History of Jinkx Monsoon in Timeline

Jinkx Monsoon, born Hera Lilith Hoffer, is an American drag queen, actress, singer, and comedienne. Gaining prominence as the winner of RuPaul's Drag Race season five in 2013, Monsoon has built a successful career in entertainment. Originating from the Pacific Northwest, she made her Broadway debut in 2023, showcasing her talents in acting, cabaret, and character roles on television. Jinkx Monsoon is recognized for her comedic timing, vocal talent, and unique drag persona.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

September 18, 1987: Birth of Hera Lilith Hoffer

On September 18, 1987, Hera Lilith Hoffer, known professionally as Jinkx Monsoon, was born. She is an American drag queen, actress, singer, and comedienne.

Others born on this day/year

2008: Death of Grandmother Judith Irwin-Hoffer and Discovery of Jewish Ancestry

In 2008, after the death of her maternal grandmother Judith Irwin-Hoffer, Jinkx learned of her Jewish ancestry, which influenced her artistic identity.

2010: Graduation from Cornish College of the Arts

In 2010, Hoffer graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theater from Cornish College of the Arts.

June 2011: Start of Drag Becomes Him docu-series

In June 2011, Alex Berry began a YouTube docu-series called Drag Becomes Him, exploring Jinkx Monsoon's life in and out of drag.

2011: Appearance in Waxie Moon in Fallen Jewel

In 2011, Jinkx Monsoon appeared in the Wes Hurley film Waxie Moon in Fallen Jewel.

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January 2012: Appearance as Moritz in Spring Awakening

In January 2012, Jinkx Monsoon appeared as Moritz in the rock musical Spring Awakening at the Balagan Theater in Seattle, which received mixed reviews.

November 2012: Announcement as Contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 5

In November 2012, it was announced that Jinkx Monsoon would be competing on the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.

January 2013: Played Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch

In January 2013, Jinkx Monsoon played Hedwig in the Moore Theatre's production of the rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

June 2013: Played Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray

In June 2013, Jinkx Monsoon played Velma Von Tussle in the Seattle Men's Chorus/5th Avenue Theatre's production of the musical Hairspray.

October 2013: Drag Becomes Him turned into feature-length film

In October 2013, Drag Becomes Him was turned into a feature-length film with Basil Shadid as producer.

November 2013: Performance at the Laurie Beechman Theatre

From July to November 2013, Jinkx Monsoon performed in the original one act cabaret musical The Vaudevillians under the name "Kitty Witless" at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in New York City.

December 2013: Reprising Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch

In December 2013, Balagan reprised the production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch with Jinkx Monsoon and the original cast/production team for a week long run.

2013: Winning RuPaul's Drag Race Season 5

In 2013, Jinkx Monsoon won the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, marking a significant career milestone.

January 31, 2014: Blue Bloods Appearance

On January 31, 2014, Jinkx Monsoon played Tallulah/Dennis in an episode of Blue Bloods entitled "Manhattan Queens".

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March 2014: Kickstarter campaign for Drag Becomes Him

In March 2014, a Kickstarter campaign successfully raised funds to complete the film Drag Becomes Him.

May 6, 2014: Release of The Inevitable Album

On May 6, 2014, Jinkx Monsoon released her debut studio album The Inevitable Album.

2014: Release of The Inevitable Album

In 2014, Jinkx Monsoon released her first studio album, The Inevitable Album.

April 29, 2015: Premiere of Drag Becomes Him

On April 29, 2015, the documentary film Drag Becomes Him premiered at Seattle's Cinerama.

2015: Cast in Capitol Hill

In 2015, Jinkx Monsoon joined the cast of Wes Hurley's comedy series Capitol Hill.

April 2017: Identifying as gender fluid/ambiguous

In an April 2017 interview, Jinkx Monsoon stated that she has never identified as fully male and has always identified as more gender fluid or gender ambiguous.

May 2017: Appearance in the celebrity roast of Michael Musto

In May 2017, Jinkx Monsoon appeared in the celebrity roast of Michael Musto.

January 12, 2018: Release of The Ginger Snapped and Steven Universe appearance

On January 12, 2018, Jinkx Monsoon released her second studio album The Ginger Snapped, and voiced the character Emerald on Steven Universe in the episode "Lars of the Stars".

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October 2018: Move to Monsoon Manor

In October 2018, Jinkx Monsoon moved back to Portland and currently lives in a house named Monsoon Manor.

2018: Release of The Ginger Snapped

In 2018, Jinkx Monsoon released her second studio album titled The Ginger Snapped.

June 2019: Ranked in the list of most powerful drag queens

In June 2019, Jinkx Monsoon was ranked 18th on New York magazine's list of "the most powerful drag queens in America".

2020: Political views

In 2020, Hoffer expressed her views on US President Donald Trump and LGBT equality and donated to both Elizabeth Warren's and Bernie Sanders's campaigns.

2020: Appearance in Happiest Season

In 2020, Jinkx Monsoon appeared in the Hulu original Christmas film Happiest Season and starred in and co-wrote The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Special.

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January 2021: Marriage to Michael Abbott

In January 2021, Hoffer married her partner Michael Abbott in a small ceremony at home.

2021: Touring The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Special

In 2021, Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme toured The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Special around the world.

April 2022: Announcement of participation in RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 7

In April 2022, it was announced that Jinkx Monsoon would be competing on the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.

July 29, 2022: Winning RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 7

On July 29, 2022, Jinkx Monsoon won RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, earning the title "Queen of All Queens" and a $200,000 prize.

2022: Touring Show

In 2022, Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme continued to tour, writing a new show each year.

2022: Winner of All Stars Season

In 2022, Jinkx Monsoon won the All Stars season of RuPaul's Drag Race, becoming the first two-time winner of the show and earning the title "Queen of All Queens" along with a $200,000 prize.

2023: Touring Show

In 2023, Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme continued to tour, writing a new show each year.

2023: Broadway debut in Chicago

In 2023, Jinkx Monsoon made her Broadway debut in Chicago as "Mama" Morton, marking a significant achievement in her career.

February 2024: Separation from Michael Abbott

In February 2024, Michael Abbott announced that he and Hoffer had separated.

April 2, 2024: Portrayal of Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors

From April 2, 2024, Jinkx Monsoon portrayed Audrey in the off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors.

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April 2024: Legal Name Change to Hera Hoffer

In April 2024, Hoffer legally changed her name to Hera Hoffer, while retaining Jinkx Monsoon as her stage name.

May 2024: Doctor Who Appearance

In May 2024, Jinkx Monsoon played the villain "Maestro" in the Doctor Who episode "The Devil's Chord".

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May 26, 2024: End of Little Shop of Horrors run

On May 26, 2024, Jinkx Monsoon's run as Audrey in the off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors ended.

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2024: Touring Show

In 2024, Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme continued to tour, writing a new show each year.

2024: Identification as trans-femme non-binary and undergoing gender affirming procedures

In 2024, Jinkx Monsoon stated she identifies as trans-femme non-binary and uses she/her pronouns, and had begun hormone replacement therapy and had undergone facial feminization surgery.