My House

My House is an unscripted, reality television series which aired in 2018 on the Viceland network. Known for its boundary-pushing and diverse programming, Viceland gives insight into various subcultures, phenomenon, and communities, and My House is an exemplary case. The show brings audiences an array of vibrant voices and personalities, offering viewers an intimate perspective on a unique slice of American life.

The series uncovers the riveting panorama of New York's queer vogue ballroom scene, a reimagined new wave of underground black and Latinx LGBTQ nightlife parties. Right from the circuit's nail biting competitions to individual personal struggles, the story spotlights the grit, glamour, and glorious spirit of this unique culture.

My House documents this world from a fully immersive perspective, narrating a tale that goes beyond mainstream understanding of drag culture, popularised by shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race. The show explores the dynamics of the ballroom scene not just as a contest of looks and dance, but as a thriving community that forms an inseparable part of the participants' lives.

The captivating journey of the featured participants lies at the heart of the series, five prominent figures from the scene - Tati 007, Alex Mugler, Jelani Mizrahi, Lolita Balenciaga, and Relish Milan. The show traces their struggles and triumphs both on and off the stage. Each episode delves into their stories, touching upon the highs and lows they face in their personal lives, their determination in finding a sense of belonging and validation, and their resilience in the face of adversity.

Tati 007 is a transgender woman fighting to gain acceptance from her family. Alex Mugler, a runway model, faces career and relationship challenges. Jelani Mizrahi struggles with the repercussions of a harsh medical diagnosis, while Lolita Balenciaga, a successful commentator, grapples with the aging process. Relish Milan, an experienced dancer, seeks to make his name in a competitive landscape.

The participants share their experiences with honesty and raw emotion, defining their identities, ambitions, heartbreaks, and hopes within this unconventional world. The conflicts and vulnerabilities the performers reveal underline shared human experiences, presenting poignant aspects of this modern-day ballroom culture. It shows how these battles have redefined them as individuals, finding solace in fellow performers' support in their shared spaces, forming a community that transcends the conventional meaning of a family.

Profiled against this unique scene, My House showcases thrilling dance-offs, vibrant costumes, and riveting personal narratives, revealing it to be more than mere spectacle. Here, performance becomes a powerful statement of identity, resilience and solidarity, presenting themselves through the act of vogueing as a form of rebellion against societal norms, stereotypes, and prejudices.

The series also provides excellent exposure to the fine art and aesthetic of voguing - detailing the remarkable precision, agility, and boldness required in its dance battles. The cinematography is exceptional, capturing the frenetic energy of the dance-offs, the creative expression in the costumes, and the vibrant emotions of the dancers.

My House serves as an intimate, insider’s look at a world that often remains hidden from mainstream view, a world that does not only mean fashion, lip-syncing, dance-offs, and runway walks, but which symbolizes resilience, identity, acceptance, and fierce competition. It reveals how the competitors, against societal boundaries, assert themselves, fostering a sense of unity, belonging, and acceptance that each one of them seeks.

Overall, My House is a groundbreaking show, offering viewers an unfamiliar yet compelling peek into the vibrant ballroom dance scene. The series’ portrayal of the characters’ lives and struggles, the dramatized dance-offs, and the fascinating subculture, are bound to seize the audience’s interest and empathy, leaving a lasting impact. As much as it champions for the group it represents, it acts as a mirror, reflecting the struggles, achievements, and complexities of everyday human lives. It is a portrait of passion, courage, authenticity, and community - the keys to opening one's own 'My House.'