Anastarzia Anaquway

Anastarzia Anaquway, born Jermaine Aranha on January 21, 1982, in Nassau, Bahamas, has established a significant presence in the drag community and on television. Her career in drag began in 2002, leading to her pageant debut in the Miss Bahamas pageant in 2003. Over the years, Anaquway has accumulated numerous titles, winning over 15 pageants, including Miss Styles Bahamas, Miss Canada International, Miss Toronto Gay, and Miss Black Continental at Large. She moved to Canada, seeking asylum due to experiences with homophobia and a reported shooting incident in 2013 in her home country. Her story detailing these challenges was shared during her time on “Canada’s Drag Race,” prompting both support and criticism from Bahamian audiences.

Anaquway gained broader public recognition as a contestant on the first season of ‘Canada’s Drag Race’ in 2020, where she was the only Bahamian representative in the ‘Drag Race’ franchise at that time. Following her participation, she continued to be active in the drag scene, performing at various events. In July 2021, she performed alongside fellow drag queens BOA, Juice Boxx, Farra N. Hyte, and TroyBoy at the inaugural Drag Starz at the Manor in Guelph, Ontario. Her career progression continued with an appearance on reality television, competing in the ninth season of ‘The Amazing Race Canada’ in 2023, where she partnered with Justin Baird, also known as Kimora Amour. Her continued presence across these platforms highlights her sustained activity in entertainment and advocacy.