Ongina

Ongina, an internationally recognized drag performer and HIV activist, is celebrated for her impactful appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race and her continued advocacy for HIV awareness. After gaining international recognition as one of the nine contestants on the inaugural season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, which premiered on February 2, 2009, Ongina established herself as an acclaimed drag performer and HIV activist. During her pivotal appearance on the show, she publicly disclosed her HIV-positive status in the fourth episode, simultaneously securing her second challenge win of the season before placing fifth overall. Ongina’s drag career launched in 2003 at Lucky Cheng’s, an Asian restaurant in Manhattan, New York, where she performed alongside notable talents like Laverne Cox.

The same year, she hosted ViiV Healthcare’s ‘Constellations of Change’ cabaret show, further blending entertainment with advocacy. In 2021, Ongina continued her commitment to community engagement by hosting the prestigious Los Angeles AIDS Walk, drawing widespread support for the cause. Through her multifaceted career, Ongina remains a compelling and influential figure in both entertainment and global public health advocacy.