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Eureka O'Hara

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Eureka O'Hara
Eureka in 2018
Born (1990-08-26) August 26, 1990 (age 34)
Bristol, Tennessee, U.S.
Other namesEureka
Eureka!
Eureka D. Huggard
EducationEast Tennessee State University
Occupations
Known for
Websiteeurekatheelephantqueen.com

Eureka, also known as Eureka O'Hara and Eureka!,[1] is the stage name of Eureka D. Huggard (born August 26, 1990),[2][3] an American drag queen and reality television personality.[4] Eureka rose to prominence competing on the ninth and tenth seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race.[5] She was removed from the ninth season due to a knee injury, becoming the first contestant in the history of the show to be sent home due to injury;[6] she was then given an automatic berth to season 10, where she placed as runner-up.[7] In 2021, Eureka competed on the sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, where she once more placed as a runner-up.[8] In 2024, she competed on the second season of Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World.[9]

From 2020 to 2022, Eureka co-hosted We're Here on HBO alongside fellow Drag Race contestants Bob the Drag Queen and Shangela.[10] The series received acclaim from critics.[11][12]

Early life and education

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Huggard was born August 26, 1990,[2] in Bristol, Tennessee, and started performing in drag at the club New Beginnings.[13] She chose the drag name Eureka for its phonetic similarity to their mother's given name, Ulrike,[14] and the last name O'Hara from the Gone with the Wind character Scarlett O'Hara.[15]

Eureka's drag mother is Jacqueline St. James,[16] a former winner of the Miss Gay USofA at Large competition. Eureka won the National title for anti-bullying organization as Miss Don't H8 DIVA and awarded Hall of Fame.[17] Prior to her appearance on RuPaul's Drag Race, Eureka had participated in the drag pageantry system. She withdrew from East Tennessee State University to compete on the show.[18]

Career

[edit]

RuPaul's Drag Race

[edit]

Eureka has competed on the ninth and tenth seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race and on the sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. She also competed on the RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular.[19]

On February 2, 2017, it was announced that Eureka was selected alongside thirteen other contestants to compete on season nine of RuPaul's Drag Race.[20] She was removed from the competition in episode five due to a torn ACL from the episode two challenge, making her the first contestant in the history of RuPaul's Drag Race to leave due to an injury.[5][6] She received physical therapy before returning to compete on the show's tenth season in 2018.[21] During this season, Eureka won two main challenges (in episodes five and six) and also had to lip sync for her life twice.[22][3] Eureka ultimately finished as a runner-up of season 10,[7] alongside Kameron Michaels and behind eventual winner Aquaria.[23]

After competing on season 10, Eureka continued to work prominently as a drag queen in the entertainment industry. She starred in the music video for country singer Brandon Stansell's song "For You", released in July 2018.[24][25] In September 2018, she gave a drag makeover to Zachary Quinto for Them's makeover series Drag Me.[26][27] In December 2018, Eureka competed in the television special RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular.[28] In 2019, she appeared as a guest for the first challenge in the premiere of season 11 of Drag Race.[29]

In June 2021, Eureka was revealed to be one of the thirteen cast members of the sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.[30] After failing to win any main challenges but remaining safe throughout the season, Eureka was voted out by her competitors at the top five,[31] but subsequently won re-entry into the competition after winning a lip sync battle against Silky Nutmeg Ganache.[32] Upon returning to the competition, Eureka won the next main challenge (episode 11) and a $25,000 cash prize.[32][33] In the season finale, Eureka once again placed as a runner-up alongside Ginger Minj and Ra'Jah O'Hara, losing out to eventual winner, Kylie Sonique Love.[8]

We're Here

[edit]

Since 2020, Eureka has co-hosted We're Here on HBO alongside fellow Drag Race contestants Bob the Drag Queen and Shangela.[4] In the series, the trio of drag queens travel across the United States to recruit small-town residents to participate in one-night-only drag shows.[34][10] After premiering on April 23, 2020, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on October 11, 2021.[35][36] In December 2021, the series was renewed for a third season.[37] The series has received acclaim from critics.[11][12]

