LaLa Ri

LaRico Demetrius Potts, publicly known as LaLa Ri, was born on August 28, 1990, in Atlanta, Georgia. Before gaining widespread recognition, Potts established himself in the entertainment industry as a dancer and choreographer, and also engaged in music production. He lived in Shanghai, China, for almost two years to further his dance career. Potts entered the drag scene three years before his television debut, initially viewing drag as an additional outlet for performance rather than a primary career path. His participation in prominent reality television competitions marked a turning point in his public profile.

LaLa Ri first rose to prominence during the thirteenth season of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ in 2021, where he placed tenth. During his tenure on the show, he notably received the “Golden Boot Award” and was later crowned “Miss Congeniality,” accompanied by a cash prize of $10,000. Following this, he released the song “Bad Bitch Tip” in 2021 and collaborated on KLP’s track “Eat the Runway,” as well as appearing on Honey Davenport’s EP ‘Love Is God.’ In 2023, he returned to compete on the eighth season of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,’ securing fifth place and earning the title of “Queen of the Fame Games,” along with a cash prize of $60,000.

In November 2024, Potts announced his decision to step back from performing as a drag queen, aiming to evolve his artistic identity as a queer artist, singer, and fashion-forward entertainer. He intends to prioritize his music, acting, and fashion work, focusing on projects that align with his personal artistic vision rather than the expectations associated with his drag persona. Despite his initial announcement, he revealed in March 2025 his intention to return to drag, indicating a dynamic and evolving relationship with his art form.