52s, and tells of "a bawdy, after-hours gentleman's club and this woman is 'getting the boys thirsty,' and it turns into a big dance that everyone joins."[37]

In May 2017, Monsoon appeared in the celebrity roast of Michael Musto alongside Bianca Del Rio, Orfeh, Michael Riedel, Randy Rainbow, Crystal Demure, Countess Luann de Lesseps, Judy Gold, and Randy Jones. The roast which was produced by Daniel DeMello and directed by Rachel Klein, was hosted by Bruce Vilanch and introduced by Rosie O'Donnell. [38] [39] [40]

On January 12, 2018, Monsoon released their second studio album The Ginger Snapped through Producer Entertainment Group. The album is inspired by 90s grunge, garage rock, and ska, and features appearances from Amanda Palmer, Fred Schneider, and Lady Rizo.[41] They released an animated music video for the song "Cartoons and Vodka", which sees Monsoon transform into various cartoon styles, including Betty Boop, The Jetsons, Sailor Moon, Doug, Dragon Ball Z, Steven Universe, Beavis and Butt-Head, Adventure Time, Rick and Morty, Peanuts, Dexter's Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, and The Fairly OddParents.[42] The same month, Hoffer voiced the character Emerald on Steven Universe in the episode "Lars of the Stars".[43]

In 2019, Hoffer was cast as Calliope in a North American tour of the musical Xanadu, though the tour was later cancelled.[44] In June 2019, a panel of judges from New York magazine placed Monsoon 18th on their list of "the most powerful drag queens in America", a ranking of 100 former Drag Race contestants.[45] In 2020, Hoffer appeared in the Hulu original Christmas film Happiest Season.[46] The same year they starred and co-wrote The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Special, a feature-length holiday film with fellow Seattle drag queen BenDeLaCreme based on their various Christmas shows over the years. The duo toured the show around the world in 2021.[47] The tour was renewed in 2022 and 2023.[48]

Jinkx Monsoon with their All Stars 7 castmates

In April 2022, it was announced that Monsoon would be competing on the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, the first all-winners edition of the franchise. They won the Snatch Game in the second episode with their impressions of Natasha Lyonne and Judy Garland.[49] They also won the fourth, fifth, ninth, and tenth episodes. On July 29, 2022, they were crowned the winner and anointed with the title "Queen of All Queens" with a cash prize of $200,000.

In November 2022, it was announced that Hoffer would join the Broadway company of the musical Chicago, playing the role of Mama Morton for eight weeks, becoming the first drag queen to perform in a major Broadway musical.[50] In April 2023, it was announced that Monsoon would be joining the cast of the fourteenth series of Doctor Who, playing a "major role".[51]

Hoffer is very outspoken on their Instagram and Twitter about former US President Donald Trump and LGBT equality. They are a Democratic Party supporter and donated to both Elizabeth Warren's and Bernie Sanders's campaigns to be the Democratic nominee for president in 2020.[57]