Gramps Wynwood has been home to all kinds of drag events over the past 13 years. It is one of three Miami drag venues to announce their closure in 2025 alone. They are set to close their doors in January 2026.
Twin drag performers Angel and Jade Acosta have long navigated Miami’s vibrant yet challenging drag scene. Through their show “Tainted,” hosted at Gramps Wynwood, it is an experimental alternative space showcasing artistry while cultivating community. The photo essay captures the twins’ journey from preparation to performance, highlighting the artistry, challenges, and joy that defines their work.
Gramps Wynwood, one of Miami’s long-standing drag venues, has been home to countless performances over the past 13 years. While it is one of three Miami drag venues to announce closures in 2025, Gramps is set to officially close its doors in January 2026. These closures highlight the uncertain landscape for performers and the spaces that support them. Angel and Jade’s story reflects both the personal and structural challenges of drag including high costs, intense competition, and housing insecurity while demonstrating the profound sense of chosen family and community that drag fosters.
The photos document the courage and creativity of two young performers committed to carving out spaces for queer art. Angel and Jade embody the intersection of artistry, activism, and resilience amid a city where drag faces social and economic pressures. Their perseverance and dedication serve as a testament to the power of drag as both an art form and a vital community space.
Jade and Angel Acosta, twin queens, started performing March 2025.
“This definitely isn’t the easiest industry, but it’s my dream to do it,” said Angel.Angel and Jade arrive and leave together. They first discovered drag at the age of 16 in 2020, but it wasn’t until 2024 that they decided to dive into that world themselves. “I knew that I wasn’t going to do this without my sister, it’s a passion we both share,” said Jade.Jade putting the finishing touches on her costume.
“I think it’s about time we have just as many (queer) spaces as we have performers and queer people,” she said. Drag is expensive— from costumes and makeup to hair and transportation, it can be very costly. Jade explained, “costumes alone can cost $200-$300, and hair is $200 or more depending on color, size, and length.”As the twins wait for the other queens and for showtime to begin, they often reminisce about past performances and share their hopes for what’s next.The twins created a safe space for alternative drag with their show Tainted, which showcases and celebrates experimental and unconventional drag styles. Unfortunately, even new shows aren’t always safe. “Tainted” ran for about a month and closed on October 28, 2025, just a week after these photos were taken.Showtime begins and the twins host. “It’s really hard to get booked here, (drag) is very competitive,” said Angel. Still, creating a space for alternative drag is a dream they continue to pursue.Angel is 3rd in line to perform, and despite the outside stress she faces while offstage, these 5 minutes wash it all away.Jade performs after Angel.
“I love sharing the art of drag itself and just showing different ways and things that you can do in drag,” she says. “It’s a surreal feeling.”Jade and Angel perform between one and four drag shows a week, their main source of income, while navigating the insecure housing challenges that affect 39% of trans women nationwide.“This community truly means everything to me,” said Angel. “I’ve never experienced that sense of support, not from my family, but when we started doing drag, it was that instant when I knew this was the community for me.”Miami might not be the easiest city for alternative drag, but Jade and Angel have shown incredible perseverance, pouring their energy and passion into creating spaces for it, earning the gratitude of their friends and fellow performers.Long nights are part of life for drag performers. On this day, Jade and Angel wrapped up around midnight, tired but dedicated to their craft. Amid the challenges, they keep performing, both to earn a living and to remain part of the drag community they care about.
Camilo Taveras is a Miami native and a senior at FIU majoring in Digital Media and Communications. After graduation he plans to pursue a career in entertainment production, concert photography, and music.
Gabriela Danger is a third year at FIU majoring in digital communications. Besides writing and editing, she is interested in hiking, music, and animals. She hopes to pursue a career in writing, editing, or publishing.
Tatiana Cordova is a Digital Communications and Media major, passionate about uncovering stories that highlight community impact, human experiences, and lifestyle trends through multimedia content creation.
Patrick Loeber is from Weston, Florida and a college senior majoring in Digital Tv and Multimedia Production. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in media production, advertising, or news, combining creativity and technical skills tell compelling visual stories across platforms.
