Valentina makes history with Broadway debut in The Rocky Horror Show
The reality TV star and actress is set to join the acclaimed Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show beginning July 21
Valentina is set to make her Broadway debut in The Rocky Horror Show, marking a historic milestone as the first trans Mexican American performer to join a principal cast on Broadway.
The RuPaul's Drag Race fan favourite will begin performances as Columbia on July 21, taking over the role from Michaela Jaé Rodriguez in the acclaimed revival at Studio 54.
Valentina joins a cast led by Luke Evans as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, alongside Rachel Dratch, Stephanie Hsu, Andrew Durand, Amber Gray, Harvey Guillén, Josh Andrés Rivera and Sherie Rene Scott.
Her casting marks another major milestone in a career that first gained international attention during season 9 of RuPaul's Drag Race in 2017.
Although she did not win the competition, Valentina became one of the franchise's most memorable contestants, later returning for RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 4 before serving as the inaugural host and judge of Drag Race México in 2023.
Beyond reality television, the California native has built an acting career with roles in Rent: Live, Netflix's The House of Flowers, AJ and the Queen, La Usurpadora: The Musical and the film adaptation of In the Heights.
Originally created by Richard O'Brien, The Rocky Horror Show premiered in London in 1973 before arriving on Broadway in 1975.
The cult musical follows newly engaged couple Brad and Janet after they become stranded outside the mansion of the mysterious Dr. Frank-N-Furter, featuring beloved songs including Time Warp, Dammit Janet, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me and Hot Patootie.
The production later inspired the 1975 film The Rocky Horror Picture Show, starring Tim Curry, which has since become one of cinema's most enduring cult classics thanks to its long-running midnight screenings.
The current Broadway revival, directed by Tony Award winner Sam Pinkleton, began previews in March before officially opening in April.
The production earned nine Tony Award nominations, including Best Revival of a Musical.
Rodriguez announced her departure from the show in June, describing her Broadway debut as "nothing short of a dream realized" while praising the production for celebrating people from all walks of life.