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United States Justin Dwayne Lee Johnson, known as Alyssa Edwards, is an American drag performer, choreographer, and businessperson who has achieved international recognition through RuPaul's Drag Race and her dance studio, Beyond Belief Dance Company.
This collaboration between Anastasia Beverly Hills and Alyssa Edwards resulted in a makeup palette, described as a perfect match for the drag queen's aesthetic. Anastasia Beverly Hills has been a sponsor of RuPaul's Drag Race since season 7.
In 2018, Edwards hosted a three-day promotional retreat for Tazo, titled "Camp TAZO," as part of their "Brew the Unexpected" campaign.
Born Justin Dwayne Lee Johnson on January 16, 1980, in Mesquite, Texas, Alyssa Edwards developed an early interest in dance and creativity despite a masculine home environment. Supported by his openly gay Uncle Bobby, Johnson began taking jazz dance classes and later enrolled at Ranger College and the University of North Texas. During his time at UNT, he discovered the Dallas “gayborhood” of Oak Lawn, where he first encountered drag at the Rose Room lounge. This experience led him to perform in drag, adopting the name “Alyssa” inspired by Alyssa Milano, with the surname Edwards later given by his drag mother, Laken Edwards. This marked a turning point from his shy childhood to his public persona.
Edwards established herself in the drag pageantry circuit, competing and winning numerous titles including Miss Gay Texas America 2005, Miss Gay USofA 2006, and Miss Gay America 2010. Her participation in these pageants laid the groundwork for her eventual rise to international fame. In November 2012, Edwards gained widespread visibility as a contestant on the fifth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, quickly becoming a fan favorite. She later returned for the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. Beyond the competition, Edwards is featured in the 2008 documentary “Pageant” and starred in her web series “Alyssa’s Secret.” She also owns and operates Beyond Belief Dance Company in Mesquite, Texas, which became the focus of the Netflix docuseries “Dancing Queen” in 2018. Her career continued to evolve with appearances as a choreographer and runway coach on later seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
In 2024, Alyssa Edwards achieved a significant milestone by winning the inaugural season of RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars, securing her place in the “Newly Constructed International Pavilion At the Drag Race Hall of Fame.” This victory solidified her status as a prominent figure in drag entertainment. She has also collaborated with major brands, including releasing a makeup palette with Anastasia Beverly Hills in 2019 and hosting a promotional retreat for Tazo in 2018. Her career demonstrates a consistent presence in television, film, and media, extending her influence beyond drag competitions to various entertainment platforms.
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