Honey Balenciaga is living the dream. Not solely the one of being widely recognized, but one built in the underground clubs of New York by Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ people, who went out in search of a place to belong. They ultimately created a form of expression the entire world could feel. When 23-year-old Balenciaga made her debut during Beyoncé's record-breaking Renaissance World Tour, she carried, on her stiletto heels, the hope of ballroom legends who once believed the bright lights of big stages and sold-out arenas would never shine on them. Her style—both referential and reverential in its nod to the foundation of vogue—is fierce yet soft, sensual yet electric, and surprisingly playful in its dynamism.
“My goal is to captivate the audience and be remembered as ‘The Showstopper,’” she says. That feat would be accomplished by the Brooklyn-born self-proclaimed “voguing diva” nightly, while standing next to the greatest living entertainer of our generation. Cheered on by a chorus of excitement, audiences from Sweden to Los Angeles got a taste of Honey, bathed in danceworthy excellence. Now that her presence and talent have bookmarked a spot in the story of both LGBTQ+ and dance culture, the world seems poised for that little something sweet that only she can offer. From sitting front row at this year’s New York Fashion Week to starring in campaigns for brands like Nike and Coach, Balenciaga has proven she’s here to stay.
BRA & BODYSUIT Rui, SHORTS Anne Isabella, JACKET 101%, LEG SLEEVE Rui, SHOES Stylist’s Own
IMAN MILNER: Tell me about the making of Honey Balenciaga. What was life like grow- ing up for you? How much was dance part of it?
HONEY BALENCIAGA: Life was Banjee! I grew up in the hood, East New York, Brooklyn, and I take pride in it. Being young and gay in the hood of New York means constantly negotiating between authenticity and self-preservation. It involves finding spaces of acceptance and community within a neighborhood that may not always be understanding or supportive. Being Latina, I was constantly surrounded by culture and music, so dance was gonna be a part of my life whether I liked it or not. Including the fact that my mother was a breakdancer. I guess you can say it’s in the blood.
IM: Take me back to 2017 and how you found your way to ballroom as a form of expression and artistry.
HB: As a child, I yearned for a refuge from reality, a sacred space where I could embrace my true self and feel a sense of belonging to something extraordinary, allowing me to recognize my own uniqueness. Growing up, I struggled to find reflections of myself in others, motivating me to discover my true home and community [in] ballroom. In high school, dance held significant importance in my life, but it was the art of vogue that truly transformed my existence. I stumbled upon ballroom at a free dance program during summer break at an LGBTQ+ center in NYC called The Door. From that moment on, I dedicated myself to mastering the art of vogue. I put on my stiletto heels every Friday, immersing myself in a vibrant community that forever altered the course of my life. Ever since then I haven’t worn anything but a stiletto heel.
CORSET Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen, SKIRT Alice + Olivia, JEWELRY Stylist’s Own,
TIGHTS Sheerly Touch-Ya, SHOES Stylist’s Own
VEST & PANTS Corban Harper, SHOES Rui
IM: One thing I love about your performance is the theater and storytelling in it. Outside of the elements of vogue, what and who informs your style of performance?
HB: I express my life experiences and emotions through my performance and sometimes I’ve got some shit to get off my chest. My training in various dance styles has helped me become more than just a voguer—I am a performer, a star. My performances are influenced by two main emotions: excitement and anger. This can be channeled into dynamic and impactful movements that convey a sense of strength and passion. Anger fuels my dancing, adding intensity and power to my movements. While it can lead to risky or uncontrolled movements, it also pushes me to try new tricks and stunts.
IM: It’s one thing to perform; it’s another to be on a world tour with Beyoncé. What was the most important thing you learned in preparation for the tour?
HB: The most important thing to learn was being a part of a team, a family. We were trying to build that bond on-and offstage to make our performances stronger in each city. On a world tour, you’re faced with many challenges, whether it’s personal or not. As dancers, we needed to develop mental resilience, confidence, and focus to handle the stress and pressure of touring. We made sure we were there for one another because we were all that we had.
VEST & PANTS Corban Harper, SHOES Rui
TOP & SKIRT Bad Binch TongTong
IM: What is the thing you most cherish from the Renaissance experience?
HB: I like to say that I’ve learned to fly. I’ve learned to fly on the wings of my imagination and soar high, reaching great heights and pushing the boundaries of my dreams and talents. I have cultivated resilience and unwavering persistence, discovering a newfound confidence and inner strength that propels me forward. I stand firm in my abilities, empowered by the knowledge that I can achieve anything I set my mind to, not simply because I believe in myself, but because I know it to be true.
IM: You have been able to carve out a space in fashion, as well. There were also whispers of a collection from you. How much can you tell me about that?
HB: I am gradually and steadily immersing myself in the fashion industry, exploring opportunities in modeling, movement direction, and walking the runway. While on the Renaissance tour, I had to temporarily set aside these pursuits to reconnect with my roots and hone my skills in dance. Currently, I am focused on working on a collection tailored for the cunty girls, specifically catering to the dolls and divas. ❤
TOP Helmut Lang, SKIRT Stylist Made
STORY CREDITS
PHOTOGRAPHY Boe Marion, STYLIST Bárbara Vélez, HAIR Ben Jones, MAKEUP Alex Levy, MANICURIST Danny Tavarez,
PRODUCER Virginia Leigh at Family Projects, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Olivia Gouveia at Family Projects, STYLIST ASSISTANT Jackie Moore, PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Myles Gouveia, LIGHTING DIRECTOR Christian Robinson, PROP STYLISTS Hanne Bjelland, Mack Closmore
HERO IMAGE CREDITS
JEWELRY Stylist’s Own
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