Get to know the House of Injustice

Summertime in Toronto. That’s it. That’s the sentence. A proverbial phrase that, depending on who you are, can be molded into so many vivid images. Pour moi? “Summertime in Toronto” summons depictions of immense forehead sweat, sluggish raccoons toddling down the sidewalks with an “if you’re in such a rush, you can just go around” energy, and the classic socks in sandals (No free foot content. These lil piggy cost!). To others, summertime in Toronto is Pride, Caribana, days on the island and nights at raves but to a chunk of the city's performers, it also is time for the annual ABSOLUT EMPIRE’S BALL!

Founded in 2018 by Canada’s Drag Race Season 1 finalist, Scarlett Bobo, Absolute Empire’s Ball has locked itself as one of Canada’s premier competition showcases for the drag community, and this year was bigger and brasher than ever before!

What started out as 12 drag groups absolutely crushing the prelims, whittled down to 6 hungry hungry houses for the semi-finals, which lead to 1 team being crowned this year's winners of Absolute Empire’s Ball. That house: THE HAUS OF INJUSTICE! We wanted to take this opportunity to highlight, and get to know each performer a bit more.

So kick back, if you’re a cocktail girlie, why not have an Absolute bevy, it’s only fitting, and come with us as we get to know The Haus of Injustice.

KENYA RAMI (They/Them)

Known as “The Traveling girl of Ontario” this Thunder Bay beauty is surely not to be missed when she inevitably dances down the doors of your local drag bar.
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What from your childhood has inspired your drag aesthetic/character?

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Growing up in Thunder Bay there was very much a lack of black and queer representation. Seeing my mom preserve through a lot of the struggles and barriers that existed there as a immigrant single parent truly inspired me and much of my drag now is inspired by black women.

Other than the title, crown, and cash, what are you taking away from your win this
year?
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There are 2 big things that I would say are my biggest takeaways this year. The rest being sticking to what you know/ being true to your house We completed in last years empires ball as well and our nail number was rough. It was all over the place and was just full of adding things we thought the judges might like not necessarily what we would do. It ended up making no sense and it reflected in the quality of our performance. This time we stayed away from that and really played into our strengths and what we wanted to represent as a house which leads into my second take away, redemption. With the lessons we learned last year we applied that to this year's competition and it worked! We went from 4th last year to 1st this year

Now that we’re entering a new MCU (Mattel cinematic universe,) which iconic toy
would you play in a movie and what would the story be?

Ok well other than Barbie (Crippling shame version) I think I would be a monster high doll. They are more on the unconventional side of the toy world but the still have this appeal and fashion that is loved. I love the unique approach that each of the dolls and characters have and I would love to see a story the dives deep into
their back stories. Another toy I would be from the Mattel would be Lighting McQueen from Cars. No further context needed (KACHOW).

What tips or advice would you give anyone competing in future Absolut Empires
Balls?

If you're thinking about entering, do it! Both years were really eye opening experiences for me and though stressful at times it was over all a great time. Just
make sure you have a plan for each stage of the completion and run them through with folks outside of your house. It helps having a outside voice give critics and
opinions. My best friends and roommates Victoria and Anthony really helped me with fine tuning our ideas.

SOPHIA SAPPHIRE (She/They)

Although she’s a self proclaimed dumb blonde, she’s making all the correct choices on how to become an icon.

What from your childhood has inspired your drag aesthetic/character?

As a little kid, I was obsessed with video games, anime,  cartoons, etc… , I often draw inspiration from the very few strong female characters and I always vibed with them a lot. I loved all of the acrobatic tricks they did on screen, and now doing many stunts myself I always aspired to be where I am now.

I moved around Canada a lot as a kid, I went to over eight different elementary schools. So I often relied on being funny to make new friends, sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t. This is part of the reason why I try to be so welcoming and bubbly with all of the people that I meet at various shows, and venues across Ontario.

Other than the title, crown, and cash, what are you taking away from your win this year?

This year has been a huge wake up call to all the things I have wanted to accomplish and continue pursuing. This win gives me (and everyone in my Haus) a platform to be a leader that people look up to. To speak out against wrongdoings in our community. If anything, this year has allowed me to find my voice.

I have many plans and goals for this upcoming year and I can’t wait to take everyone along for the journey

Now that we’re entering a new MCU (Mattel cinematic universe,) which iconic toy would you play in a movie and what would the story be?

If I could pick any iconic toy, I would definitely go with Polly pockets, because then I would just be a drag queen as a Polly pocket and traveling would be so much easier because everything would fit in the palm of your hand. And it would be all of the trials and drama of what performing on the road is like as a Polly pocket drag queen. LOL

What tips or advice would you give anyone competing in future Absolut Empires Balls?

