The Queen - Crystal LaBeija THIRD runner up, 1967

The Queen
Crystal LaBeija

[@LegionIvory]

Never forget. We have Ballroom, and Pose, and Drag Race, and so much more, because Crystal LaBeija walked off stage.

[@orlandoaguasvivas6580]

It took one person to change everything.........

[@sabrasalvia7720]

It was HER

[@kyjuan89]

Crystal, the mother of us all 💯💯 she literally changed black gay culture & created a good portion of it, & she deserves credit

[@darrylwoodley6022]

She was a great ICON. She did then just walk off stage. She started a movement.

[@VolkColopatrion]

to be so lucky we have it all on film.

[@kyjuan89]

It was this subtle action, quietly walking out, that changed the way POC did drag from that time forward. Ballroom as we know it today exists because of what mother Crystal did in this video, not accepting being made to appear lesser than

[@makkonen0]

@daniel lopez you raggedy bitch you.

[@viz1]

@daniel lopez Its truth and there is far more talent and beauty in the ballroom than watching rhythmless white drag queens to Cher and Dolly Parton.

She was a sore loser. Yes, she anticipated the entitled millennials. .

[@lumi2798]

@ how can you blame millennials when there parents are the ones that failed? The millenials didn't create the problems

[@AHLIYON]

lumi 2 XACTLY . Thank You!

[@LogicallyMinded94]

Crystal knew it was rigged when they positioned the chair behind Harlow. She was no fool! Lol

[@rkeratiloe1]

whoa well spotted. I didn't notice it til your comment.

[@mk94194]

They positioned the chair in the middle, which is the only logical option....

[@udonoquesabo3235]

Exactly! That was SO OBVIOUS. They had ,everything, set up, and what wasn't done with ease they scrambled to "fix".

[@smol_chilli_pepper]

@@mk94194 exactly what I was going to say

[@DylanRomanov]

Am I the only one who feels like Harlow looks really out of it the whole time. She seems really upset even though she just won.

[@thedarthflagger]

Did you see Crystal mouth the words OH PLEASE when she didn't win? DEAD.

[@IntoBlackHouse]

She looked like she mouthed OH MY GOD first, then mouthed OH PLEASE. Or that’s what it looked like to me

[@prettyteacher6417]

I thought she was saying, "I'm ready to go!" 😂

[@raulvega4016]

I thought she was saying "Jesus, Gross!"

[@basil33]

Jose Sanval lmbo

[@risofloro9196]

@@raulvega4016 thought she said 'fuc* the shady b*tch ~with harlow's name crossed out~

[@JassminaVellucci]

Crystal was a strong courageous person . She finally had enough of the racism in the gay/ drag community. There was a Bias against Black and latino Drag queens, these events were run by white queens. Crystal later started her own Ball for Black and Latin Queens. She also Founded the House of LaBeija in 1977. Crystal was a strong black queen. Her House is a Legendary house, still going strong today. She died in 1982 of Liver Failure.

[@PungiFungi]

How many of these houses are still in existence? It would be a riot to have all these houses ranked like Drow Houses in Dungeons & Dragons and see them all tear each other to pieces to be the First House.

[@anthonyL1995]

PungiFungi LaBeija, Ninja, and Xtravaganza all exist as of 2020. Those are the three that I remember from Paris is Burning. Ball/ drag houses exist all over the world at this point. Pepper LaBeija is featured in Paris is Burning and mentions Crystal for a brief moment. I wish their was some form of documentation or pictures of what those early balls looked like. If they were more like the ones here or if they were more like the ones of Paris is Burning. Type ballroom voguing and you can see them on YT.

[@cinquentakhamseen3124]

Ohhhhhh thank you - I’m just learning about all of this and I am old as hell, well not old old but from growing up in the 80’s and 90’s

[@rivap.4791]

I have been so confused because Crystal appears to be Caucasian in these clips... I figured that she was perhaps Latin. So she was actually black? Was she mixed? 1/4 black?