Music

[edit]
Eureka in 2017

In April 2017, O'Hara and Adam Barta premiered a single and music video for "Body Positivity", which features Kandy Muse, a drag queen from the Haus of Aja who would later go on to compete on season 13 of Drag Race.[38][39] The video features cameo appearances by RuPaul's Drag Race contestants Charlie Hides and Cynthia Lee Fontaine, as well as reality television personality Farrah Abraham.[40] "Body Positivity (part ii: Electropoint)" was released in March 2018.[21]

Eureka released her first solo single, "Stomp", on April 28, 2017.[41] She released their second solo single, "The Big Girl", co-written by Bob the Drag Queen, on June 28, 2018.[42][43] The accompanying music video has been viewed more than two million times on YouTube.[44]

As part of the final challenge of season 10 of RuPaul's Drag Race, O'Hara and the other top four contestants wrote and recorded their own verses for RuPaul's song "American". The song reached number 12 on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Songs chart.[45] In November 2018, VELO released the single "Where My Man At", featuring O'Hara and Drag Race season three runner-up Manila Luzon.[46] The two also appear in the song's music video, together with Thorgy Thor, Ginger Minj, and Trinity the Tuck.[47]

Personal life

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Eureka lived as a trans woman for about five years before deciding to detransition. She then identified as "genderfluid and gender-neutral" and used they/them pronouns out of drag.[48] On the season 3 finale of We're Here, Eureka came out as a trans woman, using exclusively she/her pronouns and beginning to both socially and medically transition.[49] Eureka supports body positivity and has nicknamed herself "The Elephant Queen".[50] She cites Divine as an influence to her drag aesthetic.[51]

Discography

[edit]
Year Title Notes
2017 "Body Positivity" ft. Adam Barta
"Stomp"
2018 "The Big Girl"
"Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer"
2019 "Pretty Hot and Tasty"
2021 "Come Together"
2022 "WERQ!"
"Big Mawma" ft. Katie Kadan & Sarah Potenza

Filmography

[edit]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2017 RuPaul's Drag Race (season 9) Contestant 7 episodes (11th place; exited due to injury)
2017–2018 RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked Herself Season 8, 5 episodes
Season 9, 12 episodes
2018 RuPaul's Drag Race (season 10) Contestant 14 episodes (Runner-up)
2018 RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular Contestant 1 episode (Joint Winner)
2019 RuPaul's Drag Race (season 11) Herself Guest; Episode 1: "Whatcha Packin'?"
2020 AJ and the Queen Herself Cameo; Episode: "New York City"
2020–2022 We're Here Herself Main cast; Season 1-3, 20 episodes
2021 RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Contestant Season 6, 12 episodes (Runner-up)
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars: Untucked Herself Season 3, 12 episodes
American Horror Story: Double Feature Crystal DeCanter Episode 4: "Blood Buffet"
2022 Love, Victor Herself Cameo; Season 3, episode 5
RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race Guest; Season 2, Episode 4: "Drag Duet" [52]
The L Word: Generation Q Cameo; Season 3, episode 6
2024 Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World (season 2) Contestant 5 Episodes (6th Place) (Miss Congeniality)

Web series

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2017 Transformations: with James St. James Herself Guest
2018 Fashion Photo RuView[53][54] Guest host with Trinity the Tuck, Kameron Michaels and Yuhua Hamasaki
Bestie$ for Ca$h[55] with Kameron Michaels
Cosmo Queens[56] Guest by Cosmopolitan
Queen to Queen[57] Guest with Aquaria
Spillin' the Tea[58] Guest by Billboard Pride
Drag Me[59] Guest with Zachary Quinto
Allure Drag Transformation Tutorial[60] Guest
2019 Iconic with Brad Goreski[61] Guest, WOW Presents original
Sibling Rivalry[62] Special guest
2020 Fashion Photo RuView Guest host with Raja, Raven and Manila Luzon
2021 Whatcha Packin'[63] Guest
Ruvealing the Look[64]
Hey Qween! with Jonny McGovern[65]
2022 The Pit Stop[66]
2023 Take It to the Runway[67][68] Guest with Angeria Paris VanMicheals
Billboard Cover[69] Guest

