Alaska Thunderfuck

Justin Andrew Honard, known to the world as Alaska Thunderfuck 5000 or simply Alaska, was born on March 6, 1985 in Erie, Pennsylvania. Growing up as the child of Andrew and Pam Honard, he graduated from Fort LeBoeuf High School in 2003 and later studied theater at the University of Pittsburgh, where his love for performance began to take shape. After experimenting with various jobs in Pittsburgh, he moved to Los Angeles to chase an acting career, only to discover a stronger calling after a spontaneous, cannabis‑infused moment sparked the creation of his drag persona. The name Alaska Thunderfuck itself is a playful nod to a strain of marijuana, reflecting the queen’s irreverent humor and affinity for subversive art. Early gigs at West Hollywood’s Fubar and the legendary Trannyshack shows helped her hone a style that blends sharp wit, avant‑garde fashion, and a fearless embrace of pop culture references, quickly earning a devoted underground following. In 2009 Alaska performed at Palm Springs Gay Pride alongside Tammie Brown and Jer Ber Jones, cementing her presence in the national drag circuit and leading to collaborations such as the Haus of Haunt troupe in Pittsburgh.

Alaska’s breakthrough arrived with RuPaul’s Drag Race season 5, where she placed as runner‑up and later won RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season 2, becoming one of the most celebrated alumni of the franchise. Beyond television, she launched a prolific music career with studio albums Anus (2015), Poundcake (2016), Vagina (2019), and Red 4 Filth (2022), each showcasing her eclectic blend of dance, pop, R&B, and rap. She co‑hosts the popular podcast Race Chaser with Willam, stars in the web series Bro'Laska with her brother Cory, and fronts the drag group The AAA Girls. Her personal narrative includes a high‑profile relationship with Sharon Needles, an engagement to Matthew Herrmann announced in 2025, and the tragic loss of her father in 2022. With a vibrant public image, bold fashion statements, and an unapologetic commitment to humor as artistic expression, Alaska remains a pivotal figure in contemporary drag and pop culture.