Every great artist starts with a spark—and Katya’s spark? It lit up a whole stage. Brian McCook created the iconic drag persona Katya Zamolodchikova, giving us a character so offbeat and outrageous that you couldn’t look away.

Her journey started on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 7. She didn’t win the crown, but she won something bigger: a global fanbase who saw brilliance in her blend of chaos and charm. And when she returned for All Stars 2, she proved that drag isn’t just about performance—it’s about evolution.

Video: UNHhhh Ep 95: “Wealth” with Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova

Let’s be real—no one does absurd comedy like Katya. Her drag name, Yekaterina Petrovna Zamolodchikova, sounds like a Cold War spy with a dance degree—and that’s exactly the point.

Katya’s character plays with Russian stereotypes in the weirdest, most wonderful way. She’s a “former gymnast,” a “Soviet survivor,” and somehow also a cosmic philosopher. It’s surreal, layered, and unexpectedly brilliant. She makes you laugh while flipping expectations upside down.

If you haven’t watched UNHhhh, drop everything and go binge it right now. Katya and Trixie Mattel’s wild ride of a talk show is unlike anything else online. They cover everything—dating, fear, fashion, childhood trauma—and they do it with such insane energy that you’ll laugh even when you don’t know what’s happening.

Their chemistry is lightning in a bottle. Katya’s erratic genius paired with Trixie’s sarcastic control creates a rhythm that feels both chaotic and deeply personal. They’ve redefined what a comedy show can be—no script, no rules, just vibes.

Here’s what people don’t always see right away: behind the wigs and punchlines, Katya is incredibly honest. She talks about addiction, anxiety, and mental illness with raw, unfiltered truth.

She’s been through the darkness—and came out still laughing. Her openness helps break down the shame around mental health, especially in the LGBTQ+ world. That’s not just brave—it’s life-saving.

Katya doesn’t stay still. After conquering television and YouTube, she co-wrote a book with Trixie—Guide to Modern Womanhood—which somehow combines beauty advice, nonsense, and real talk into one of the funniest books on the shelf.

She’s toured internationally, delivered stand-up performances, and continues to pop up in unexpected places, always with something weird and wonderful to say.

Video: katya being iconic for an entire season of all stars

Katya’s impact isn’t limited to entertainment. She’s used her fame to uplift others, pushing for LGBTQ+ visibility and mental health awareness. Her message is simple but powerful: Be weird. Be honest. Be you.

Her legacy is still unfolding, but one thing’s for sure—she’s already changed the game for future generations of drag performers and artists.

Katya’s not just a character—she’s a mirror. She reflects our fears, our weird thoughts, our vulnerabilities, and makes them hilarious. Through wigs, wisdom, and wild storytelling, she shows us that it’s okay to be messy and meaningful all at once.