Music videos

[edit]
Year Title Notes
2017 "Body Positivity"[39] with Adam Barta; featuring Kandy Muse
2018 "The Big Girl"[43]
"Where My Man At"[70] with VELO & Manila Luzon
2019 "Pretty Hot and Tasty"[71] Featuring Lardi B & Jiggly Caliente
2021 "Come Together"[72]
2022 "WERQ!"[73]
2023 "True Colors"[74]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award-giving body Category Work Results Ref.
2023 Queerty Awards Drag Royalty Herself Nominated [75]
Peabody Award Entertainment We're Here Won [76]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Eureka! 💜🐘👑 on Instagram: "She's an All Star! #AllStars6! 🔥✨ the all-new season premieres THURSDAY JUNE 24 on @ParamountPlus! ⭐️ . Hair: @wigsandgrace Jewelry: @roxbycox Nails: @nailsbyglamazon Costume: @marcosquared Makeup: @callher6 Photo by: @vijatm"".
  2. ^ a b Eureka O'Hara [@eurekaohara] (2017-08-26). "Having a great Birthday!! I love you all so much!! I hope everyone has a beautiful day! #beyourselftofreeyourself #season9 #phatfashionicon #rupaulsdragrace 🐘👑" (Instagram post). Archived from the original on 2018-08-11. Retrieved 2018-08-11 – via Instagram.
  3. ^ a b Deerwester, Jayme (2018-06-27). "'RuPaul's Drag Race': Which queen will win Season 10? Who should?". USA Today. Archived from the original on 2018-07-05. Retrieved 2018-08-12.
  4. ^ a b "We're Here star Eureka O'Hara is welcoming the "queer change" in mainstream media". Gay Times. 2020-08-20. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  5. ^ a b Cuby, Michael (17 August 2021). "Eureka On Getting Cut From 'RuPaul's Drag Race'". Nylon. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  6. ^ a b "What Happened To Eureka On 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Season 9? Her Knee Injury Is Still A Roadblock". Bustle. Retrieved 2018-05-20.
  7. ^ a b Nolfi, Joey (June 29, 2018). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' runner-up Eureka charges through controversy: 'It's still helping to spark the conversation'". EW.com. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  8. ^ a b Spencer, Samuel (2021-09-02). "Who Won Rupaul's Drag Race All Stars 6?". Newsweek. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  9. ^ Nolfi, Joey. "Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World season 2 cast of queens revealed: Bam! Alexis Mateo is back, baby". ew.com. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Rudolph, Christopher (November 5, 2019). "Drag Race Legends Invade Small Town USA in New HBO Reality Series". NewNowNext. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  11. ^ a b "Stream It or Skip It: 'We're Here' on HBO, a Fierce Docuseries about the Power of Drag". Decider. 2020-04-23. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  12. ^ a b Williams, Mary Elizabeth (2020-04-22). "HBO's heartfelt "We're Here" is the drag show America needs now". Salon. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  13. ^ "East Tennessean to compete on 'RuPaul's Drag Race'". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved 2018-05-08.
  14. ^ Friedman, Megan (2018-06-26). ""Drag Race" Finalist Eureka O'Hara Says It's Time for Big Girls to Rule the World". Seventeen. Archived from the original on 2018-06-26. Retrieved 2018-08-14.
  15. ^ Cooper, Michael (June 28, 2018). "A Behind-the-Scenes Sneak Peek at RuPaul's Drag Race Season 10 Finale". L.A. Weekly. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  16. ^ Rudolph, Christopher (April 24, 2017). "Eureka Serves Up Sexy Librarian In New "Drag Race" Makeup Tutorial". LOGO News. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  17. ^ "Special: Catching up on the pageant scene". 15 September 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  18. ^ "#ElephantQueen: Eureka O'Hara represents East Tennessee on "RuPaul's Drag Race" | East Tennessean". easttennessean.com. 23 March 2017. Retrieved 2018-05-08.
  19. ^ Nolfi, Joey (November 9, 2018). "Eureka O'Hara previews 'RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-Slay Spectacular' episode: 'You know Kim Chi fell'". EW.com. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  20. ^ Quinn, Dave (February 2, 2017). "RuPaul's Drag Race Season 9 Contestants Revealed". people.com. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  21. ^ a b "'Drag Race' Star Eureka O'Hara Twerks Through Times Square in New Music Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-05-08.
