Tabytha Margiela (she/her), a prominent figure in the ballroom community, has built a lasting legacy as a competitor, advocate, and leader. A leader within the New York House of Maison Margiela, Tabytha's journey into ballroom began in the mid-1990s when she was captivated by voguing at the Christopher Street Piers. Drawn to the sense of community and the space for her chosen family, her involvement in the ballroom was transformative, shaping her identity and equipping her with vital tools for survival.
"Being part of the ballroom gave me the resilience to live authentically and, more importantly, helped me shape my ability to survive," she recalls. Tabytha's first experience walking a ball in 1992, competing in the BQ up in drag category, was exhilarating and deeply meaningful. "It gave me so much joy to be celebrated and encouraged to compete. Family is important in ballroom, and I won alongside one of my family members." Deandre Revlon, I walked as Queen Mother Latisha Revlon and my sibling walked as the Founding Mother Danielle Revlon
Throughout her time in ballroom, Tabytha has primarily walked in the Realness category, which she describes as essential to her identity and safety. Realness in ballroom involves presenting as cisgender in a way that passes in mainstream society, a skill often linked to survival for trans women of color. "I always knew I am a woman, and realness is essential to my safety. The more cis passing I became, the less I struggled with feelings of body dysmorphia."
Her journey to self-acceptance through Realness has been powerful, but her influence extends far beyond the ballroom floor. In 2023 Tabytha received "Of The Year" Award for the FQ Executive Realness category, an achievement that highlighted her status as a fierce competitor. However, her most significant contributions come from her advocacy work, where she champions the rights and well-being of the ballroom and larger communities
Tabytha's advocacy work has been nothing short of groundbreaking. She leverages her platform, Fem-Queen Crazy, Sexy, Cool, to address critical issues such as housing, healthcare, and social justice, with a focus on discussions affecting trans and non-binary individuals, as well as the broader communities of color within the LGBTQ+ spectrum. . Her work amplifies voices across all intersections of identity.
"I feel my influence comes from being an advocate for my ballroom community, connecting them to resources that enable access to safe opportunities for housing, health, and wellness." This work is also realized outside of her media platform & she lives and breathes this work on a daily basis.
One of the primary challenges she observes in the ballroom scene is the tendency to excuse harmful behavior under the guise of "that's ballroom." Tabytha emphasizes the need for collective healing, financial literacy, and organizing to create more sustainable support structures for ballroom participants, especially those who face homelessness or discrimination. "We need more funding for agencies that meet the needs of displaced ballroom people and more community-driven campaigns addressing health and wellness."
Her efforts are exemplified by her work with the NYC Trans Equity Coalition, which secured unprecedented funding for trans empowerment and wellness. She continues this work on an international scale through initiatives like the Transgender Leadership Initiative (TLI) at AIDS United, empowering transgender individuals across the U.S. and its territories.
Balancing tradition with innovation is essential in any cultural movement, and Tabytha believes ballroom is no different. "Leaders are changing how larger communities access our culture, and that's important for preserving tradition while innovating." Through her podcast, FQ Crazy Sexy Cool, which she co-hosts with fellow trans women Chasity Moore and Asia Snowden, Tabytha engages in discussions on social, cultural, and political issues that affect the community. The platform also highlights game-changing guests who have made significant impacts in the ballroom scene.
Tabytha is particularly passionate about educating the next generation of ballroom participants on the importance of civic engagement and leadership. She recently spoke to Kiki scene youth from the House of Versace about being counted in voting and participating in the political process. For Tabytha, this is part of a broader movement within ballroom towards activism and organizing for social change. "Ballroom was birthed in resistance, and I would love to see members of the community get access to critical funding and opportunities to thrive."
In one of her most recent and memorable wins, Tabytha took home a $5,000 prize in a highly competitive category. Recalling the excitement of that night, she says, "Oh my God, where do I start?"
The category was titled "Transcending Down-Ballot," and its goal was to raise awareness of local and statewide elections by having contestants represent elected positions, such as city council members or district attorneys, with no federal offices allowed. The emphasis was on how these roles impact daily lives, and participants were tasked with bringing ambitious creativity and flawless execution to the floor.
"This category was right up my alley -- it's what I do in my everyday life, coming up with concepts that bring visual moments," Tabytha explains. However, what made this experience especially remarkable was the camaraderie she experienced just before the competition. "I had left my outfit at home and began to panic because that meant I wouldn't be able to walk the category." In true ballroom fashion, the community rallied around her. Her son, Miguel, lent her his suit, a young lady offered her shoes, and a gentleman provided pants. "Everyone came together to make sure I walked, and that meant more to me than anything in the world. It was truly a ballroom moment."
Tabytha's portrayal of a down-ballot candidate highlighted her message that trans individuals can thrive in civil spaces and hold positions of influence that shape safer, more inclusive communities. "It was not only a milestone for me, but also to show that trans people can be in civil spaces and have civil jobs where we can help shape our communities to be safer for everyone."
Tabytha's vision for the future of ballroom extends beyond the dance floor. She dreams of a day when ballroom youth have access to scholarships for education and a physical space that provides wraparound services, from arts education to health and wellness resources. "My goal is to empower others toward civic engagement, helping shape our communities so that everyone has access to stability, success, and the ability to thrive safely."
Reflecting on her legacy, Tabytha hopes to leave behind a message of hope and perseverance. "The work I do is not just about me, It's for us. No matter what the world throws at you, you can achieve your dreams if you're willing to make the sacrifices it takes".Her ongoing advocacy, education, and empowerment efforts continue to create meaningful change for the ballroom community and beyond.Tabytha has also contributed a portion of her life journey to the Emmy nominated & Peabody Award-winning Documentary The Stroll on HBO MAX, Further amplifying her voice & experiences. Her ongoing advocacy, education & empowerment efforts continue to create meaningful change for the ballroom community at large & beyond.
As the ballroom continues to evolve, with performance being the heartbeat of the culture, leaders like Tabytha Margiela ensure that it remains not only a space for performance and competition but also a force for social justice, equity, family, community, and resilience. By blending tradition with innovation and through her unwavering commitment to advocacy, Tabytha is helping to shape the future of ballroom culture, one step at a time.
To stay connected with Tabytha Margiela and her inspiring journey, follow her on Instagram & Tiktok for insights into her advocacy, ballroom wins, and community initiatives. Join her as she continues to uplift and empower through her platform, sharing updates on her work, podcast, and upcoming projects.