[@MrBishop336]

It was 1968

[@dominiquee901]

Wow Aja actually looks like her too

[@monicalamb4life461]

dominique p ❤

[@lachie5054]

their both gorg

[@martiweber1214]

Yeah she's ugly

[@Saemoli]

Am I the only one who thinks Shangela looks like her?

[@WhateverA]

@@Saemoli yes

[@Genevaave]

Look at my mothers face when they called 3rd runner up, and she walked off the stage LEGENDARY, U DONT WANT IT

[@Loungesugar]

the 1960s American accent is so different than anyone speaks today

[@nikkistahr7105]

Very true

[@jaymillymills]

All depends where you are and where you are from. Some still talk that way

[@Boobalopbop]

That's real NY!

[@morganrhoads1758]

The Atlantic accent was a made-up accent used by media, actors and anyone in showbiz back then and was usually taught to children in private schools (Think old-timey radio host or tv host) Sadly the accent died out around this time. I'd almost say by the 70's, no one used it anymore. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Boobalopbop]

@@morganrhoads1758 My 70 year old aunt still talks that way and she was born and still lives in Brooklyn.

[@imanilove4638]

Crystal was not here for it

[@hojadlaurel]

LIKE HOW ARE YOU GONNA CROWN HARLOW AND NOT CRYSTAL!??!? LOOK AT CRYSTAL'S HAIR AND DRESS AND MAKE UP!!! CRYSTAL WAS GLAM, HARLOW WAS FLAT! #teamcrystal

[@jesuschrist-hy4tb]

All of their makeup tho! Lol!

[@nyromaniaify]

If it happens still this day and age you better believe it was a big thing back then. All of the top 3 look terrible.

[@lRlElD]

and it still exists especially among drag race fans.

[@andersmillon8799]

lRedl t r u t h

[@didiermonforte3414]

Pablo Cepeda crystal past away ?

[@Paulpen]

"Miss Crystal where are you going? This is not the time to show temperament." Such class!

[@angiefromChi]

Paul Pen YESSSSSS!!!!!

[@callmewitcher5069]

agreed, the hate flawless Sabrina ( the host ) gets is sad, people on the comments are attacking her, when she's the only one who wasn't racist and loved all the queens there, it was proven the panel seen at 0:50 did the rigging of the pageant, and that Sabrina had just met them that night ( watch whole movie ) - furthermore, Sabrina is the only person Crystal stops yelling for, and listens to her, they did care about one another, lastly Sabrina died in november, about 4 months ago, rest in peace angel

[@angiefromChi]

Call Me Witcher yes... Rest In Peace. ⚘⚘⚘⚘

[@XtinaDaily]

*alaska voice*

[@marqueamore8467]

Yaaaaaaaas

[@Graciiifdp]

I can’t believe Alaska announced aja as third runner up

[@ho-seokjeihope2321]

Graciela Figueroa 😂

[@Babyvalkyie]

We love a time travelling queen 😚

[@xavierhenriquez2758]

Omgggg i was thinking the same thing🤣🤣😂😂

[@shantemartin5713]

lol

[@dixierae6063]

This is so often left out of the footage.Yet it is the part that changed the world of Drag forever and lit the fire under Crystal to show the community that Winners did not only come in shades of white. Had it not been for Aja I would have remained ignorant to this Courageous and Beautiful Queen the irony is not lost in that this describes Aja as well. Not winning after a perfect performance was an insult to them both . The treatment that Crystal received is much like what happened to Aja. Please be sure to watch her new video. She reads D.R. to filth as they did to her.

[@Joe-xf7nr]

Crystal hair and makeup is flawless. love the lipstick color. so avant garde for tha time..and is making comeback

[@suavemsuavemente]

the hosting queen's voice eerily reminds me of Laganja's.

[@mclovin6039]

C'mon rigged competition....lets get sickening

[@hsbthree]

Iconic.

[@leonhendricks4778]

No one that she copied. Pure authenticity. LEGENDARY!

[@myqueenimagivemydumassopin6841]

Pepper labeija 00:13 ❤️

[@RicharddtheStar]

Sadly it’s not her

[@usronejm]

I am so happy this footage exists.

