Raja

Raja Gemini, simply known as Raja, is the stage name of Sutan Amrull, a drag queen, makeup artist, model best known for her work on the reality TV show America's Next Top Model, as well as being the Season 3 winner of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Biography & Career

Born in Baldwin Park, California, Raja was 3 years old when she moved to Indonesia (where her father is from) alongside her family and stayed there for 6 years before returning to the USA. She attended university as an art student for 2 years, then decided to pursue a career as a makeup artist and drag queen. In 2005, she started to be the head makeup artist on Tyra Banks' reality show America's Next Top Model, where she worked on the show from Cycles 4 through 12. Her clientele has included several celebrities including Pamela Anderson, Dita Von Teese, Paulina Porizkova, Iman, Twiggy, Iggy Azalea, etc.

Name Origin

Raja's name comes from the term "rajá", a title extended to an Indian king or prince. "Gemini" comes from Raja's zodiac sign, Gemini.

Drag Family

Raja has a drag daughter named Rhea Litré and, after winning Season 3, she also has been adopting several drag children, including Anderson Brooks, Thierry Meissel, Illuminati Princess, and Bionka Simone, etc.

RuPaul's Drag Race

To be casted, Raja made a audition video for Season 3 with highlights of her long career and friend celebs such as Adam Lambert.

During Season 3, Raja quickly stole the attentions with her high fashion looks, signature catwalk and for being one of the "Heathers" (clique named after the film Heathers, which includes herself, Manila Luzon, Delta Work and Carmen Carrera). Other highlight of her time as a contestant was the fact she used tulle fabric during "Hair Extravaganza" challenge, which planted suspicion in Shangela and sparked the legendary moment in Untucked known as "Tullegate".

In the finale, Raja was up against fellow contestants Alexis Mateo and Manila Luzon, but only Manila and Raja stayed for be the Top 2. After a lip sync battle with Manila, to "Champion" by RuPaul, Raja was declared the tirth crowned "America's Next Drag Superstar". Following Raja's win, there was some controversy from fans of the show who felt as though Raja had won less to her talent and more due to her prior friendship with RuPaul.

Memorable Quotes

Season 3

• "I have a master's degree in FIERCE."
• "I was like: ‘is that somebody's momma?’" (about Stacy Layne Matthews out of drag)
• "NAOMI CAMPBELL IS A CUM GUZZLING WHORE!" (as Tyra Banks in "Snatch Game")
• "Smizing." (as Tyra Banks in "Snatch Game" challenge)
• "Shangela, I hope you still have your phone card to middle earth, 'cause the hobbits are calling!" (in "Reading Is Fundamental")
• "Fat... Who Cares?... Syphilis." (referring to Delta Work, Alexis Mateo and Carmen Carrera in "Reading Is Fundamental" challenge) 

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Extras

• "Monah Ah Chan."  (pronouncing Monét X Change's name)
• "SEES MAH!" (imitating Aja saying "Sis Ma.")

Trivia

• Raja has been doing drag since 1990. 
  • She first started doing drag as a club kid under the name "Creoula". 
• She was influenced in her drag career by Viva Sex, a legendary Southern California entertainer. 
• She's 6 ft 3" (1,90 m). 
• She, along with RuPaul, made a brief appearance on The Simpsons, on Season 30 Episode 7. 
  • She played the role of a party host of Marge Simpson's "tupperware party". 
• In addition to her continuing duties as a makeup artist for Adam Lambert, Raja Gemini toured the US and parts of Canada on the Drag Race Absolut Vodka Tour in 2012. 
• Season 6 winner Bianca Del Rio are the only winners to not compete in every episode. 
  • Season 3 first episode was a casting special. 
• She was the first winner to win the first main challenge of a season. 
• Her Season 3 Episode 12 lip sync against Carmen Carrera is considered by many fans one of the most memorable and sexiest ever done on the show. 
• The prizes she won for winning her season included a headlining spot on the Absolut Tour, a lifetime supply of Kryolan makeup and a cash prize of $75,000. 
• She's the first and only Indonesian winner in the entire franchise. 
  • She's also the only American winner of Asian descent. 

Gallery

Season 3 Looks

Discography

Non-Album Singles

• "Diamond Crowned Queen". (2011)
• "Sublime". (2012)
• "Zubi Zubi Zubi". (2013)
• "Cholita". (2015)
• "Moodbored". (2019)

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Appearances

• "Lady Marmalade" by The Heathers (Raja, Manila Luzon, Delta Work & Carmen Carrera). (2014)

Social Media

• Raja's Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
• Raja on IMDb | YouTube | Wikipedia

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