{
  "id": 9447798,
  "title": "‘Drag Race’ Star Alyssa Edwards Claps Back at Ken Paxton for Using Her to Campaign Against James Talarico",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/drag-race-star-alyssa-edwards-claps-back-at-ken-paxton-for-using-her",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-24T00:07:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TheWrap",
    "slug": "thewrap",
    "url": "https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/politics/alyssa-edwards-drag-race-ken-paxton-letter-james-talarico-campaign/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "“Drag Race” star Alyssa Edwards, born as Justin Johnson, fired back at Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Wednesday after he continued to use her as a political pawn against James Talarico. Paxton's repeated attacks, which include a minute-long video montage of Edwards from her documentary series and YouTube channel, and a warning for triggering content, have left Edwards feeling disheartened. She wrote an open letter expressing her pride in being a Texan and her pride in her work as an educator, choreographer, and drag performer.\n\nEdwards, who hails from Mesquite, Texas, clarified that her political opponents' treatment of her says more about them than it does about her. She highlighted her background as a dance educator, stating that it is the accomplishment she values most. Her studio, Beyond Belief Dance Company, has grown from a YMCA program into a place where young people can explore their creativity, passion, and self-belief. Edwards also shared that her Christian faith remains an integral part of her identity.\n\nThe Republican candidate's recent video, which juxtaposed Paxton's warning with Edwards' performances and blurred faces of children, labeled her as \"Too Weird, Too Radical for Texas.\" Her publicist, Waylon Tate, criticized Paxton's approach, saying that using Edwards as political ammunition in a U.S. Senate race she isn't running in is a desperate attempt. Despite the controversy, Edwards remains optimistic about the future of Texas and its diverse population.",
  "summary": "\"Texas is big enough for all of us,\" the \"RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars\" winner says The post ‘Drag Race’ Star Alyssa Edwards Claps Back at Ken Paxton for Using Her to Campaign Against James Talarico appeared first on TheWrap .",
  "key_points": [
    "Alyssa Edwards, drag performer, criticizes Ken Paxton's political use",
    "Edwards defends Texas identity as educator, choreographer, and performer",
    "Paxton's video campaign labeled her \"Too Weird, Too Radical for Texas\""
  ],
  "editors_take": "Alyssa Edwards' rebuke of Ken Paxton reframes the debate, highlighting her pride in her Texas roots and accomplishments, and implying that Paxton's tactics reveal more about his character than hers.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}