Feeling Helpless and Gaslit, This Drag Queen’s Erika Kirk Act Broke the Internet
In 2026, politics feels more chaotic than ever, but Lauren Banall is showing that sometimes a wig and a joke can hit harder than any protest. The drag performer has become an internet sensation this month with her character Erika Qwerk, a sharp parody of Erika Kirk that takes aim at the MAGA movement. Her videos are now being watched by millions, and she’s turning viral laughs into money for civil rights causes.
Banall didn’t expect any of this. Speaking to the source of the story, she said, “I absolutely did not expect this reaction. I truly only did it to make myself and my friends laugh, just like any other drag number I do.” What started as a small, local act for friends and weekend brunch shows quickly exploded online.
The idea for Erika Qwerk came from feeling overwhelmed by current events. Banall explained she felt helpless and gaslit by the absurdity she was seeing in the news. “The behavior I was noticing from public figures was so far outside normal that it needed a special kind of artistic response,” she said.
Her turning point came when she saw a social media clip of Erika Kirk with dramatic facial expressions set to horror music. For Banall, it was like a lightbulb went off. “Finally it feels like someone sees what I see,” she said. That’s when she put together the full look with red blazers and striking blue contacts.
@laurenbanall We are Charlie Kirk 🧿👄🧿
♬ original sound – Lauren Banall
Erika Qwerk’s videos often mimic the big, dramatic performances of Turning Point USA events. One viral clip shows her using eye drops to mock performative grief, which got a huge reaction online, some people loved it, others were upset. Banall isn’t worried about the backlash though. “It definitely makes me feel less crazy that it has struck a nerve and even a lot of conservatives see it and laugh,” she said.
Banall is also using her fame for a cause. She encourages her fans to support the American Civil Liberties Union, especially their Defense of Drag Fund, which helps protect LGBTQ+ rights. “I’m a drag queen, I’m not going to be the one to fight this administration in the courts, but I can use my art to raise money for those who can,” she explained.
She believes artists have a duty to challenge those trying to control society through laws and media. Banall has been a mainstay in the Los Angeles drag scene for years, performing at Dragcon and pride events. She has also spoken out against 2026 executive orders that restrict gender-nonconforming expression.
Looking ahead, she’s not slowing down. “I’ll continue fighting for a better, more equal, future with liberty and justice for all!” she said. Through Erika Qwerk, Banall is showing that comedy can be a weapon and that performance art can shine a light on political issues in a way few other things can.
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