[@TwinOnDeck25_8]

Miss harlow didn't even look as good as the other two standing next to her&Crystal out shined them both

[@tanyastefoglo1492]

She didn’t look as good as the other 2 and yet they all still looked bad. That’s how you know the game was rigged

[@LegionIvory]

​@@tanyastefoglo1492If you watch the full clean documentary, you can see the difference in the makeup. Harlow was not polished at all, and her dress was conspicuously designed to get more attention than everyone else.

[@just_cade]

0:17 She said "Oh My God" as soon as they said her name and then it was ON. ICONIC.

[@tommysinclair7237]

This is hilarious from the moment Crystal said "Oh My god" when her name was called

[@zalenahquaddy4354]

Sabrina and Crystals outfits are still soo beautiful and elegant I'd still rock them today.

[@MrAnto424]

the beginning of Alaska's puppet pays tribute to this

[@avocadotoast7367]

GERTRUUUUUUUUDE

[@AnthonyCayne]

I love that!!! Know your history

[@cinquentakhamseen3124]

Yoooo I just googled the video wow - Historic!!!

[@blackjack18md]

My Grandmotha was givin. . Fuk the bullshitt!! And for Ms.Flawless Sabrina! (on the Mic) no respect was lost.. If anything she gained respect for this and spawned a new generation scene..that's why she is Motha everything! Over all!

[@marsmartin7335]

Notice Crystal walked out when they positioned the throne behind Harlow; before they even announced the winner.

[@gozerthegozarian9500]

Queen knew a rigged game when she saw it!

[@diamond.boyboy]

they just placed the throne in the middle, where else where they supposed to put it?

[@myqueenimagivemydumassopin6841]

We need more pictures of Crystal Labeija.... where are all her pics?....I so wish there was an interview of her...

[@therenegaderev469]

MY QUEEN There’s another film with the whole event and she read for filth at the end.

[@yvonnenoel7206]

@@therenegaderev469, YUP, the *Read*, Alaska loves recite! 😎

[@doriancoreyscloset421]

@@therenegaderev469 what is it called?

[@Facepalm9]

This may come as a shock to you, but it was more difficult to take, keep, and publish photos in 1967. Almost 50 years has gone by, and it's likely that anyone who did have any photos of her has either made them available or is no longer with us.

[@jahawalgern8273]

She captivated me, crystal of course 🤷🏾‍♀️😍‼️

[@skinnylegend0272]

Tell me why Aja is literally her doppelgänger

[@V10l3tta1]

Right!!!!

[@No1More1Mr1Nice1Guy1]

yep bad skin and no chin.....

[@zalenahquaddy4354]

@@No1More1Mr1Nice1Guy1 Girl you look racist trying to drag Crystal, i seen you going up and down these comments trying to discredit Crystal... Just say your racist next time it'll be easier for yourself...

[@No1More1Mr1Nice1Guy1]

@@zalenahquaddy4354 well..... you tried. good for you

[@chanyeolpark2025]

@@No1More1Mr1Nice1Guy1 why are you here first off all if you are racist?

[@Sailortortillaa]

The hair! The makeup! the dress! My god Crystal was looking so eloguent! This was forsure rigged 💀

[@8polyglot]

Crystal is flawless

[@ma-lu3088]

This inspired Too-Wong-Fu. I love this. This is Gold. I see Ms. Labeija. She's still amongst us. She wasn't part of their society that's why she didn't win. But it took her a different path. She may be dead or re-borned, who knows but her legacy still continues to this day.

[@theslitherysylvie4010]

Crystal is so gorge. A timeless beauty.

[@tayblahh]

How the man in the blonde bob a third finalist 😂😂😂 it was rigged for real !

[@10jnewman]

taylor brown that’s how I realized this shit was rigged. That and Harlow being the only one in blue

[@zalenahquaddy4354]

And the fact that all three are wearing bed sheets 😩

[@StrongerThanYsterday]

Omg their outfits were fabulous ❤️

[@zalenahquaddy4354]

Not Harlows or the mister in the bob they were in bed sheets, all the other queens looked good though

[@azarofox13]

This isn’t the time to show temperament 🤩

[@Kiki-D-Kimono]

Good gravy, thank the heavens for Crystal LaBeija.

