Valentina will be the first drag queen to star in a live television musical production.
The Drag Race fan-favourite will be starring in Fox’s live production of Rent, which airs on 27 January.
She will step into the role of homeless, genderfluid street performer Angel Dumott Schunard, who forms a romantic connection with Tom Collins. Angel is HIV+ and attends the local Life Support group, and subsequently dies of AIDS.
Valentina – who was a controversial figure during her time on Drag Race’s ninth season – will star alongside Vanessa Hudgens, Tinashe, Kiersey Clemons, Brandon Victor Dixon, Jordan Fisher, Brennin Hunt and Mario.
Rent, which first premiered on Broadway in 1996, tells the story of struggling young artists in New York City in the days of Bohemian Alphabet City, during the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Upon release, Rent received universal acclaim and has made a profound impact on popular culture. It currently stands as the 11th longest running Broadway show, and has spawned national tours, foreign productions and a motion picture.
Watch Angel – Valentina’s character – perform the iconic number, Today 4 U, below.
The press release for Rent revealed that Valentina will star in the upcoming fourth season of Drag Race All Stars.
Looks like we were right about one contestant on our speculated cast list for All Stars 4…