Jan 13, 2023 - Things to Do

Meet Mistress Isabelle Brooks, Houston's "RuPaul" queen

Photo of a drag queen named with the text "Mistress Isabelle Brooks"

Photo courtesy of MTV

Mistress Isabelle Brooks is already a standout queen after the "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 15 premiere last week.

Catch up quick: Brooks is making herstory as Houston's first drag queen on the reality TV show.

She's one of 16 queens competing for the winner title and $200,000 — the biggest cash prize in the show's history.

What we know about Brooks: She was born and raised in H-Town and started doing drag when she was 16 years old.

  • She performs at JR's, South Beach and Hamburger Mary's.
  • She calls her drag "big, beautiful and glamorous" and declares herself the "heavyweight champ" of the season.

Premiere recap: This season features several Instagram and TikTok queens, and off the bat, Brooks is one of the more experienced drag queens.

  • She didn't win either the mini- or the maxi-challenge, but Brooks served Southern sass and her looks were stunning. She also did a great job in her performance of "Big Girl!"

What they're saying: "I know Mistress Isabelle is no joke. She is known in Houston for being that girl who will cut you down in a moment's notice," contestant Irene DuBois said in the episode.

  • Other queens said Brooks embodies "down South drag" and have called her intimidating.

What's next: Episode 2 airs at 7pm tonight on MTV.

Of note: Brooks will be the host Friday night at South Beach nightclub, where Sasha Colby, a legendary queen from Los Angeles also competing this season, will perform.

Plus: Brooks is hosting free weekly watch parties every Friday at JR, where she will perform and offer insight into each episode.

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