[@bakaboy2000]

Miss Alfonso from Chicago......

[@mdelvalle2456]

bakaboy2000 shes probably not from Chicago.

[@doriancoreyscloset421]

*BEAST*

[@JordanWilliams-ix2td]

Ok but why they had to say 19 hundred Sixty seven national um ok lol. I love vintage videos like this u get a glimpse of how life was back then, being black I'm happy I wasn't Alive during this time tho lol

[@ococircusboy]

She knew the pag was pulled !

[@Algorhythmical]

Amazing how much drag has changed and evolved. It’s kind of more like an art form now.

[@lyndawilliams4570]

@0:12 That is Pepper Labeija!!!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 she became Crystal’s daughter then the mother of the Royal House of Labeija. Crystal created what we know as “houses” and the Ball room scene

[@devontehuntley6274]

I wish they displayed more of Crystal in this movie. She only has like two good scenes, this and the rant she does after the show. We really know nothing of her like her life before becoming a drag and her birthday. It's like she semi-never existed. No articles are found on her either that details her life and it's shocking people that personally knew her (like Peppa LaBeija) barely speaks her life.

[@jamieakagibby]

1:03 she was basically like “f*** this”...

[@rickythompson3625]

Crystal was the most beautiful out of all the contestants.

[@kevinnurrizky3225]

she is not having it. and we love it.

[@godsbeauty8]

Then she created Ballroom! Crystal is the motha of ball room!

[@GEMof72]

🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 Crystal!

[@inaj27]

Lol crystal wasnt having it

[@tricksgrl2]

Yep, Crystal was right

[@gozerthegozarian9500]

So she was!

[@SagittariusQueen1980]

Aja brought me here, like if you agree!

[@jeibal02]

Things idiots write

[@inkakoutna7155]

Harlow is truly nothing compared to the beauty of Crystal

[@pedrofelipepamplona1944]

Inka Koutná I love them both

[@hopedunkel2298]

Blinded by the glamour..

[@Lawrence_619]

I dont care of you are talking about the music industry or the fashion industry or the film industry...when it comes to THE STARTING POINT, for the LGBTQ community, out here in the World, doing things in entertainment and being open about who we are, Crystal Labeija is the starting point. She was the model for gay, black entertainers, and she dared you to have an issue with her sexuality or ballroom (entertainment) status...there is no RuPaul or Sylvester or any number of gay entertainers in music, fashion or movies, without this trans-woman. She was WAY ahead of her time, and a HUGE debt of gratitude is owed to her. Why a film about her life story has not been made, is beyond me.

[@BigEgo305]

“I’M BEAUTIFUL, AND I KNOW I’M BEAUTIFUL!”

[@kylielovespuppiecash]

Thanks Aja! 😗💟

[@corrine1310]

this was 50 years ago 🥺😶

[@gabrielleashley8939]

Well she did look the best in my opinion...

[@FumerPue]

Mother Flawless Sabrina as the MC, if I’m not mistaken...

[@avocadotoast7367]

01:05 - Alaska intro to Puppet. Gertrude, gertrude come back here

[@jsg590]

Honey that video was full of shit, im sorry but alaska did a mistake doing that video.

[@avocadotoast7367]

thats your opinion

[@Coco-chrispy]

Had to see who this “Harlow” was... 🧐🧐 NOT IMPRESSED honey.

[@smitmi2007]

What place did Pepper come?

[@zachsteele8128]

To be fair, people say Harlow looked more real and beautiful because she had certain traits associated with bio women, but that's not what drag is. She looked like she had no make-up on, her dress was terrible and with everyone else wearing white it looks out of place and not in a good way. Crystal had a bad attitude, but she did look better.

[@cgfdesignandstyle]

Sort of like Courtney Act...

[@Ter-el]

Zach Steele correction, crystal was pissed tf off because of the racism! I would’ve done the exact same thing

[@laprincesa3608]

Zach Steele bad attitude, I’d have the same if blantant racism was directed at you

[@didiermonforte3414]

Zach Steele and the make up is terrible 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@19Dfuck]

Zach Steele I don't think the dress looked bad but yeah Crystal was over all way more put together and truly gorgeous!!

