Alaska Thunderfuck 5000

Alaska Thunderfuck 5000
Alaska Thunderfuck in 2014
Born	Justin Andrew Honard March 6, 1985 Erie, Pennsylvania
Residence	Los Angeles, California, US
Other names	Alaska, Alaska Thunderfuck, Alaska 5000
Occupation	Drag performer, recording artist, actor
Website	alaskathunderfuck.com

Alaska Thunderfuck 5000, also known mononymously as Alaska or as Alaska Thunderfuck, Alaska Thunderfvck, or Alaska 5000^[1] is the stage name of Justin Honard, an American drag performer, recording artist, and drag idol. Honard is best known for appearing on the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Early life

Justin Andrew Honard was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Fort LeBoeuf High School in 2003.^[2][3] He studied theater at the University of Pittsburgh.^[4] Honard has a half-brother named Cory Binney, with whom he stars in a World of Wonder web series, Bro'Laska.

Career

Honard originally moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. Dissatisfied with the auditioning process, he turned to drag and got a job at the West Hollywood club, Fubar.^[5] He frequently performed in the Trannyshack shows in Los Angeles.^[6] In 2009, he performed in Palm Springs Gay Pride with Tammie Brown and Jer Ber Jones.^[7]

Honard met future boyfriend Sharon Needles through Myspace in December 2009 and eventually moved back to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to live with him in 2010.^[2] Along with Sharon Needles and Cherri Baum, he formed the band Haus of Haunt, which later evolved into a drag troupe based out of the bar the Blue Moon.^[8] As part of the Haus of Haunt, he helped present the Pittsburgh debut of fellow drag queen and recording artist Christeene Vale in 2013.^[9] Alaska later impersonated Christeene for the music video "RuPaulogize" by Willam Belli.^[10]

Alaska Thunderfuck in 2013

It was announced in November 2012 that Alaska Thunderfuck was among 14 drag queens who would be competing on the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, but would be known by the mononym Alaska.^[2][11] He had previously auditioned every season for the show.^[5] Alaska won the fragrance commercial-themed main challenge in the episode "Scent of a Drag Queen" and the main challenge for "Sugar Ball."^[12][13] As part of the show, Alaska sang on the "We Are the World"-inspired song "Can I Get an Amen?". The song's proceeds helped benefit the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center.^[14] In May 2013, during the season finale, Alaska was declared the runner-up of the season, along with fellow competitor Roxxxy Andrews.

In October 2013, Alaska performed as Dr. Frank N. Furter in the Woodlawn Theatre's production of The Rocky Horror Show. RuPaul's Drag Race judge Michelle Visage and season four contestant Willam Belli also starred in the musical.^[15]

Since appearing on RuPaul’s Drag Race, Honard has toured and performed consistently, appearing in RuPaul’s Drag Race Battle of the Seasons shows, the Drag Stars at Sea cruises, custom one-woman shows such as a Stevie Nicks tribute called "Stevie Forever", a cabaret show called "Red for Filth", and a holiday show called "Blue Christmas".^[16][17][18] During the summer of 2014, he starred in a stage production of "Sex and the City".^[19] With brother Cory Binney, Honard has a web series sponsored by World of Wonder, called Bro’Laska.^[20] Alaska recently became a spokesmodel for American Apparel alongside Willam Belli and Courtney Act.^[21]

Honard has since pursued a music career, and released a string of singles, namely "Ru Girl", "Your Makeup Is Terrible", and "Nails". In June 2015, Alaska's debut album, Anus, was released to positive reviews. Singles from the album included "Hieeee" and "This is My Hair".^{[22][23][24][25][26]}

Artistry

Alaska Thunderfuck 5000 is Jer Ber Jones' drag daughter.^[27] Jones is noted for pioneering "tranimal" drag, which originated in Los Angeles and emphasized nontraditional drag influences such as Leigh Bowery and the Cockettes.^[28] Honard's drag name is derived from Alaskan Thunderfuck, a strain of marijuana. Alaska counts Divine, Britney Spears, and Marilyn Monroe as her main influences. Her drag character's back story revolves around being an alien who crash-landed from the planet Glamtron.^[1][29]

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Details	Peak chart positions
		US Dance [30]	US Heat [31]	US Indie [32]
Anus	Released: June 23, 2015[33] Label: Sidecar Records Formats: Digital download	3	4	14

Singles

As lead artist

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Album
		US Comedy Digital [34]
"Ru Girl"[35]	2013	—	Non-album single
"Your Makeup Is Terrible"[36]	2014	—	Anus
"Nails"[37]		—
"Hieeee"[38]	2015	5
"This Is My Hair"[39]		—
"—" denotes a recording that failed to chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Album
		US Comedy Digital [34]
"Let's Get Something Started"[40] (Candy Apple Blue featuring Alaska Thunderfuck)	2013	—	Night Tracks
"Can I Get an Amen?"[41] (Rupaul featuring Drag Race Season 5 Cast)		—	Non-album single
"I Look Fuckin' Cool"[42] (Adore Delano featuring Alaska Thunderfuck)	2014	—	Till Death Do Us Party
"American Apparel Ad Girls"[43] (with Courtney Act & Willam)		10	Shartistry in Motion
"Dear Santa, Bring Me a Man"[44] (with Courtney Act & Willam)		—	Non-album single
"Ride for AIDS" (Willam featuring Alaska Thunderfuck)	2015	12	Shartistry in Motion
"—" denotes a recording that failed to chart or was not released in that territory.

