Alaska Thunderfuck

Alaska Thunderfuck is a force of nature. With a razor-sharp wit, towering heels, and a legacy that’s helped shape modern drag, she’s not only one of the most beloved queens to emerge from RuPaul’s Drag Race—she’s also an unexpected champion of sustainability in fashion. Currently starring in the hit stage production DRAG: The Musical, Alaska continues to push the boundaries of what drag can be—onstage, online, and in everyday life.

In a world where fast fashion dominates and individuality is often sacrificed for trend cycles, Alaska reminds us that being iconic doesn’t mean being wasteful. From plastic tablecloths to thrift-store treasures, she’s redefining what glam looks like in the age of climate consciousness. In this candid conversation, Alaska opens up about her style philosophy, her evolution as an artist, and how drag—at its core—is the ultimate form of sustainable reinvention.

Drag & Sustainability: The Power of Rewear

“Superman wears the same outfit all the time. So does Mickey Mouse and Lois Griffin.” Alaska deadpans when asked about costume repetition. “They’re recognizable and iconic. So wearing the same thing all the time is actually very powerful.”

For a queen celebrated for her camp and excess, this might seem surprising. But Alaska makes a compelling case for repetition—not as a limitation, but as a statement. By reusing pieces and embracing a signature look, she challenges fashion’s obsession with novelty.

Her favorite upcycled material? “Plastic tablecloths from the 99 Cent Store. Rectangular are the best.” she grins. “I could whip up some really fierce outfits very easily using those. And then I’d pair it with a very expensive belt.”

It’s this juxtaposition—budget basics with high-glam flair—that defines Alaska’s aesthetic. And it’s exactly what makes drag so innovative. “Reusing old garments, repurposing them like Marge Simpson with her Chanel suit—these are all things that require more invention and creativity but are ultimately more sustainable. It’s also more fun.”

A Community Rooted in Creativity

Alaska’s evolution from her early days in Pittsburgh drag bars to global stages has been shaped by community. “Realizing it’s not just about me was an important discovery. Drag is about bringing people together.”

She’s quick to credit those around her: from her inspirations like Jackie Beat—“constantly creating and working and serving her community”—to her favorite collaborators like The Lady Hyde and Marco Marco. She also urges performers to support local talent. “Fast fashion is killing the earth. There are people in our community who can make things for us—we should work with them.”

The Fame, the Fandom, and Finding Balance

Alaska’s relationship with fame has been complex. “Finding out that fandom isn’t reality is an important lesson.” she shares. After experiencing a dramatic shift from adoration to backlash post-Drag Race, she was forced to ground herself in something deeper.

“I lost my mind for a long time. But it forced me to find a part of myself that existed in the real world. Now my interaction with the Drag Race fandom is fun—a bonus, not my whole identity.”

That identity is rooted in a drag persona she describes as “a cross between Divine and Britney Spears—with a touch of outer space, some Golden Girls, Patti LaBelle… a whole bunch of other stuff too.”

Dress: Ralph Lauren, Gloves: Vintage, Bracelet: Swarovski, Earrings and Ring: Erickson Beamon from Showroom SEVEN

Alaska Thunderfuck On Writing, Directing, and Creating Timeless Glam

While Alaska is known for her music and larger-than-life performances, her current creative passion lies behind the scenes. “Writing and directing is amazing. I love bringing a vision to life while working with people who love being in the spotlight.”

Whether it’s through her satirical singles or her heart-filled DRAG: The Musical, Alaska’s range continues to expand. The musical, co-created with long-time collaborators Tomas Costanza and Ashley Gordon, is both hilarious and heartfelt. “We make people laugh, but we also make them cry—which they don’t expect.”

Does Broadway beckon? “Yes. And the West End. And a film. I’m open to everything.”

Drag as Resistance, Kindness, and Evolution

For Alaska, drag is more than an art—it’s a rebellion. “It radically subverts the idea that you are only one thing. Drag grants you the ability to transmute and morph. That is very powerful.”

She’s also quick to dismantle one of the most persistent myths about drag queens: “That we’re mean. We swear a lot, sure. But we’re deeply kind and compassionate. If we’re mean to each other, it’s based in deep respect.”

She embraces the new generation of queens rising through platforms like TikTok: “They’re hilarious and beautiful. I love to see what’s next.”

Legacy in Lashes and Lyrics

As she continues to shapeshift and push boundaries, Alaska’s legacy is still unfolding. “It’s ongoing until we die. So I’m just going to keep putting one foot in front of the other.”

If there’s one look she’d wear forever? “Black garbage bags all the way.” Iconic, of course. Sustainable, naturally. And unmistakably Alaska Thunderfuck.

IRK: From thrift store treasures to DIY glam, what’s your best tip for queens (and fans) who want to be fabulous and sustainable?

Alaska: We’ve got to move beyond fast fashion. It’s becoming too hard to ignore. Fast fashion is killing the earth. I don’t even think it’s pretty anymore. There are people in our community who can make things for us, and we should work with them.

IRK: If you could cast any past fashion icon in “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” who would it be—and how would you reimagine their most iconic look with a sustainable twist?

Alaska: I think Marilyn Monroe is such an iconic presence. She has an essence, and I think she’d be beautiful even in a potato sack or a plastic bag. So I’d love to see her in something like that.

Alaska in Black Suit: Calvin Klein, Bow Tie: Gucci, Hat: Binata Millinery, Mask: Erickson Beamon from Showroom SEVEN Millinery Erickson Beamon from Showroom SEVEN, Shoes: Pleaser.

IRK: Who were your biggest inspirations when you first started, and how have your influences changed over time?

Alaska: Jackie Beat was a huge inspiration. She is a Drag artist through and through. She is constantly creating and working and serving her community, and I admire her a lot. I used to look up to her from afar, and now I am grateful to call her a close friend.

IRK: Who are your favorite designers or artists to collaborate with?

Alaska: The Lady Hyde, Michael Brambila, Marco Marco.

IRK: If you could only wear one iconic Alaska look for the rest of your life, which would it be?

Alaska: Black garbage bags all the way.

IRK: What’s your creative process when writing a song? Do you start with lyrics, melody, or a concept?

Alaska: Usually, a concept or a few words speak to me. Sometimes, it comes from the beat itself. It just depends.

IRK: If you could give advice to your younger self, starting out in drag, what would it be?

Alaska: I don’t believe in interfering with the timeline. But I would just go to some of my early shows and watch.

IRK: You’ve accomplished so much—what’s something you haven’t done yet but are dying to try?

Alaska: Directing.

IRK Takeaway:

In a world obsessed with fast trends and disposable fashion, Alaska Thunderfuck is a reminder that true style comes from creativity, not consumption. With wit, warmth, and wisdom, she proves that drag and sustainability can both be fierce, fun, and revolutionary.

Photographer: Jayme Thornton | @jaymethornton
Creative Director: Cannon @thecannonmediagroup at Ray Brown @raybrownpro
Producer: Winnie Noan @winnie_noan
Hair: Isaac Davidson @isaacdavidsonhair at The Only Agency @theonly.agency using Amika @amika
Make Up: Grant Karpin @gkarpinmuausing
Viseart @viseaetFashion: David Goldberg @indigoboydavid
Special Thanks to Ken Phillips at Ken Phillips Publicity Group