Velma/Johnny Jones is a Canadian drag performer best known for competing on the sixth season of Canada’s Drag Race and for performing under two distinct drag personas: drag queen Velma Jones and drag king Johnny Jones. Recognized for pushing the boundaries of what drag can look like, she made Drag Race herstory as the first cisgender woman — often described in drag spaces as an AFAB (assigned female at birth) queen — to compete on the Canadian franchise and the first drag king to be cast on any Drag Race series worldwide.
Born Ariane Laguë-Barrette and based in Montreal, Velma discovered drag as both an artistic outlet and a political act. She trained and built her career within the city’s vibrant queer nightlife, quickly gaining a reputation for theatrical performances, sharp humor, and a commitment to inclusivity. From early on, her work challenged traditional expectations around gender presentation in drag, blending camp, glamour, and masculinity with equal confidence.
She first gained recognition on the local scene by winning competitions such as Drag Moi at Cabaret Mado and Mx. Cocktail at Le Bar Cocktail, establishing herself as one of Montreal’s most versatile entertainers. Beyond performing, Velma became deeply involved behind the scenes, co-producing and co-directing Full Gisèle, the weekly show led by Canada’s Drag Race winner Gisèle Lullaby, while also mentoring emerging drag artists and helping create space for younger performers to grow.
Her breakthrough into mainstream visibility came with her casting on Canada’s Drag Race season six. Entering the competition as both Velma Jones and her drag king counterpart Johnny Jones, openly celebrating gender fluidity.
Velma is also openly bi, a part of her identity she celebrates both personally and through her drag. Her performances often embrace what she calls “king and queen fluidity,” reflecting a view of attraction and gender that resists limits and labels. She also proudly affirmed her bisexuality on the show in her opening performance verse:
I’m Velma the unique, making already Drag herstory. Dramatic! The drag orchestra. But Velma I’m confused. Don’t you sometimes wear Johnny’s shoes? No limit to my creativity. I’m celebrating both royalty. King and Queen fluidity, proud bisexual, confetti!
Outside of reality television, Velma has appeared in documentary and television projects, including Tenir salon and the docuseries L’agence, further highlighting her role as both performer and cultural figure within Quebec’s queer arts community.
Whether on stage or behind the curtain, she has built a career defined by collaboration, education, and advocacy. She has brought much-needed representation not only to the Drag Race franchise, but also to the bisexual community. Through Velma and Johnny alike, she continues to redefine what drag can be, proving that there is no single way to do drag — or to be bi.