Tatianna

Joseph Michael Santolini, known by his stage name Tatianna, was born on December 1, 1987, in Arlington, Virginia. Of Italian and African American descent, he attended Yorktown High School, later transferring to Falls Church High School. After graduating in 2006, he obtained a cosmetology license. Tatianna began professionally performing in drag in 2007, with his first show at Apex, a gay bar in Washington D.C.

Tatianna rose to national prominence as a contestant on the second season of *RuPaul’s Drag Race* in 2010. During his initial appearance, he notably won the “Snatch Game” challenge by portraying Britney Spears, ultimately finishing in fourth place. In 2016, he returned to the franchise for *RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars* season two, where he further showcased his talent and artistry. Although eliminated twice by fellow contestant Alaska, he demonstrated resilience and ultimately finished in sixth place. Beyond his reality television appearances, Tatianna has cultivated a music career, releasing his debut album, *T1*, in 2018.

Throughout his career, Tatianna has expanded his artistic endeavors, including hosting his own web series, *Tea With Tati*, on WOWpresents starting in April 2018. His performance repertoire extends to live collaborations with mainstream artists, such as his duet with Charli XCX in October 2018, and an appearance alongside Taylor Swift at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards. Tatianna also portrayed Ariana Grande in Taylor Swift’s “You Need to Calm Down” music video in 2019. These engagements highlight his versatility and enduring presence in both LGBTQ+ and broader entertainment spheres.