This event will take place in French only.
Everything you ever wanted to know about drag!
In this talk, author Rita Baga will dive into the creative process behind her first book, answering the questions she gets asked time and time again. She’ll also share how her life has changed since the book came out two years ago. For die-hard drag fans and newcomers alike.
With over 500 interviews and talks under her belt, Rita Baga couldn’t help but notice that journalists, students and strangers kept asking… the exact same questions. That’s what gave her the idea for a book on the art of drag, after confirming that nothing like it existed in French.
In this book, Rita lays it all out, from drag family dynamics and character creation to song selection, the ABCs of makeup, venues, working conditions, alcohol and drugs, the pitfalls of fame, changing attitudes toward drag and more. She also gives a first-person account of the highs and lows of a one-of-a-kind life filled with moments that are nothing short of surreal. Just wait! Queen Rita always has another trick up her sleeve.
Q&A with the audience and signing session to follow. Our friends from Coin du livre bookstore will be on hand selling copies of Rita's book.
Ottawa Public Library is committed to ensuring that all programs are accessible to everyone. If you need assistance registering for this program or require specific accommodations to participate, please contact us.
Rita Baga
Rita Baga, the iconic creation of Jean-François Guevremont, is a major name in Quebec’s cultural landscape and a high-profile media personality. A multidisciplinary artist, she pushes boundaries and actively amplifies the visibility of 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
Rita Baga shot to public attention in 2020 as a finalist on the first season of Canada’s Drag Race, marking the start of her rapid ascent. Her standout appearance on Big Brother Célébrités in 2021 further cemented her mainstream appeal. She also became the first drag artist worldwide to land the cover of ELLE and collaborate with L’Oréal.
On stage, Rita Baga broke new ground with Créature, Québec’s first major drag tour. The show ran for a record-breaking 112 performances, with over 70,000 tickets sold. She then went global as host and head judge of Drag Race Belgique.
In 2023, she added author to her resumé with Une paillette à la fois (Journal d’une reine), published by Éditions de l’Homme—a candid, deeply personal look at her rise and the ins and outs of the drag scene. That same year, she made it to the finale of Chanteurs masqués (TVA), disguised as the Lion.
2025 ushered in a whole new era for Rita, as she stepped away from lip-syncing to perform her own songs. She appeared on Zénith (Radio-Canada), released her first original album, FLASH, and set out on the Spraynet tour, backed by a band of live musicians.
Rita Baga is always reinventing herself, pursuing work across theatre, television and music, and asserting herself as a multidimensional artist and a leading voice in Francophone culture.