Other appearances

Title	Year	Other artist(s)	Album
"Kai Kai"[45]	2013	Sharon Needles, Ana Matronic	PG-13
"Miss Fame"[46]	2015	Miss Fame	Beauty Marked

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2015	TupiniQueens	Himself	In production. Brazilian film.	[47]

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2011	RuPaul's Drag Race	Himself	Season 3 – Episode 1: Casting Extravaganza
2012	RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked	Himself	Season 4 – Cameo in video message
2013	RuPaul's Drag Race	Himself	Season 5 – Runner-up
2013	RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked	Himself	Season 5
2015	The Art Of	Himself	Episode: "The Art of Drag"
2015	RuPaul's Drag Race	Himself	Season 7 – Episode 1: Born Naked

Web series

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2013	Pure Camp	Himself	Produced by World of Wonder	[48]
2014–present	Bro'Laska	Himself	Produced by World of Wonder	[20]

Music videos

As lead artist

Title	Year	Director	Ref.
"Hooker Shoes" (featuring Amy Vodkahaus)	2013	Michael David Michael Quigley	[49]
"Ru Girl"	2013	Carly Usdin	[50]
"Your Makeup is Terrible"	2014	Saša Numić	[51]
"Nails"	2014	Ben Simkins	[52]
"American Apparel Ad Girls" (with Courtney Act & Willam)	2014	Shawn Adeli	[53]
"Dear Santa, Bring Me a Man" (with Courtney Act & Willam)	2014	Mairin Hart	[54]
"Hieeee"	2015	Ben Simkins	[55]
"This Is My Hair"	2015	Jayson Whitmore	[56]

As featured artist

Title	Year	Director	Ref.
"Let's Get Something Started" (Candy Apple Blue featuring Alaska Thunderfuck 5000)	2013	Fading Brunette	[57]
"Can I Get an Amen?" (Rupaul featuring Drag Race Season 5 Cast)	2013	Lucian Piane	[58]
"I Look Fuckin' Cool" (Adore Delano featuring Alaska Thunderfuck)	2014	Ben Simkins	[59]
"Ride for AIDS" (Willam featuring Alaska Thunderfuck)	2015	Ryan Parma	[60]

Theatre

Year	Title	Role	Theatre	Ref.
2013	The Rocky Horror Show	Dr. Frank N. Furter	Woodlawn Theatre	[15]

