Pabllo Vittar
The world’s most-followed drag queen became a pop star in Brazil – one of the most dangerous countries for LGBTQ people.
Pabllo Vittar, born Phabullo Rodrigues da Silva, grew up in the north and northeast of Brazil, raised by a single mother together with a twin sister. As a child Vittar was bullied for being effeminate and found refuge in singing and dancing.
Vittar began performing in drag as a teenager and became known through a cover version of a Major Lazer song in 2015. The debut album “Vai Passar Mal” (2017) and hits such as “K.O.” and “Sua Cara”, with Anitta and Major Lazer, made Pabllo Vittar a star. Vittar’s music mixes Brazilian genres such as forró, brega and funk with pop and electronic music.
In a country with one of the highest rates of violence against LGBTQ people in the world, Vittar became a symbol of visibility. During the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro, Vittar was attacked by conservatives and openly criticised the government.
Pabllo Vittar has become the most-followed drag queen on Instagram, performed at festivals such as Coachella, and describes being gay and gender-fluid as part of the persona both on and off stage.