[@michaelmoore2591]

Very seldomly do we even think about or remember who actually won that pageant. But we are still talking and thinking about Crystal LeBeija! Every time her name is mentioned it’s either in reference to the fact that she walked out or that by her walking out a culture was born!

[@jamaldouglas94]

Love this Diva!!!

[@Qeisama]

So please educate my foreigner mind. Why is it that everyone wore white and Harlow alone wore overly rhinestoned blue gown?

[@MultiAngelvevo]

Aja All Stars 3

[@josecolon8653]

Daniel Gonzalez yassss

[@AthenaGM]

I need that movable throne chair!

[@Wilddiscodance]

she reminds me of amy winehouse

[@ImJerkBoii]

From the side she looks like a plain little white girl (Harlow). Maybe thats why they chose her? The look overall was bad though. That dress. The makeup.

[@gozerthegozarian9500]

She was, in fact, a plain little white girl. Her medical transition began shortly after this....

[@lovedbiyou]

YESSS!

[@auntemmyd1604]

Miss Crystal should have clearly Won! She was Calling Bullshit without saying a Word! 🤟💜🌹

[@yoboi01]

Truth be told , she was right ! Crystal was the Stunner ! 3rd runner up .. They tried it

[@indashadewithguccipaid510]

Does anyone know where i can find more on the life of miss Chrystal Labeija i would love to know more

[@callmewitcher5069]

**the younger kids need to stop attacking the host ( flawless Sabrina, the one telling Crystal it's not time to show temperament)** it's already been proven Sabrina cared deeply about all the girls and was not a racist, and if you watch the whole movie, you'll see how Sabrina is the only person Crystal stops yelling for and sincerely listens to her, do your research, Sabrina did not know any of the other judges that night, ( the rigging of the contest was from the racist panel you see briefly in this clip not from SABRINA! at 0:50) - i bring race up because during this time, the black and spanish queens would purposefully lighten their skin with make up to look more white... it was awful to be honest.. Flawless Sabrina just died a few months ago, nov 2017, rest in peace angel

[@jeibal02]

You don't know that. Shut the fuck up

[@Tkimba2]

@@jeibal02 you shout the fuck up, whiney pussy

[@Columbiana777]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe I'm seeing a young Pepper LaBeija on stage?

[@asturiasceltic3183]

That's the legendary Pepper LaBeija

[@Greenterror]

This was the 1st loveandhiphop lol

[@dreamersleaze8949]

Daddy Fab no

[@corrine1310]

is Harlow the one in Blue? she seemed pretty

[@ImmortalChaos]

Yeah, she reminds me a proto Elsa.

[@jameskennedy721]

She aint having it !

[@joelg.pineda4131]

It seems like people in the audience approve or understood why crystal was walking out, that said I believe Harlow won fair, she looks natural, however it seems that the real feud was between Sabrina & crystal because the pageant was fix 🤔at least according to crystal & the people in the backstage seems to give some credibility to Crystal's tantrum,anyway I love the catfight😚😚😚

[@diamond.boyboy]

Harlow was the prettiest and this was a beauty pageant, she won fair and square but people love the drama

[@fernandoaraiza2625]

Analizando el video, Crystal en realidad no le molestó que quedará tercera Runner up, sino el hecho, de que de inmediato se notó que iban a coronar a Harlow (cuando mueven el trono al centro de ella, sin explicación obvia, se delatan), siendo la menos pulida, la que se veía más básica de todas. Crystal fue la primera en destapar el racismo y la discriminación dentro de los Pageant y demás concursos para el drag de la época.

[@KCSimsStarter]

Why is it not playing in Miami 😭

[@WikeddTung]

Crystal was savage. Harlow didn't look bad. She was fishy.

[@Red-fs1jw]

Shes young,, shes beautiful, and she deserves the best in life

[@cas73per]

@70sRob I read she died in 1984 from liver cancer brought on by the hormones she was taking at the time, which were from Germany and much to potent for the human body.