  22. ^ "Hints That Eureka O'Hara Wins 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Are Stacking Up". Bustle. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  23. ^ "Eureka Wants to Hit It & Quit It in New Video". Instinct. 2018-07-03. Archived from the original on 2018-07-26. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
  24. ^ Jones, Maggie (2018-07-10). "Tennessee 'Drag Race' star Eureka, country singer Brandon Stansell team up for music video". Knoxville News Sentinel. Archived from the original on 2018-07-14. Retrieved 2018-07-24.
  25. ^ "Country Crooner Brandon Stansell Enlists Eureka O'Hara For Charming 'For You' Video: Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-08-11.
  26. ^ "Zachary Quinto Just Made His Drag Debut — and You'll Never Guess Who His Drag Mother Is!". Hornet Stories. 2018-09-06. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  27. ^ "Zachary Quinto Got an Amazing Full Drag Makeover from 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queen Eureka O'Hara: WATCH - Towleroad Gay News". Towleroad Gay News. 2018-09-06. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  28. ^ "Kim Chi, Shangela, Trixie Mattel & More to Compete in 'RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-Slay Spectacular'". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-11-02.
  29. ^ "'RuPaul's Drag Race' 11 episode 1 recap: Which queen was sent packing on 'Whatcha Packin'? [UPDATING LIVE BLOG]". Goldderby. 2019-02-28. Retrieved 2019-03-01.
  30. ^ "'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' Moves from VH1 to Paramount+; Lineup of Returning Queens Unveiled". 26 May 2021.
  31. ^ Nolfi, Joey (August 14, 2021). "Eureka took a lover (and a hard look at themself) on 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 6'". EW.com. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  32. ^ a b "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 6 Episode 11 Recap: The Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent Monologues". IN Magazine. 2021-08-26. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  33. ^ "Here's who made the final four of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 6". Gay Times. 2021-08-26. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  34. ^ Petski, Denise (November 5, 2019). "HBO Orders Unscripted Drag Show Series We're Here". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  35. ^ "HBO Renews "We're Here" for a Second Season". The Futon Critic. June 5, 2020.
  36. ^ "HBO's Emmy-Nominated Unscripted Series "We're Here" Returns October 11". The Futon Critic. September 9, 2021.
  37. ^ Cordero, Rosy (December 16, 2021). "'We're Here' Renewed For Season 3 At HBO". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  38. ^ ""Drag Race" Queen Eureka O'Hara Channels "Body Positivity" In Empowering New Single". LOGO News. Retrieved 2018-05-08.
  39. ^ a b "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queen Eureka O'Hara Promotes 'Body Positivity' on New Song: Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-05-08.
  40. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Eureka O'Hara Drops Epic Music Video Featuring Farrah Abraham After Shocking 'Drag Race' Episode". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on 2023-05-14. Retrieved 2018-05-08.
  41. ^ Stomp - Single by Eureka O'Hara, 2017-04-28, retrieved 2018-05-08
  42. ^ Rudolph, Christopher (July 2, 2018). "Eureka O'Hara Wants You to Come Through for "The Big Girl"". Logo News. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  43. ^ a b "Eureka's Tests Come Back Body-Positive in 'The Big Girl' Music Video". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
  44. ^ Eureka O'Hara - The Big Girl (Official Music Video), 28 June 2018, retrieved 2021-12-31
  45. ^ Youtt, Henry (2018-07-11). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queens Who Landed Entries on the Billboard Charts". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2018-07-18. Retrieved 2018-07-23.
  46. ^ Lopez, David (2018-11-16). "If You're Wondering 'Where My Man At?' Manila Luzon and Eureka O'Hara May Know". Instinct. Archived from the original on 2018-11-16. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
  47. ^ Dalton, Paisley (2018-11-16). "WOW PREMIERE: VELO's New Album 'Outcast' & Vid Feat. MANILA LUZON, VANESSA VANJIE MATEO, EUREKA O'HARA, DERRICK BARRY, Nebraska Thunderfuck & more!!!". The WOW Report. World of Wonder Productions, Inc. Archived from the original on 2018-11-16. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
