Jason Dardo
- Actor
- Composer
- Writer
Mostly known by the stage name Violet Chachki, Jason Dardo is an American drag queen, burlesque performer, model, and television personality. Dardo was born on June 13, 1992, in Atlanta, Georgia. They began performing as Violet Chachki at the age of 19, taking the name inspiration from Jennifer Tilly's character in Bound and the name chachki as an alternative form of 'tchotchke', meaning a small object of beauty but not functionality. Dardo identifies as gender-fluid.
Using a fake ID, Dardo first performed in the bar LeBuzz in Marietta, Georgia. After regularly performing in local drag shows, Dardo won Miss New Faces on Ponce in Atlanta. Following most drag traditions, Violet Chachki was adopted as a drag daughter by fellow drag queen, Dax Martin. Dardo enrolled in SCAD-Atlanta to study fashion design but shortly dropped out to focus on their drag.
They became a regular performer of The Other Show at the bar Jungle in Atlanta which provided a larger local exposure and the chance to perform with RuPaul's Drag Race contestant Alaska Thunderfuck, as well as Amanda Lepore and The Lady Bunny
2013 saw Dardo feature in "Legendary Children" which focused heavily on the Atlanta drag scene, and photographs were exhibited at Gallery 1526. Several photographs featured Dardo's genitals and a gaff which were received with complaints and told to cover up. The controversy gained attention from Vice.
The single "Cosplay" was released by Flying Lotus under the name of Captain Murphy and featured Dardo on the cover. They also appeared in the Adult Swim commercial for the single.
After unsuccessfully auditioning for Season 6 of RuPaul's Drag Race, Dardo was cast in the seventh season as Violet Chachki. During their time on the show, they were regularly noted for their immaculate aesthetic and fashion sense. Violet Chachki became the seventh winner of RuPaul's Drag Race, taking home the cash price of $100,000.
On June 2, 2015, Dardo released their first single, "Bettie" from their album "Gagged", and starred in the accompanying music video.
As well as being an accomplished drag artist, Dardo is known for their skills as an aerial hoop, aerial silk, and burlesque performances. In January 2017, Dardo joined the cast of 'The Art of Teese' alongside main headliner and world-renowned burlesque performer, Dita Von Teese. Later that year, Dardo became the first drag queen to front a major ad lingerie campaign for Bettie Page lingerie.
Dardo can be seen strutting their stuff in the Moschino Fall 2018 collection at Milan Fashion Week. In May of the same year, Dardo released their single, "A Lot More Me".
Using a fake ID, Dardo first performed in the bar LeBuzz in Marietta, Georgia. After regularly performing in local drag shows, Dardo won Miss New Faces on Ponce in Atlanta. Following most drag traditions, Violet Chachki was adopted as a drag daughter by fellow drag queen, Dax Martin. Dardo enrolled in SCAD-Atlanta to study fashion design but shortly dropped out to focus on their drag.
They became a regular performer of The Other Show at the bar Jungle in Atlanta which provided a larger local exposure and the chance to perform with RuPaul's Drag Race contestant Alaska Thunderfuck, as well as Amanda Lepore and The Lady Bunny
2013 saw Dardo feature in "Legendary Children" which focused heavily on the Atlanta drag scene, and photographs were exhibited at Gallery 1526. Several photographs featured Dardo's genitals and a gaff which were received with complaints and told to cover up. The controversy gained attention from Vice.
The single "Cosplay" was released by Flying Lotus under the name of Captain Murphy and featured Dardo on the cover. They also appeared in the Adult Swim commercial for the single.
After unsuccessfully auditioning for Season 6 of RuPaul's Drag Race, Dardo was cast in the seventh season as Violet Chachki. During their time on the show, they were regularly noted for their immaculate aesthetic and fashion sense. Violet Chachki became the seventh winner of RuPaul's Drag Race, taking home the cash price of $100,000.
On June 2, 2015, Dardo released their first single, "Bettie" from their album "Gagged", and starred in the accompanying music video.
As well as being an accomplished drag artist, Dardo is known for their skills as an aerial hoop, aerial silk, and burlesque performances. In January 2017, Dardo joined the cast of 'The Art of Teese' alongside main headliner and world-renowned burlesque performer, Dita Von Teese. Later that year, Dardo became the first drag queen to front a major ad lingerie campaign for Bettie Page lingerie.
Dardo can be seen strutting their stuff in the Moschino Fall 2018 collection at Milan Fashion Week. In May of the same year, Dardo released their single, "A Lot More Me".
