Walk into any ballroom event today and the energy shifts the second her name hits the speakers. Honey Balenciaga isn't just a dancer. She is a phenomenon. Because of her explosive rise on HBO’s Legendary and her viral moments touring with Beyoncé, people keep asking the same thing: is Honey Balenciaga a girl?
Gender in the ballroom scene is rarely a one-word answer. It's about identity, performance, and history. Honey is a trans woman. She has been very open about her journey, her transition, and how being a woman in the house of Balenciaga shaped her career.
She's a powerhouse.
The Identity Behind the Performance
Honey was born in Ethiopia and moved to the United States as a child. If you've ever seen her move, you know she doesn't just dance; she contorts, glides, and commands the floor with a level of precision that most professionals can't touch. But the question of whether Honey Balenciaga is a girl often comes from a place of curiosity about her background in the Ballroom scene.
In Ballroom, categories are specific. You have "Butch Queen," "Femme Queen," and "Woman," among others. Honey competes as a Femme Queen. In this context, a Femme Queen is a transgender woman.
She’s spoken about her transition in various interviews, though she prefers to let her art lead the conversation. She doesn't owe anyone an explanation of her body, yet she’s lived her truth loudly enough to inspire thousands of queer kids globally. Honestly, she makes it look easy, but the path for a trans woman of color in the entertainment industry is anything but.
Why the House of Balenciaga Matters
You can't talk about Honey without talking about her house. In the world of Ballroom, a "house" is a chosen family. It’s a support system that provides safety and mentorship. Joining the House of Balenciaga was a turning point. It gave her the platform to showcase her "vogue femme" style, which is characterized by five elements: hands, floor performance, duckwalk, catwalk, and spins/dips.
Honey mastered them all.
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She became a "Stat" in the scene—someone whose talent is undeniable. When Legendary premiered on HBO Max, the world finally saw what New York and Philly basements had known for years. Honey was the breakout star. Her confidence is magnetic. You can see it in the way she stares down judges. It’s not just arrogance; it’s the self-assurance of someone who fought hard to be exactly who she is.
The Beyoncé Effect and Global Recognition
The "Renaissance World Tour" changed everything. When Beyoncé tapped Honey Balenciaga to be part of the most talked-about tour of the decade, it wasn't just a gig. It was a cultural stamp of approval. Beyoncé’s Renaissance was a love letter to the Black queer community and Ballroom culture.
Having Honey on that stage was essential for authenticity.
Suddenly, millions of people who had never heard of a "dip" or a "shablams" were watching a trans woman from the ballroom scene dominate the stage next to the biggest pop star on earth. This is usually when the Google searches spike. People see this gorgeous, fluid, hyper-talented performer and type in: is Honey Balenciaga a girl? She is a woman who has navigated the complexities of gender transition while under a microscope. Her presence on that tour wasn't just about dance; it was about visibility. She proved that a trans woman can be a global sex symbol and a world-class athlete simultaneously.
Misconceptions and the Language of Ballroom
A lot of people get confused because of the terminology used in the show Legendary or on TikTok. You might hear people use different pronouns or labels within the community. In Ballroom, there is a distinct difference between "Women" (cisgender women) and "Femme Queens" (transgender women). Both are women. However, the categories they compete in are often separated to honor the specific struggles and aesthetics of each group.
Honey has navigated these spaces with grace.
Sometimes, fans see her old videos or hear about her "coming out" and get the timeline mixed up. Transitioning isn't a single moment; it's a process. Honey’s evolution from a young kid discovering dance to a global icon has been documented through grainy YouTube clips and high-definition tour footage.
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It’s a lot to carry.
She’s faced the typical internet vitriol. People can be mean. They can be narrow-minded. But Honey’s response is usually just to drop into a split and keep it moving. She’s built a thick skin. You have to when you're a trailblazer.
Impact on the Next Generation
Honey Balenciaga is more than a dancer; she's a blueprint. Before her, the path from the ballroom floor to the mainstream was narrow and full of gatekeepers. She kicked the door down.
Now, young trans girls see her and realize they don't have to hide their ballroom roots to be successful. They can bring that specific, raw energy into fashion, music, and film. Honey has worked with major brands, appeared in magazines, and continues to influence how "vogue" is perceived by the general public.
She’s often mimicked, but never duplicated. People try to learn her "clicks" and her timing, but they miss the soul behind it. That soul comes from the lived experience of being a Black trans woman navigating the world. It’s the "cuntiness"—a term of endearment and power in Ballroom—that defines her.
Real Talk on the Journey
Transitioning in the public eye is a unique kind of pressure. Honey has talked about the importance of mental health and finding people who actually care about you, not just your "brand." The Ballroom scene can be competitive and harsh. It’s built on "reading" (pointing out flaws).
Surviving that environment made her tough.
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She’s also dealt with the fetishization that often follows trans women in the spotlight. People are obsessed with the "reveal" or the "before and after." Honey shifts the focus back to her talent. She refuses to be a tragedy or a curiosity. She is a success story.
What’s Next for Honey?
The post-Renaissance era for Honey looks bright. She’s transitioned from being a "ballroom dancer" to a "celebrity." This means more brand deals, potentially more acting, and definitely more teaching. She frequently holds workshops where she breaks down the history of Vogue.
She’s an educator now.
If you’re following her career, expect her to move further into the fashion world. Her look is high-fashion, and her walk is already better than most runway models. The Balenciaga name—which she uses as her stage name—is fitting. She embodies the luxury and the edge of the brand, even if the house and the fashion label are two different things.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Creators
To truly support Honey Balenciaga and the culture she represents, it’s best to move beyond just asking about her gender and start engaging with the work.
- Learn the History: Don't just watch Honey on TikTok. Research the House of Balenciaga and the history of the ballroom scene in New York and Philadelphia. Understand the difference between "Vogue" and "Vogue Femme."
- Respect the Terminology: Use the correct pronouns (she/her) and understand that "Femme Queen" is a specific and proud identity within the community.
- Support the Scene: If you love Honey’s dancing, look for local ballroom events in your city. The culture stays alive when people support the grassroots performers, not just the ones who make it to HBO.
- Watch her Interviews: To get the full picture of her journey, seek out her long-form interviews on YouTube or podcasts where she talks about her Ethiopian heritage and her early days in the scene.
- Follow the Art: Keep an eye on her choreography. She is moving into creative direction, and her influence on how pop stars move is only going to grow from here.
Honey Balenciaga is a woman, a dancer, an icon, and a survivor. The question isn't just about her gender; it's about how one person managed to take a marginalized art form and make the entire world pay attention. She's not finished yet.