Robert Jamie Mason aka Silky 007 performs Vogue Fem at the Hetrick-Martin Institute’s Incantation Ball. In the Kiki scene, the naming convention “007” is used to indicate that a performer is a free agent, not affiliated with any one house. Robert has devoted his life to dance - in and out of the Kiki scene. He studies pre-professional dance at The Juilliard School.
From the American Family project: Several of DaeDae’s siblings, nieces and nephews live with his mother, Tamara. “I was in and out of the system...You know, it gets harder, you get scared. I don’t know where the next meal is gonna come from. I gotta be a little hustle. Not illegal hustle, but I gotta be a little hustle and do things to make sure my family stays afloat. I think if I didn’t have them I wouldn’t be here no more. I’m living for myself, but I’m living more though for them. I like to see them grow. It’s fun, we have fun together. We cry together, we talk together, we laugh together.” Tamara (DaeDae’s mother) @2018 Anja Matthes
Twiggy Pucci Garcon, overall overseer of the House of Garcon and Pose consultant. Many marginalized and at-risk groups like LGBTQ youth, can gain self-acceptance and confidence through the surrogate families formed in the Kiki community, and Twiggy Pucci Garcon has organized and advocated for LGBTQ youth with various collaborative organizations to create safe spaces for over nine years.
W Magazine "What the Kiki Ballroom Scene Looks Like Now: A Family Photo Album" @2014 Anja Matthes
The makeup artist Suede Harris walks in the Iconic House of Old Navy Ball in 2014. Each ball features different categories, with performers showing off their skills as dancers, artists, and costume designers. Here, Suede is walking in the category "Face," which is essentially a beauty competition. Preparing for the balls helped Suede hone his skills as a makeup artist. Since 2014, he has gone on to work for celebrities such as Missy Elliott. “I have a very deep love for making black women feel beautiful,” he says. “I’m a young black man, and was raised by black women. They are an inspiration.” The Atlantic "In the Kiki Ballroom Scene, Queer Kids of Color Can Be Themselves" @2014 Anja Matthes
Legendary DaeDae, father of the House of Bangy Cunts, with his brother Dutch Gotti. DaeDae is photographer Anja Matthes’ godson. He passed away a few years ago.
Charmaine and Fabian Juicy walk to City Hall in Manhattan. Today is their wedding day. Charmaine and Fabian both work hard to provide for their small family—she works as a hairstylist; he is an employee at the Parks Department. They take their son, Naadir, to weekly karate classes and make sure that he keeps up with his homework. Charmaine says their marriage helped alleviate her mother’s concerns about the risk and stigma of living as a transgender woman. “Before, she didn’t know it was possible for us to have normal lives, have kids, and get married,” Charmaine says.