For anyone who is wanting to compete in next year‘s ABSOLUT Empires Ball, I would tell them to pick a team that you were able to communicate with and even when it’s a hard day share how you’re feeling. Your relationship with the members of your team are what will determine if you are ready for the win. Also be ready for many long nights of either, choreo, sewing, hairstyling, or traveling because each year this contest gets bigger and bigger and so next year I want to see even more amazing things on the stage.

YETI (She/Her)

Everybody’s looking for her, but nobody can come for her! This Ottawa urban legend is not only holding two titles this year: Ms Courage Ottawa and Empire’s Ball, but also our hearts.

What from your childhood has inspired your drag aesthetic/character?

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One major thing that has inspired my drag aesthetic/character were the women in my life growing up. When I first started doing drag, I wanted my drag to be a love letter to the woman that raised me to be who I am today and since I have progressed with and in drag, I’ve really turned it into something that I can use to express both those women in my life but also myself.

Other than the title, crown and cash what are you taking away from this competition?

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I’m gonna be taking away friendships and bonds away from this competition that I will appreciate and cherish forever. I also will be taking away a great lesson in communication, the beauty of the Haus of Injustice was at the end of the day we always could come together
and communicate on our differences.

Now they were entering a new MCU (Mattel cinematic universe) which iconic toy
would you play in a movie and what would the story be?

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I was always so obsessed with Polly pocket growing up. I love the look of the clothes. I loved how she could pop her clothes on and off so easily... so many combos you could do, the colours and online games! I think I would play the Polly pocket like the main one obviously... and I think the movie would be about how plastic people have feelings too, and how you can always be a little bit nicer in the world because I think everybody should be a little bit nicer to everyone. Do you know that one episode in black mirror when y’all have to rate each other with every interaction,I think it would be kind a like that, but like Polly pocket.

What tips or advice would you give anyone competing in future Absolut Empires
Balls?

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The only tips or piece of advice that I would give is to do it. I competed two years with the Haus of Injustice and I think I can speak for all of us and say that in the first year we did everything wrong, but we learned so much from the first year. We learned so much that we came back and won the next year, and through that we also learned so many actual life lessons that we will benefit from all our lives.

DULCE (She/They)

Smooth, creamy, and always serving it right, it must be Dulce! This London treat is so sweet you’ll be asking for seconds.  

What from your childhood has inspired your drag aesthetic/character?

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I would say for me personally I loved all things feminine. I recall having to sneak around and play with “girl” toys and my family was extremely unaccepting. I would also love to walk in heels and make shirts into hair. I didn't know why but I just loved it.

Other than the title, crown, and cash, what are you taking away from your win this
year?

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What I am taking with me is how to work as a group and I learned so much about my haus mates and also about the other hauses. I learned about working with so many
different forms of drag artist. I learned how to create concepts and most importantly how to make them come to life. Most importantly I am leaving with a family.

Now that we’re entering a new MCU (Mattel cinematic universe,) which iconic toy would you play in a movie and what would the story be?

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I would love to be part of the Care Bear movies. I have always dreamed of doing a Voice over for a animated movie or series and I have always been infatuated with the colour and stories.

What tips or advice would you give anyone competing in future Absolut Empires
Balls?

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I would say to find a group that you are able to work well with and that you think would be a good mix. Learn to set aside differences as there will be several and most importantly have fun and enjoy each step.

KARAMILK (She/Her)

From Halifax to Ottawa to Toronto, everyone, everywhere loves the taste of Karamilk. Now don’t you worry, there’s plenty of this back bending beauty to go around.

What from your childhood has inspired your drag aesthetic/character?

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A lot of my drag inspiration from my childhood was developed through my dance experience and the women in the industry that I watched growing up such as Rihanna, Beyonce and Nicki Minaj. A lot of it also comes from Glee; however, the moment that really inspired my drag
aesthetic/character was when I saw Naomi Smalls on my TV.

Other than the title, crown, and cash, what are you taking away from your win this year?

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Friendship! Being an addition to the Haus of Injustice this year, I’ve gotten to know each of the girls so closely and the synergy we built was instant. We had such a fun journey together!

Now that we’re entering a new MCU (Mattel cinematic universe,) which iconic toy would
you play in a movie and what would the story be?

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I think my introduction into the Mattel cinematic universe would be in the Barbie sequel as a BRATZ Doll. The sequel would be Barbie vs Bratz. Best doll comes out on top ;)

What tips or advice would you give anyone competing in future Absolut Empires Balls?

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Use the time given to you to prepare as much as your team can commit to. Whether that be practicing the number, brainstorming numbers for future rounds or making props / outfits - it all pays off in the end, you truly just have to commit. We had distance between us with half of our team being based in Ottawa and it really pushed us to use any of our time together effectively.

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