Jasmine Rice LaBeija Is Rewriting the Rules of Opera
- Kirstie Nicole
- Mar 10
- 3 min read
At a time when Timothée Chalamet jokingly questions if opera still resonates with modern audiences, Jasmine Rice LaBeija is proving that it does. The internationally recognized opera singer and drag artist has built a following by bringing classical vocals into spaces where opera has rarely lived before, from drag stages to intimate cabaret rooms where queer audiences are discovering the art form in an entirely new way. For Jasmine, performance was never about chasing a specific title or career path. It was always about imagination. “I’m not quite sure if I necessarily wanted to be anything besides creative and live out my fantasy I imagined in my head,” she says. “Which I get to do as a performer.” Opera simply became the vessel that allowed her to do that. The discipline of classical training gave her a voice powerful enough to carry those stories across stages and audiences around the world. “Singing just happened to be a blessing on top,” she explains. “I get to use my actual voice to perform and share my fantasies with the audience.”
Fully stepping into that identity took time. Like many queer artists navigating traditional spaces, Jasmine spent years feeling like parts of herself had to stay hidden. “I’ve hidden who I am since I was a child,” she says. “Afraid to live out loud not only in my private life but also on stage.” Eventually, the choice became clear: continue shrinking to fit into spaces that felt limiting or embrace everything that made her unique. “It was either living in constant oppression or living my life fully embracing myself,” she says. “As a result I think I’ve flourished more than ever.” The support that helped her make that shift didn’t necessarily come from the traditional opera world. It came from the queer nightlife community that immediately recognized her artistry and welcomed it. “My chosen family and the nightlife community saw me as something to be celebrated,” Jasmine says. “As usual, the queer community is always ahead of its time.”
Today her performances sit at the intersection of classical technique and drag spectacle. Full glam, theatrical storytelling, and operatic vocals combine to create something that feels both rooted in tradition and entirely modern. For Jasmine, even the ritual of transformation holds power. “I LOVE getting into full glam drag,” she says. “It really makes me feel so empowered. That extreme hyper feminine energy is so powerful.” To her, that femininity isn’t limited to one identity or expression. “No matter what, whether you are total masculine butch bro or not, I think everyone should try to channel that feminine energy. It’s very liberating.”
A wider global audience discovered Jasmine when she became a finalist on Britain’s Got Talent, a moment that introduced millions of viewers to her unique fusion of opera and drag. For Jasmine, the experience felt less about fame and more about being truly seen. “I love a good validation from people who truly see me as not only an entertainer but as an artist and a human being,” she says. “I hope I get to share that love and energy right back to the audience every time I’m on stage.” Right now, Jasmine is performing in a cabaret residency in Puerto Vallarta, where audiences from around the world continue to gather for live performance and queer artistry. Even during uncertain moments globally, people still seek out art and connection, and Jasmine believes opera has always belonged in spaces like this. After all, the art form has never been as rigid as people assume. “People forget how raunchy and vulgar the subjects of opera are,” she laughs. “My flamboyant flaming fabulosity and raunchy humor fit right in.”
More than anything, she hopes young queer performers watching her journey understand that there is no single mold they need to fit into to pursue their passion. “I hope they see that they are worthy of everything and anything they want to accomplish in life.” If she could leave them with one piece of advice, it’s simple: “Be the best version of yourself. Become the very best and try to outdo yourself. There will be no other option but people to pay attention.” For Jasmine, that philosophy ultimately comes down to one guiding belief she carries into every stage she steps onto: “Live for yourself. Unapologetically feel your fantasy and dreams without hesitation."
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