Background
Mateo was born and raised in Florida, Puerto Rico and attended the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico in Arecibo.
Mateo was born and raised in Florida, Puerto Rico and attended the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico in Arecibo.
He began his drag career in Puerto Rico"s gay nightclub circuit before relocating in 2001 to Orlando, Florida, where he worked as a dancer and performer at Disney World. Mateo has been active in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome awareness and activism. After being featured in a Gilead Sciences ad titled "Red Ribbon Runway" with fellow Drag Race co-stars Manila Luzon, Delta Work, Shangela Laquifa Wadley and Carmen Carrera, the dress he was featured wearing was auctioned off by Logo in commemoration of World Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Day.
Proceeds from the auction were donated to the National Association of People with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. In 2012, along with other RuPaul"s Drag Race contestants, Mateo appeared in the music video "Queen" by band Xelle (which featured former drag race contestant Mimi Imfurst as a member).
Mateo resides in Saint St. Petersburg, Florida, where he performs at gay venues and events both locally and throughout the United States. In April 2011, Mateo along with fellow contestant Yara Sofia launched a boycott of a Tampa beauty supply shop after the two claimed they had been told to leave the store because of their sexual orientation.
In addition to his drag career, he is a winning fashion designer and has won the 2001 Inter Fashion Award for Best Fashion Designer. While residing in Central Florida, he won many gay pageants including Mission Florida United States of A, Mission Florida Latina, Mission Orlando, Mission Central Florida, Mission Lakeland, Mission Waterside, Mission Suncoast, Mission Suncoast America, Mission ASAP, Mission Lakeland America, Mission Orlando Latina, Mission Florida International and Sunshine State All American Goddess.
