Culture Craze
Honey Balenciaga: From Brooklyn Dance Floors to Global Stardom
The making of a ballroom legend
When Honey Gonzales first stepped into a dance studio as a child in Brooklyn, she could not have imagined the stage she would one day command. Known today as Honey Balenciaga, the Honduran-Puerto Rican performer has become a household name in ballroom culture and beyond, carrying with her the fierce spirit of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Growing up, Honey trained in classical forms such as jazz, tap, ballet, and contemporary, but her heart found its true beat in voguing. She discovered the style through a free programme at The Door in Manhattan, where young people from diverse backgrounds are given space to explore their creativity. It was here that she learned to spin, dip, and strike the sharp poses that have now made her one of the most recognisable voguing divas on the planet.
The House of Balenciaga
Ballroom culture is as much about chosen family as it is about dance battles. After passing through the legendary Houses of LaBeija and Juicy Couture, Honey eventually joined the House of Balenciaga, one of the most respected names in the ballroom world. From that moment, she carried the Balenciaga surname, a title earned through her dedication, talent, and presence.
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From underground to Beyoncé’s stage
Honey’s star power exploded in 2023 when she was hand-picked by Beyoncé to deliver a solo during the opening night of the Renaissance tour. Her performance sent waves across social media, with clips of her voguing going viral within hours. What might have been a career highlight for some was only the beginning for her.
She continued to perform throughout the Renaissance shows, closing out nights in the ballroom-inspired finale, and soon after found herself back on stage with Beyoncé during the Cowboy Carter tour. Add to this her choreography work with Lady Gaga, and it becomes clear that Honey has not only entered the spotlight but is holding it firmly.
Screen presence and global reach
Before her collaborations with Beyoncé, Honey had already proven her skill on HBO Max’s hit competition series Legendary, where houses battled it out for voguing supremacy. She later made an appearance on Netflix’s Survival of the Thickest, extending her artistry beyond the ballroom floor.
In interviews, Honey has spoken openly about the challenges of constant travel, the importance of collaboration, and the surreal joy of performing to thousands of people. Her dream, she says, is to keep being on stage and to keep connecting with audiences around the world.
@dragmoon_ BQ Vogue Fem – Latex Ball 2019 2019 #honeybalenciaga vs #makaylalanvin #ballroomdance #ballroom #voguing #fyp #tiktok #vogue #voguedance #voguefemme #pose #dancer #ballroomscene ♬ original sound – Legendary Ballroom 🌙 💫💖
Voguing: more than a dance
To understand Honey’s impact, one must understand the history of voguing itself. Born in queer Black and Latina communities in 1970s Los Angeles and nurtured in New York’s ballroom scene in the 1980s, voguing was more than a dance. It was a statement of resilience, identity, and power. Inspired by runway poses and high fashion magazines, it gave marginalised communities a platform to express themselves when few others existed.
Honey Balenciaga stands as a modern symbol of this lineage. With every dip and pose, she carries forward the legacy of those who carved out a space for voguing to thrive. Today, she is not just performing for herself but for a global community that sees her as proof that authenticity can indeed lead to stardom.
Also read: From Mexico to Mzansi: How Tajín Became the Snack Seasoning Everyone Loves
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: Hypebeast