  48. ^ Kiki with Eureka O'Hara, 6 September 2021, retrieved 2021-09-11
  49. ^ Kliger, Isabelle (2022-12-26). ""It's Time For Me to Be in the Spotlight:" After Coming Out as Trans, Eureka O'Hara is Ready to Fight". Them.us. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  50. ^ "Eureka O'Hara excited to represent Johnson City on 'RuPaul's Drag Race'". Johnson City Press. Retrieved 2018-05-08.
  51. ^ "Watch Eureka O'Hara Give a Pride Month Herstory Lesson on Divine". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-08-11.
  52. ^ Nolfi, Joey (July 18, 2022). "RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race teases Masked Singer format for season 2 premiere". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  53. ^ "Trinity and Eureka: Fashion Photo RuView 537". Fashion Photo RuView. Season 5. Episode 37. 2018-08-24. Archived from the original on 2018-09-22. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  54. ^ "Eureka and Kameron: Fashion Photo RuView 541". Fashion Photo RuView. Season 5. Episode 41. 2018-09-22. Archived from the original on 2018-09-22. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  55. ^ "Bestie$ for Ca$h: Eureka and Kameron Michaels!". Bestie$ for Ca$h. Season 5. Episode 6. 2018-09-11. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
  56. ^ Eureka O'Hara | COSMO Queens | Cosmopolitan. YouTube. July 15, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  57. ^ Eureka O'Hara & Aquaria | Queen to Queen | RuPaul's Drag Race. YouTube. July 1, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  58. ^ Spillin' The Tea: 'Drag Race' Queens Expand on The Vixen's Dialogue on Racial Bias | Billboard Pride. YouTube. June 20, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  59. ^ Eureka O'Hara Gives a Drag Makeover | Drag Me | them. YouTube. September 5, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  60. ^ RuPaul's Drag Race Star Eureka O'Hara's Drag Transformation Tutorial | Allure. YouTube. December 6, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  61. ^ ICONIC with Brad Goreski: Eureka O'Hara. YouTube. July 2, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  62. ^ Sibling Rivalry S2 EP11: The one with Eureka O'hara. YouTube. April 26, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  63. ^ "Whatcha Packin': Eureka! | S6 Top 4 | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars". Youtube.com. 2021-03-09. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  64. ^ "Eureka's Divine Look | Ruvealing the Look | RuPaul's Drag Race AS6". Youtube.com. 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  65. ^ DRAG RACE ALL STAR EUREKA O'HARA TELLS ALL! on Hey Qween! with Jonny McGovern Pt 1. YouTube. June 7, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  66. ^ The Pit Stop AS7 E02 | Bob The Drag Queen & Eureka O'Hara Are Here! | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. YouTube. May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  67. ^ göt2b's Take It To The Runway – That's So Metal Challenge Episode 1. YouTube. March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  68. ^ göt2b's Take It To The Runway – That's So Metal Challenge Episode 2. YouTube. April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  69. ^ Maren Morris Discusses Drag Bans & Trans Bills With Drag Queens & Kings | Billboard Cover. YouTube. June 7, 2023. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  70. ^ VELO - Where My Man At ft Manila Luzon & Eureka O'Hara (Official Video). YouTube. November 16, 2018. Archived from the original on August 19, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  71. ^ Eureka O'Hara - Pretty Hot And Tasty (Official Music Video). YouTube. August 7, 2019. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  72. ^ Eureka O'Hara - Come Together (Official Music Video). YouTube. February 18, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  73. ^ Eureka O'Hara - WERQ! (Official Music Video). YouTube. February 18, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  74. ^ "Kylie Sonique Love - True Colors ( Official Video)". YouTube. May 18, 2023.
  75. ^ "Drag Royalty Nominees". The Queerties. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  76. ^ Voyles, Blake (September 12, 2023). "83rd Peabody Award Winners". Retrieved September 12, 2023.
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