Mia Starr
Birth nameMikey Pesante
Birth placeFlorida, U.S.
OccupationDrag performer · dancer · choreographer

Mia Starr is the stage name of Mikey Pesante,[1] an American drag performer who competed on the eighteenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Career

Starr was an alternate on season seventeen[2] and then competed on the eighteenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. She was eliminated on the Snatch Game episode, placing 9th overall. After her elimination, Miami New Times said, "Starr's run ended earlier than she and South Florida hoped, but she made a huge impact on the competition during her time there. After a decade-long break from drag, Starr entered the Werkroom as a star and strutted from background dancer to the spotlight."[3]

Outside of drag, Pesante has been a backup dancer for artists like Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna and Shakira.[4] He has also been a contestant on The Voice and America's Best Dance Crew.[5]

Personal life

Pesante began doing drag at the age of 17. He is of Croatian and Puerto Rican descent,[6] grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida graduating from Palm Beach Lakes Community High School.[7] as of 2025, he is living in Port St. Lucie, Florida.[4]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2013I Am Britney JeanHimselfas Mikey Pesante

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2018Love & Hip Hop: HollywoodHimselfas Mikey Pesante; Season 5, Episode 8: "Sex, Lies & Videotape"
2026RuPaul's Drag Race (season 18)Contestant9th place
RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked (season 17)Herself8 episodes

Web series

YearTitleRoleNotes
2026Whatcha Packin'HerselfSeason 20, Episode 6
Hello Hello HelloSeason 2, Episode 6

Music videos

YearTitleArtistNotes
2017"Havana"Camila Cabello featuring Young Thugas Mikey Pesante
2018"Aileen"Willam

References

  1. ^ Miranda, Alex (2025-12-24). "SoFlo drag queens turn the shade up to 11 for viewing party of new season of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' at R House Wynwood". WSVN 7News. Archived 2026-01-18 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-21.
  2. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwhjwdrlBp4
  3. ^ DeLellis, Trae (2026-02-21). "Which South Florida Queen Went Home on Drag Race This Week?". Miami New Times. Archived 2026-02-21 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-21.
  4. ^ Robledo, Jordan (2025-12-02). "Meet the cast of Drag Race season 18, from Plane Jane's drag mother to a former The Voice contestant". Gay Times. Archived 2025-12-12 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-21.
  5. ^ Almeida, Celia (2025-12-03). "Three South Florida Queens Will Compete on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18". Miami New Times. Archived 2026-02-11 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2026-02-21.
  6. ^ "Croatian & Puerto Rican ✨". No. 2019113083147547111.
  7. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdBtQHugbZQ