The main avenue of São Paulo was filled with thousands of people this month, all dressed in the yellow and green of the Brazilian flag and captivated by a commanding figure standing on top of a tractor-trailer equipped with speakers. From above, the scene could have resembled one of the political rallies previously held by former President Jair Bolsonaro at the same spot. However, the enormous rainbow flag gave away the true nature of the event. It was actually one of the largest Pride parades in the world, and the person atop the sound truck was Phabullo Rodrigues da Silva, also known as Pabllo Vittar, a 6-foot-2-inch drag queen and one of Brazil’s biggest pop stars.
Pabllo Vittar, at 30 years old, is the gay son of a working-class single mother in Brazil’s north. Despite her success, she remains a powerful voice for the LGBTQ community in Brazil, which faces both acceptance and violence. Pabllo Vittar has used her platform to advocate for equality and acceptance, especially against the right-wing movement in the country.
Born in Brazil’s poorest state, Maranhão, Pabllo Vittar found solace and freedom in drag performance at a young age. With the support of her mother, she pursued a career in music and drag, quickly becoming one of Brazil’s most successful drag queens. Despite facing challenges and discrimination, she has risen to international fame and continues to inspire her fans with her music and activism.
Pabllo Vittar’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and courage in the face of adversity. She represents a new generation of LGBTQ artists who are using their platforms to promote acceptance and equality in a world that still struggles with prejudice and discrimination.