References

1. "ALASKA THUNDERFUCK". AlaskaThunderfuck.com. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
2. Nunn, Jerry (18 April 2013). "Alaska from RuPaul’s Drag Race dishes with Jerry Nunn". ChicagoPride.com. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
3. McCracken, Sean (13 March 2013). "High school friend on national reality competition". Erie Times-News. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
4. Sciullo, Maria (28 January 2013). "Pittsburgh's 'Alaska' takes a turn on 'Drag Race'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
5. Middleton, Josh (29 March 2013). "Interview: Alaska From RuPaul's Drag Race Talks About Life Post-Show and Her Love Affair with Sharon Needles". Philadelphia. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
6. Lucid, Michael (23 July 2009). "DAILY FREAK SHOW: JAMES GOES TO TRANNYSHACK". World of Wonder. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
7. Lucid, Michael (18 November 2009). "JAMES ST JAMES GOES TO THE ACE HOTEL". World of Wonder. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
8. Thunderfuck, Alaska (15 October 2012). "Just who did create the Haus of Haunt?". Facebook. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
9. "Tickets for CHRISTEENE @ 6119 in Pittsburg from ShowClix". ShowClix. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
10. Higbee, Jonathan (22 April 2013). "Willam's Back With Brand New Video, "RuPaulogize"". IInstinct. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
11. Coughlan, Maggie (19 November 2012). "RuPaul's Drag Race Season 5 Contestants Announced". People. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
12. Sava, Oliver (19 March 2013). "Scent of a Drag Queen". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
13. Sava, Oliver (16 April 2013). "Sugar Ball". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
14. Parker, Lyndsey (5 March 2013). "Great Musical Moments In Reality TV: RuPaul’s "Can I Get An Amen"". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
15. Shorey, Eric (8 October 2013). "Willam, Alaska And Michelle Visage Get Ready To Rock "Rocky Horror Show": PHOTOS". New Now Next. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
16. "Alaska: Stevie Forever-The Laurie Beechman Theatre- Theatre In New York".
17. "RuPaul's Drag Race".
18. "Alaska Opens New Show, "Red For Filth," In NYC //". NewNowNext.
19. "Sex and the City Live! San Francisco Tickets - $15.00 at Victoria Theatre.". Goldstar.
20. "BroLaska Starring Alaska Thunderfuck and Cory Binney". World of Wonder.
21. "Exclusive: Alaska, Courtney Act, and Willam Belli Team Up With American Apparel". Out Magazine.
22. "Alaska Thunderfuck - Nails [Official]". YouTube.
23. "The Magic Critique: 'Anus' by Alaska Thunderfuck Album Review". themagiccritique.com.
24. "Alaska's ANUS Album #1 on Dance and #38 All Categories - World of Wonder". World of Wonder.
25. "Alaska Thunderfuck Makes Better Dance Music Than Your Vanilla Garbage". NOISEY.
26. Daniel Reynolds. "Why Alaska Thunderfuck Titled Her New Album 'Anus'". Advocate.com.
27. Thunderfuck, Alaska (15 April 2013). "Twitter / Alaska5000: @yazzzy666 PB5K is one of my". Twitter. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
28. Shellhammer, Bradford. "jer ber jones (Bradford Shellhammer : Interviews)". BradfordShellhammer.com. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
29. Slice, Kymbo. "The Alaska Thunderfuck Interview". Nak You Out. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
30. "July 11, 2015 – Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2015. (subscription required)
31. "July 11, 2015 – Heatseeker Albums – Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2015. (subscription required)
32. "July 11, 2015 – Independent Albums – Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2015. (subscription required)
33. "Anus - Alaska Thunderfuck". Amazon. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
34. "Billboard Chart Archive" (To access, type "Alaska" in the artist bar, then select "Comedy Digital Tracks" in the chart name bar). Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
35. "iTunes - Music - Ru Girl - Single by Alaska Thunderfuck". iTunes.
36. "iTunes - Music - Your Makeup Is Terrible - Single by Alaska Thunderfuck". iTunes.
37. "iTunes - Music - Nails - Single by Alaska Thunderfuck". iTunes.
38. "Hieeee [Explicit]". Amazon.
39. "Alaska Launches Music Video For "Hieeee," Announces New Album". NewNowNext. June 9, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
40. "iTunes - Music - Let's Get Something Started (Extended Play) - EP by Candy Apple Blue". iTunes.
41. "iTunes - Music - Can I Get an Amen? (feat. The Cast of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 5) - Single by RuPaul". iTunes.
42. "iTunes - Music - I Look F****n Cool (feat. Alaska Thunderfuck) - Single by Adore Delano". iTunes.
43. "iTunes - Music - American Apparel Ad Girls - Single by Willam, Courtney & Alaska". iTunes.
44. "iTunes - Music - Dear Santa, Bring Me a Man - Single by Willam, Alaska Thunderfuck & Courtney Act". iTunes.
45. "iTunes - Music - PG-13 by Sharon Needles". iTunes.
46. "Miss Fame - Beauty Marked". Amazon. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
47. TupiniQueens Official Trailer.
48. Asea, Adam (22 August 2013). "The Premiere of Sharon Needles and Alaska: Pure Camp". World of Wonder. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
49. Alaska Thunderfuck 5000 & Amy Vodkahaus - HOOKER SHOES [Official Music Video]. YouTube. 28 January 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
50. Alaska Thunderfuck - Ru Girl. YouTube. 17 December 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
51. Alaska Thunderfuck - Your Makeup Is Terrible [Official]. YouTube. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
52. Alaska Thunderfuck - Nails [Official]. YouTube. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
53. American Apparel Ad Girls with Courtney Act, Alaska 5000 and Willam #AAAgirls. YouTube. 30 September 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
54. Dear Santa, Bring Me A Man - Alaska, Courtney Act & Willam. YouTube. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
55. Alaska Thunderfuck - Hieeee [Official]. YouTube. 8 June 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
56. Alaska Thunderfuck - This Is My Hair [Official]. YouTube. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
57. Candy Apple Blue ft. Alaska Thunderfuck 5000 - Let's Get Something Started (Music Video). YouTube. 28 January 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
58. Can I Get an Amen? RuPaul Music Video. YouTube. 4 March 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
59. Adore Delano - I Look Fuckin Cool [feat. Alaska Thunderfuck] (Official). YouTube. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
60. Ride for AIDS. YouTube. May 29, 2015. Retrieved May 30, 2015.

External links

• Official website
• Justin Andrew Honard at the Internet Movie Database