Ilona Verley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ilona Verley
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Ilona Verley at RuPaul's DragCon LA, 2024
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| Born | 1994/1995 (age 29–30) Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
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| Nationality | Canadian |
| Citizenship | Canada, United States |
| Occupation | Drag queen |
| Television | Canada's Drag Race |
Ilona Verley is a Canadian-American drag queen known for their amazing makeup skills and for being a contestant on the first season of the TV show Canada's Drag Race. As a drag queen, Ilona uses makeup, fashion, and performance to create a unique and artistic character.
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Early Life and Education
Ilona Verley grew up in Lytton and Surrey, British Columbia, in Canada. To follow their passion for art, they went to the Blanche MacDonald Centre in Vancouver. There, they studied to become a professional make-up artist.
Career in Drag and Television
Before becoming famous on television, Ilona Verley appeared in a 2018 music video for the pop singer Mathew V. This happened after the singer saw one of Ilona's exciting drag performances.
Competing on Canada's Drag Race
Ilona became well-known as a contestant on the first season of Canada's Drag Race. This show is a competition where drag queens show off their talents in fashion, comedy, and performance.
On the show, Ilona made history as the first contestant who was Indigenous, two-spirit, and openly non-binary. These are important parts of Ilona's identity.
- Indigenous means they are a member of the First Peoples of North America.
- Two-spirit is a special identity in some Indigenous cultures for people who have both a masculine and a feminine spirit.
- Non-binary means they do not identify strictly as male or female.
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During the show's finale, Ilona wore a powerful outfit that received a lot of positive attention. It was a mix of a traditional First Nations jingle dress and their signature pastel colors. The dress also featured red handprints, a symbol used to raise awareness for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women movement. This outfit was a way for Ilona to honor their heritage and support an important cause.
Other Work and Recognition
Besides performing, Ilona has worked at a NYX Professional Makeup store. In 2020, they were a featured performer at the imagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival, which celebrates Indigenous artists.
That same year, Out magazine named Ilona Verley to its "Out100" list. This is an annual list that honors influential LGBTQ people.
Personal Life
Ilona Verley is a member of the Nlaka'pamux First Nation. They have spoken openly about their identity, describing it as fluid, which means it can change over time. In an interview, Ilona said, "I think for me right now, the best way to describe who I am... is nonbinary and gender fluid."
After living in Los Angeles, Ilona returned to Canada and now lives in Vancouver. In June 2025, they were in a serious car accident but have since been recovering.
Filmography
Television
- Canada's Drag Race (season 1)
Web Series
- Bring Back My Girls (2022)
See Also
- Indigenous drag performers
