Laganja Estranja Biography: Age, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Songs, Albums, Movies, Partner, Transition

Laganja Estranja is a dynamic American drag queen, choreographer, recording artist, and cannabis rights activist who rose to prominence on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 6.

Born in Dallas, Texas, she’s known for her vibrant dance moves, iconic catchphrases like “I feel very attacked!”, and bold cannabis-themed brand.

Profile

• Full Name: Jay Evan Jackson
• Stage Name: Laganja Estranja
• Born: December 28, 1988
• Age: 36 years old
• Birthplace: Dallas, Texas, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Drag Queen, Choreographer, Recording Artist, Cannabis Rights Activist, Fashion Designer
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Nancy Lynn Ferrin Jackson (mother), David Michael Jackson (father)
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $1 million to $5 million

Early Life and Education

Jay Evan Jackson was born on December 28, 1988, in Dallas, Texas, to Nancy Lynn Ferrin Jackson and David Michael Jackson, both high school guidance counselors for over 30 years.

Information about siblings is not available, as Laganja keeps family details private. They earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Choreography from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) in 2011, where their drag persona emerged during weekly art gallery parties and RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing events.

As a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts, Jay performed their original work “not today” at the Kennedy Center in 2007 and is a YoungArts Silver Winner, mentoring students annually in Miami.

Career

Laganja Estranja’s drag career began at CalArts in 2010 with “Cal Arts is Burning” and solidified at Micky’s West Hollywood on November 7, 2011, where she won an amateur competition, becoming an official “Showgirl” with monthly gigs. Mentored by drag mother Alyssa Edwards, she competed on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 6 (2014), placing eighth after winning a challenge with Adore Delano.

Known for dramatic entrances, catchphrases, and emotional moments, she became a meme sensation, with Bianca Del Rio crediting her for memorable quotes. Laganja returned as a Lip-Sync Assassin on All Stars Season 6 (2021), winning against Trinity K. Bonet.

Her choreography credits include Germany’s Next Top Model, NYC Cosmetics FACE Awards, and work for Miley Cyrus, Brooke Candy, and Jennifer Lopez at the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards. She’s performed for Madonna and Christina Aguilera and appeared on So You Think You Can Dance Season 15 and Queen of Drags as a guest judge.

Laganja’s music career includes a feature on RuPaul’s “Jealous of My Boogie” (2014), her debut single “Legs” (2015) with Rye Rye (ranked third-best Drag Race song by Pitchfork), and collaborations like Alaska’s “Gimme All Your Money” (2015).

She’s released singles like “Look at Me” (2018), which critiques the war on drugs. In 2016, she co-founded Laganja’s Dance School, teaching hip-hop jazz-funk globally. Her cannabis activism includes hosting legalization talks at Trinity College, Dublin, and Impulse in San Francisco, and launching a marijuana-themed merchandise line, including collaborations with The Hepburns and FRUIT SLABS.

Awards and Nominations

• U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts (2007) – For dance performance at the Kennedy Center
• YoungArts Silver Winner – Dance category
• New York Magazine: Ranked among “Most Powerful Drag Queens in America” (2019)
• Pageant Titles: Drag Idol, Queen of Dallas, 2055 Top Newcomer, Queen of Queens (340 Nightclub, Pomona), Best Newcomer (West Hollywood)
• No major music or TV award nominations, but her cultural impact is noted.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @laganjaestranja
• Facebook handle: Laganja Estranja
• Twitter handle: @LaganjaEstranja

Personal Life

Laganja Estranja, 36, lives in Los Angeles, California, and is known for her cannabis-inspired drag aesthetic. Her height and weight are not publicly shared, as she focuses on her stage presence.

Laganja came out as a transgender woman on June 15, 2021, after identifying as nonbinary, embracing her feminine identity while keeping her drag name and birth name, Jay, for personal connections.

She is single, with no public records of past relationships, spouse, or children. Her transition was supported by a fundraiser led by Yuhua Hamasaki, with contributions from Gia Gunn and Cheryl Hole. Laganja has spoken about using cannabis as medicine for mental health, describing herself as likely manic-depressive, though undiagnosed, and credits it with emotional regulation.

Discography

• RuPaul Presents: The CoverGurlz (2014) – Featured on “Jealous of My Boogie”
• “Legs” (2015) – Single feat. Rye Rye
• “Gimme All Your Money” (2015) – Featured on Alaska Thunderfuck’s Anus
• “Look at Me” (2018) – Single
• “Aja” (2014, Adam Joseph) – Featured
• “Check Me” (feat. J. Tyler) – Single
• “Don’t Kill the Vibe” (2020, THAMMACHAD x Toocalderone x Elista the Drag Gamer) – Featured
• Other singles: “Gold Grillz BBQ,” “Smoke Break,” “Hotbox,” “Blaze It Up,” “Green XXXmas,” “Tumbleweed”

Filmography

• RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 6 (2014) – Contestant (8th place)
• RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked (2014) – Herself
• Skin Wars (2015) – Guest
• So You Think You Can Dance Season 15 (2018) – Contestant
• Germany’s Next Top Model Season 13 (2018) – Runway Show Guest
• Queen of Drags (2019) – Guest Judge (Episode 6)
• RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 6 (2021) – Lip-Sync Assassin (Episode 3)
• Tongue Thai’d with Pangina Heals (2022) – Herself
• Hawt – Actress

Net Worth

Laganja Estranja’s estimated net worth is between $1 million and $5 million. Her income comes from RuPaul’s Drag Race appearances, music releases, global performances, choreography work, and her cannabis-themed merchandise, including collaborations with The Hepburns and FRUIT SLABS.