[@River-io3dc]

K J lmao no she didn't. Here's a 2003 article from the NY times commemorating the death of PEPPER LABEIJA, who is the mother of labeija who died of a heart attack, not Crystal. It's a common misconception but no, crystal died a few years before the movie Paris is burning was even made due to cancer and complications with black market hormones from overseas, which is why in the movie pepper is the mother of the house. Pepper also clarifies that she is the second mother mother of the house, Crystal was the first and founder. mobile.nytimes.com/2003/05/26/arts/pepper-labeija-queen-of-harlem-drag-balls-is-dead-at-53.html?referer=www.google.com/

[@angiefromChi]

River Lee Hurst that was a great article!! Thank you for posting that. 😚💟💟💟💕👍🏽

[@ariesfiresoul]

K J lol you actually called someone an idiot when you are wrong in the first place and can't even spell heart

[@candiecates]

Is this the original footage of the clips shown during the opening credits of Transparent?

[@MrThingsI]

Candice Cates yes, it is.

[@oliverv291]

Is one of the finalists the icon Pepper Labejia ???😮

[@barryrosen405]

wow

[@Black3y3dAng3L]

“You’ve got to expect loses.” No-the f*ck-she doesn’t. And didn’t.

[@samuelbrillo9484]

Congrats kelly mantle 4th runner up

[@2lungstransplant518]

I wish Pose had added things from the beginning of the balls and fashion shows

[@tiffanygilmore104]

Does look fixed!!!!!

[@victoriar2173]

Harlow didn’t try at at all, she didn’t put padding in her bra , she didn’t put earrings on, you can see the gaps in her wig, and she was not wearing gloves or nails, those are all - points that should have been deducted

[@josesantiago9866]

Were ppl applauding Crystal Labeija in solidarity or for the presenters statement?

[@rebel5813]

Omarosa said it best. They can be mediocre and still be handed the world. We have to be exceptional and still not get anywhere.

[@pedrofelipepamplona1944]

Wow, I’m seeing a lot of negative comments towards Harlow in the comment section. Well, I do agree she didn’t deserved to win this and that Crystal was right in calling out the validity of the competition (she knew it was rigged) and yes Crystal is a legendary queen who will always live in our hearts, BUT that doesn’t give us the right to belittle Harlow (I’ve read some really nasty comments on Harlow, like people saying she was NOTHING, and that isn’t cool and it wasn’t her fault that they chose her over any other girl). One of the comments even said that Harlow was not doing drag. You know what’s funny ? That most people nowadays only live for drag because of “Drag Race” and how popular that show is, but if that show was never maid (or didn’t become such a huge hit) most people wouldn’t even give the time of the day to a drag queen. I’ve came out of the closet and a very young age and spent my entire adolescence as an out gay person, and let me tell you, 99,9 % of the mainstream audience would say that drag queens were sick and twisted degenerates that deserved to either die or be shunned for life. I’ve even met some women who now praise drag queens and go to their shows, but some years ago, they either didn’t cared for it or thought they were disgusting and now they think they have the right to criticize them or said that so and so is not doing drag ... like, bitch, what the fuck do you know about doing drag ?!!! I know some girls who were very cruel to me back in my teen years because I was gay, calling me faggot and stuff and watching their boyfriends harassing me and the other boys who looked girly or queer but now they show all over social media their support and call themselves allies ? I mean, they are either lying and trying to make themselves look like politically correct human beings or they are extremely gullible to the point of no having a mind of their own and adopting whatever that is in vogue as their belief cause frankly I don’t think people change over night ! I’m sorry (and I’m not criticizing straight women/people who likes drag or watch Drag Race because they were always fond of it, I’m criticizing those who didn’t like it/cared for it or even hated and now love it just because it is something mainstream now) and I know I’ve deviated from the content of the video, but I’m sick and tired of hearing people who don’t do drag come for queens thinking they can trash them of anything like it when they themselves don’t do it

[@khoatruong6845]

How was Sabrina only 24 here??

[@xristianity]

Wow...

[@williammials6080]

It would have been flawless and frustrating to have been around in those times....

[@abby777A]

She did that...

[@dangerdirt]

Crystal was pissed!🤠🤗😂