Gigi Goode

Gigi Goode was born on December 2, 1997, in Illinois, and was raised in Woodstock. Her early exposure to LGBT culture at age 12, facilitated by her openly gay uncle, influenced her path. With her mother, Kristi, who is a costume and interior designer, Goode began exploring drag at a young age, performing publicly in drag for the first time at 15. Her drag aesthetic developed with inspiration from 1940s and 1950s styles. After graduating from Woodstock High School in 2016, Goode attended Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, majoring in art and receiving the David S. Monroe Art Award in 2017 for outstanding achievement in art.

Goode gained significant recognition in 2020 as a contestant on the twelfth season of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’, where she was the youngest competitor and finished as a runner-up. During her time on the show, Goode won several main challenges, including episodes 4, 6, 7, and 12. Her performance during ‘Snatch Game’, where she impersonated Maria the Robot, was particularly noted for its physical comedy and wit. Critics consistently praised Goode’s fashion and comedic abilities throughout the season, with many of her runway looks developed in collaboration with her mother.

Following her ‘Drag Race’ appearance, Goode participated in the ‘Drive ‘N Drag’ concert series in mid-2020 and the Halloween-themed ‘Bring Back My Ghouls’ special. She also appeared in several music videos, including Chester Lockhart’s 2018 cover of “I Put a Spell on You” and Sam Smith and Demi Lovato’s 2020 song “I’m Ready.” In 2020, Goode, along with fellow ‘Drag Race’ contestants, featured in Rihanna’s ‘Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 2’. Her achievements were acknowledged at the 46th People’s Choice Awards, where she won in the “Competition Contestant of 2020” category. In 2024, Goode debuted her first fashion collection, with one of her designs worn by actress Nava Mau at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards.