Turbulence Queen and Burrita Burrona: Mexico’s Drag Icons Become Viral Sensations

In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital entertainment, few stories have captured the imagination of Mexico’s LGBTQ+ community—and the general public—quite like the remarkable ascent of Turbulence Queen and Burrita Burrona. Once niche figures in the country’s burgeoning drag scene, the duo has now become a national phenomenon, attracting millions of followers online and reshaping the boundaries of queer representation in mainstream media .

Turbulence Queen, the stage persona of Erick Martínez from Guadalupe, Nuevo León, began her career over a decade ago, initially making waves after winning a drag gala that catapulted her into performing at local bars . Burrita Burrona, played by Iván “Momo” Guzmán, brought something entirely new to the scene: the world’s first “Mascotidrag”—a drag performer who adopts the oversized persona of a mascot, a character type long familiar to Mexican culture but never before blended with drag artistry.

Their partnership began with a YouTube show, which, after a strategic rebranding to feature both performers, saw its follower count soar from under 5,000 subscribers to more than 375,000. The impact was even more dramatic on TikTok, where Turbulence boasts 600,000 followers and 16 million likes, while Burrita commands a staggering 1.5 million followers and 28 million likes. Their joint podcast, “El Podcast del Momento,” now has over 225,000 subscribers .

The pair’s viral success has translated into mainstream visibility and lucrative commercial deals. Major Mexican supermarket chain Soriana recently featured their images on a line of cakes, signaling a level of corporate embrace rarely seen for drag performers in Latin America . Netflix Latin America tapped them to host a series of videos promoting new South Korean dramas, while Televisa, one of the country’s largest media conglomerates, included them in its comedic coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Beyond the sponsorships, Turbulence and Burrita’s YouTube channel has expanded to include new recurring characters, such as Burrita’s mother and a butch lesbian wolf love interest. Their comedic sketches and cooking segments routinely attract hundreds of thousands of viewers, with some episodes surpassing the one million mark .

While drag has a storied history in Mexico, Burrita Burrona’s role as a drag mascot is a novel twist that reflects both the evolution of drag artistry and the adaptability of Mexican pop culture . Traditionally, mascots have been associated with sports teams, businesses, and children’s events, but Burrita’s playful, larger-than-life character now stands as a visible, affirming symbol of queer creativity.

Their rise has coincided with the broader cultural acceptance of LGBTQ+ entertainers in Mexico, although not all members of the community enjoy the same level of recognition and privilege . In interviews, Turbulence and Burrita have used their platform to share personal stories, engage in lively banter about Mexican celebrities, and offer social commentary—thereby fostering a sense of community both online and offline.

Despite their popularity, Turbulence Queen and Burrita Burrona’s success does not erase the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people in Mexico, including discrimination, legal hurdles, and social stigma . The duo’s mainstream breakthrough is significant not only for its entertainment value but also for its potential to foster greater acceptance and understanding.

As they continue to perform sold-out shows across the country and expand their digital reach, Turbulence and Burrita exemplify the transformative power of queer visibility. Their journey is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the enduring appeal of drag as both an art form and a means of self-expression .

The unprecedented popularity of Turbulence Queen and Burrita Burrona marks a turning point for drag in Mexico, signaling broader opportunities for LGBTQ+ entertainers and a shift toward more inclusive representation in media and corporate spaces. As their influence continues to grow, their story stands as both a celebration of queer joy and a reminder of the work that remains to ensure equality for all.