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Photos by Michael Fluck
For more than two decades, the lights of Puerto Vallarta’s nightlife have reflected off the sequins, wigs and high heels of Diva Daniela, one of the city’s long-time drag performers. But behind the sparkle lies a story of survival, resilience and a deep commitment to community.
Born Daniel Estrada Jiménez in Autlán, Jalisco, Diva Daniela arrived in Puerto Vallarta 20 years ago, seeking a fresh start. She has been performing professionally for 25 years — and dressing in drag for nearly three decades — but says her path to the stage was anything but planned.
“I never imagined doing drag,” she said. “I started dressing as a woman when I was rejected by my parents for being homosexual. It was a way to get by and survive in a society where everyone marginalized us.”
Her earliest performances took place in bullrings, where she and a partner performed popular lip-sync duets by the Argentine pop duo Pimpinela. Her first solo number was Paulina Rubio, but putting together the costume was a challenge. “Getting things to dress myself was difficult,” she recalled. “It was all about making do with what I had.”
In Puerto Vallarta, she found a city that embraced her artistry and identity. For the last 14 years, she has been a fixture at the Blue Chairs Resort by the Sea, a well-known hub of LGBTQ+ nightlife in the Romantic Zone. Her shows combine live interaction, humor, and a knack for reading the room, something she says is her favorite part of the job.
“I enjoy the stage in all its splendor, but what I love most is interacting with the audience,” she said. “That connection is everything.”
When the lights go down, Daniela’s life extends far beyond the club. She cooks meals to sell and helps promote fellow entertainers online, using her social media skills to support others in the industry. She also has a passion for walking — “my way to clear my mind” — and works as a radio host, where her voice carries a mix of charm and candor.
Her life story is also one of activism. Over the years, Diva Daniela has become an outspoken advocate for Puerto Vallarta’s LGBTQ+ community. She promotes drag culture, mentors up-and-coming performers, and participates in community causes and mobilizations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she organized relief efforts for those most affected, combining entertainment with solidarity.
She also leads Conexión LGBT, a grassroots collective that provides social assistance. Through fundraising and donations, the group has reached vulnerable families with food, clothing and essential supplies. “It’s about showing that we take care of each other,” Daniela said.
Her work and her art are rooted in the same principle: visibility. “Drag is about more than looking beautiful,” she said. “It’s about breaking down stigmas and showing the world that we exist, that we have talent, and that we contribute to society.”
That visibility, she notes, has been easier to achieve in Puerto Vallarta than in many other cities. Long known as a haven for LGBTQ+ travelers and residents, the resort city has built a reputation for inclusion, both on its beaches and in its nightlife.
“What I love most about Puerto Vallarta is its people,” Daniela said. “It’s a place where I feel safe and without stigmas.”
Her presence in the city’s drag scene has coincided with Puerto Vallarta’s rise as one of Mexico’s most prominent LGBTQ+ destinations. From beach clubs to cabarets, drag shows are now a cornerstone of the tourism economy, drawing visitors from across North America and beyond. Daniela has been part of that transformation, but she also recognizes the work still to be done to ensure equality and acceptance year-round.
“Tourism helps, but we have to keep building spaces where local LGBTQ+ people can feel safe and thrive,” she said.
For young people looking to enter the drag world, Daniela’s advice is grounded in both artistry and self-worth. “Be authentic. Learn from others, but don’t try to be someone else. And don’t be afraid of the work behind the glamour — because there’s a lot of it.”
As she reflects on her career, Daniela sees her journey as a testament to the power of reinvention. From the hardships of her early life to the applause-filled nights in Puerto Vallarta, she has built not just a persona but a platform.
“There’s pain in my past, but I turned it into something beautiful,” she said. “Every time I step on stage, I remember why I started — to survive — but also why I continue — to live fully and help others do the same.”
Whether she is commanding the spotlight in a glittering gown or delivering food to a family in need, Diva Daniela is proof that drag can be both an art form and a lifeline — and that sometimes, the brightest lights shine from the hardest-earned places.
This article is from our Fall 2025 print issue. You can view it here.
Esta publicación también está disponible en: English Español
