What to Know
We all know that Erika Kirk has a certain look to her, particularly those piercing blue eyes that are often lined in thick black eyeliner and mascara. Maybe she and JD Vance share makeup tips? Who knows. But, because of her iconic look (maybe iconic isn’t the right word, but you get it), there are now drag queens portraying the wife of the late podcast host and conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
One drag queen, whose name outside of performing is Lauren Banall, shared a video on TikTok where she portrays Erika, a.k.a. Erika Qwerk, and even lip-synching to public speeches that Erika gave in the wake of Charlie’s death. Lauren’s account as a drag queen features other characters she has portrayed, but Erika is arguably the most popular by far.
The Erika Kirk drag queen is just too accurate.
@laurenbanall We are Charlie Kirk 🧿👄🧿
♬ original sound – Lauren Banall
In the video which went viral in just a few days with more than 1 million likes, Lauren, as Erika, wears a red blazer, has a wig with super-high blonde hair, and has obvious blue contacts in. She also breaks out into an impromptu dance as soon as the mimed speech gives way to Cascada’s “Evacuate the Dancefloor.”
In another TikTok, Lauren lip-syncs to an interview where Erika answered a question about what she wants to say to people who are “lying” about Charlie. Erika mimes “Stop” with a dramatic look on her face, and with creepy music playing afterward. The implication, of course, is that Erika is extremely creepy herself, with her particular look. And Lauren has it down to a science, it seems.
“You did the eyes perfectly,” one of Lauren’s fans commented on one of her TikToks that features her in character as Erika.
Another added, “Scared the heck out of me but I am here for Erika Kirk drag!”
Other people commented that they want to see more of this version of Erika. Then, someone else joked, “This is my favorite piece of political art I’ve ever seen.”
@laurenbanall STOP 🧿👄🧿
♬ original sound – Lauren Banall
The drag queen depiction got even better when Lauren was asked to attend an event in drag and stood at a podium with eyedrops and a sparkler. Given Erika’s tour of interviews after Charlie was shot and killed, she was quickly critiqued by some for what they theorized were fake or nonexistent tears.
With Lauren’s new platform, the drag queen has used her power for good. In another video on TikTok, she introduces herself as a Los Angeles-area drag queen and jokes, “What would Turning Point USA do?” This is, of course, a reference to Charlie’s organization he worked with before his death and the one Erika works with now.
Lauren explains that she has a GoFundMe set up to raise money for the ACLU to fight the Trump Administration.
The GoFundMe explains, “We’ve re-ignited our Fund Rager page benefitting the ACLU so we can block the BS this next administration is doing in the courts! No kings, no grifters, no ICE! Any amount helps!” Erika would absolutely hate it. Naturally, Lauren and her supporters love it.
